International Foundation Programme (Engineering)

About the course

The International Foundation Programme (IFP) is designed for international students who need to improve their English language and specialist subject skills before progressing onto an undergraduate degree programme at the University of Hertfordshire.

Provided you complete the programme successfully and meet all degree programme entry criteria, if you are accepted onto the IFP you are guaranteed a place on your chosen degree programme at the University of Hertfordshire. As an IFP student you will be taught on our University campus and are guaranteed accommodation in University Halls, meaning you will be studying and living alongside other undergraduate students. There are two main routes of study designed to meet the specific language and study needs of applicants from around the world, these are the English Focus route and the Subject Focus route.

Why choose this course?

Ideal one year programme for international students who wish to apply for a UK degree and need to improve English Language and academic knowledge. 

Study routes

• Full Time, 1 Years
• Full Time,

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Once you are accepted on to the International Foundation Programme, you are guaranteed a place on your chosen degree programme provided you achieve the specific progression requirements of that degree programme. Your future options will depend on the subject of your degree study. Our current students have progressed to a wide range of degrees opening up many different career opportunities, including law, business, engineering, computer science and the arts. 

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Academic Study Strategies 1

  This course is intended for international students whose college leaving certificates are not fully compatible with UK qualifications, thus making it necessary for those learners to enrol on the programme. The minimum required English language level is IELTS 6. The main emphasis of the course will be on consolidating the students' study skills (including the productive skills of writing and speaking and the receptive skills of reading and listening) in academic contexts. The content will be drawn from students' prospective discipline areas and other appropriate academic fields in order to make it relevant to English-speaking academia and to the context of British Higher Education.

• Academic Study Strategies 2

  The main emphasis of the course will be on improving students' study skills and consolidating their academic productive skills of writing and speaking and the receptive skills of reading and listening in academic contexts. Written skills development will focus on the conventions of writing formal academic essays; oral skills on formal presentations. The content will be drawn from students' prospective discipline areas and other appropriate academic fields in order to make it relevant to English-speaking academia and to the context of British Higher Education.

• Electrical Science

  Knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of electrical circuits, and of passive and active components. Development of skills in laboratory practical work and in data analysis.

• English for Academic Study A

  The main emphases in this module are on: consolidating students’ General English and language-learning skills and introducing them to the way in which language is typically used, in speaking and in writing, in academic contexts; making students aware of the approach to study which will be expected of them at undergraduate level. Students working in groups sharing subject interest and, as far as possible, the content of course materials will reflect those interests.

• English for Academic Study B

  The main emphases in this module are on: developing students’ use of English in academic contexts by requiring them to listen to, read and write extended academic texts developing students’ undergraduate study skills to enable them to start an undergraduate programme. Students working in groups sharing subject interest and, as far as possible, the content of course materials will reflect those interests.

• Information Technology and Communication

• Mathematics for Engineering

  The module will help develop confidence in mathematics and allow students to study and learn the basic mathematical skills required to solve basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry and trigonometry and elementary calculus problems in an engineering context.

• Mathematics for Technology

  The module will help to further develop confidence in mathematics and inculcate the fundamental mathematical skills required to solve arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and elementary calculus problems in a technical context.

• Science for Engineering

  This module should serve as an introduction to engineering as a culture. It involves some aspects of Physics, but will be taught with a strong emphasis on the practical applications of the basic principles. There is also a multi-disciplinary approach to the choice of an appropriate engineering material, depending on its physical properties and how these might be modified.

• Science for Technology

  This will extend the work of the equivalent semester A module to rotational and vibrational motions, to provide a rationale for resonance. It will similarly expand the work on co-planar forces, to consider them acting in equilibrium and giving rise to moments. There will also be an introductory treatment of the basic concepts underlying thermodynamics. Throughout, there will be a heavy emphasis on the application of these basic principles.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

International Students

Full time: £7,750 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Scholarships

• National Scholarship Programme

Find out more about scholarships for UK/EU and international students

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply