Foundation Programme for International Students
What the Course offers
- Essential academic language and skills
- A choice of subjects
- Access to degree programmes at Exeter and other British Universities
- Expert guidance with UCAS applications
- Induction week with University of Exeter students
Course Aims
This is a full-time intensive 9 month programme for students aged 17 or over who have completed 12 years of schooling (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades, or show strong evidence of ability to successfully complete the programme, and progress to their chosen degree at a University in the UK. Applicants who reach the required level at the end of the course will be able to progress to undergraduate degree programmes at the University of Exeter or other universities in the UK.
Course Content
The programme consists of 120 credits. Successful completion of the INTO University of Exeter Foundation Programme leads to the award of a University of Exeter Foundation Certificate, welcomed at the university itself and by other top ranking UK universities, together with a transcript of grades with the mention pass or distinction as appropriate.
1. English Language Skills for Academic Study (40 credits)
The module will provide students with essential language and study skills for undertaking academic study through the medium of English. There will be a focus on the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening within the context of higher education. This module is suitable for students with a minimum overall ability in English as a foreign language equivalent to UCLES IELTS level 5.0 with a written proficiency of 5.
Module specific skills: After completing this module, students will have control of a core of general academic vocabulary; demonstrate an understanding of texts of different types (spoken and written); produce clear, well-structured written text, showing reasonably controlled use of the conventions used in academic writing; express themselves with a degree of fluency and accuracy that enables effective spoken communication.
Discipline specific skills: At the end of this module students will show that they have the ability to use both spoken and written English language flexibly for general academic purposes and within their subject area to the level necessary to follow a programme of academic study at undergraduate level.
Personal and key skills: By the end of this module students will demonstrate skills associated with operating in a foreign language (e.g. dealing with information, interpersonal interaction); self-management skills including the ability to set personal objectives, manage time and tasks and evaluate their own performance; and a general ability to learn effectively and be aware of his/her own learning strategies, including the ability to learn both independently and co-operatively, use appropriate learning technologies, a range of academic skills (analysis, synthesis) and identify and evaluate personal learning strategies.
In addition, students are helped to prepare for the British Council IELTS test.
I chose Exeter because the crime rate is low and the University has a low drop-out rate. It is beautiful and peaceful here with lots of young students. It's easy to find a friend. I want to stay at Exeter to study Accounting and Finance next year.
2. Academic Content (80 credits)
Students will take 1-2 of the following compulsory modules together with optional modules. Compulsory and optional modules taken will depend on the subject students wish to study at Undergraduate level.
- Foundation Mathematics (20 credits) This module will be followed by business, computer science, engineering, maths and science students. The course will include mathematical notation, problem solving with algebraic and trigonometric formulae, basic principles of calculus and recognition of techniques to solve particular problems.
- British History and Institutions 1 (20 credits) This module is chosen by students who wish to do a degree in humanities, social science, law or psychology. The aim is to give an introduction to British history and institutions in order to help students to develop their thought processes and ability to debate various topics. Topics will include: Early Twentieth Century Poverty and Industrial Unrest; Liberal Reforms of the Early Twentieth Century; The Suffragette Movement; Economic Depression and the General Strike; Social Impact of the Second World War; Rise of the Labour Party; Beginning of the Welfare State.
- British History and Institutions 2 (20 credits) This module is chosen by students who wish to do a degree in humanities, social science, law or psychology. The aim is to give an introduction to British history and institutions in order to help students to develop their thought processes and ability to debate various topics. Topics will include: The Decline of the British Empire; Britain and the European Union; “Thatcherism”; “New Labour”; Women in Britain since 1945; The Media; The Influence of British involvement in Twentieth Century Wars.
- Introduction to Economics (20 credits) This module is chosen by students who wish to do a degree in management, economics, finance or accounting. The aim of the module is to give the student an introduction to the major theoretical models and key terminology of macro- and micro- economic theory while considering real life applications. The student will gain the skills of using economic terminology in English through listening, reading speaking and writing. Topics will include: Demand and supply policy and the market; Business as a competitive market; Labour markets, wages and industrial relations; Investment and the employment of capital; Money and interest rates; Business activity, employment and inflation; Relationships between money and GDP.
Special Features
Each student has a personal tutor, and expert help is given in making applications to British Universities through UCAS. There is a designated route to degree courses at Exeter, for example:
- BA Accounting and Finance
- BA Business and Accounting
- BA Business Economics
- BA Business and Management
- BA Economics
- BA Politics/International Relations/History/Sociology
- LLB Law
- BSc Psychology
- BSc Computer Science
- BEng Engineering
- BSc Mathematics
Students will be guaranteed an offer for degree programmes at Exeter.
For information about the 4-year linked degree programmes in the School of Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics please see: http://www.secam.ex.ac.uk/index.php?nav=537&searchtext=linked%20degrees
The programme is widely recognised by top universities in the U.K. and in previous years our students have had offers from other universities such as:
- Aston
- Bath
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- City
- Durham
- Lancaster
- Leeds
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Nottingham
- Reading
- Sheffield
- Southampton
- York
Entry Requirements
Students will normally have completed Secondary Education either in their own country or in the U.K. A minimum English level of 5 in IELTS (with 5 in writing), or TOEFL 64ibt; 180cbt; 510pbt (with 3 in TWE) or equivalent is required. If students have not achieved the level required in English, they will be asked to attend our summer course as a preparation.
Length of Study & Start Dates
The INTO University of Exeter Foundation Programme has start dates in September and January and runs for 9 months (3 terms). There are two start and finish dates - Mon 29 Sep 2008 to Fri 12 Jun 2009 and Mon 5 Jan 2009 to Fri 21 Aug 2009.
Course Dates & Fees
Course fees includes all teaching, use of some textbooks and materials as well as transport for excursions and a social programme.
For more details please see our Dates and Fees page.
How to Apply
If you wish to apply for any INTO University of Exeter programme please complete and return our new application form. The application form can be downloaded here.
Completed application forms and accompanying documents can be sent to us at the address below or scanned and emailed to us at into@exeter.ac.uk