Courses

INTO Programme Specification

FC International Foundation Programme in Architecture / Extended International Foundation Programme in Architecture

Academic Year 2023/24

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title

FC International Foundation Programme in Architecture / Extended International Foundation Programme in Architecture

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

University Foundation Certificate

Programme Code

NTO-IFY-AR

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100122 - Architecture - 100

ATAS Clearance Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Undergraduate Certif

Length of Programme

Full Time - 1 Academic Year

Total Credits for Programme

120

Exit Awards available

Institute Information

Teaching Institution	INTO Queen's
School/Department	INTO
Quality Code https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code Higher Education Credit Framework for England https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england	Level 3
Subject Benchmark Statements https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf
Accreditations (PSRB)
The British Council	Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 11-05-18

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None

Programme Specific Regulations

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
English Language Requirements:
Three terms: IELTS 5.0 (with a minimum of 5.0 in writing and no less than 4.5 in all other subskills) or equivalent.
Four terms Extended: IELTS 4.5 (with a minimum of 4.5 in writing and no less than 4.0 in all other subskills) or equivalent.
Five Terms Extended: IELTS 4.0 (with a minimum of 4.0 in all subskills) or equivalent.

General Academic Requirements:
Students must normally have successfully completed 12 years of school education (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades. Students with only 11 years of education will normally be Referred to Centre , the exceptions being Vietnam, China, and Hong Kong (see Country Specific Requirements A.1 below)

Minimum Academic Requirements from Internationally Recognised Examinations:
Students who have completed the International Baccalaureate with a minimum 22 points may be accepted. Applicants with the IB Careers-Related Programme will not be accepted.
Students who have studied UK GCSE, IGSCE or O-level will need to be approved via the Refer to Centre route before they can be accepted, the exception being students who achieve a minimum of 5 subjects at CCCCC including Maths and, preferably, English. Note that such students may have slightly limited university options following the IFP.
Students who have a minimum of an E grade at UK A2 level or 2 x E Grades at UK AS Level may be accepted; such students may have slightly limited university options. Local language AS level is not accepted.
For Non Standard Entry - Refer to Centre (RTC) Applications from countries not listed and applications which fall marginally below the stated entry requirements will be referred to the Centre for a final decision.

Age restrictions:
All students commencing courses for the September start date must be 16 years old by 01st September of that calendar year. For the June intake for the Extended course, students must be 16 before registering at the centre. For all other start dates, students must be 16 years old by 01st September of the preceding calendar year (and therefore have turned 17 before 01st September of the year they progress to university).

Entrance requirements are kept under review and are subject to change

Applicants are advised to check the latest information online at
http://www.intostudy.com/en-gb/universities/queens-university-belfast/courses

Please note: there is no portfolio or interview requirement for entry to this programme.

There are two intakes each academic year, in September and in January.

Award:
To be eligible for the award, all students must take and satisfactorily complete (pass) modules to a value of 120 CATS points.
The pass mark for all academic modules is 40%.
The pass mark for the English Language and Study Skills (ELSS) module is 50% overall (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) with no component below 40% (IELTS 5.5).

The English Language and Study Skills module is assessed using an INTO ELSS examination (benchmarked against CEFR and IELTS).
Results are reported as a percentage with 35-39% being equivalent to IELTS 5.0, 40 -49% equivalent to IELTS 5.5; 50-59% equivalent to IELTS 6.0, 60-69% equivalent to IELTS 6.5, and so on.

Students following the extended programme must take and satisfactorily complete (pass) one or two terms of Academic English before taking any of the academic subject modules.

On the Extended programmes, the Academic English modules are assessed using the INTO AE exit examination (benchmarked against CEFR and IELTS).

Re-sits:
A student who fails a module at the first sitting shall be permitted one further attempt to achieve a pass for that module. The module will normally be retaken at the next available opportunity. The maximum mark available for academic modules retaken in this way will be a pass mark of 40%.
The ELSS module mark is not capped on re-sit
Students who fail any module at the second attempt will be reviewed and may be required to withdraw from the programme.

Progression:
Holders of the International Foundation may progress to Year one of the University degree only if they have achieved, as a minimum requirement, the level of performance in both academic modules and English Language and Study Skills as specified in the progression requirements for its specific degree programmes.

BSc Architecture:
English Language and Study Skills Module
Minimum of 60% overall (Grade B, equivalent to IELTS 6.5) with minimum of 50% (Grade C, equivalent to IELTS 6.0) in Speaking and Listening and 40% (Grade D, equivalent to IELTS 5.5) in reading and writing.

Academic Subject Modules
Minimum of ABB
plus GCSE Mathematics grade C or equivalent.

BSc Planning, Environment and Development:
English Language and Study Skills Module
Minimum of 60% overall (Grade B, equivalent to IELTS 6.5) with minimum of 40% (Grade D equivalent to IELTS 5.5) in all components

Academic Subject Modules:
Minimum of BBC
plus GCSE Mathematics grade C or equivalent.

BSc Geography:
English Language and Study Skills Module
Minimum of 60% overall (Grade B, equivalent to IELTS 6.5) with minimum of 40% (Grade D equivalent to IELTS 5.5) in all components

Academic Subject Modules:
Minimum of BBC
plus GCSE Mathematics grade C or equivalent.

Students who successfully complete (pass) the International Foundation Programme and meet the published progression requirements for a specified degree are guaranteed progression onto the first year of that undergraduate degree programme at Queen’s University Belfast.

They may also qualify to apply for entry to other universities in the UK and elsewhere.

Further course information can be found online at
http://www.intostudy.com/en-gb/universities/queens-university-belfast/courses

Progression from Extended Programme
Students on the extended programme must satisfactorily complete Academic English with a minimum of equivalent IELTS 5.0 overall, 5.0 in writing and no other sub-skill less than 4.5 before progressing to study the academic and English Language and Study Skills modules.

Students with protected characteristics

None

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

Educational Aims Of Programme

1. Provide international students with a high quality education and learning experience at pre-undergraduate foundation level within which the measured and validated outcomes are of a quality to secure entry to undergraduate degree programmes of Queen’s University Belfast.

2. Prepare international students for entry to Year One of the BSc (Hons) degree in Architecture at Queen’s University Belfast, or related degree.

3. Provide a qualification to allow alternative progression routes for those international students who either (i) do not meet the entry criteria for progression to undergraduate degree programmes at Queen’s University Belfast, or (ii) who do meet the entry criteria for progression to undergraduate degree programmes at Queen’s University Belfast but wish to follow an undergraduate course at another university.

4. Enhance the subject knowledge, learning skills and English language proficiency of international students to enable them to communicate and study effectively and confidently at undergraduate level at Queen’s University Belfast or in another English medium university.

5. Assist international students to acclimatise and become accustomed to student life in the UK and to provide practical experience of the learning, teaching and assessment methods found in Queen’s University Belfast and in other UK universities.

6. Provide opportunities for international students to develop their intellectual abilities, including problem solving skills and logical and critical thinking.

7. Actively promote the development of key transferable skills essential for employment, including communication, team working, time and resource management and presentation skills.

8. Inculcate a commitment to good practice in academic work and provide international students with the necessary personal, interpersonal and key skills to enable them to develop as independent, self-directed learners.

9. Equip international students with the skills required to solve typical architectural and planning problems.

10. Motivate international students and enhance learning by teaching the various architecture related subjects within the context of practical applications.

11. Provide active and interactive learning experiences through a range of projects, assignments and workshops in order to engage international students and promote independent learning.

12. Develop practical skills in architectural representation through drawing and model-making.

13. Develop an understanding of the role of the professional architect, the business environment within which architects work, and the social and environmental impact of the decisions that architects make.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

1. Interpret and evaluate information from up-to-date academic literature.
2. Analyse information and make reasoned judgements.
3. Access and evaluate information independently.
4. Comprehend abstract concepts.
5. Develop reflection and communication skills.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ cognitive skills are developed through lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, group-work, presentations, report writing and design exercises.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be assessed through formative and summative examinations, class tests, group project work and coursework.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

1. Use computers and information technology effectively.
2. Use online computer sources for information retrieval and critically appraise the information and sources.
3. Work and learn independently.
4. Work effectively as a member of a group or team.
5. Manage time and resources, prioritise and work to deadlines.
6. Communicate effectively in writing, verbally and through graphical media.
7. Evaluate qualitative and quantitative data.
8. Develop an understanding of sustainability and the impact of climate change.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ transferable skills are developed through lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, group-work, presentations, report writing and design exercises.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be assessed through formative and summative examinations, class tests, group project work and coursework.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

1. Understand the key concepts, theories, principles and processes involved in architecture;
2. Apply the techniques, methods, materials, product and practices, including the regulatory framework, codes and standards, employed in architecture;
3. Understand the context in which architecture operates including, the legal, social, economic, cultural, technological, physical, environmental and global influences;
4. Show an awareness of the industry, professions and allied industries, and linkages between elements of the discipline, and between the discipline and related disciplines.
5. Understand the responsibility that architects have in addressing climate change and the framework of design thinking to address this important environmental issue.
6. Engage with academic texts using effective reading and note-taking strategies; produce academic writing that is accurate at both discourse and sentence level; understand policies and expectations related to academic integrity; listen and react to lectures & other types of classroom discourse; participate confidently in seminars, presentations and classroom discussions.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Supported through lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, group-work, presentations, report writing and design exercises.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be assessed through formative and summative examinations, class tests, group project work and coursework.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate key personal, professional and practical skills required to become an Architect; plus an understanding of the context in which these skills must be used.
2. Complete experimental, practical and field work using relevant test and measurement apparatus.
3. Produce architectural representations by hand drawn methods.
4. Utilise project management techniques applied to specific problems.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Supported through lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, group-work, presentations, report writing and design exercises.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be assessed through formative and summative examinations, class tests, group project work and coursework.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title	Module Code	Level/ stage	Credits	Availability		Duration	Pre-requisite			Assessment
				S1	S2			Core	Option	Coursework %	Practical %	Examination %
Foundation Mathematics (Business, Science, Engineering and Architecture)	IFYF019	1	30	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	--	YES	40%	0%	60%
English Language and Study Skills	IFYF001	1	30	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	YES	--	40%	0%	60%
Foundation Politics and International Relations	IFYF004	1	30	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	--	YES	40%	0%	60%
Practical Skills for Art Porfolio	IFYF017	1	30	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	YES	--	100%	0%	0%
Principles of Architectural Design and Practice	IFYF018	1	30	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	YES	--	100%	0%	0%

Notes

Please note that the British Council accredits the ELSS module for this programme.
Please note, students on the Extended version of this programme may do 4 or 5 terms.
Note 1: Modules IFYF018 and IFYF017 are core modules for progression to BSc Architecture and optional modules for progression to BSc Planning, Environment and Development or BSc Geography.