Courses

Programme Specification

FC International Foundation in Business, Humanities & Social Sciences (Accelerated)

Academic Year 2024/25

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 in Business, Humanities & Social Sciences (Accelerated)

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

University Foundation Certificate

Programme Code

NTO-AIF-BH

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100079 - Business studies - 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	Queen's International Study Centre (ISC)
School/Department	QUB International Study Centre
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 11-10-23

Regulation Information

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

None.

Programme Specific Regulations

Age restrictions

All students commencing courses for the March start date must be 16 years old by 01st March of that calendar year. Entrance requirements are kept under review and are subject to change

Applicants are advised to check the latest information regarding Entry Requirements, Important Dates, Fees and Pricing, Modules and Progression online at
http://www.intostudy.com/en-gb/universities/queens-university-belfast/courses

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 module is 50% overall (IELTS 6.0), with a minimum of 40% in each sub-skill (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.

Progression
Holders of the International Foundation qualification 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 specific degree programmes.

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, (except for those courses where the normal progression guarantee does not apply).

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

The International Foundation programme is acceptable for entry to many undergraduate degree programmes at Queen’s, with the exception of Agricultural Technology, Medicine, Dentistry and Social Work.

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 progression to Year One of a range of undergraduate degree programmes at Queen’s University Belfast.

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 ability 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 students with the necessary personal, interpersonal and key skills to enable them to develop as independent, self-directed learners.

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, group-work, presentations and report writing.

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, group-work, presentations and report writing.

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. Demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues in business, humanities and social sciences.
2. Demonstrate an awareness/knowledge of mathematical facts, principles and statistical techniques relevant to a variety of discipline areas and use them to solve real life problems.
3. Analyse and combine information from a variety of sources and apply economic, business and political concepts to practical situations and topical issues.
4. 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

Students’ knowledge and understanding is developed through lectures, seminars, tutorials, group-work, presentations and report writing.

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. Apply knowledge and understanding, cognitive and transferable skills within each subject module as well as across modules at programme level.
2. Appreciate many of the constituent aspects which make up society and how society impacts upon our everyday lives.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ subject specific skills are developed through lectures, seminars, tutorials, group-work, presentations and report writing.

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 %
Further Mathematics for Engineering and Science	IFYF015	1	30	YES	YES	14 weeks	N	--	YES	40%	0%	60%
Foundation Mathematics (Business, Science, Engineering and Architecture)	IFYF019	1	30	YES	YES	14 weeks	N	--	YES	40%	0%	60%
Foundation Business Studies	IFYF014	1	30	YES	YES	14 weeks	N	--	YES	40%	0%	60%
Foundation Politics and International Relations	IFYF004	1	30	YES	YES	14 weeks	N	--	YES	40%	0%	60%
Foundation Economics	IFYF003	1	30	YES	YES	14 weeks	N	--	YES	40%	0%	60%
English Language and Study Skills	IFYF001	1	30	YES	YES	14 weeks	N	YES	--	40%	0%	60%

Notes

If students choose to study Module IFYF015 (Further Maths) they must also study IFYF019 (Foundation Mathematics).
Please note that the British Council accredits the ELSS module for this programme.