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International Foundation Programme in Engineering and Science (Accelerated)

Academic Year 2019/20

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

International Foundation Programme in Engineering and Science (Accelerated)

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

University Foundation Certificate

Programme Code

NTO-AIF-EN

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100184

ATAS Clearance Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Undergraduate Certif

Length of Programme

1 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

120

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Teaching Institution

INTO Queen's

School/Department

INTO

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 3

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

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:
For the International Foundation Programme in Engineering & Science (Accelerated) candidates will normally be required to have an English Language test score, taken within the last two years, of IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each sub-skill. Candidates with IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in writing and no less than 5.0 in the other sub-skills will be considered on a case by case basis.
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.
The International Foundation programme is acceptable for entry to undergraduate degree programmes at Queen’s, with the exception of Agricultural Technology, Medicine, Dentistry and Social Work.
Because of the competition for places and the limited number of placements available, the normal progression guarantee does not apply to degree programmes in Midwifery Sciences or Nursing. ALL applications for progression to Midwifery Sciences and Nursing will be referred to Centre (RTC).
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

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, etc.

Re-sits
A student who fails a module at the first sitting shall normally 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 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 specific degree programmes.

Students who successfully complete the International Foundation Programme and meet the specified course requirements are guaranteed progression onto the first year of an undergraduate degree programme at Queen’s University Belfast. They also qualify to apply for entry to other universities in the UK and elsewhere.

The INTO brochure provides detailed and up-to-date information about the English language requirements and grade profile needed for specified degrees at Queen’s University. 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

On successful completion of the International Foundation Programme in Engineering and Science (Six Month Accelerated), students will be able to:
1. 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.

2. Demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of key principles, contemporary topics and concepts relevant to Engineering and the physical, chemical or biological sciences.

3. Analyse and combine information from a variety of sources and apply to practical and theoretical situations in Engineering and Science.

4. Appreciate the nature of scientific enquiry and the nature of evidence necessary to support empirical theory.

5. 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

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

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

1. Critically analyse, evaluate and interprete information.
2. Analyse information and make reasoned judgements
3. Access and evaluate information independently
4. Comprehend abstract concepts
5. Reflect and communicate effectively

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Cognitive skills are developed throughout the programme by teaching staff working with students posing problems aimed at exercising and developing knowledge in each unit.

Throughout the programme, elements of applied work form a focus for the development of cognitive skills. As well as taking part in lectures, laboratories and seminars, students also form learning groups which meet regularly under guidance to discuss progress and problems. Independent enquiry, critical evaluation and interpretation, abstraction and assimilation are key elements in all modules and are further reinforced in the Study Skills component of the English Language and Study Skills module.

Methods of Assessment

Self-assessment and reflection are developed by formative feedback particularly on tutorial presentations.
Assessment of cognitive skills, both summative and formative, occurs in the form of course assignments, oral presentations, project work and examinations.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

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

1.Demonstrate the ability to present knowledge and demonstrate expertise in a coherent, effective and meaningful form.
2.Demonstrate the ability to construct and evaluate arguments, and to reach conclusions.
3. Demonstrate the ability to present quantitative and qualitative information in a form appropriate to different intended audiences.
4. Demonstrate the application and appropriate use of ICT: including PowerPoint, excel, word-processing, e-mail, internet and subject
5.Prepare and communicate ideas in written, presentational and graphical forms.
6. Demonstrate the ability to work both independently and in groups and to demonstrate organisation and time management skills.
7. Demonstrate the ability to undertake scientific investigations in a safe and competent manner.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Transferable skills development permeates the teaching and learning on the International Foundation programme. Successful completion of projects, laboratories and coursework across modules requires students to gather additional information from a range of sources, select and assimilate relevant information and to complete tasks within deadlines.
ICT skills are consolidated throughout the course as an aid to report writing, visual presentation, literature searching and data handling. Although not formally assessed, qualities such as self-reliance, good time management and the ability to undertake independent study are fostered and encouraged throughout the course.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of coursework requires students to use a range of media (e.g. essays, PowerPoint or similar presentations, case studies and lab reports) to demonstrate their learning.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

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

1. Think in a logical manner, have a confidence with numbers and an appreciation that working with data is integral to all aspects of a professional working environment.
2. Construct arguments and develop/exercise problem-solving skills
3. Read, analyse and critically evaluate data and abstract concepts from a variety of sources.
4. Demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding in subject areas
5. Apply knowledge and skills in a range of complex activities, within each of the subject areas demonstrating comprehension of relevant theories

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Throughout the programme emphasis is placed on the integration of language learning, study skill development and the acquisition and/or re-orientation of subject knowledge.

Methods of Assessment

For Summative assessment of subject-specific skills is an integral part of all subject modules and includes end-of-term exams, lab reports, class tests, presentations, assignments and project-work.

Formative assessment of student learning occurs both in tutorial and small-group activities. Up-to-date subject-related literature is integrated into the curriculum, and the ability to communicate, debate and critique the literature is developed within the ELSS modules and assessed in written and oral presentations both in the subject modules and in the ELSS module.

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.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, Seminars, Tutorials, group-work, presentations, report writing.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, Assignments, Projects, Practical classes (laboratory classes and / or fieldwork)

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 Chemistry	IFYF009	1	30	YES	YES	18 weeks	N		YES	40%	0%	60%
English Language and Study Skills	IFYF001	1	30	YES	YES	18 weeks	N	YES		40%	0%	60%
Further Mathematics for Engineering and Science	IFYF015	1	30	YES	YES	18 weeks	N		YES	40%	0%	60%
Foundation Mathematics for Engineering and Science	IFYF016	1	30	YES	YES	18 weeks	N	YES		40%	0%	60%
Foundation Biology	IFYF010	1	30	YES	YES	18 weeks	N		YES	40%	0%	60%
Foundation Physics	IFYF008	1	30	YES	YES	18 weeks	N		YES	40%	0%	60%

Notes

Further Maths will only be offered when numbers exceed minimum class sizes. If students choose to study Module IFYF015 (Further Maths) they must also study IFYF016 (Mathematics for Engineering and Science). Please note that the British Council accredits the ELSS module for this programme.