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

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 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

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
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 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 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 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.

In addition to meeting the English Language and Academic requirements for progression, students must take and pass an entrance interview with University Faculty staff.

BSc Planning, Environment and Development

English Language 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

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

Equip students with the mathematical skills required to solve typical Architectural and Planning problems.

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

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

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

Develop an understanding of surveying theory, techniques and practices.

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

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

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 criteria and specifications and plan their implementation;
2. Identify, analyse and solve a range of design and build problems using appropriate techniques and principles;
3. Formulate solutions to problems through the synthesis of ideas from a range of sources;
4. Assess the site and contextual considerations in the design and build process in specific situations and conditions;
5. Assess and analyse problems that involve a degree of complexity, taking account of conflicting priorities and the wider impacts and limitations in decision-making.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ cognitive skills are developed through lectures, workshops, individual project work, team-working exercises, and design exercises.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be assessed through formative and summative examinations, class tests, workshops, fieldwork and coursework.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

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

1. Experimental practical and field work using relevant test and measurement apparatus;
2. Architectural representation by and knowledge of a range of design-specific software;
3. Appropriate project management techniques applied to specific problems.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The teaching of the majority of the transferable skills forms an integral part of the overall learning and teaching process on the Foundation pathway.

Methods of Assessment

The assessment of the majority of the transferable skills forms an integral part of the overall assessment of the Foundation pathway. Team-working skills, written communication skills, and oral communication skills are assessed directly.

Practical skills in the use of Information Technology are not formally assessed, although the development of IT skills is integral to the learning and teaching process underpinning the programme and are assessed indirectly.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

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

1. The key concepts, theories, principles and processes involved in architecture;
2. The techniques, methods, materials, product and practices, including the regulatory framework, codes and standards, employed in architecture;
3. The context in which architecture operates including, the legal, social, economic, cultural, technological, physical, environmental and global influences;
4. The industry, professions and allied industries, and linkages between elements of the discipline, and between the discipline and related disciplines.
5. The key concepts, theories, principles and processes involved in architectural engineering;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ acquisition of core knowledge and understanding is achieved primarily through lectures, tutorials, design classes, and workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be assessed through formative and summative examinations, class tests, workshops, fieldwork and coursework.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

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

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.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

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

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, Assignments, Projects, Practical classes 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 %
Principles of Architectural Design and Practice	IFYF018	1	30	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Practical Skills for Art Porfolio	IFYF017	1	30	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Foundation Mathematics for Business, Humanities and Social Sciences	IFYF013	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%
English Language and Study Skills	IFYF001	1	30	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	YES		40%	0%	60%

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.