International Foundation Programme
Introduction
The
International Foundation Programme (IFP) is the first year of a four year
degree programme. It is taught by a variety of departments across the
University. It prepares students for the academic study in the degree
programme they enrol onto. Canterbury Christ Church University has seven
specific International Foundation Program year pathways that students wishing to
study at CCCU will be enrolled on
for their Year 0. These are listed below along with their 4 year UCAS
codes. The Level 0 Year is an assessed year and in order to progress
onto Year 1 students need to achieve the necessary pass marks in the
modules of the programme. After completing the IFP pathway students that
wish to change their degree pathway - to move onto a combined honours,
for example, are able to do so in consultation with their tutor and by
completing a change of studies form. This should be completed as soon as
possible after the Christmas break and no later than June.
Currently the following are the IFP pathways and UCAS codes for the four year degree programmes . Please make sure you put this code on your application form and that this is the programme code and descriptor you use in any communication over the programme you are coming to CCCU to studying on.
4 year degrees which include International Foundation Programme pathways:
Bioscience (C190)
Business Studies (N102)
Media & Cultural Studies (PL36)
Music (W302)
Sociology & Social Science (L301)
English Language and Communication Studies with Business Studies (Q3ND)
Contemporary Fine Art (W192)
If you wish to apply for a combination degree with this Year 0 serving as the pathway, check that this is a possible combination (Please go to http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/courses/important-information/ucas-codes.asp?view=combined) from the Undergraduate Prospectus and also check with the International Office. If it is, check that this foundation year is possible combination for the programme you wish to study with the International Office.
Fine Art student applicants
Please note that we have a four year pathway in Fine art to include a foundation year. This is not an art college foundation year but rather the first year of a four year fine art degree. This means that students who are to take the four year degree, must, before beginning, submit a portfolio for acceptance onto the programme. This can be send electronically and must represent a range of work. Please send in this portfolio of work with your application to the International Office (DVD, CD). It needs to show a minimum of 20 works of art showing a range of styles and subject matters. Students will have to take three modules in the Art department as part of Year 0; Fine art practice 1; Fine art practice 2 and Fine art theory.
Music student applicants
We offer a specialist 4 year BMus programme that includes a Foundation year. Applicants need to send in a sample (10 minutes maximum, showing a range of styles) of their playing (DVD, CD, tape) with their application. Applicants should also show that they have a knowledge of Music theory equivalent to ABRSM level 5. The programme is designed for music students who have the performance ability but lack the music theory knowledge and /or the necessary English level to enter the BMus 3 year programme.
English (English Literature) student applicants
Please note that if you wish to take enter the BA English that you need to have the equivalent of a grade B at 'A level'. If you wish to study English in combination with another subject you need the equivalent of a grade C. Applicants for the Foundation Year wishing to continue onto the BA English must have the necessary English literature grades before beginning the Foundation Programme.
French student applications
French is not offered at CCCU as a single honours, so has to be studied in combination with another subject. In order to enter a 4 year Bachelor programme which includes a Foundation year, students need to have the equivalent of an A level French 'C' grade level of French.
Bioscience student applicants
Students accepted onto C190 (4 year Bioscience) as well as any other BSc that is science related (but not Forensic Investigation) must take the Science options on the Foundation Programme.
IFP dates
The International Foundation Programme has two start dates:
September - May (9 months): All seven pathways open
January - August (9 months): Business Studies pathway only
IFP content and structure
The programme is divided into two semesters. In Semester 1 the main focus is on language and communication skills development within an academic context. Students on the IFP need a minimum level of English of 5.0 IELTS (or equivalent) to begin Semester 1. In Semester 1 students also choose between the following two modules: ‘Investigating British Life and Culture’ or 'INvestigating Business Practices 1'.
In Semester 2 the focus is on academic study skills preparation, academic English and subject content study. IFP students need to choose two modules of study (listed below). For science students the two modules must be the science modules, for other students any two modules can be chosen.
Content options 1 and 2 in Semester 2 are selected depending on the BA/BSc being followed, from the following and according to availablity:
Investigating Business Practices 2
Foundation Socilal Sciences
Foundation Media Studies
Foundation Business
Foundation English Language and Communication
Foundation Science: Skills
Foundation Science: Biology
Practical Musicianship
Written Musicianship
Studio Practices 1
Studio Practices 2
Business Studies Students are required to take the Investigating Business Practices 1 and also the Investigating Business Practices 2 and Foundation Business in Semester 2
Science students must take the two Modules
Foundation Science: Skills
Foundation Science: Biology in Semester 2.
Music Foundation students study three specialist music modules over the course of the year. In Semester 1 they follow Foundation Music and in Semester 2 they follow Practical Musicianship and Written musicianship. These modules will focus on developing their practical instrumental performance abilities as well as their theoretical knowledge of music. The Practical musicianship modules include 33 individual lessons throughout the year. These are at no extra cost. For more details please contact the International Office.
Entry Requirements
Applicants need to have a pass in their school leaving certificate and also a level of English of IELTS 5.0 or equivalent. For further details about the exact requirements for entry to Canterbury Christ Church University Level 0 programmes from different countries, please contact the International Office. Applicants also need to be a minimum 17 years old by the beginning of the programme to be offered a place.
Applications:
Applications can be made through UCAS. The codes for the four year programme are listed above. International (non-EU) students wishing to undertake the Foundation programme with CCCU and then wanting to move onto another university should make sure that they have checked with the admissions department of the university they then wish to progress onto that that university will accept them from the CCCU Foundation Programme(Y002) and also the grade requirements they may stipulate that need to be obtained.
Applicants are welcome to contact the International Office for further information on the programme and application procedures.
Please note that students applying from the European Union may be eligible for a fees loan for the programme. Further information for this can be obtained at: http://www.direct.gov.uk/Homepage/fs/en Then select 'Education and Learning', then 'University and Higher Education', then 'Student Finance', then 'Students from other EU countries'.
If you are an EU student applicant, please make sure you check you eligibility by completing the necessary application form for the SLC (this can be downloaded at the above site) before beginning any programme with us. Only EU students who have completed this form and had their EU status confirmed are eligible for CCCU EU bursaries. To obtain the bursary you must complete the same loans form. and send to the SLC. Bursaries are means tested. The bursary is paid directly to students by the the Student Loans Company.
Please note that if you are an EU student it is your responsibility to be fully informed about the current arrangements for student loans and repayment procedures. Please also note that the International Office is unable to help you complete your loans forms or offer advice on this. You should make use of your agency or contact the dfes directly for this. The EU Team's contact number is int + 44 (0) 141 - 243 3570 and their e-mail address is: EU_Team@scl.co.uk
For information on the Department that is responsible for running the programme in collaboration with other university departments, please visit: