International Foundation Programme

We look forward to welcoming you to the course.

​​Your course welcome and induction will take place during Welcome Week. It is important that you attend this, as it will help you feel confident and well prepared for your studies from the very start.

​When you arrive, please complete your registration as soon as possible and create a CCCU computing account. This will allow you to access computers on campus and the course teaching materials on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Blackboard.

​The teaching team will show you how to use and navigate Blackboard during the first week of the course.

​IMPORTANT NOTE

​This is a full-time course with face-to-face classes on the Canterbury campus.

​Although many students choose to work part-time or live outside Canterbury during their studies, you must attend all classes shown on your timetable.

​Attendance is a strict requirement for students in the UK on a Student Route visa. If you are ill or unable to attend a class, you must provide supporting evidence.

​Poor attendance or non-attendance may result in the university withdrawing its sponsorship of your visa.​

​​There are no specific tasks you must complete before you arrive. However, you may find these suggestions very helpful.

​Reading

​Research and experience show that one of the best things you can do to improve your English in general, and your academic English in particular, is to read regularly. Try to develop the habit of reading in English as often as possible.

​If you can, read longer texts rather than short webpages. Whole news articles from major newspapers or news magazines are a good place to start. Where possible, choose texts related to your academic subject.

​It is fine to begin with easier material, such as basic textbooks, if this helps you build confidence and develop a reading habit. At university, you will be expected to read a large amount, so it is best to start practising now.

​Finally, get used to using a standard English-English dictionary. We recommend the Cambridge English Dictionary.

​Listening

​When you arrive in the UK, you will be listening to English every day. If you are not yet used to listening to English, or to English in a UK context, you can start practising before you arrive.

​Good places to begin include:

• ​BBC World Service

• ​BBC Learning English

• ​British Council Learn English

​Writing

​As well as reading regularly, try to write frequently in English. This could include keeping a diary or writing your thoughts about something you have read or heard. Writing a little and often will help you become more fluent.

​We will support you in developing your academic writing skills, but it is important that you become comfortable writing in English first. Before you arrive in the UK, aim to make your English as strong as possible.

​Research and our experience show that students who regularly read and listen to English have a clear advantage. It is important to develop consistent reading and listening habits, even if you begin with simpler texts and materials.

​English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

​To develop your awareness of English for Academic Purposes (EAP), the EAP Foundation website provides a useful introduction to EAP and academic study skills.

Registration

Once you have completed the application process you will receive further information from us regarding how to complete your registration and how to set up your computing account.

Registration generally opens several weeks before the course start date. You can only register once you have received an email titled: "Invitation to online registration". You will not be able to register earlier, so please check your emails regularly.

Please ensure that you action any emails as soon as you receive these - we recommend that you regularly check your junk folder as these emails may be directed there.

Without completing your registration and creating your computing account you will not be able to access our Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard, which is essential to your participation in the course.

Although it is not necessary to read all the following books before the course begins, we do recommend that you at least familiarise yourself with the names of the authors and the titles of the works below:

• Cottrell, S. (2023) Critical Thinking Skills: Effective Analysis, Argument and Reflection. 4th edn. London: Bloomsbury.
• Cottrell, S. (2024) The Study Skills Handbook. 6th edn. London.
• Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2025) Cite Them Right: The Essential Referencing Guide. 13th edn. London.

It is useful to note that the University Bookshop offers 10% discount on most titles in print and have some price-beating book bundles. They also price match Amazon on core texts recommended in the module handbooks you will receive when you start in January.