International Foundation Certificate (Full Time)

The International Foundation Certificate (IFC) at Southampton Solent University is designed for overseas students who wish to develop their abilities in English, academic skills and subject content before studying for a degree course at Solent or elsewhere. You will reach a standard broadly equivalent to IELTS 6.0.

You will study English in a context that relates to your future studies and the practical areas of academic life in the UK and at Solent in particular.In addition to direct tuition in English, you can use the Language Centre, enabling you to learn at your own pace using our multimedia facilities. You are also trained in the use of information and communication technologies and in independent learning.

You can take a Business, Sport and Enterprise pathway, a Maritime and Technology pathway or a Creative Industries and Society pathway, depending on the degree area you wish to follow.

Course content

Year 1

All students take Business English Lower Intermediate, Academic Skills for Undergraduate Study 1 and Business English Upper Intermediate, as well as Academic Skills for Undergraduate Study 2, which you must pass.

Business, Sport and Tourism Pathway
The International Workplace and one option from: Business Issues in the Contemporary World, Foundations of Finance, Introduction to Sport and Fitness, Law and Society, Tourism in the Contemporary World, and Work and the Media in the UK.

Maritime and Technology Pathway
Introduction to the International Workplace and a degree-related Project.

Creative Industries and Society Pathway
Introduction to the International Workplace and Working in the Media Industry.

Why choose Solent?

If you have already successfully completed your secondary schooling outside the UK, have some additional experience and have an IELTS of 4.5 or equivalent, this course will help you to improve your English and the other skills you need to the level required to apply for undergraduate studies.

• Gives you the opportunity to prepare yourself for further study in the UK, focusing on English language, academic skills and degree-related subject content
• Provides preparation for a wide range of degree courses at Solent.

Assessment

The IFC consists of 100% coursework, which includes directed learning, in-class tests, in-class presentations, portfolio and assignment work. There is a compulsory English language unit which students must pass in each language component in order to pass overall.

Projects/work experience

There is a degree-related project for the Maritime and Technology pathway.

Key career skills

English language, academic skills, subject content, communication, business English, evaluation and problem solving.

Graduate quote

Moustafa Ahmed Fekhir

“I studied the International Foundation Certificate to familiarise myself with the English language before embarking on my Law degree at Southampton Solent University. I knew a strong grasp of English would be vital to understanding law text books and lessons.

“The course was extremely beneficial, teaching me how to construct essays, improve my grammar and reference properly. The teachers and staff were very friendly and always available to fulfil my needs. They were all enthusiastic about their subjects and this really motivated me. I also experienced university life for a year, so I was greatly prepared when my law studies began the following term.

“I have just finished my second term studying law. I find all the different areas of law so fascinating: Law of Contract, Tort Law and Criminal Law. Before I began to study law, many people had told me it was a difficult subject and I would be spending all my time reading texts books, but I have found this is certainly not the case. True, I now regard the Library as a second home, but I gain much enjoyment from studying the cases, deciding who is guilty and applying theory to the facts. Being surrounded by the books and other students in the Library really inspires me too.”

Note

A later start in January may also be possible. Students who start in January finish in August. Contact us for further details.