Programme summary for University Certificate International Foundation Programme in Computing, Information Technology and Engineering

About the programme

What is the International Foundation Programme?

The University of East London’s International Foundation Programme in Computing, IT and Engineering provides alternative routes into our University BSc(Hons)/BEng(Hons) programmes for international students entering from countries with a 12 year education system.

In addition, students will gain an appreciation of the UK education system and an understanding of UK educational cultural norms and expectations. Students on route A, as detailed below, will also further develop their English Language skills in preparation for their studies on to their chosen BSc(Hons)/BEng(Hons) programmes.

Programme structure

The programme is offered in full-time mode and leads to an University Certificate International Foundation Programme. The programme structure is of 120 credits at Level 0 for the 2 semester long programme (Route A) and 60 credits at level 0 for the 1 semester long programme (Route B).

Computing and Engineering Specialisms

Depending on participating students’ level of English language competence and knowledge of Information & Communications Technology (ICT), there are two routes through the Computing and Engineering specialisms. Successful completion of either route leads to the award of University Certificate International Foundation Programme.

Route A

This route is two semesters long. You will take 3 core modules, including one double module, plus 2 options which will depend on your chosen specialism. You will develop your English language and communication skills as well as developing your appropriate knowledge of ICT and Mathematics plus, depending on your chosen specialism, either Computer Security or Applied Physics. The modules you will study are:

First Semester

English Language Development (double module) [core]
ICT [core]

Second Semester

Communication and Study Skills [core]
COMPUTING specialism options:
- Mathematics for Computing
- Introduction to Computer Security
ENGINEERING specialism options:
- Mathematics for Engineering
- Applied Physics

Route B

This route is one semester long. Students admitted to this route will have been awarded Accredited Certificate Learning (ACL) and/or Accredited Prior Experiential learning (APEL) prior to admission, so covering the modules delivered in semester 1 of the programme. This means you will be admitted directly to semester 2. You will study one core module plus 2 optional ones. Your study will focus on the acquisition of good communication skills and the development of the appropriate Mathematics knowledge plus, depending on your chosen specialism, either Computer Security or Applied Physics. The modules you will study are:

Semester 2 – Direct Entry

Communication and Study Skills [core]
COMPUTING specialism options:
- Mathematics for Computing
- Introduction to Computer Security
ENGINEERING specialism options:
- Mathematics for Engineering
- Applied Physics

Career opportunities

Successful completion of the IFP will allow you direct entry to the appropriate programmes of the School of Computing, Information Technology & Engineering (CITE) at our university, subject to the below criteria, thus enhancing your career and employment prospects in the appropriate area of Computing or Engineering.

Suitable work activities (subject to the successful completion of appropriate BSc programmes following the successful completion of the IFP) in the Computing area would include:

Computer programming
Databases design & management
Computer networks programming & management
Information security reviews & management

Suitable work activities (subject to the successful completion of an appropriate BEng programmes following the successful completion of the IFP) in the Engineering area would include:

Analogue and Digital Electronics systems analysis & design,
Communications systems analysis & design
Civil engineering structures analysis & design
Water and environmental engineering

Students graduating from our University go on to work in a broad range of organisations including private sector Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Blue-chip companies as well as the public services and not-for-profit organisations.

Please note that to progress to our BEng(Hons) programmes in the Engineering specialism you must pass the Mathematics for Engineering and the Applied Physics modules and achieve an overall average for all 6 modules of at least 55%. Students who pass all 6 modules in the Engineering specialisms but do not achieve the overall average of 55% may be eligible to progress to an alternative programme in the School of Computing, Information Technology & Engineering, if available (these students should, in the first instance, discuss this possible alternative choice with the programme leader).

However, all students who successfully pass the 6 modules in either the Computing or Engineering specialisms will be eligible to apply to continue their studies on to computing programmes in the School of Computing, Information Technology & Engineering.

Support

As a student on the International Foundation Programme, you will have a personal tutor. Each module is allocated a module leader and the programme itself is led by a member of the School’s faculty.

Admission

All applicants MUST have attained a minimum standard of GCSE grade C in English Language and Mathematics or their equivalents. All applicants will be required to have a recognised English Language qualification. For the year long programme this would be IELTS 4.5 or an equivalent level qualification, with no component below 4.0.
International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education undergraduate programmes.

Entry requirements will normally be either:

Relevant A2 level (or equivalent) qualifications in Mathematics and a science subject, preferably Physics. A minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points are required for the Engineering specialism.
Relevant A2 level (or equivalent) qualifications. A minimum of 100 UCAS tariff points are required for the Computing specialism.

Students with other qualifications and/or work experience who can demonstrate that they can benefit from and have the potential to succeed on the programme course will be considered on an individual basis.

In order to enter the programme directly into the second semester, applicants will be required to have obtained IELTS 5.5 or an equivalent level qualification or demonstrate that the language of instruction for previous qualifications was English. No component should be below 5.0.