The University of East London’s International Foundation Programme (IFP) in Computing, IT and Engineering is designed to prepare international students who have successfully completed 12 years of schooling in their home country for undergraduate BSc(Hons) or BEng(Hons) study at the University of East London and other UK universities (subject to their own admissions criteria).

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

This programme aims to provide international students with basic Senior High School qualifications the opportunity to develop:

• English language competence
• Academic study skills
• Specialist knowledge appropriate for their chosen degree programme subject area
• Communication skills using a variety of means
• Skills required for continued self-managed academic development
• Effective use of a range of information sources
• Organisation and presentation skills required for intellectual argument commensurate with the level of award
• The ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a team
• Experience of studying in UKHE
• Mathematics skills appropriate to the subjects chosen

The International Foundation Programme will provide you with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding skills as well as accommodate and understand other attributes such as cultural difference. It will also equip and prepare you for studying within a UK university.

Knowledge
You will learn

• A1 - how to use a variety of relevant software applications.
• A2 - subject specific theory and practice underpinning your chosen degree programme
• A3 - a range of specialist vocabulary
• A4 - relevant conventions of academic English (both written and oral) including the difference between formal and informal registers

Thinking skills

• B1 - Employ a range of academic vocabulary, both general and subject specific
• B2 - Use study skills effectively as required for undergraduate study in a UK university
• B3 - Use and apply relevant problem solving techniques

Subject-Based Practical skills

• C1 - Use a variety of information sources, both print-based and electronic
• C2 - Prepare individual reports and projects
• C3 - Prepare Group reports and projects
• C4 - Handle, interpret and analyse data

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• D1 - Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, formally and informally
• D2 - Work effectively within a team
• D3 - Use information technology

The expected duration of this programme is 1 year when attended in full-time mode. Students may acquire, prior to admission, accredited certificated and/or accredited experiential learning credits, in which case the programme can be 1 semester long.

The International Foundation Programme has 3 start dates per year. These are September, February and May. The undergraduate BSc(Hons)/BEng(Hons) programmes’ teaching year begins in September and ends in June but some programmes also allow students to join at the start of Semester B, in February.

A typical student, in full-time attendance mode of study, will register for 120 credits in an academic year.

This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A student registered in a full-time attendance mode will take six 20 credit modules (or fewer, if any are 40 credit modules)

Modules are defined as:

Core - Must be taken
Option - Select from a range of identified modules within the field
University Wide Option - Select from a wide range of university wide options

The International Foundation Programme consists of the following modules:

Semester 1

• English Language Development (double module): 40 Credits Level 0 Core
• ICT: 20 Credits Level 0 Core

Semester 2

• Communication and Study Skills: 20 Credits Level 0 (Core)
• COMPUTING specialism:
  • Mathematics for Computing: 20 Credits Level 0 (Computing Option)
  • Introduction to Computer Security: 20 Credits Level 0 (Computing Option)
• ENGINEERING specialism:
  • Mathematics for Engineering: 20 Credits Level 0 (Engineering Option)
  • Applied Physics: 20 Credits Level 0 (Engineering Option)

Students will normally be awarded an University Certificate International Foundation Programme' on successful completion of the programme.

In order to progress to a BSc(Hons)/BEng(Hons) programme at the University of East London, you must have passed all your modules on the IFP programme in the relevant specialism (please see future career section for details).

In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher

In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher.

In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher

(A foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree.)

A range of teaching and learning methods will be used including lectures, small group tutorials, coursework and practical assignments.

Knowledge is developed through the range of teaching/learning methods indicated above as well as through your independent learning. You will be encouraged to begin to undertake independent study both to supplement and consolidate what is being taught/learnt and to broaden your individual knowledge and understanding of the subject material.
You will acquire the Knowledge learning outcomes A1 – A4  on successful completion of the programme

Thinking are developed throughout the programme by the same methods outlined above. On successful completion of the programme you will have acquired learning outcomes B1 – B3.

Practical skills are developed throughout the programme by you undertaking individual and group coursework, as well as carrying out experiments under laboratory supervision. On successful completion of the programme you will have acquired learning outcomes C1 – C4.

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed throughout the programme by tutorials, group work and individual coursework. On successful completion of the programme you will have acquired learning outcomes D1 – D3.

A variety of assessment methods will be used throughout the programme including, essay and report wring, examinations, oral presentations, mini projects. The assessment strategy will include both individual and group work.

Knowledge is assessed by a combination of examinations (LO A1-A4), practical assignments and a mini project (LO A1-A4), report writing (LO A2-A4) and oral presentations (LO A1-A4). The assessment strategy will involve both individual and group work.

Thinking skills are assessed through group work, individual mini project, report assignments and through oral presentations. (LO B1-B3)

Practical skills are assessed through group work, individual mini project, report assignments, oral presentations and supervised laboratory work. (LO C1-C4)

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by individual and group presentations as well as through the preparation and delivery of assessed written assignments.