Courses

Programme Specification

FC International Foundation for Science and Engineering (Accelerated)

Academic Year 2024/25

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title

FC International Foundation for Science and Engineering (Accelerated)

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

University Foundation Certificate

Programme Code

NTO-AIF-EN

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100184 - General or integrated engineer - 100

ATAS Clearance Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Undergraduate Certif

Length of Programme

Full Time - 1 Academic Year

Total Credits for Programme

120

Exit Awards available

Institute Information

Teaching Institution	INTO Queen's
School/Department	QUB International Study Centre
Quality Code https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code Higher Education Credit Framework for England https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england	Level 3
Subject Benchmark Statements https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf
Accreditations (PSRB)
The British Council	Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 11-10-23

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None.

Programme Specific Regulations

Age restrictions
All students commencing courses for the September start date must be 16 years old by 01st September of that calendar year. For the June intake for the Extended course, students must be 16 before registering at the centre. For all other start dates, students must be 16 years old by 01st September of the preceding calendar year (and therefore have turned 17 before 01st September of the year they progress to university).

Applicants are advised to check the latest information regarding Entry Requirements, Important Dates, Fees and Pricing, Modules and Progression online at http://www.intostudy.com/en-gb/universities/queens-university-belfast/courses

Award

To be eligible for the award, all students must take and satisfactorily complete (pass) modules to a value of 120 CATS points.

The pass mark for all academic modules is 40%.
The pass mark for the English Language and Study Skills (ELSS) module is 50% overall (IELTS 6.0), with a minimum of 40% in each sub-skill (IELTS 5.5).
The English Language and Study Skills module is assessed using an INTO ELSS examination (benchmarked against CEFR and IELTS).
Results are reported as a percentage with 35-39% being equivalent to IELTS 5.0, 40 -49% equivalent to IELTS 5.5; 50-59% equivalent to IELTS 6.0, 60-69% equivalent to IELTS 6.5, etc.

Progression
Holders of the International Foundation may progress to Year One of the University degree only if they have achieved, as a minimum requirement, the level of performance in both academic modules and English Language and Study Skills as specified in the progression requirements for specific degree programmes.

Students who successfully complete the International Foundation Programme and meet the specified course requirements are guaranteed progression onto the first year of an undergraduate degree programme at Queen’s University Belfast (except for those courses where the normal progression guarantee does not apply).

They also qualify to apply for entry to other universities in the UK and elsewhere.

Further course information can be found online at
hppt://www.intostudy.com/en-gb/universities/queens-university-belfast/courses

The International Foundation programme is acceptable for entry to many undergraduate degree programmes at Queen’s, with the exception of Agricultural Technology, Medicine, Dentistry and Social Work.

Students with protected characteristics

None.

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

Educational Aims Of Programme

1. Provide international students with a high quality education and learning experience at pre-undergraduate foundation level within which the measured and validated outcomes are of a quality to secure entry to undergraduate degree programmes of Queen’s University Belfast.

2. Prepare international students for progression to Year One of a range of undergraduate degree programmes at Queen’s University Belfast.

3. Provide a qualification to allow alternative progression routes for those international students who either (i) do not meet the entry criteria for progression to undergraduate degree programmes at Queen’s University Belfast, or (ii) who do meet the entry criteria for progression to undergraduate degree programmes at Queen’s University Belfast but wish to follow an undergraduate course at another university.

4. Enhance the subject knowledge, learning skills and English language ability of international students to enable them to communicate and study effectively and confidently at undergraduate level at Queen’s University Belfast or in another English medium university.

5. Assist international students to acclimatise and become accustomed to student life in the UK and to provide practical experience of the learning, teaching and assessment methods found in Queen’s University Belfast and in other UK universities.

6. Provide opportunities for international students to develop their intellectual abilities, including problem solving skills and logical and critical thinking.

7. Actively promote the development of key transferable skills essential for employment, including communication, team working, time and resource management and presentation skills.

8. Inculcate a commitment to good practice in academic work and provide students with the necessary personal, interpersonal and key skills to enable them to develop as independent, self-directed learners.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

1. Interpret criteria and specifications and plan their implementation;
2. Identify, analyse and solve a range of science based problems using appropriate techniques and principles;
3. Formulate solutions to problems through the synthesis of ideas from a range of sources;
4. Assess the implications, risks or safety considerations involved in specific situations and conditions.
5. Assess and analyse problems that involve a degree of complexity, taking account of conflicting priorities and the wider impacts and limitations in decision-making.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ cognitive skills are developed through lectures, seminars, tutorials, group-work, laboratory classes, presentations and report writing.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be assessed through formative and summative examinations, class tests, group project work, fieldwork and coursework.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

1. Use computers and information technology effectively.
2. Manage time and resources, prioritise and work to deadlines.
3. Work and learn independently.
4. Interact professionally with peers, staff and others, including appropriate written and oral skills.
5. Work effectively as a member of a group or team.
6. Communicate effectively in writing, verbally and through graphical media.
7. Evaluate qualitative and quantitative data.
8. Use online computer sources for information retrieval and critically appraise the information and sources.
9. Develop and implement sustainable practices with an understanding of the impact on climate change.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ transferable skills are developed through lectures, seminars, tutorials, group-work, laboratory classes, presentations and report writing.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be assessed through formative and summative examinations, class tests, group project work, fieldwork and coursework.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of a range of science topics.
2. Demonstrate a knowledge of mathematical facts, principles and statistical techniques relevant to a variety of discipline areas and use them to solve real life problems.
3. Analyse and combine information from a variety of sources and apply science concepts to practical situations and topical issues.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ knowledge and understanding is developed through lectures, seminars, tutorials, group-work, laboratory classes, presentations and report writing.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be assessed through formative and summative examinations, class tests, group project work, fieldwork and coursework.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge and understanding, cognitive and transferable skills within each subject module as well as across modules at programme level.
2. Demonstrate competence in a range of appropriate practical techniques and skills relevant to science.
3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate scientific ideas in a range of formats, including formal scientific reporting.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students’ subject specific skills are developed through lectures, seminars, tutorials, group-work, presentations and report writing.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be assessed through formative and summative examinations, class tests, group project work, fieldwork and coursework.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title	Module Code	Level/ stage	Credits	Availability		Duration	Pre-requisite			Assessment
				S1	S2			Core	Option	Coursework %	Practical %	Examination %
Foundation Chemistry	IFYF009	1	30	YES	YES	18 weeks	N	--	YES	40%	0%	60%
Foundation Mathematics (Business, Science, Engineering and Architecture)	IFYF019	1	30	YES	YES	18 weeks	N	YES	--	40%	0%	60%
Foundation Biology	IFYF010	1	30	YES	YES	18 weeks	N	--	YES	40%	0%	60%
English Language and Study Skills	IFYF001	1	30	YES	YES	18 weeks	N	YES	--	40%	0%	60%
Foundation Physics	IFYF008	1	30	YES	YES	18 weeks	N	--	YES	40%	0%	60%
Further Mathematics for Engineering and Science	IFYF015	1	30	YES	YES	18 weeks	N	--	YES	40%	0%	60%

Notes

If students choose to study Module IFYF015 (Further Maths) they must also study IFYF019 (Mathematics).
Please note that the British Council accredits the ELSS module for this programme.