Overview

    The International Foundation Programme (IFP) is designed to help you improve your English language skills up to the level so that you can enter an undergraduate degree at Canterbury Christ Church University.

    It is not just a simple language improvement course: you will learn university-level language and skills, which you will then use in your studies after completion of this course. You will also revise and expand the basic knowledge you need to study your subject in English. The best way to do this is by studying in a university that speaks English. Here, you'll be surrounded by English-speaking academics who will help you with your learning.

    This course will also give you the opportunity to engage with your studies, learn from lecturers, and complete assessments that will be similar to your degree. Not only will you grasp the English language, but you will be prepared for university-level study upon completion of this course.

    The International Foundation Programme helped me improve my spoken and written English. I also learned study skills that will help me when I continue with my chosen degree.

    Nader

    All about the course

    So that you can enter your chosen degree, and also complete it to the best of your potential, the IFP aims to develop your: knowledge and use of English language, so that you can live and study in the UK university environment; academic study skills and knowledge, so that you understand the requirements of UK undergraduate degrees, especially in your subject area. In addition, like all education, the IFP will develop you as a person more broadly, so that you can live and work more successfully both at university and in your life afterwards.

    This is a full-time programme that lasts one academic year. It is structured into two semesters with teaching from:

    September entry:

    • Semester 1: September to December
    • Semester 2: January to April / May

    January entry:

    • Semester 1: January to March
    • Semester 2: April to June / July

    After each semester there is an assessment period (and an opportunity for re-assessment at the end of the year).

    In Semester 1 you will be taught normally by core IFP staff in classes with students from a range of academic subject interests. The main aim is to improve your language and skills so that you can study your own intended academic subjects more effectively in Semester 2.

    Semester 2 focuses on the development of university-level academic skills, and the English language for dealing with your intended subject area. There is a mixture of core modules, which all students take, and option modules which will depend on your intended degree subject and their availability in that year. Depending on the module, you may be studying alongside other UK-based foundation students.

    Entry requirements

    English language

    IELTS for UKVI – 5.0 overall with no element below 4.0

    Pearson PTE Academic UKVI – 43 overall with no element below 43

    This programme requires a SELT (Secure English Language Test) as they are below degree level. Any English qualification that is not a SELT will not be accepted.

    Academic

    You must meet the academic requirements for your chosen course you wish to proceed to after the IFP.

    Students who want to move on to undergraduate programmes that include a professional qualification (e.g. Nursing) may have admission requirements in addition to passing the IFP, such as an interview.

    If you’re unsure of these requirements, please contact Admissions.

    Module information

    Core/optional modules

    How you’ll learn

    You will learn through a mixture of face-to-face sessions of different kinds, and also very importantly, through study in your own time.

    The aim of these is not just to expand your grammar, vocabulary etc., but also to improve the skills you need to use your English in university study. As a result, much of class time is spent on tasks: actively doing things with your language.

    These may be small in-class exercises (reading & analysing a text, listening to a recorded conversation, writing a paragraph etc.); or they may be part of a larger preparation for a final product: e.g., reading several texts to produce a written assignment or inform a group discussion.

    A normal part of doing these tasks is working with other students, in pairs or groups; so, learning to communicate effectively with other students is an essential part of what you learn.

    Different subjects are taught in different ways, so you may well not just experience a normal ‘lecture’ where the teacher presents and you take notes; even these will include questions to answer, short tasks to discuss in groups etc. There may also be:

    • seminars: a chance to present and discuss prepared material (e.g. your analysis of an important text; solutions to a problem) in whole-class or in smaller groups
    • tutorials: an opportunity to discuss individually or in very small groups specific things in the course: e.g. helping you plan and write an assignment
    • practicals: these may vary from lab work in sciences to field trips or even making a short video; again, they may well involve working with other students

    The focus will be on the knowledge, theories, methods etc. of particular subjects such as the study of contemporary media or analysing business processes. In other words, you will experience teaching as you will expect to experience it in your main degree course.

    The IFP (International Foundation Programme) core module tutors are experienced teachers specialising in English for Academic Purposes. In the subject modules you may also be taught by tutors from the relevant academic departments.

    In Semester 1, you should expect to be on campus four days per week. Most classes will start at 9am and end before 1pm, with some classes starting at 2pm and ending at 4pm.

    In Semester 2, you can expect to be on campus three or four days per week. Some classes will start at 9am and end before 1pm, while other classes will start at either 1pm or 2pm and end at 5pm. Your schedule in Semester 2 will depend on whether you start your course in September or January, as well as which modules you are studying.

    All IFP-taught modules will be on campus in Canterbury. If you are concerned about your ability to attend, you should discuss this when you apply.

    Passing the course will count as evidence of satisfying the B2-level language requirements for undergraduate study. Certain degrees may ask for higher levels of English. In these cases, you will normally need to achieve a higher grade in the IFP.

    You will be advised during the year on the next steps you must take to apply for and progress onto your intended degree course.

    The International Foundation Programme has been running for many years and by now hundreds of students have successfully passed through this programme and onto undergraduate degrees. It is a full-time course, and the staff will do what they can to help you succeed. The rest is up to you.

    Martin SpierInternational Foundation Programme Course Director

    How you’ll be assessed

    You will be assessed in a variety of ways so that you are familiar with the range of different assessment types across UK universities. These will also enable your tutors to give you feedback about your progress and areas you need to develop further.

    The range of assessment types will include the following:

    • individual and group presentations
    • portfolios
    • reflective writing
    • written coursework assignments
    • written exams

    For certain subjects, you may also need to do the following:

    • Artefacts: analysing or producing an artefact such as a short film is common across a variety of programmes in the performing arts and media.
    • Practical Tasks such as laboratory practicals and field trips which train you in specific techniques and skills for many scientific, technological and professional subjects.

    Fees

    Thetuition fees for this course are:

      UK Overseas*
    Full-time N/A £15,500

     

    Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.

    Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.

    Overseas Fees (including EU fees): Undergraduate Overseas tuition fees for International students are not subject to the Government’s regulations on maximum tuition fees. 

    Apply now

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    Duration:

    1 year

    UCAS code:

    Y003

    Location(s):

    Canterbury
    Apply via UCAS