Integrated Foundation Year

Studying with an Integrated Foundation Year

The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) is a brilliant introduction to the world of higher education.

You will be a 4-year student in the degree programme of your choice. If you select biochemistry, for instance, you will be registered on the 4 year version of your biochemistry degree. You will spend one year with the Integrated Foundation Year programme, and if successful, progress to the remainder of your degree. You will be studying in one of four groups, the degree title you initially pick will group you into one of these four areas:

• Arts (Degrees related to Performing & Visual Arts, Design and Media)
• Science and Health (Degrees related to physical, life and health sciences)
• Business, Marketing & Management
• Development, Education & Law

Benefits of studying an IFY

• your own dedicated Personal Tutor to guide and support you through the IFY
• the development of core skills, including research, academic study and writing
• full access to our range of facilities and resources
• full integration into university life
• support in developing the ability to study independently
• specialist academic and pastoral support and guidance

 “Initially I knew I would not receive the grades required for a three-year degree programme, so I applied for the foundation study framework because I knew it would prepare me for studying at a university standard.”

How does the Integrated Foundation Year work?

When you arrive at University, you will start with the Transition to University module which will introduce you to the services and facilities on campus, and to necessary investigation skills needed for degree level work, how to reference, how to use a library and find the resources needed for your subject as well as the ‘hidden rules’ of university academic work that leads to successful assignments. This will enable you to make informed decisions about your intended field of study and academic pathway later on. You will also spend time with your allocated personal tutor during this time.

First semester

You will also study a ‘Foundations in’ module appropriate the group that you are in. This will introduce you to some of the key topics that form the foundation to your future studies. So, if you have chosen Law (the LLB course) you won’t be limited to just law classes, but will also explore the wider field of crime, criminology, policing and investigations that surrounds the subject of law, to give you a robust grounding in the wider field of study.

Second Semester

In the second semester, you then study two modules.

The first is the ‘Investigating your Subject’ module where you will find out in detail what your chosen degree subject will involve, learning about your future modules through to graduation and how they fit together to form your degree. The second ‘Foundations in’ module will explore the wider field within which your chosen degree sits.

You will also conduct an investigation into a real-world problem that matters to you, relevant to your chosen degree. You will be coached through the process of conducting an independent investigation and producing a summary report. This is designed to prepare you for your dissertation or major project in your final year at university.

You must pass all of the Integrated Foundation Year modules before progressing to the remainder of your studies. You will, as a 4 year degree student, receive 4+1 funding.

“I genuinely believe that if I had been thrown into my first year without having gone through the Foundation, I wouldn’t have done as well as I did and, I would have struggled and stressed myself a lot more in trying to fit the academic writing style according to the type of piece of assignment. It prepared more than I thought it would”