INTO Foundation programme
The INTO Foundation programme prepares you for direct entry to the first year of an undergraduate programme at university.
The programme has two pathways: 1) Business and Humanities and 2) Science and Engineering. It offers assured progression to selected undergraduate degrees at leading UK universities.
What is the INTO Foundation programme?
If you have completed secondary education in your home country, the INTO Foundation programme provides academic preparation for first year undergraduate entry and ensures that you meet the minimum English language requirement for your chosen degree programme. Lasting three terms, delivered intensively over two terms, or new for 2010, extended over 4 terms, the programme combines academic study, intensive English language preparation, study skills and cultural orientation.
There are two broad pathways:
Business and Humanities
Science and Engineering.
What is special about the INTO Foundation programme?
- Quality-assured, NCUK-accredited programme
- World-class facilities.
- University standard learning environment.
- Conditional offer of a place on an undergraduate degree at one of eleven NCUK owner universities.
- Excellent levels of individual care and support.
This is an academically challenging programme, designed for students who want direct entry to the first year of an undergraduate course at UK institutions. It is designed for international students who have completed 12 years of schooling and achieved high grades in the subjects they wish to study.
Successful completion of the INTO Foundation programme leads to an award which is welcomed by top-ranking UK institutions.
Is the INTO Foundation programme validated or recognised?
The INTO Foundation Programme is designed and validated by NCUK and offers INTO Manchester students the opportunity to progress to one of NCUK’s 11 owner universities and is also recognised by a wide range of top ranking UK and Irish Universities.
Key features
Programme structure
The new extended programme is taught over four terms, starting in September and lasting a full twelve months. Assessment takes place in the middle and final weeks of the programme.
The September- and January-start programmes are taught over three terms, with review and assessment taking place in the middle and final weeks of the programme.
The April Intensive Foundation programme covers the same academic material but is more intensive and is taught over two terms.
Academic content
Academic English language support and Study Skills
The modules in EAP and Key Skills cover reading, writing, listening and speaking. The English language component is based on the NCUK English for Academic Purposes (EAP) module and is assessed using NCUK’s widely-recognised EAP assessment system. The study skills component of the programme is an essential preparation for university life that helps you to work effectively in groups, present ideas, manage your time, conduct research, take lecture notes, organise the content of essays and understand how to evaluate your own work. All students on the September and January starts will follow this module, as well as students on the April Intensive Foundation with an IELTS equivalent of between 6.0 and 7.5.
Key Skills
The Key Skills course is studied by all students on the April Intensive Foundation programme with an IELTS score of 7.5 or higher. They do not study the Academic English language support and Study Skills module. This course will focus on the skills you need to plan and complete a research project, plan and deliver academic presentations, take effective notes in lectures and from written information sources, write in an academic style, refer correctly to sources of information within your text and list your sources correctly in a bibliography. It will also develop your independent study strategies based on self-evaluation of your learning, your abilities and areas for improvement
ICT (Information Communication Technologies)
This module will teach you how to use word processing, spreadsheets, databases and slideware in preparing assignments and presentations, as well as using the Internet, e-mail and virtual learning environment (VLE) software to support your learning.
Assured university place
You will also be guaranteed a university place in your chosen field of study at one of NCUK’s owner universities. To gain entry to one of the NCUK Irish University Partners, students need to pass all subject modules and English for Academic Purposes. You can also apply to any UK university which recognises the qualification.
Extensive choice of undergraduate degree subjects
Programmes available at INTO’s other partner universities include popular undergraduate degrees such as Business Management, Accounting, Economics, Law, Politics, Education, Engineering, Computing, Maths, Physics, Psychology and many others.
A typical INTO Foundation programme week
A typical week, for the September and January starts, will comprise up to 24 hours (30 hours for April Intensive Foundation) of timetabled lessons per week, including lectures, directed self-study and enquiry-based group work. Lessons may take the form of classes, workshops, tutorials or, for science courses, practical laboratory sessions and field trips.
You will have many opportunities to discuss any points raised in lectures and seminars with your tutors.
In the laboratory, you will carry out experiments relating to lectures, supervised by tutors and demonstrators who will ensure the safe execution of the experiments and discuss the theory behind them.
You will be able to work in the well-equipped learning centre at Bridgewater House, and use the large network of computer terminals for research, including online access to libraries, data bases and the web.
Teaching and learning styles
Throughout the INTO Foundation programme, all the academic subject modules will be taught using a lecture and tutorial process that mirrors the style of teaching that you will encounter in university courses.
Assessment and support
Progress is monitored by continuous assessment of coursework and by the use of class tests. The final grade for each unit is based on a mixture of coursework and end-of-course examinations. Successful students will achieve grades A*, A, B, C or D for each of the four units.
Basic information will be delivered in lectures, while the individuals’ understanding of the subject and their ability to utilise the information will be supported by tutorial work and by extensive e-learning provision – which will also enhance the presentational style of lectures.
Assessment will be by:
- coursework (prepared assignments, unit tests, experimental reports, computer use)
- mid-course and end-of-course examinations.
- Formal assessment of levels and progress in English is through NCUK’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme.
Assured progression for students
All international students attending an INTO pre-university course are assured of progression to year one of a UK degree course, subject to meeting specified grades, based on:
- satisfactory completion of course work and performance criteria in examinations an appropriate English language IELTS/TOEFL level determined by performance on the English for
- Academic Purposes (EAP) examination.
Highly fluent English students and near- native speakers
If your English language skills are sufficiently advanced (above IELTS 6.0), the April Intensive Foundation class has been designed with challenging academic tasks that further develop your study skills and independent research techniques.
If you have been educated in the English language, have an exceptionally proficient use of English or are a near-native speaker, you will substitute some of your study skills programme credits for a specially designed key skills module.
