International Foundation Year

“The International Foundation Year could be your route to a place at the University of Bath. We hope you will join us on this programme, and take advantage of the resources, facilities and support that Bath College offers to enable you to work hard, and progress to your chosen degree at the University of Bath."

Laurel Penrose Principal, Bath College

ContentsCourse overview 4

The city of Bath 6

Progression degrees 8

Course structure 10

Assessment 10

Example weekly timetables 13

Entry requirements 14

How to apply 15

University of Bath 16

Student support at Bath College 18

Accommodation 20

10 reasons to choose the University of Bath International Foundation Year 21

Contact us 22

Course overviewThe University of Bath International Foundation Year is a one-year course, beginning in September each year, that will prepare you for entry on to your chosen degree at the University of Bath. If you achieve the required grades at the end of the International Foundation Year, you will be guaranteed entry into Year One of your chosen degree.

This course has been developed especially for international students who have a strong academic record and excellent English skills, but whose school systems do not provide the qualifications necessary for direct entry to a UK university. The International Foundation Year enables students to achieve the required level of academic knowledge and study skills ready for their degree at the University of Bath.

More than three-quarters of IFY students are typically able to progress to the University of Bath each year.

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Dina Siyam from Jordan

"The IFY did not only prepare me for the University of Bath, it also helped integrate me and my classmates into the new community and ease our process of settling in Bath. We were supported by all the

programme staff to achieve our goals and do our best to obtain the results we needed. The IFY was not only a foundation for knowledge but also a foundation for living abroad and becoming more independent."

MEng Integrated Design Engineering

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The city of BathBath is one of the top tourist destinations in the UK because of its beautiful historic buildings, its hot springs and Roman baths, and its lively shopping centre. It is considered one of the safest student cities in the UK.

§§ Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its 18th century architecture and town planning, its Roman Baths and its landscape setting.

§§ A large and lively student population with two universities.

§§ Small, compact city, easy to explore on foot and surrounded by green hills and beautiful countryside.

§§ For shopping, a range of familiar high street names as well as a wide variety of small specialist shops.

§§ Easy access by train and coach to London, Heathrow Airport and Bristol Airport.

§§ For a greater variety of shopping and nightlife, the city of Bristol is only 12 miles away.

§§ Close to interesting and beautiful places such as Stonehenge, Windsor, Cardiff and Oxford.

For more information on the city of Bath, go to www.visitbath.co.uk

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Progression degreesWhen you apply for your place on the International Foundation Year, you choose the degree you want to progress to at the University of Bath. You study subjects relevant to this degree during the IFY in order to prepare you for degree-level study. For example, students who want to progress to MEng Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath take maths and physics during the IFY, while those who want to progress to BSc Economics take maths and economics.

There is a wide range of University of Bath degrees you can progress to from the IFY. These include degrees in the following areas:

For a complete list of all available progression degrees, please see the International Foundation Year website at www.bathcollege.ac.uk/bathfoundation.

• Accounting and Finance• Aerospace Engineering• Automotive Engineering• Biology & Biochemistry• Biomedical Science• Business Administration• International Management• Chemistry• Civil Engineering

• Computer Science• Economics• Education with Psychology• Electronic Engineering• Robotics Engineering• Management• Mechanical Engineering• International Development with Economics

• Mathematics• Pharmacology• Physics• Politics with Economics• Politics & International Relations• Psychology• Social Sciences• Sport & Exercise Science

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Umaima AL MURAZZA from Oman

“Bath is a peaceful, beautiful place and it feels safe and friendly. One of the main challenges for me at first was managing my own time. Our tutor suggested that we set up a timetable for ourselves, for our private time as well as our study time, and this has been

really helpful. I have made some good friends here.”BSc Biology

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Course structureThe one-year programme begins in September and is divided into two semesters, with a one-week break in the middle of each semester. There is an induction week at the start of the programme, 30 weeks of taught classes and two exam weeks.

There are 21 classroom hours each week, as well as scheduled time for independent study to support the classroom hours. You will study three of the following academic subjects, depending on your chosen progression degree:

§§ Biology§§ Business§§ Chemistry

§§ Economics§§ English for Academic

Purposes (EAP)

§§ Mathematics§§ Physics§§ Social Science

You will also take classes in Introduction to Higher Education Study Skills, and have regular tutorials to support your studies and personal development. All teaching takes place at Bath College.

AssessmentStudents are assessed by a combination of coursework assignments (presentations, timed essays, phase tests and written assignments) and examinations. There is an examination at the end of each semester for all subjects except Study Skills. Assessment for Study Skills is based on evidence generated during the course and presented as a portfolio.

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Semester 1 (Sept – Jan)

Semester 2 (Jan – May)

1 week Induction week

15 weeks Major 1 Major 2English for Academic Purposes(or minor)

Intro to Higher

Education Study Skills

Tutorial

1 week Semester 1 exam week

15 weeks Major 1 Major 2English for Academic Purposes

Intro to Higher

Education Study Skills

Tutorial

1 week Semester 2 exam week

Christmas and New Year break2 weeks

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48

Berkay Heper from Turkey

“Bath is even better than I expected, it’s small and beautiful and very friendly. The IFY classes are interesting, and very different from school. We are treated as adults, and this is a new kind of study pattern for me. It is good preparation for going to the University of Bath. I also have to learn to take care of myself

for the first time, including doing my own laundry and cooking. I am lucky that the other students I share accommodation with are all very friendly and helpful!”BSc Management

The number of different nationalities represented on the International Foundation Year in the last five years.

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Example weekly timetablesTarget Degree: MEng Chemical Engineering

Morning Afternoon

Mon TutorialM

orni

ng B

reak

Self Study

Lunc

h

Chemistry

Afte

rnoo

n Br

eak

Self Study Self Study

Tue EAP Science Maths EAP Science Self Study Study Skills

Wed Maths Maths Chemistry Chemistry Tutorial

Thurs Self Study Self Study EAP Science EAP Science Self Study

Fri Maths Self Study Self Study Chemistry Self Study

Target Degree: BSc Business Administration

Morning Afternoon

Mon EAP Business

Mor

ning

Bre

ak

EAP Business

Lunc

h

Tutorial

Afte

rnoo

n Br

eak

Business Self Study

Tue Self Study Self Study Social Science

Social Science Study Skills

Wed Self Study Self Study Business Business Tutorial

Thurs EAP Business EAP Business Self Study Self Study Self Study

Fri Self Study Business Social Science

Social Science Self Study

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Entry requirementsThe International Foundation Year is a high-level, intensive programme of study, and students must be willing to work hard to achieve their goal of progressing to the University of Bath. We want to make sure that our students are successful in achieving this goal. The minimum entry requirements are given below:

§§ 11–12 years of school education

§§ Very strong academic grades, especially in subjects relevant to your chosen degree

§§ A minimum IELTS score of 5.5, with at least 5.0 in each testing component. Those wishing to target a School of Management degree at the University of Bath require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0, with at least 5.5 in each testing component.

§§ You must be from outside the UK/EU

§§ You must be at least 17 years old at the start of the programme

These are general guidelines only; please contact us at bathfoundationyear@bathcollege.ac.uk if you have any questions about your qualification for the programme, then we can advise you. More details about the minimum qualifications needed for each country are available on our website at: www.bathcollege.ac.uk/bathfoundation/entry-requirements

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How to applyYou make your application directly to the International Foundation Year. (You do not apply through UCAS.) You can find the application form, along with other information such as fees and dates, on our website at www.bathcollege.ac.uk/bathfoundation. You can also check the entry requirements there to make sure you are eligible to apply.

You will need to supply copies of the following documents:§§ The completed application form

§§ Your personal statement, showing why you want to study on this course

§§ Your school transcripts (translated into English where necessary) and any other academic documents showing proof of your academic level

§§ An academic reference

§§ A UKVI IELTS certificate showing proof of your English language level

§§ Your passport ID pages and any relevant visas

Send your application to us by email bathfoundationyear@bathcollege.ac.uk We will be happy to give you feedback.

You can apply at any time during the year, but please note that places on the more popular courses can fill up quickly, so it is best to apply early in the academic year.

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University of BathStudents who complete the International Foundation Year successfully and meet their progression grades are guaranteed a place at the University of Bath on their chosen degree.

The University of Bath is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK. It is a small, academically selective university in an outstandingly beautiful, safe and friendly city. The University was founded in 1966 and has always been committed to excellence in teaching and research, as evidenced by the Gold TEF (Teaching Excellence Framework) award. There is a superb range of programmes in science, technology, and applied social studies.

At the University of Bath, two thirds of students undertake work placements or take up the opportunity to study abroad. These are excellent ways of enhancing your learning and employability. The University is well known for the success of its graduates in the employment market, and will provide a wide range of support as you launch your career.

The International Foundation Year will provide you with an excellent preparation for a unique living and learning experience at the University of Bath.

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Student support at Bath College

TutorialsThere are weekly sessions with your personal tutor to monitor and review your academic progress, and also to offer information, support and guidance on a range of academic or personal issues, as necessary.

Student Advice CentreThere are staff with specialist international experience in the Student Advice Centre, and they will help and support you as you settle in to your studies and life in the UK. If you have questions on topics such as opening a bank account, understanding visa issues, or health and welfare, then we are always here to help.

Student well-being and welfareThe Student Participation and Well-being Team organises a programme of activities for students including trips, sports, film evenings and volunteering days. They can also provide support if you have any confidential questions you want to discuss. There is also a Student Counselling Service, and we have a multi-faith chaplain who can provide religious support to students of any faith.

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Austeja Petroskeviciute from Lithuania

“This course has been good for preparing me for degree level study. I think it would be too big a step to go straight from school to university. And I’ve made friends with some students who are already studying mathematics at the University of Bath, so they’ve helped me to understand what undergraduate life is like, and how hard the studying is! It’s been good for me

to learn about life in the UK too. And I’ve joined a local sports club, and I’ve also run in the Bath Half-Marathon race!”BSc Mathematics and Statistics

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AccommodationAll students are guaranteed an offer of accommodation during their International Foundation Year.

Accommodation will be arranged for you when you receive your unconditional offer of a place on the International Foundation Year.

Accommodation will also be made available for you during Year 1 of your University of Bath degree. (Please note tuition fees do not include accommodation).

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10 reasons to choose the University of Bath International Foundation Year1. If you complete the IFY

successfully and gain the required grades, you will be guaranteed a place at the University of Bath.

2. The University of Bath is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK.

3. You can choose from a wide range of progression degrees in Engineering and Design, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management, Science, and Health.

4. Bath is a beautiful, historic and vibrant city.

5. There is regular support and guidance through tutorials and study skills sessions.

6. Bath is considered one of the safest student cities in the UK.

7. You will have the opportunity to meet with top students from around the world.

8. The high quality teaching shows results in an excellent success rate: Over 90% of students pass the course.

9. Each year, approximately 75% of IFY students achieve high enough grades to be offered a place at the University of Bath.

10. There is an induction at the University of Bath for all IFY students at the beginning of the programme.

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Contact usYou can find more information about the University of Bath International Foundation Year and an application form on our website at: www.bathcollege.ac.uk/bathfoundation

If you have particular questions, you can contact us by phone or email:

Email: bathfoundationyear@bathcollege.ac.uk Phone: +44 (0)1225 328 724

For information on the University of Bath, visit:www.bath.ac.uk

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University of Bath International Foundation Year