Program Overview

An International Foundation Year at our International Study Centre prepares you for your degree at Lancaster University. You will focus on English language, university-level study skills, and academic modules that relate to your degree subject.

Supporting your progression to the University
At the International Study Centre, we take every measure to ensure you are supported in your academic journey. Our programmes allow for increased time spent learning, researching and developing your skills. By studying with us, you will benefit from:

• Formal assessments at the end of each term.
• An improved English language module, Academic English Skills, providing greater opportunity for informal assessments and feedback.
• Combining and reducing the number of module assessments allowing more time to prepare.
• A personal tutorial system with a focus on your academic progress at key points of the academic year, creating action plans based on your performance and progession options.

Business and Management Studies
An International Foundation Year in Business and Management Studies leads to a choice of degrees at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) – one of the top 100 business schools in the world. To prepare for your degree, you will study subject modules and core English language modules. Degree options include Accounting, Business Studies, and International Business Management.
You will learn how businesses operate, and how to prepare and interpret financial accounts. Other areas of study include economic policies, and international trade. Throughout the course, you will develop analysis and evaluation skills, and apply your knowledge to real-world situations.

Marketing with Psychology
How do people decide what to buy? How can you influence business relationships through marketing strategies? Is social media changing consumer behaviour? If you are interested in the application of psychology in a business context, this could be the degree for you. It will give you an in-depth understanding of human psychology and how consumers think, feel and make decisions.

The degree is taught jointly by the Department of Marketing and the Department of Psychology. Lancaster University is ranked sixth for psychology and eighth for business, management and marketing in The Guardian University Guide 2020, and tenth for psychology in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

In your first year, you’ll gain a solid foundation in psychology, key marketing concepts and techniques. You will also study another subject of your choice from Social Sciences, the Management School or another university department.

The second year sees you learn about areas such as Marketing Research, Cognitive Psychology, Marketing in the Supply Chain and Consumer Behaviour. You will also carry out market research projects with real clients to put theory into practice and strengthen your professional consulting abilities.

Final year students learn about Advanced Social Psychology, Strategic Marketing and Advanced Topics in Consumer Behaviour. You will also be able to choose from options such as The Psychology of Cooperation, Strategic Negotiation and Critical & Creative Communications.

Experience in both marketing and psychology provides an excellent foundation for a career in marketing and market research. We are proud that past marketing graduates have progressed to senior positions in top agencies such as Ogilvy & Mather, Leo Burnett, and Grey Advertising.