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.

Engineering and Computing
An International Foundation Year in Engineering and Computing leads to a choice of degrees in the Faculty of Science and Technology. To prepare for your degree you will study core English language modules, and subject modules for Engineering and Computing Foundation Year. Degree options include Chemical Engineering, Natural Sciences and Physics.

You will develop your understanding of Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Physics. Areas of study include number theory and graph theory (Pure Mathematics); vectors and variable acceleration (Applied Mathematics); and induction and inductors (Physics).

Computer Science
The study of computers and computational systems is a dynamic discipline with a diverse range of career paths. This programme provides you with a unique blend of academic content and exciting industrial experience, working with leading organisations in contemporary technology-based environments.

Our Computer Science programme is accredited by the British Computing Society (BCS) and the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), and provides you with the knowledge and skills required to become a computing professional. Delivering a broad yet rigorous grounding in computer science, this programme uses both theoretical and practical learning approaches, and provides you with the opportunity to gain high-level professional experience, working with one of our exciting partners in industry. You will gain cutting-edge knowledge and skills through state-of-the-art equipment and expert teaching offered at the School of Computing and Communications.

In your first year, you will receive a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of the discipline, combined with their modern day application. Throughout your study, you will gain skills and experience from a range of modules, including Software Development, Information Systems, and Digital Systems. Taking a practical approach to education, you are encouraged to build and analyse systems and software, as well as work with end user feedback to refine and adapt solutions.

After gaining an overview of the subject in the first year, you will be motivated by topics that become progressively deeper and more specialised as your skills develop throughout second and third year. In addition to progressing your foundational understanding, programming, and software design skills, you will explore social, ethical and professional issues related to the discipline and will complete a group project. This will prepare you for and give you experience of computing in the real-world.

Your third year will also give you the opportunity to explore a range of well-constructed and enriching optional modules, as well as undertaking an individual project. In this project you will work closely with one of our academics, allowing you to use and further develop the skills acquired throughout your degree.

Your fourth year will present you with a range of advanced modules as well as practical and professional experience. Blending contemporary technical training with advanced professional development, you will complete a variety of integrated industry activities during a dedicated ten-week industry placement. This is complemented with a further seven-week fourth-year project. Together, this will allow you to apply the skills you have learnt while gaining valuable real-world experience.

Assessment

We offer an excellent range of learning environments, which include traditional lectures, laboratories and workshops. We are also committed to providing timely feedback for all submitted work and projects.

Assessment varies across modules, allowing students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways, including laboratory reports, essays, exercises, literature reviews, short tests, poster sessions, oral presentations, and formal examination.