Program Overview

An International Foundation Year at our International Study Centre prepares you for your degree at Lancaster University is offered by Study Group. 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).

Engineering
Modern technology is often described as an enabler to shrink the world, yet very few degree programmes reflect the increasing internationalisation of the subject. Our Study Abroad programme is an ideal way to explore the international dimension of modern engineering.

In modern engineering, it is almost impossible to define distinct boundaries between disciplines and as such we offer a general engineering entry point. Knowledge and experience spanning across several engineering disciplines will compliment later specialisms, improve career prospects, and is ideal for students who want to defer choosing a specialism. For example, it can be highly beneficial for an electronic and electrical engineer to understand thermal heat transfer, a chemical engineer to understand stress analysis, and a mechanical engineer to be able to programme a simple interface.

During this general first year, we will introduce you to many of the key features of engineering, equipping you with a well-rounded understanding and skill set in areas such as transport technology, chemical engineering, computing and digital electronics. In addition to these, you will gain an appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of the subject.

With the Study Abroad programme, you will need to decide on your subject specialisation at the end of Michaelmas term. You will then select, in consultation with the Department, your preferences of overseas partner institutions, and module choices will be picked based on a curriculum mapping exercise.

Your second year will then be spent studying at a partner university in Europe, the United States of America or Australia. This year abroad allows you to broaden your horizons, grow as a person and adds a new insight and perspective on not only the discipline of engineering, but also on the methods and structure within higher education. The marks you gain during your international year will be converted to grades at Lancaster and will count towards your final degree classification.

Lancaster University will make reasonable endeavours to place students at an approved overseas partner university that offers appropriate modules which contribute credit to your Lancaster degree.  Occasionally places overseas may not be available for all students who want to study abroad or the place at the partner university may be withdrawn if core modules are unavailable. If you are not offered a place to study overseas, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent standard degree scheme and would complete your studies at Lancaster.

Lancaster University cannot accept responsibility for any financial aspects of the year or term abroad.

On return to Lancaster in year three, you will join your specialist programme of study, taking modules in your specific discipline and continuing to develop your core skills as an engineer.

Study Abroad students also have the opportunity to have an industrial year should they wish to extend their experience and degree programme further.

All of our programmes are accredited by at least one professional body as meeting partial fulfilment (BEng) or full fulfilment (MEng) of the educational requirements to become a Chartered Engineer. Professional bodies include:  the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), and depend on which specialism you wish to pursue.