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).

Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology
Our MPhys Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology degree develops your understanding of the relationship between the physical laws of the universe and the astrophysical and cosmological domains. The specialist teaching is informed by our world-leading activities in space and planetary science, observational astrophysics and particle cosmology, and culminates in an individual investigative research project and advanced options in year four.

You will obtain a thorough grounding in core physics areas such as Quantum Physics and Electromagnetism in your first year, Quantum Mechanics and Relativity in your second year, and Particle and Atomic Physics in your third year. Furthermore, this scheme also includes lectures on Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology in your second year and Stellar Astrophysics and Big Bang Cosmology in your third year, as well as specialised laboratory work in Astrophysics and Cosmology.

In your third year, you also carry out an investigative Cosmology group project where you tackle a problem of current research.

In your final year, you will complete an extended research project on topics such as binary variable stars, cosmic radio noise, gravitational waves and cosmic inflation, and study subjects such as Cosmology and Advanced Relativity and Gravity.  For your project work, you can use our on-site astronomical observatory which contains a 356mm Schmidt-Cassegrain reflecting telescope and other equipment for optical and radio astronomy.