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.

Mathematics and Statistics
The International Foundation Year in Mathematics and Statistics leads to a choice of bachelors and master degrees in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. To prepare for your degree, you will study core English language modules and subject modules for Mathematics and Statistics. Degree options include Accounting, Finance and Computer Science.

You will study Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics. Areas of study include number theory and graph theory (Pure Mathematics); vectors and variable acceleration (Applied Mathematics); and correlation and hypothesis testing (Statistics).

Economics (Industry)
What makes some countries richer than others? How does society fund social care? Why are footballers paid so much? An understanding of economics gets to the heart of how the world works. It’s also highly prized by employers in the private and public sectors.

This degree weaves theory and evidence into policy analysis and includes a valuable paid placement in industry where you’ll experience economics in action.

This allows you to understand fundamental issues and topical concerns. You don’t need an Economics A level as all first years study the Principles of Economics and Quantitative Methods for Economics, covering mathematics and statistics. You’ll also be able to choose another subject such as Accounting and Finance, International Relations or Marketing. If you wish, you can continue with this minor subject throughout your degree.

In the second year, you’ll progress to topics such as Micro and Macroeconomics and specialist modules such as Game Theory.

Your third year is spent in industry. You’ll be supported in securing a placement, with past students joining companies such as IBM, Lloyds Bank, Microsoft, PwC and the Bank of England. Roles on offer range from project management and logistics to investment, business development and risk. Most placements are in the UK but there are some options overseas.

When you return to Lancaster for your fourth year, you will choose up to eight modules taught by researchers active in that field. From Public Economics to International Trade and Health Economics you can tailor your studies to suit your aspirations. High-performing students al-so have the chance to write a dissertation. In fact, a large number of our students go on to study a Masters degree.

Throughout your degree, we’ll supply training in CV writing, interview assessment centres and telephone interviews. We are proud of our aspiring economists and aim to nurture the potential in every one of them.

The University will use all reasonable effort to support you to find a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation that is directly related to your academic studies or career aspirations, all placement roles offer valuable experience of working at a graduate level and gaining a range of professional skills.

If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement for your third year, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and would continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year. The University offers a range of shorter placement and internship opportunities for which you would be welcome to apply.