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.

Social Studies
The International Foundation Year in Social Studies leads to a choice of undergraduate degrees in the Faculty of Arts and Social Studies and the Faculty of Science and Technology. To prepare for your degree, you will study core English language modules and subject modules. Degree options include Philosophy, Sociology, and Film.

You will learn about global issues and contemporary events, including business, culture, politics and environment. Other areas of study include advertising, social media, psychology, and theories that relate to media and modern society.

Geography and Economics
Studying a combined degree in Economics and Geography at Lancaster gives you the opportunity to benefit from expert teaching in both subjects. You’ll be taught jointly by staff in the Lancaster University Management School, which is consistently among the UK’s top ten and our Geography Department, which is part of the award-winning Lancaster Environment Centre.

In Economics you’ll learn about the production and distribution of wealth and the consumption of goods and services. You’ll also cover many contemporary world issues. In Geography you’ll study the impact of these issues in terms of geopolitics, sustainable development, environmental conservation and globalisation.

You’ll begin your degree following modules including the Principles of Economics as well as Society and Space - Human Geography. In your second year, you’ll study subjects such as Intermediate Microeconomics; Geographies of Political Economy, and Environment and Society. In your final year you will undertake an extended essay, guided by your academic supervisor. This essay offers a chance to investigate a topic of your choice related to both aspects of your joint degree. While completing the essay, you will use the essential research, analytical and academic writing skills you have learnt throughout your degree.