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.
Law (Clinical Learning)
This qualifying Law degree is taught by the world-leading, research-active academics based in our Law School.

The degree will introduce you to technical legal topics and help you to understand the ways that law shapes society. Practical experience is at the heart of this degree, with all three years of your degree involving hands-on legal work allowing you to develop the practical skills and competences of a lawyer. The degree takes a problem-based learning approach, centred on real case-work and advising clients. You will use a wide range of professional and academic skills to provide legal advice to your clients.

There are two ‘tracks’ within this degree.

• You can choose to work in the Law School’s Law Clinic, providing free legal advice to members of the community. In the Clinic, local practitioners will supervise you in delivering the appropriate legal advice to your clients. On this track you are required to take either a Law Clinic, Legal Advice or Miscarriages of Justice module in each year.
• Alternatively, you may have the option of working with North Lancashire Citizen’s Advice Bureau throughout your degree. You would provide legal advice and support to clients who come to the Citizens Advice Bureau for help and would have the opportunity to gain official recognition as a CAB advisor. On this track you are required to take a CAB module in each year.

Networking opportunities
We have strong links to Chambers, Law firms and related professions from across the UK, including magic circle firms from London. We usually host a judicial lecture series, alumni visits and lectures, and a Law Fair, which is typically attended by lawyers (including trainees, associates and partners) and members of their recruitment teams. All of this should help you to make professional connections, learn more about their firms, and get a head start on your career in Law.

Our student-run Law Society usually organises a wide range of extracurricular activities including mooting and negotiation competitions (typically judged by barristers and members of the judiciary). In recent years they have organised a Law Ball, sporting fixtures, and a careers dinner. Each event is designed to help you build your peer and employer networks.