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.

Politics and Religious Studies
Taking this joint degree at Lancaster gives you the opportunity to learn from academics in the field, some of whom are active researchers in the study of Politics and Religious Studies today.

Exploring Politics and Religion side by side, you’ll debate questions, such as: how does religion influence political behaviour? What role does religion play in current affairs? Providing you with the opportunity to gain a good understanding of the central themes of both subjects before specialising in topics related to your degree.

You’ll begin your degree with core modules including Politics in the Modern World and Religions of the Modern World. In your second and final years, you’ll study subjects such as The Politics of Race; Religion in Society: Theories and Methods; Religion and Politics; Religion and Violence and Media, Religion and Politics.