University Foundation Programme

The University Foundation Programme is a full-time, academic year course which prepares international students for studying at a university in the UK.

This fully integrated course provides you with all the language and skills you need for university life. It combines general English and academic training with specialist Subject Modules which focus on key areas of interest. In addition, you learn about life in Britain, gain useful computing skills, and develop your IELTS exam skills.

• Course facts
• Course structure
• Course dates and prices
• How to book this course

Course facts

Minimum age	17 years
Course length	36 weeks
Tuition hours	21 hours a week (14 lessons)
Term dates	2008 - 2009 course Term 1:   28 September 2008 - 20 December 2008 Term 2:   04 January 2009 - 28 March 2009 Term 3:   05 April 2009 - 27 June 2009
Level	Minimum Intermediate (IELTS band score 4.5). You must have graduated from secondary or high school.
Location	Bell offers you the chance to study in the world-famous university city of Cambridge

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Course structure

The course is divided into three terms, each 12 weeks long. It is comprised of a core Academic Skills Module and a selection of specialist Subject Modules.

Academic Skills Module

This compulsory module provides you with all the essential academic training to ensure you are thoroughly prepared for your degree course. The Academic Skills Module covers the following areas:

• Academic skills
  Learn essential study skills such as note-taking, summarising, reading strategies, oral presentations, research techniques, essay and report-writing, interpreting data, and exam preparation skills.
• IELTS preparation
  Prepare and practise for the IELTS exam to ensure you achieve the score you need for a British university. You’ll also receive help enrolling for the test.
• Life in Britain
  Discover more about Britain’s history and culture, and gain the confidence and knowledge you need to live and study in the UK.
• Information Technology
  Develop useful computing skills essential for studying at university, such as word-processing, managing spreadsheets and databases, creating presentations, and designing for the web.

Subject Modules

A choice of Subject Modules allows you to focus on your key areas of interest. You can choose three Subject Modules from the following:

• Business Studies
  Business Structures & Organisations, Business Objectives & Strategy, Change & Growth Management, Starting a Small Firm, Marketing & Finance,People & Operation Management
• Communications Studies
  Texts and Meanings in Communication, Verbal & Non-verbal Communication, Interpersonal & Group Communication, Culture, Context & Communication
• Economics
  Free Market Economies, Demand & Supply,Costs & Revenues, Market Failures, National Income, Growth & Living Standards, Inflation, Unemployment, Balance of Payment Deficits
• Finance
  Legal Characteristics of a Business, Funding Business Growth, Shares & Share Ownership, Preparation of a Profit & Loss Statement, Preparation of a Balance Sheet, Cash-flow Statements, Assets & Liabilities
• Geography
  Plate Tectonics, Features of Coastal Environments, Tourism & Recreation, Population, Variations in Rural and Urban Environments, Field Study Investigation: City Development and Urbanisation (based in Cambridge)
• Law
  Sources of Law, The English Legal System, Criminal Law, The Civil Law, Contract Law
• Media Studies
  Media Analysis, Concepts of Genre and Narrative Media, Representation & Reception, Media Industries
• Politics
  Political Culture & Voting Behaviour, Electoral Systems, Political Parties, Pressure Groups & Protest Movements, The Politics of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Political Traditions, Alternative Ideologies: Environmentalism

* All Subject Modules are run subject to demand

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Assessment

Your progress is continuously assessed through a variety of written and oral assignments, and your tutors help you prepare these. At the end of the course, you’ll be awarded a mark for each of the four modules - 60% will be based on your assignments, and 40% on examinations. Your overall result will be based on your marks for all four modules together with your IELTS score.

University application

Our dedicated UCAS advisers provide regular, individual tutorials. They guide you through every stage of the application process - from choosing the right course at the right university, to completing your online application form, providing references, writing your Personal Statement and dealing with replies.

Did you know

Unlike many other foundation courses, our University Foundation Programme is independent so you receive expert, impartial advice on all universities to help you decide which is the best for you.

We have established excellent links with a wide range of reputable British universities, and our programme is approved and monitored by examiners at two UK universities – Oxford Brookes and the University of Essex.

Courses take place at our Cambridge centre, giving you the opportunity to study in a world-famous university city.

Our University Foundation rogramme is recognised by the Universities and Colleges Administration Service (UCAS). For more information about UCAS, visit www.ucas.ac.uk

Students on the University Foundation Programme receive free English language textbooks and academic textbooks.

Dates and prices

All prices are in GB pounds sterling (£). Currency converter ®

*Booking discount! Students will receive a 5 per cent discount on tuition fees if the total balance is paid at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the first term.This discount is offered on the tuition fee only, it does not apply to accommodation, insurance, booking or airport transfer fees.

Accommodation options and prices

Type	Description								Weekly fee (GBP£)
Residential	Sorrento Residence: single en-suite room, daily bed & breakfast. Part of small hotel complex, between school and city centre					19	15mins	15mins	220
	Tripos Court: self-catering, single room with private shower and toilet. Lively student residence between school and city centre, and opposite popular Cambridge Leisure Centre					18	10mins	10mins	168
	Peterhouse College: self-catering, single room in shared student house. Available in July and August only. Traditional simply furnished university accommodation in Cambridge's historical city centre					19	15mins	0mins	130
	Sedley Court: self-catering, single room with private shower and toilet. Available in July and August only. Lively student residence between school and city centre					18	15mins	15mins	168
Homestay	Single room, daily bed & breakfast, no evening meals.	Various - available on request.							98
	Single room, daily bed & breakfast, evening meals, weekend lunches.	Various - available on request.							135
	Single room, daily bed & breakfast, evening meals, weekend lunches, weekday lunches at Bell.	Various - available on request.							168
Guesthouse and hotels	Available on request.

See also

Interested in IELTS or Cambridge ESOL exam preparation?
Click here to view our other Exam preparation courses.

Want to do a Masters degree but need to develop your English and academic study skills?
Click here to view details about our Pre-Masters course.

Quick downloads

For a comprehensive overview of the University Foundation Programme at Bell International College Cambridge and what it entails we recommend that you download the following document:

• Handbook 2007 / 2008
  (PDF, 152KB)

To view answers to common questions regarding the University Foundation programme, please view the following FAQ’s document:

• Frequently Asked Questions
  (PDF, 55KB)

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