International Foundation Year - Business
Study level: International Pathways ProgrammeInternational Foundation Year
This study route is designed to introduce international students to higher education while experiencing life abroad in the UK. It aims to prepare you with a deeper understanding of academic culture that will allow you to flourish in your chosen degree studies.
Year of entry
Location
CU Coventry (Coventry)
CU London (Greenwich, London)
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
Up to 1 year
Course code
See how to apply section
Start date
June 2024
Course overview
The Business International Foundation Year (IFY) aims to prepare you with the necessary toolkit to be successful while heading into your chosen degree. It will help you take a critical approach to your studies, reflect on your learning, organise your studies, and be a strong, independent learner.
It will offer you the chance to:
- develop business skills through teaching methods focused on hands-on, interactive learning through case studies and more
- develop the appropriate level of academic language, study skills, and content knowledge to meet the entry requirements of your progression degree programme
- acquire a strong, critical approach to real-world problems specific to language and education skill levels, as well as be allowed ample opportunities to reflect upon your learning
- enhance your academic English and learning with English modules taught first to set you up for success as you go into your business modules later on
- learn core business features, including management skills, marketing and international business.
Global experience
Study in the UK and gain international experienceTeaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their fieldDegree ready
Get the skills needed to progress onto a UK degreeProgression degrees
Upon successful completion of the Business International Foundation Year (IFY), you will be eligible to progress onto the following Coventry University or Coventry University London1 degrees (subject to meeting all specified entry criteria):
Please note – the degree you intend to progress to is selected at the same time as your application to the IFY and any offer is made on that basis.
When I started, I wasn’t doing well; although I tried to do my best, it just wasn’t enough. But through the help of the teachers, they made everything easier for me and it became possible to be where I am right now. I am very satisfied with how they have supported me.
Faith Okeguale, International Pathways Programme student, 2022
What you'll study
The Business International Foundation Year will be a combination of English language and subject-specific modules.
Depending on your IELTS entry level you will take up to three modules to develop your English academic language skills. You will then study three subject-specific modules with the aim of providing you with a strong framework for your continued studies toward your chosen higher education degree.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
This International Foundation Year will be delivered by CU, part of the Coventry University Group, for and on behalf of Coventry University. You will be taught using various academic techniques, which may include lessons and individual and group tutorials. You will also have self-study materials to follow outside of the classroom.
- Each one of the modules requires the equivalent of between 225 and 300 study hours. They run over a six-week period and are taught consecutively, with a combination of assessments in each six-week block.
- You will receive approximately 18 hours of teaching contact hours per week. This will be a combination of lectures (which may take place in person on-campus or live online). There will also be regular, group or individual tutorials. The remaining study hours required for the module will be self-guided.
Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
You have to meet the requirements in the final assessments for both the English and the subject-specific modules in order to secure the chance to progress onto your intended destination course.
Your progress on the Academic Language and Skills modules will be monitored throughout the modules. Final assessments are delivered at the end of the Success in Academic Language and Skills module.
For subject-specific modules, there is one assessment per module.
The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as provide an overall percentage grade.
Assessment methods vary and could include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks, portfolio tasks and assessments.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending on the degree selected or the module.
Assessment methods could include:
- coursework (all years)
- exams
- portfolio tasks
- phase tests (all years)
- presentations (degree level)
- research/reports (degree level).
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
The assessment strategy ensures that our study routes are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor your progression.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees. Fees and course duration are dependent on your IELTS entry level.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
International | IELTS 4.5 | £16,000 | 36 academic weeks IELTS 5.0 | £14,500 | 30 academic weeks IELTS 5.5 | £12,500 | 24 academic weeks |
Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees2 and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
Facilities
Degree ready
If you successfully pass the Business IFY, you will be eligible to progress onto the Coventry University or Coventry University London degrees listed in the Overview section (subject to meeting any progression requirements).
Upon successful completion of your modules, including the subject-specific modules, you will have had the opportunity to:
- understand approaches to learning in UK universities and expectations in your chosen subject area
- write an extended piece of academic writing that requires elements of research and follows standard academic conventions
- express facts, information and ideas with effective grammatical accuracy and accuracy in using an appropriate range of academic and subject-specific vocabulary
- communicate effectively in everyday situations within the university environment and more generally in English-speaking contexts
- deliver a well-structured presentation on an academic topic
- participate in seminar discussions on academic topics
- access academic texts in order to select relevant information
- differentiate between different academic genres of writing
- comprehend extended academic listening texts and record relevant information
- access online materials and demonstrate increased digital literacy
- organise academic study and manage your time
- reflect on learning
- understand, engage with and critically evaluate knowledge relating to global issues
- apply your knowledge and language skills to a realistic learning opportunity and assessment, at an appropriate academic level.
We are here to provide high-quality education for students as well as to teach you life skills for completing your future career goals. The university's dedicated employability support, the Talent Team, can provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your future studies and career.
Further study
Please see the ‘Overview’ section above for more details on our progression degrees.
How to apply
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International students
Students should apply directly to the university via our application portal.
Apply nowFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
Course codes
The code for your course is dependent on the location of study and your current IELTS score. See below to select the code you will need to use to apply.
Delivered at CU Coventry (Coventry), with progression onto a degree at Coventry University:
CUCIFY01 (IELTS 4.5)
CUCIFY06 (IELTS 5.0)
CUCIFY07 (IELTS 5.5)
Delivered at CU London (Greenwich), with progression onto a degree at Coventry University London:
CULGIFY01 (IELTS 4.5)
CULGIFY06 (IELTS 5.0)
CULGIFY07 (IELTS 5.5)
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Disclaimers
Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
1Study location
The International Foundation Year study route will be delivered by CU, part of the Coventry University Group, for and on behalf of Coventry University.
- If you choose to study in Coventry for your International Foundation Year, then your learning will be based at CU Coventry. Subject to meeting requirements you will then transition to the relevant Coventry University subject building for your progression degree.
- If you choose to study in London for your International Foundation Year, then your learning will be based at CU London (North Greenwich). Subject to meeting requirements you will then transition to Coventry University London in the City of London for your progression degree.
2Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. We may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
3Facilities
Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the University is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the University. A copy of the 2023/24 contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the University will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the University.