International Foundation Year - Business

Study level: International Pathways Programme
International Foundation Year
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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

2024-25

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

January 2025
March 2025
May 2025
June 2025


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.
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Global experience

Study in the UK and gain international experience

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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

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Degree ready

Get the skills needed to progress onto a UK degree

Progression 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
Faith working on a laptop in an open study space

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.

Modules

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

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS 4.5 entry: 4.5 overall (with no component lower than 4.5)
  • IELTS 5.0 entry: 5.0 overall (with no component lower than 4.5)
  • IELTS 5.5 entry: 5.5 overall (with no component lower than 5.0)

UKVI IELTS or SELT equivalent will be required for IELTS 4.5 and 5.0 entry. It may also be required for 5.5 entry points depending on your previous qualifications.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 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.

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

During your international foundation year you'll be based at our modern CU Coventry Mile Lane campus1, located in the heart of the city. Your Academic Language and Skills modules could be delivered in other locations across Mile Lane and other Coventry University campus locations. You will also have access to the wider facilities and amenities available at Coventry University3.

This includes full membership of Your Students' Union where you will receive access to support and advice as well as societies and events, and access to The Hub, which is the centre of student life at our Coventry campus.

Two students walking outside the Mile Lane campus entrance

Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable 1-2-1 academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open access study areas, café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment, so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

Glass modern building with a spire in the background

The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office, Enterprise Hub and a fantastic food court.

 

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

You will have full reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library. The library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has many study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers touchdown computers and free-to-loan laptops.

 

Our contemporary North Greenwich campus1 is located in an area of London with a thriving creative community, innovative architecture and an active social scene. While you study here you will be in the heart of the Greenwich Peninsula, close to the O2 arena and a variety of cafés, shops and leisure facilities.

Easily accessible by road, rail and bus and just a 3-minute walk from North Greenwich tube station and the Jubilee line, the only thing stopping you from exploring the city is your own imagination.

Two students using a study booth

Silent study area

You will have access to silent study areas and breakout spaces, perfectly situated to help you concentrate on your studies. These areas are rich in natural light and comfortable seating3.

 

A student reading in the library

Library and IT space

The library is structured to allow access to both online and offline reading material. Along with open access IT suites, laptops can be rented out and desktops used for ease of accessing course material or other online resources3.

A tutor teaching a class in a bright classroom

Modern classrooms

Our fully equipped classrooms are bright and contemporary, fitted with interactive teaching capabilities3.

 

 

 


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

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)