International Foundation Year - Law

Study level: International Pathways Programme
International Foundation Year
A student using the mock courtroom, wearing a court wig.

This study route is designed to introduce international students to higher education while experiencing life 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

2023-24

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

Up to 1 year

Course code

See how to apply section

Start date

May 2024
June 2024


Course overview

The Law 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 basic legal knowledge through teaching methods focused on hands-on, interactive learning through case studies, advocacy 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 computing modules later on
  • learn basic law functions through case studies and diverse teachings in different areas of law, such as contract and understanding the English law system at its base.
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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

On successful completion, you will be eligible to progress onto one of the following Coventry University1 degrees (subject to meeting all progression requirements):

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.

The academic support is really good here! The teachers are always assisting us and can provide me with any help I need. Since we are not local students, they even took us to some local markets and good restaurants in Coventry when we were settling in.

Keith Choi, International Pathways Programme student, 2022
Keith Choi

What you'll study

The Law 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

    • Introduction to Academic Language and Skills
      This module is required for students who enter at IELTS level 4.0 and 4.5.
      This module aims to introduce you to life and study at UK universities. It explores some of the key academic language and skills needed for successful study and reviews teaching methods and ways to communicate with the wider university, including asking for help. It also introduces research, reporting and presentation skills, and key skills for managing successful study.
    • Developing your Academic Language and Skills
      This module is required for students who enter at IELTS level 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0.
      This module aims to provide an in-depth exploration of academic language and skills. This includes strategies for approaching academic assignments, structuring academic writing and presentations, developing a reasoned argument, incorporating supporting evidence, and summarising and proofreading. It will also explore different types of assessment tasks used in universities.
    • Success in Academic Language and Skills
      This module is required for students who enter at IELTS level 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5.
      This module aims to review and refine your academic skills and language. You will analyse examples of academic work to identify successful approaches and strategies, deepen reading and listening skills for gathering information, and explore different ways of organising arguments and incorporating source material appropriately. You will also have the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills, an appropriate academic style and review key information about your destination degree course.

    Compulsory

    • Introduction to the English Legal System
      This module aims to ensure that you understand the primary concepts, terms and processes in the practice of law in England and Wales. We’ll discuss the interpretation and application of legal rules – providing you with an insight into key aspects of professional practice and law in the workplace.
      We will focus on contemporary case studies and analyse current issues in the legal system to keep the course relevant.
    • Contract Law
      In this module, you should develop an understanding of exactly what constitutes a valid and enforceable contract. You’ll look at obligations, the rights of third parties and the terms of a contract, to solidify your understanding. You will cover a range of relevant topics, e.g. discharge of contract, misrepresentation, vitiating factors and legal reasoning.
      You’ll develop analytical skills by performing critical evaluations of contractual obligations and the remedies available.
    • Criminal Law and Practice
      The Criminal Law and Practice module encompasses both criminal theory and criminal process.
      The Criminal Law element of the module will examine the general principles of criminal law, including how liability is incurred through acts, omissions and intentions. Consideration will be given to particular offences involving dishonesty and non-fatal offences against the person, murder/manslaughter, criminal damage and where relevant, defences. Key doctrines and rules will be discussed with analysis of statute and case law.
      The Criminal Litigation element will be embedded into and run alongside Criminal Law study. You will look at how criminal cases play out at court within the criminal litigation system of England and Wales. You can expect to gain knowledge of the professional requirements and skills to run a criminal file in practice. In addition, you will have opportunities to gain valuable experience in making oral legal submissions (advocacy) in a virtual courtroom3.
    • Academic and Professional Skills for Lawyers
      The initial transition to higher education can pose a range of challenges that you need to overcome. Therefore, we aim to ensure that you have a clear understanding of the skills needed for effective legal practice, including how to create, draft and use various client care documents, as well as becoming confident as an independent learner.
      We’ll guide you through legal reasoning, critical thinking and decision-making. You’ll also learn the processes and procedures of professional conduct, with client care, interviews and communications.

    Compulsory

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.

Teaching contact hours

  • 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 18-20 hours of teaching contact hours per week. This will be a combination of lectures and regular group or individual tutorials.

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.

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending on the degree selected or the module.

Assessment methods vary and could include:

  • coursework (all years)
  • exams
  • oral presentations
  • phase tests (all years)
  • portfolio tasks and assessments
  • practical class and project performance
  • presentations (degree level)
  • project thesis
  • research/reports (degree level)
  • tutorial tasks
  • written practical reports.

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 4.0 entry: 4.0 overall (with no component lower than 4.0)
  • IELTS 4.5 entry: 4.5 overall (with no component lower than 4.0)
  • 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 4.0, 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

2023/24 tuition fees. Fees and course duration are dependent on your IELTS entry level.

Student Full-time Part-time
International IELTS 4.0 | £17,500 | 39 academic weeks  
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

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 with the CU Coventry building behind them.

Mile Lane

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

A student working in a booth in The Hub.

The Hub

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

 

 

External view of the Lanchester Library.

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.

 

 


Degree ready

If you successfully pass the Law IFY, you will be guaranteed a place on a relevant degree course at Coventry University (listed in the ‘Overview’ section), subject to meeting all 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, 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 the 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:
CUCIFY33 (IELTS 4.0)
CUCIFY03 (IELTS 4.5)
CUCIFY10 (IELTS 5.0)
CUCIFY11 (IELTS 5.5)

  • 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.

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