International Foundation in Business, Humanities and Social Sciences

Introduction

Overview

Preparing students for direct entry to Year 1 of an undergraduate degree in a range of Accounting, Economics, Humanities, Social Sciences and Law-related subjects at Queen's University Belfast.

On campus and online study options
This program is available to study either on campus or online – giving students the flexibility to choose what’s best for them.

If your student starts online, they’ll have the opportunity to transfer to an on-campus program the following term. They’ll need to meet any visa requirements and demonstrate good attendance and performance during their studies online.

If your student applies for an Online Extended program, they’ll be offered an Online Academic English plus online or on-campus academic pathway study plan.

Key information

  • Progress to a wide range of undergraduate degrees from Queen's University Belfast.
  • Business students will study real world case studies from the international business environment.
  • Politics students will examine the history and theory of international relations and apply knowledge to situations including war, conflict and environmental issues.
  • Maths students can participate in the Queen’s University Maths competition.
  • Continue learning outside of the classroom through interactive field trips, which have included visiting the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Law Courts in Belfast.

Fast facts

Class duration

  • English classes per week: 8 hours (including 1 hour tutorial)
  • Subject module classes per week: 12 hours

Morning and afternoon classes are held Monday to Friday between 09.00 - 18.00 excluding bank holidays.

Class Size

Maximum class size for English language teaching　16

Award

International Foundation Certificate (RQF Level 3) from Queen's University Belfast.

Teaching

Teaching methods

  • Lectures.
  • Seminars.
  • Workshops.
  • Group projects and presentations.
  • Practical exercises.
  • Field trips.

Why Queen's University Belfast?

  • Opportunity to progress to a degree with a placement year option in some subject areas.
  • Students progressing to a Law degree benefit from access to a Moot Court Room.
  • University graduates have found employment with PwC, Microsoft and Unilever.
Start Dates September January
Program length 3 Terms

Entry requirements

Age requirement

16

Academic requirements

Completion of 12 years of schooling (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades. All students must hold a GCSE grade 4/C Mathematics or equivalent.

English language entry requirements

3 Terms: IELTS 5.0 (with a minimum of 5.0 in writing and no less than 4.5 in all other subskills) or equivalent.

Dates & fees

September 2022 start
(3 Terms)

Mon 19 September 2022 - Fri 16 December 2022
Mon 9 January 2023 - Fri 24 March 2023
Mon 27 March 2023 - Fri 23 June 2023

£18,345

January 2023 start
(3 Terms)

Mon 9 January 2023 - Fri 24 March 2023
Mon 27 March 2023 - Fri 16 June 2023
Mon 19 June 2023 - Fri 25 August 2023

£18,345

Modules

A total of 120 credits must be earnt to successfully complete the pathway programme.

Term 1 modules

Credit value

English Language and Study Skills

30 Credits

Foundation Business Studies

30 Credits

Foundation Economics

30 Credits

Foundation Mathematics

30 Credits

Foundation Politics and International Relations

30 Credits

Further Mathematics for Engineering and Science

30 Credits

Progression

P
 =  Placement option available
A
 =  Study abroad option available

Degree subject

Final level %

English level %

Additional requirements

Accounting-BSc (Hons)

ABB

B with a minimum of D in each component

ABB + GCSE Mathematics grade B or equivalent

Actuarial Science and Risk Management-BSc (Hons)

AAA

B with a minimum of D in each component

Anthropology-BA (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Archaeology and Palaeoecology-BSc (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Archaeology-BA (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Broadcast Production-BA (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

Business Economics-BSc (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

BBB + GCSE Maths Grade B or equivalent

Business Information Technology including Professional Experience-BSc (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Business Management with Placement-BSc (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

BBB + GCSE Maths Grade B or equivalent

Criminology-BA (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Data Science with Year of Professional Expreience-BSc (Hons)

A in Foundation Mathematics, BC (to include Further Mathematics)

C with a minimum of D in each component

Drama-BA (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Economics and Accounting-BSc (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

BBB + GCSE Mathematics grade B or equivalent

Economics with Finance-BSc (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

BBB and GCSE Mathematics grade 6/B or equivalent (grade A required if Mathematics is not taken as an International Foundation module)

Economics-BSc (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

BBB and GCSE Mathematics grade 6/B or equivalent (grade A required if Mathematics is not taken as an International Foundation module)

Film Studies and Production-BA (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Film and Theatre Making-BA (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

Finance with a Year in Industry-BSc (Hons)

ABB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

GCSE Mathematics grade 6/B or equivalent

History-BA (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

International Relations and Conflict Studies-BA (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

International Relations and Politics-BA (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Law with Politics-LLB (Hons)

ABB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Law-LLB (Hons)

ABB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Music Performance-BA (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Successful Audition with the School

Music and Audio Production-BA (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

Music and Sound Design-BA (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

Philosophy-BA (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Politics, Philosophy and Economics-BA (Hons)

ABB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Politics-BA (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Sociology-BA (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Start Dates September January
Program length 3 Terms

Entry requirements

Age requirement

16

Academic requirements

Completion of 12 years of schooling (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades. All students must hold a GCSE grade 4/C Mathematics or equivalent.

English language entry requirements

3 Terms: IELTS 5.0 (with a minimum of 5.0 in writing and no less than 4.5 in all other subskills) or equivalent.

Dates & fees

September 2023 start
(3 Terms)

Mon 18 September 2023 - Fri 15 December 2023
Mon 8 January 2024 - Fri 22 March 2024
Mon 25 March 2024 - Fri 21 June 2024

January 2024 start
(3 Terms)

Mon 8 January 2024 - Fri 22 March 2024
Mon 25 March 2024 - Fri 21 June 2024
Mon 24 June 2024 - Fri 30 August 2024

Progression

P
 =  Placement option available
A
 =  Study abroad option available

Degree subject

Final level %

English level %

Additional requirements

Accounting-BSc (Hons)

ABB

B with a minimum of D in each component

ABB + GCSE Mathematics grade B or equivalent

Actuarial Science and Risk Management-BSc (Hons)

AAA

B with a minimum of D in each component

Anthropology-BA (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Archaeology and Palaeoecology-BSc (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Archaeology-BA (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Broadcast Production-BA (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

Business Economics-BSc (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

BBB + GCSE Maths Grade B or equivalent

Business Information Technology including Professional Experience-BSc (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Business Management with Placement-BSc (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

BBB + GCSE Maths Grade B or equivalent

Criminology-BA (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Drama-BA (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Economics and Accounting-BSc (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

BBB + GCSE Mathematics grade B or equivalent

Economics with Finance-BSc (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

BBB and GCSE Mathematics grade 6/B or equivalent (grade A required if Mathematics is not taken as an International Foundation module)

Economics-BSc (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

BBB and GCSE Mathematics grade 6/B or equivalent (grade A required if Mathematics is not taken as an International Foundation module)

Film Studies and Production-BA (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Film and Theatre Making-BA (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

Finance with a Year in Industry-BSc (Hons)

ABB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

GCSE Mathematics grade 6/B or equivalent

History-BA (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

International Relations and Conflict Studies-BA (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

International Relations and Politics-BA (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Law with Politics-LLB (Hons)

ABB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Law-LLB (Hons)

ABB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Music Performance-BA (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Successful Audition with the School

Music and Audio Production-BA (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

Music and Sound Design-BA (Hons)

BBB

Grade B with a minimum of grade D in each component

Philosophy-BA (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component

Politics, Philosophy and Economics-BA (Hons)

ABB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Politics-BA (Hons)

BBB

B with a minimum of D in each component

Sociology-BA (Hons)

BBC

B with a minimum of D in each component