International foundation year in law, social sciences and humanities

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at the partner University.

This module introduces students to the key concepts, approaches, and disciplines of social science and how they help us understand society, human behaviour, and social change. By exploring themes such as education, media, crime, globalisation, and power, students develop foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills. The module also builds essential research and communication skills to support successful progression to undergraduate study in social science or related fields.

This module is designed for international foundation year students, providing a foundational understanding of law and its practical applications. It introduces students to the key concepts, principles, and frameworks of the English legal systems. The module equips students with essential skills, including the ability to evaluate legal resources, apply legal reasoning, and present coherent legal arguments. This module is an essential foundation for students seeking to progress to law or related disciplines. It ensures the students gain both the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in higher education while fostering independent thought and engagement with key legal concepts in a supportive learning environment.

The Project Skills module aims to develop students’ academic and project-based competencies while fostering their ability to address complex sustainability challenges (“wicked problems”) within the fields of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Law, guided by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. By integrating sustainability perspectives, students will learn to apply disciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to real-world issues, enhancing their analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

The module is delivered in two phases. In the first phase, students will build core academic skills, including effective academic writing, critical evaluation of sources, and accurate referencing, while gaining a foundational understanding of sustainability and the nature of wicked problems. In the second phase, students will apply these skills in an investigative project, working individually and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to explore and develop evidence-based solutions to real-world sustainability challenges. Through this process, they will strengthen their abilities in project planning, teamwork, and communication, preparing them for further academic study and professional contexts.

There may be additional entry criteria and/or an audition or interview may be required for entry onto the following programmes:

• Musical Theatre
• Theatre Production
• English Literature programmes
• Language programmes

For progression to degrees which include a language, the European or Modern Language must be studied for a further year and not solely high school completion.

An ab initio pathway may be available where the language has not been taken at A-Level. It is provided for those who have A-level grade B in a different non-native language.