BELL INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE

UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION PROGRAMME 2012-13

STUDENT GUIDE

Bell established the University Foundation Programme in September 2001 and students on the
course have gone on to study a wide range of courses at universities in the UK and elsewhere.
Students on the last three courses have gone on to study at a number of highly-regarded
universities including City University, the University of Bath, the University of Edinburgh, the
University of Exeter and Lancaster University.
The University Foundation Programme is an academic-year course designed primarily to prepare
students from abroad to study a wide range of subjects at university level in English. It leads to a
Level 3 qualification recognised as an entry qualification for undergraduate programmes at many
leading universities in the UK. Students on the course will also receive regular and individual
guidance in applying to universities from our own Higher Education Adviser. The course is
approved, monitored and moderated by External Examiners, who are from the academic staff at
the University of Essex.

1. COURSE AIMS
1 To provide structured practice in the language and skills needed for higher education courses
taught in English. We will help students achieve this through:
o
o
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helping them to extend your knowledge of academic English

training them in a range of study skills, including writing essays and research projects, notetaking in lectures, giving oral presentations and critical thinking
preparing them for the IELTS examination, which they will take in the final term.

2 To provide students with challenging and stimulating subject teaching at a level equivalent to A
Level in the UK. We will achieve this by:
o
o
o
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providing structured courses delivered by subject specialists

supporting this with integrated work in the Academic Skills Module
helping the development of critical thinking and analytical skills
using approaches to teaching and learning similar to those in UK universities.

3 To develop understanding of Britains social and cultural background and relating this to
contemporary life and society. We will help students achieve this by:
o
o
o

providing a Life in Britain course in Term 1, which balances input of information with
research and discussion tasks
providing a programme of lectures and workshops by visiting speakers in Terms 2 and 3
supporting this with integrated work in the Academic Skills Module and Subject Modules.

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4 To prepare students for the disciplines and culture of academic life in the UK. We will achieve
this by training in:
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study and time management skills

techniques for success in examinations
strategies to promote success in independent learning
working as part of a group.

5 To assess students progress and ability. We will achieve this through:

o
o
o
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formal assessment of content knowledge and academic skills through coursework in the
Academic Skills Module and Subject Modules
formal assessment of content knowledge through examinations each term
regular tutorials providing individual attention and guidance
written reports on work and progress every six weeks.

6 To guide students in their choice of course and institution in higher education. We will achieve
this through:
o
o
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guidance in all aspects of choosing courses and applying to universities

individual tutorials with our Higher Education Adviser
a programme of visits by university representatives and visits arranged to universities.

2. COURSE STRUCTURE
The course provides 756 hours of tuition over 36 weeks and made up as follows:
Induction [Term 1 Week 1 & 2]

42 hours

Academic Skills Module:

Study skills & IELTS preparation
Tutorials & supervised self-study
Quantitative Methods [Terms 2 & 3]

204 hours
51 hours
36 hours

Subject Modules:
Subject Module 1
Subject Module 2
Subject Module 3

102 hours
102 hours
102 hours

Learning Support:
Information & Communications Technology
Life in Britain [Term 1]
University Applications [Term 1]
Visiting Speakers [Terms 2 & 3]

51 hours
15 hours
15 hours
36 hours

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3. COURSE DATES
The course is divided into 3 terms of 12 weeks each. There are holidays between Term1 and 2
and between Term 2 and 3. The key dates on the course are as follows:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

TERM 1
1.10 Term 1 begins [1.10] & Induction Week 1
8.10 Induction Week 2
15.10 Subject Modules begin
22.10
29.10 AS1 Summary [2.11]
5.11 AS2 Essay: question set
12.11
19.11
26.11
3.12 AS2 Essay: submission deadline [7.12]
10.12 S1 Examinations
17.12 Term 1 ends [21.12]
TERM 2

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

7.1
14.1
21.1
28.1
4.2
11.2
18.2
25.2
4.3
11.3
18.3
25.3

Term 2 begins [7.1]

S2 Essays: questions set
AS3 Group Presentations [8.2]

S2 Essays: submission deadline [8.3]

S3 AS4 AS5 Examinations
Term 2 ends [28.3]
TERM 3

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

15.4
22.4
29.4
6.5
13.5
20.5
27.5
3.6
10.6
17.6
24.6
1.7

Term 3 begins [15.4]

IELTS test
S4 Research Projects: research questions agreed [3.5]

AS6 Note-taking: lecture [22.5] & redrafting [24.5]

S4 Research Projects: submission deadline [14.6]

AS7 Seminar Presentations [20.6 & 21.6]
S5 AS8 Examinations
Final marks & Certificates issued & course ends [5.7]

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4. CONTENT OF ACADEMIC SKILLS MODULE

This Module is compulsory. It consists of the following components: study skills, IELTS preparation
and tutorials with supervised self-study. In Terms 2 and 3 Quantitative Methods is added.

Study Skills
In this component of the Module we provide practice of the academic English and study skills
needed when studying at university. The main focus will be on the following study skills:
Reading and Listening:
o understanding text organisation
o note-taking from reading texts and lectures
Writing:
o planning and drafting essays
o paraphrasing, summarising and synthesising information
Speaking:
o giving presentations
o discussing ideas and opinions
Critical Thinking:
o analysing and evaluating arguments
Research:
o carrying research on the Internet and other information sources
o referencing
Academic language - knowing and using appropriately:
o grammatical structures and discourse markers in academic texts
o common-core academic vocabulary

IELTS Preparation
The Module includes intensive preparation for IELTS. The course fee includes the fee for this
examination, which is taken in the final term. IELTS tests the four language skills: listening,
reading, writing and speaking. An overall IELTS band score of at least 6.0 is required for entry to
nearly all undergraduate programmes at universities in the UK and abroad.

Quantitative Methods
This component of the Module is intended to introduce mathematics as a tool for collecting and
analysing information which can be used as an aid to decision-making in different areas of
academic study. It is assessed by examinations in Terms 2 and 3. The main areas covered are:
o
o
o
o
o
o

Numerical skills
Financial mathematics
Collection of business data
Organisation and presentation of data
Use of frequency tables
Business analysis
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Tutorials and Supervised Self-Study

One session each week is based in the University Programmes Study Room or the Learning
Centre, where students can access the resources and receive guidance to work on areas of study
important to them. They will have individual and regular meetings with their Academic Skills tutor to
discuss work and progress.

5. LEARNING SUPPORT SESSIONS

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
This component of the course comprises one session a week in one of the computer rooms. It aims
to support studies in other areas of the course by developing skills in using word processing,
spreadsheet and presentation software and in carrying out research on the Internet. There is no
formal assessment but the course will support students in completing coursework assignments,
including essays, research projects and oral presentations.

Life in Britain
This course component comprises one session each week in Term 1. It aims to support studies in
other areas of the course by developing an understanding of aspects of the social and cultural
background of Britain. Life in Britain includes the following sessions:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Views of Britain and the British

Holidays and festivals
Customs and manners
Varieties of English
Media in the UK
Monarchy and government
Multicultural Britain
Youth culture and language
School education in England.

University Applications
In Term 1 we organise a programme of visitors who will talk about studying at the universities they
represent. We also help students with their online application to UK universities through UCAS.
They can book individual tutorials with our Higher Education Adviser and this individual support will
continue into Terms 2 and 3 as required.

Visiting Speaker Programme

Once a week in Terms 2 and 3, speakers who are experts in their fields give formal or informal
lectures and workshops on a range of topics related to the Modules offered on the course. Notetaking and other learning tasks will be set.

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6. SUBJECT MODULES
In addition to the Academic Skills Module students will also study three Subject Modules. They should
choose one module from each of the columns below:
1

Business Studies

Business Studies

Mathematics

Politics

Economics

Media, Communication
& Culture

Sociology &
Anthropology

Law

Finance &
Accounting
They will study each Subject Module for 3 hours each week from the third week of the course.
A general description and a summary of the content of each Subject Module are set out below.

Business Studies
The module aims to provide a basic understanding of business activities and practices in
preparation for further studies at university level. This involves the study of how businesses are
organised, how they set and meet their objectives and how change and growth and personnel can
be managed.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Types of businesses
External influences on businesses
Business objectives and strategy
Business structures and cultures
Stakeholders
Business planning
Marketing: objectives, strategies and techniques
Competitive influences
People management
Marketing communications
Business operations and processes
Quality management
Operational logistics
Benchmarking

Economics
The module aims to provide foundations for the study of Economics and to enable students to
continue their studies at a higher level in this area. This involves an understanding of different
economic systems at both micro- and macro-level and the factors affecting these systems.

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o
o
o
o
o
o
o
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o

Free market economies

Demand and supply
Costs and revenues
Market failures
National income
Growth and living standards
Inflation
Unemployment
Balance of payment deficits

Finance and Accounting

The module aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to business accounting and finance and
an academic and practical foundation for the study of business, finance or accounting at a higher
level. Students will study the specialised language of finance and how to set up and analyse
financial documents in order to gain a deeper understanding of a companys financial situation.
o
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o
o

o
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Sources of finance and the role of the accountant

Cash forecast, cash flow and cash control
Double-entry bookkeeping and trial balance
Sole traders and partnerships:
Profit and loss accounts
Balance sheets
Depreciation and bad debts
Limited liability companies:
Financial statements
Accounting ratios
Planning and control:
Cost classification and behaviour
Budgetary control, flexible budgets and standard costs
Costing and pricing:
Cost allocation and apportionment
Overhead cost absorption and costing methods
Decision making:
Cost-volume-profit analysis and limiting factors
Relevant costs and revenues
Accounting rate of return and discounted cash flow

Law
The module aims to provide a basic knowledge of the English legal system to enable students to
continue their studies in Law at higher education level. It examines key areas of criminal and civil
law to enable students to take a well-rounded view of the legal world. We take a problem-solving
approach to Law through case studies and the analysis of current legal issues.
o
o
o
o
o
o

Courts
Legal terminology
Legal personnel and lay involvement
Sources of law
Tribunals and ADR
Police powers and PACE
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o
o
o
o
o
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Pre-trial procedure
Offences and sentencing
Defences and appeals
Using the civil courts
Tort including negligence and defamation
Introduction to the law of contract

Mathematics
The Module aims to provide a good knowledge of mathematics to enable students to continue their
studies in this area. We examine key areas of core mathematics and statistics to enable students
to take a well-rounded view of the subject. We take a problem-solving approach.
o
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o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
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Algebra and functions

Quadratic functions
Equations and inequalities
Sketching functions
Coordinate geometry
Sequences and series and recurrence relationships
Differentiation, tangents and normals, second derivative
Integration
Sine and cosine rules
Trigonometric functions and trigonometrical identities and equations
Exponentials and logarithms
Radian measure
Organising and summarising data
Probability
Linear regression
Correlation
Discrete random variables
Normal and binomial distributions
Modelling

Politics
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the system of politics and
government in the UK. It will enable them to continue their studies at a higher level in this area and
support their studies in other disciplines too. The course follows current events in the media and
deals with topical and important issues and there will be frequent opportunities for discussion and
debate. Among the questions considered are:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

How do elections work in Britain?

Why did the Conservative party win the 2010 election?
What are Britains chief political parties and how do they differ in their ideologies and policies?
What is the role of the monarchy in a modern democracy and is it time to abolish it?
What is the function of pressure groups?
How does Parliament work?
What is the role of the House of Lords and is it time to reform it?
What is political leadership?
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o
o
o
o
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What is Britains role in Europe?

Do the advantages of EU membership outweigh the disadvantages?
How do Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland relate to England and the U.K.?
What is Britains unwritten constitution and isnt it time it was written?
What is the role of the judiciary?
How can human rights be protected in an age of terrorism?

Media, Communication and Culture

The module aims to provide a foundation for the continued study of the role of the media,
communication and culture in the modern world. We will look at key concepts in the media and
explore these through real examples, including film and photography and advertising. We also
analyse aspects of communication. These areas are studied through an understanding of culture
and how culture is communicated and how it determines communication. The areas covered are:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
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o

How images communicate the theory and analysis of images

How meaning is communicated constructing narrative in news media
Theories of narrative and their application to film media
The concept of genre
How culture is communicated in the media
Colonial and post-colonial approaches to culture
Postmodernism in film media
Realism and developments in documentary film
Structural analysis of different types of communication
How audiences respond to different forms of communication and media.

Sociology and Anthropology

The module aims to provide the foundations for the continued study of the role of both Sociology
and Anthropology. We will start from an understanding of key concepts and go on to explore these
using practical examples and case studies. The module looks at the origins of humanity and the
development of culture, language and identity through to how such subjects as religion, death,
marriage, crime and kinship can be understood in modern urban societies.
Anthropology:
o
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Key concepts in anthropology

Human evolution: where do we come from?
What makes us human and how did it happen?
The origins of culture and the Palaeolithic Revolution
The study of traditional societies: ethnography and participant observation
Aspects of religion and kinship in traditional societies
What can we learn through the study of primates?
Are traditional societies more primitive than us?

Sociology:
o
o
o

The study of sociology: theories and practices

Ways of understanding kinship
The cultures of marriage
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o
o
o
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Religion and institutionalism

The fall and rise of established religions
Approaches to death in modern societies
Can crime be understood through sociology alone?

7. ASSESSMENT
Assessment on the course is designed to ensure that students achieve the learning outcomes that
we have set for them. Assessment is through coursework and examinations. Feedback is designed
to encourage and support learning as well as indicating levels of achievement. We will schedule
your workloads carefully and give clear criteria for marking and grading. English language skills are
assessed separately through the IELTS examination, which will be taken in the final term.
Academic Skills Module
The Academic Skills Module is assessed through coursework (60 marks) and examinations in
Critical Thinking and Quantitative Methods (40 marks). The marks are made up as follows:
Term 1
AS1 Summary
AS2 Essay

10 marks
20 marks

Term 2
AS3 Group Presentation
AS4 Examination (Critical Thinking)
AS5 Examination (Quantitative Methods)

10 marks
10 marks
10 marks

Term 3
AS6 Note-taking
AS7 Seminar Presentation
AS8 Examination (Quantitative Methods)

10 marks
10 marks
20 marks

Subject Modules
You will be assessed in three Subject Modules. The assessment of each one is made up of
examinations (60 marks) and coursework (40 marks) as follows:
Term 1
S1 Examination

10 marks

Term 2
S2 Essay
S3 Examination

20 marks
20 marks

Term 3
S4 Research Project
S5 Examination

20 marks
30 marks

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Pass Requirement
The overall mark on the course will be the average of the total marks in the Academic Skills Module
and three Subject Modules. These modules are equally weighted.
To be awarded a pass on the University Foundation Programme students must have:
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o
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an overall mark of 40% or above

an overall mark of 40% or above in each module
an attendance rate over the whole course of 90% or above.

On passing the course successful students will be awarded a Certificate which states the final
grade. The grades awarded on the course are:
Percentage
70% or above
60 69%
50 59%
40 49%

Grade
Distinction
Merit
Credit
Pass

Coursework and Examinations

Specific deadlines are set for all coursework. If students do not submit a coursework assignment
by a deadline they are given a second deadline and the mark is limited to 40% of the total marks
available for the assignment. If they do not meet this second deadline no marks will be awarded.
It is essential that all coursework is entirely the students own work. Plagiarism the copying the
work of other students or of published materials without clearly and explicitly acknowledging your
source is unacceptable. If extensive plagiarism is identified in a coursework assignment, it will be
awarded no marks and it will be at the discretion of the University Programmes Manager whether
they are offered the opportunity to re-submit the assignment.
All examinations are timetabled in Week 11 of each term. Students may not re-sit an examination
which they fail.

External Examiners
The External Examiners for the course are members of the academic staff at the University of
Essex. They act as moderators of coursework and examinations and they consider and approve
programmes of work and make final decisions about the marks and grades to be awarded. They
will visit the course each term to meet the students, the University Programmes Manager and
course tutors.

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