Canterbury Christ Church University
The International Foundation Programme (or IFP) is designed to help you improve your English language skills up to the level so that you can enter an undergraduate degree at Canterbury Christ Church University.
It is not just a simple language improvement course: you will need to learn the kinds of language and skills which are necessary in university study, and in your subject area. You may also need to revise and expand the basic knowledge you need to study your subject in English.
Normal entry requirements for students who wish to join the stand-alone IFP primarily to improve their academic English—after successful completion of the IFP, you can progress to a 3-year degree programme of your choice, so long as you have met any additional requirements.
IELTS 5.0 overall with no score less than 4.0, and a 4.5 in Writing (recommended).
We are also able to consider equivalent qualifications in line with our standard overseas entry requirements.
Students who need a Student Route visa and want to enter the integrated 4-year pathway should have English already at B2 level:
IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.5 in each element.
Applicants who have taken other English language tests, or who have studied English as part of their secondary school qualifications may be considered in line with our standard overseas entry requirements. We can also accept the equivalent of B2 in other English Language tests (such as Pearson and TOEFL).
Certain degrees may ask for higher levels of English. In these cases you will normally need to achieve a higher grade in the IFP.
Students who want to move on to undergraduate programmes that include professional qualification, e.g. Nursing & Midwifery, may have admission requirements in addition to passing the IFP, such as an interview or higher language level. If you intend to take these degrees you should check their requirements directly or ask Admissions. In these cases, you may be advised to enter the IFP at a higher language level in order to ensure you can make the necessary progress over the year.
We advise all applicants that they should already have satisfied the academic requirements for the undergraduate degree they want to take after the IFP. Check these requirements or ask Admissions.
So that you can enter your chosen degree, and also complete it to the best of your potential, the IFP aims to develop your: knowledge and use of English language, so that you can live and study in the UK university environment; academic study skills and knowledge, so that you understand the requirements of UK undergraduate degrees, especially in your subject area. In addition, like all education, the IFP will develop you as a person more broadly, so that you can live and work more successfully both at university and in your life afterwards.
This is a full-time programme that lasts one academic year. It is structured into two semesters with teaching from September to December, and January to May. After each semester there is an assessment period (and an opportunity for re-assessment at the end of the year).
In Semester 1 you will be taught normally by core IFP staff in classes with students from a range of academic subject interests. The main aim is to improve your language and skills so that you can study your own intended academic subjects more effectively in Semester 2.
Semester 2 focuses on the development of university-level academic skills, and the English language for dealing with your intended subject area. There is a mixture of core modules, which all students take, and option modules which will depend on your intended degree subject and their availability in that year. Depending on the module, you may be studying alongside other UK-based foundation students.
Core Module:
English for University Study 1
English for University Study 2
Academic English
optional module:
Investigating Business Practices 1
Investigating British Life and Culture
Foundation Business
Investigating Business Practices 2
Communicating for Health and Wellbeing
Learning about Cultural Sensitivity in Health and Wellbeing
Foundation English Language and Communication
Foundation Media Studies
Foundation Law
Foundation Science (Biology)
Foundation Science (Skills)
Foundation Social Sciences
Contact our admission counseller and get a free consultation.
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