The Centre for International Foundation Programmes

The Centre for the International Foundation Programmes at the English Language Teaching Centre offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate foundation programmes for students whose first language is not English, specifically designed to bridge the gap between school-leaving qualifications in their home country and the demands of a university degree programme. Our foundation programmes are full-time, and there are programmes starting in September, October and January.

We have high expectations of our students. Being a student involves the ability to think critically and independently, have clear communication techniques and intercultural awareness. Our programmes offer not only tuition, but also trips and social activities so that you can experience all that St Andrews and the University have to offer. Please click here to download an application form.

Undergraduate

Our full-time undergraduate foundation programmes are intensive courses of study designed to give students the necessary subject knowledge, language and study skills to equip them for successful university entrance.

Undergraduate Foundation Programme: Business Route

The Undergraduate Foundation Programme for Business gives you the opportunity to enhance your academic and language skills to fully prepare you to cope with the range of demands that you will encounter as an undergraduate student. At the CIFP, our professional and experienced tutors understand how difficult it can be to follow lectures on complex topics, and to research and write appropriate academic essays. We will help you to develop such skills and teach you techniques and strategies that you can use when faced with many different types of assessment. Feedback on assessments will also help you to progress at a steady rate. Importantly, the Business Route allows you to study Management, Marketing and Economics so that you will have a strong foundation in the key topics and language that you will need for your degree programme.

Undergraduate Foundation Programme: Social Sciences and Law Route

The Undergraduate Foundation Programme for Social Sciences and Law offers a range of academic and extra-curricular activities, and if you plan to study International Relations, Psychology, Law or any of the humanities, you should choose this specific pathway. We at the CIFP know that the linguistic and intellectual demands of such subjects are high, therefore we offer our social science students a curriculum that suits their specific needs. For example, students will read set novels and practise in-depth analysis of the text. They will also study issues including gender, identity and globalization amongst many others. From experience, we know that these classes provide an extremely useful foundation for studying at university in the UK. Typically, the Undergraduate Foundation for Social Sciences is a relatively small multinational and multicultural group and students can benefit greatly from discussion and debate with each other as well as with their tutors.

Undergraduate Science Foundation Programme

Students wishing to study for a science degree have a number of options within our core foundation for science programme including Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science. Whichever subject you choose, you will attend first year level modules along with other first year students of the University, while at the same time following a language programme which is closely integrated with your academic subject, so that language is not taught in isolation from the science, and the skills you learn in the classroom complement and reinforce the skills you are learning in the laboratory.

International Foundation for Medicine

The International Foundation for Medicine is a one-year programme designed to give international students the background in sciences, academic English and study skills they will need to make a success of studying Medicine at the University of St Andrews. Taught in liaison with the Schools of Biology, Chemistry and Medicine, students who complete the programme with the required grades may progress onto a degree in Medicine.

Postgraduate

Pre-Masters Programme

This course is designed to develop the skills needed for students to undertake a business-related Master's programme in the UK. It is designed specifically for university graduates who need to develop both their general and academic English language skills as well as acquire appropriate specialised language.

Diploma in Business & English

This is a conversion programme for those intending to study for a business or finance-related Master's degree in the UK. It is an intensive academic English and Study Skills course for students who have graduated from college with a sub-BA or BSc level qualification. The aim of students taking the course is to enter a postgraduate Master's degree programme the following autumn. The CIFP will assist students in the application process to UK universities.