Ulster University Business School - Foundation Year

Degrees

Duration

The duration is four years without a placement year or five years with an optional or compulsory placement year (depending on the programme you are studying).

Qualifications

Successful completion of a degree will lead to a BSc Honours degree in your chosen subject. You will also receive a Diploma in International Foundation Studies (Business, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences).

Exit Award

Should you decide to change programme or leave after successful completion of the International Foundation Year, you will qualify for the following exit award:

• Diploma in International Foundation Studies (Business, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences)

Modules

IFY students follow a defined integrated pathway specific to their degree where modules are specified by the Faculty in which their degree is based. There is scope for flexibility within some modules - Project Based Learning and Critical Thinking are modules where students choose projects within their chosen subject. Students must pass all modules at 40% to successfully move from Year 0 to Year 1 of their programme.

Introduction to Entrepreneurial Leadership

20 credits - compulsory

This module introduces you to the concepts of leadership and entrepreneurialism from a global, national and local business perspective.  This module gives you the opportunity to explore entrepreneurial leadership practice and what this means at an individual level.

Introduction to Creative Industries

20 credits - compulsory

In this module you will explore the development and growth of a range of Creative Industries within Northern Ireland society. These include; Film and Media studies, Journalism, Literature, Music and Drama.  You will experience first-hand how these industries developed and continue to grow, where they are now central commercial figures in the Northern Irish economy.   Ulster University has a key role in supplying these local and international industries with a well-qualified and skilled workforce.

Foundation in Mathematics for Business

20 credits - compulsory

This module is an introduction to the core areas of financial mathematics that form the foundation of all Business courses taught here at Ulster University. All Business students are required to develop an appreciation of core financial and economic aspects of a variety of businesses before entering into Year 1 of their Business programme.

Extended Critical Thinking for Undergraduate Study

20 credits - compulsory

This module seeks to harness English Language capabilities and develop Critical Thinking to raise levels of written English. The subject context will be derived from the integrated degree. This module will inform, develop and challenge your ability to engage in normative thinking strategies. Critical thinking will enhance your interest, motivation and success in a given subject. These skills can be transferred into writing in English and in preparation for academic readiness, success and progression.

Exploring Cultural Identities

20 credits - compulsory

This module brings together all students on International Foundation pathways to learn together and explore ideas and realities of culture, as well as, self, group, community and national identities. The module offers students time to explore ideas unique to their own cultural identity against the backdrop of cultural identity issues specific to Northern Ireland. By so doing, we offer the student a context for an emergent modern society into which they can draw comparisons, differences and value judgements from their own experience of cultural identity.

Project-Based Learning

20 credits - compulsory

This module provides opportunities for students to select an issue-based problem, specific to the academic subject of their integrated degree upon which they will carry out investigative research. Students may also place this issue-based scenario module within the context of their home country, whereby they can draw upon existing underpinning knowledge. This module seeks to develop a heightened knowledge of the chosen pathway subject, as well as building on intrapersonal and academic skills including; decision-making, problem-solving, time-management, writing for purpose / audience, data handling, report writing and research methods.