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Foundation Programmes

International Foundation Studies Programme

International Foundation Studies Programme is a year-long, full-time foundation programme designed to enable international students to progress onto undergraduate programmes in Ireland. It sits on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at Level 5 as a Specific Purpose Certificate in International Foundation Studies award that is awarded by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). It has equivalency with Level 4 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

This qualification is internationally recognised. The NQF level 5 qualification means students who complete the programme can apply to any Irish university.

 

Programme Aims

You will study on one of two pathways, either Business and Social Sciences Pathway or the Engineering and Science Pathway

It is split into two pathway streams, each containing three mandatory modules and two of four optional modules. One is for students who wish to study business and social sciences degree programmes and is called the Business and Social Sciences Pathway Stream. The other is designed for those who wish to study the science, engineering, medical and computing degree programmes and is called the Engineering and Science Pathway Stream.

On successful completion of your programme, you will progress to a place on your undergraduate degree programme of choice at one of our partner institutions*. *Subject to meeting their entry requirements as stated in your conditional offer letter.

Programme Learning Outcomes

On completion of this programme, the student will be able to …

  1. Apply a broad range of knowledge in specific subject areas, with an emphasis on the English language, within the student’s chosen pathway:
    1. Business and Social Science Pathway: English for Academic Purposes; Intercultural Studies and Communications; Mathematics, Information Systems, Business Studies, Global Politics, and Introduction to Social Sciences.
    2. Engineering and Science Pathway: English for Academic Purposes; Intercultural Studies and Communications; Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science.
  2. Apply concepts, techniques and models enabling recognition of proficiency in the English language, intercultural diversity, and the requirements of future studies at the undergraduate level.
    1. Apply concepts, techniques, and models to subjects within the chosen pathways developing further depth and understanding.
    2. Apply concepts, techniques and practices enabling recognition of proficiency in the English language to CEFRL B2+ level.
    3. Present opinions on Irish/European educational culture facilitating and supporting their studies on an Irish programme of higher education.
    4. Compare and contrast educational differences between the Irish educational system and that of their own country, how these differences impact their future studies and develop plans to overcome problems as they arise.
    5. Apply tools of self-analysis identifying personal competencies and weaknesses and develop plans to overcome those weaknesses in pursuit of successfully studying through a foreign language.
    6. Create study plans assisting in the successful completion of the respective programme of study.
  3. Identify and apply a broad range of specialized skills and tools for the collection, interpretation and/or presentation of data across a broad range of subject areas within the student’s chosen pathway.
  4. Apply concepts, techniques, and theories to identify, interpret and evaluate information to make reasoned judgements and develop and choose from a range of strategies in the students' chosen pathway and subject-related disciplines.
  5. Act in a range of programme-specific contexts, to identify and apply skills and knowledge to a range of cultural issues including an awareness of academic, professional, and scientific related disciplines associated with living and studying in Ireland.
  6. Choose from a variety of experiences to successfully complete tasks by taking initiative and responsibility for one’s own learning, individually or within a group, within the context of an academic programme.
  7. Reflect on one’s own learning and the acceptance and use of guidance to develop their future learning skills and competence to cope with and participate in a programme of higher education.
  8. Evaluate personal beliefs, values, morals, and ethics within the context of an educational programme and formulate responses and strategies based on reflection and feedback.

Awards and Credits

This is a 120 FET credit qualification which equates to approximately 60 ECTS with classes taught in person by experienced teachers. The qualification is awarded by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) as a Level 5 National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Certificate in International Foundation Studies award. To obtain the qualification award, students must study and pass all modules taken where a Pass grade is 50%. To progress to their target undergraduate degree, students must have passed the programme, but additional grade requirements may be necessary to progress to certain university qualifications for example medical, engineering and accounting degrees. These will be explained by UniHaven staff to students before they enrol on the programme and will be detailed in the Conditional Offer Letter that they will receive at enrolment.

Programme Structure

The table below shows the programme structure. The programme is subject to change so please check with the Recruitment and Admissions Office for the latest details.

Module Number

 

Module Title

Mandatory / Optional

FET credits

Taught Hours per Week

Duration (weeks)

UNI001

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Mandatory

60

8

25

UNI002

Intercultural Studies and Communications

Mandatory

10

2

25

Business and Social Science Pathway – Choose 2 from 4 Optional Modules

UNI003

Mathematics (Ordinary)

Mandatory for this Pathway*

20

4

25

UNI004

Business Studies

Optional

15

4

25

UNI005

Information Systems

Optional

15

4

25

UNI006

Global Politics

Optional

15

4

25

UNI007

Introduction to Social Sciences

Optional

15

4

25

Engineering and Science Pathway – Choose 2 from 4 Optional Modules

UNI008

Mathematics (Higher)

Mandatory for this Pathway*

20

4

25

UNI009

Biology

Optional

15

4

25

UNI010

Chemistry

Optional

15

4

25

UNI011

Physics

Optional

15

4

25

UNI012

Computer Science

Optional

15

4

25

* Unless the student’s choice of HEI degree programme necessitates a different level of Mathematics in which case such choice will be accommodated.

Programme Calendar

See the calendar of teaching and exams for 2023 – 2024 here

Protection of Enrolled Learners (PEL)

UniHaven College complies with section 65 (5) of the Irish Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 with respect to the requirement to provide protection to students who study on the programme should the programme cease to be taught before it has been completed for whatever reason. UniHaven Limited has approval to offer students learner protection insurance. Learner Protection insurance is only in place when each student receives their Insurance Policy. Each learner should ensure that they receive a Learner Protection Insurance Policy in their name. Learner Protection insurance is provided by Arachas and underwritten by Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC. Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC, trading as Aviva, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. The learner protection policy provides for a refund of fees as specified in the 2012 Act. In some circumstances, it may be possible for a learner to transfer to a similar programme in another provider. In such circumstances, the learner may opt to receive the cost of an alternative similar academic programme. Transfer to another programme is always only a second option. The learner protection insurance policy is governed by s.65(4)(b) of the 2012 Act.

An individual student protection insurance policy will be set up on students’ behalf that the student will pay for at enrolment when paying tuition and other mandatory fees. This insurance policy will finance the UniHaven College’s commitment to refund to enrolled students, or to the person who paid the fees on their behalf, the monies most recently paid in respect of the programme for:

•            Tuition fees.

•            Registration fees.

•            Student protection fees.

•            Medical insurance fees.

•            Examination fees.

•            Progression Fees.

•            Administration fees to include fees for programme books, online resources, online study platforms and so on.

This insurance policy will provide sufficient funds to refund the sums relevant to the fee payment types listed above. UniHaven College will have a policy schedule outlining the extent of cover for its students as relevant to the number of students studying at any given time.  When Ireland’s new International Education Mark (IEM) has been introduced UniHaven College will participate in the new central IEM fund that QQI will oversee as part of its future IEM obligations.

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