International Foundation Course (IFC)

Overview

The IFC has been established to help international students to manage the transition from second level in a non-English-speaking country to an undergraduate course at NUIM. The course structure enables students to gain university experience and obtain credits for part of their first-year degree programme while developing their language and academic skills. Students wishing to study Computer Science, Electronic Engineering and Finance may take two modules from their intended first-year course; successful completion of these will lead to exemptions in the first year.

Objectives

• To allow students to develop English skills sufficiently to enable them to pursue an undergraduate course through the language
  
• To introduce students to their subject area through modules
  
• To give participants confidence in using key academic skills
  
• To foster learner independence
  

Course Delivery

The language component will consist of 24 hours per week in the form of tutorials, language laboratory sessions, guided autonomous learning, computer assisted language learning and occasional seminars. In addition, each participant will undertake at least 15 hours of individual study.

Modules in the acdemic subjects will be delivered as described in the university calendar.
Assessment

English for Academic Purposes:

Examinations (winter and summer) : 50% of total marks

Continuous assessment : 50% of total marks

Subject module assessment: as per university calendar.
Marks and Standards

English for Academic Purposes
Pass = 60%. No individual paper may score less than 50%

Modules

As per university calendar
Entrance Requirement

Applicants must have completed a recognised High School Leaving Examination which is considered equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. Minimum English language requirement for the IFC is IELTS 4.5 or equivalent.