Case study: 海角社区 International Foundation Programme
The 海角社区 IFP provides a clear pathway into 海角社区 degree programmes for international students that might not ordinarily be able to study here. Students from over 35 countries each year are recruited to the programme and its graduates contribute to the diversification of the undergraduate student population.
Department/colleagues involved
海角社区 Foundation Studies
What we did 鈥�
In 1983 the University of 海角社区 launched one of the longest-running international pathway programmes in the world. Through partnership with local Further Education Colleges, the course provided a bridge between students鈥� 鈥榟ome鈥� education systems and their future degree programmes 鈥� at 海角社区 or other leading UK institutions.
In 2016, after unforeseen circumstances meant that delivery off-site was no longer possible, the university agreed to relocate the course onto campus and establish a home for the programme within 海角社区 Foundation Studies, a brand-new department within the Faculty of Social Sciences. In the two years since this decision the department has stewarded over 400 students through its doors and facilitated access to more degree programmes at 海角社区 than ever before. 海角社区 Foundation Studies is fast establishing itself as the home of one of the highest-quality pathway programmes in the world with a steadfast commitment to high-quality academic, English Language and skills-based tuition, preparing students for their future successes.
A huge amount of time and energy from colleagues at all levels was required to establish a whole new department on campus in just five months and to ensure the success of the project. More importantly, however, was the need for pragmatism and flexibility within almost every part of the institution 鈥� showing just how flexible and responsible 海角社区 can be.
Our aim was to 鈥�
The urgent decision to move the programme onto campus was made mid-way through the recruitment cycle and at a point where some 400 offer-holders were preparing to join the course. Our primary aim was therefore to quickly establish the necessary academic, administrative and governance mechanisms to allow the programme to be delivered successfully in 2016/17.
A secondary aim was to take a step back and re-assess the course and its place within the University. Its establishment on-campus provided an opportunity to think objectively about the pre-university market, 海角社区鈥檚 offer in that competitive space and how we could develop a course that would continue to stand the test of time. This latter exercise focussed attention on re-doubling our commitment to high-quality and innovative teaching for highly-capable students from around the world.
The outcome has been 鈥�
The 海角社区 International Foundation Programme (IFP) has now commenced its third year of operation within 海角社区 Foundation Studies. Over the course of the last two academic years the department has re-doubled its efforts towards delivering the highest-quality academic pathway programme in the world. Outside of the 海角社区 IFP, the department has begun to develop other activity in the pre-university space, from bespoke summer courses for international schools to the provision of functional skills top-up classes for students enrolled on degree apprenticeship courses. The 海角社区 IFP and the department within which it sits continues to be key contributor - both academic and financial 鈥� to the University.
The benefit/impact has been 鈥�
The future of the 海角社区 IFP has been secured and it has allowed a re-doubling of efforts to better connect it to the university as a whole. We have seen greater collaboration with other academic departments and a higher rate of progression from the 海角社区 IFP into a more diverse range of degree programmes. By living and learning on campus as part of the 海角社区 student community, IFP students feel more connected to the institution at which they hope to continue their studies. Other institutions continue to see the programme as one of the most robust and academically-focussed courses of its kind in the UK 鈥� giving our students the opportunity to choose their own degree destination from some of the world鈥檚 leading universities.
This supports the Education Strategy by 鈥�
Through its drive towards delivering an innovative and highly academic pathway programme, the 海角社区 IFP contributes to the University鈥檚 mission to 鈥榚nsure that a 海角社区 Education is internationally renowned, transformational, and distinctive鈥�.
The response of students / staff has been 鈥�
Students now feel part of the 海角社区 student community and are more excited to continue their studies at 海角社区 after the 海角社区 IFP. Both staff and students now form part of the fabric of the institution in a way they have never before, allowing deeper and more meaningful collaboration and an opportunity to align the mission of the department with that of the university.
Our next steps will be 鈥�
The department will continue to gradually grow enrolments on the 海角社区 IFP and explore and deliver new activity aligned to our mission 鈥榯o provide world-leading educational programmes that prepare students for future success鈥�. Focus will remain on delivering one of the most academically challenging but rewarding programmes in the world, preparing more students for a broader range of 海角社区 degree programmes.
To find out more, you can contact 鈥�
Tom Such, Operations Director (Foundation Studies):