IFP International Foundation Programme - January

Compulsory modules

Academic Skills

Enhance your academic study and communication skills while gradually building confidence and mastering transferable abilities. Engage in various in-class group activities and individual study tasks to develop these skills effectively.

Optional modules

Foundation Programme: Biology

Explore the life cycle of cells and the chemical reactions that give them energy and allow them to replicate. You’ll also study the biology of the human body and about natural selection and genetics. Through practical classes, you’ll familiarise yourself with laboratory work, as well as handling and interpreting data.  

Ecology and the Environment

Explore key concepts and processes associated with both the physical and living environment and the interactions of both within ecosystems.

Environmental Sustainability

Explore the causes and consequences of global contemporary sustainability issues. You’ll critique and evaluate both theoretical and actual methods used to minimise the harm caused through anthropogenic activities whilst recognise the interconnected nature of environmental problems.

Chemistry

Learn how to predict the properties of molecules from their structures and gain an understanding of how and why reactions happen. You’ll also gain practical experience and develop skills by applying what you’ve learnt in a laboratory setting.

Foundation Economics: Microeconomics

Discover how individuals and companies allocate and utilise resources. You’ll learn the neoclassical model of demand and supply, markets failures and the behaviour of firms. 

Foundation Economics: Macroeconomics

Learn models and theories used by economists to understand the performance of the economy. You’ll develop basic mathematical and statistical skills and apply these to economic decision making.

Core Mathematics

Learn the techniques required to analyse and solve a variety of mathematical problems. You'll gain general mathematical skills as well as skills that are more related to your degree programme. 

Further Mathematics

Gain a solid grounding in the aspects of vectors and matrices, kinematics of motion, advanced integration techniques and differential equations at A-level standard. You’ll develop a foundational understand of the key mathematic concepts required for future study throughout your degree. 

Quantitative Methods

Discover the techniques required to analyse and solve a variety of statistical problems. You'll gain general theoretical skills as well as numerical skills that are more related to your degree programme.

An Introduction to Business and Management

Develop your ability to think critically and argue persuasively in business and management contexts. You'll learn basic business and management theory such as entrepreneurship, business planning, marketing, human resource management, finance and accounting.

Academic English 1

Develop the necessary basis in English for study at undergraduate level. You’ll develop key skills and a perspective on a range of contemporary topics that will equip you for study throughout your degree. 

Academic English 2

Develop your competence in the use of English for academic purposes. You’ll be provided with the necessary linguistic foundation for your degree as you learn to use academic sources in a written and spoken context. 

Foundation Statistics and Data Science

Gain an introduction to statistics and data science, and develop key theoretical, practical, and numerical skills to help you succeed in your future undergraduate studies. 

Introduction to Foundations of Law

You’ll acquire a grounding knowledge in the main principles of the English Legal System and Contract Law. This will provide you with a conceptual foundation for future study and will facilitate the recognition of both public and private frameworks. Additionally, you’ll develop the skills needed to evaluate and analyse key legal issues and produce complex arguments related to policy, practice, and theory. 

Further Foundations of Law

Enhance your understanding of the English Legal System and study the law of tort. You’ll learn the key principles of tort and put them into practice as you develop your skills for producing complex legal arguments even further. 

Physics

Gain deeper, transferable knowledge and understanding of the major concepts of physics such as: the atomic structure and phases of matter, thermodynamics, electric fields and potentials, mechanical forces, work and energy, and the principles of simple periodic motion. You’ll also learn to apply both mathematical and physical concepts to solve advanced problems.

Concepts in Politics

Learn the nature of key political concepts and use them to develop your ability to interpret and analyse political information and arguments. You’ll also be encouraged to develop your grammar and IT skills to ensure you are well equipped to research sources and execute written presentation throughout your degree. 

Government and Politics

Study the nature of political institutions, concepts, and ideologies and develop the ability to interpret political information and execute into it a developed argument. In particular, you’ll focus on UK and US government and politics and identify their parallels, connections, similarities and differences.

Introduction to Sociology

Study the idea of sociology as a science and consider how it might differ from the psychological and biological sciences. You’ll develop an understanding of norms and values as you focus on socialization, culture and identity. Additionally, you’ll learn how sociologists collect data as you look at qualitative and quantitative research methods and the factors that influence the choice of research topics and methods. 

Topics in Sociology

Advance your understanding of sociology as you look at the significance of consensus and conflict, social structure, and social order and change. You’ll analyse key concepts related to gender, ethnicity, social class, and age and consider how these can be applied to areas including social stratification, mass media, crime, and sociological theory. 

Psychology and Biology

Consider the scope and nature of psychology as a science. You’ll learn the biological basis of thought, behaviour, and emotions and gain transferrable skills in analysis, evaluation, and critical thinking. Specific areas of study will focus on stress, cognitive psychology, biopsychology and sleep.

Psychology and Research

Explore the key research methods applicable to psychology as you develop your skills of analysis, evaluation, and critical thinking to data collection and reporting. You’ll focus on theories of conformity and obedience and learn to critically evaluate research by highlighting the limitations found in classic experiments. 

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.