School of Lifelong Education and Development

Programme Specification for the Bradford Foundation Year

Awarding and teaching institution: / University of Bradford
Final award: / Certificate of Foundation Studies (Combined Studies)
Programme title: / The Bradford Foundation Year
Programme accredited by: / Not applicable
Duration: / 1 year full-time (2-3 years part-time) Year 0 of a 4 year degree programme
UCAS code: / Y003
Subject benchmark statement: / Not applicable
Date produced: / January 2006, July 2007, updated Jan 2009

Introduction

The Bradford Foundation Year provides a supportive route into higher education, designed to assist people to demonstrate that they can achieve a university degree. It is a pre-degree access programme that will provide a solid basis for future degree study. The programme is specifically designed to help students who have perhaps not gained the results they were expecting, students who feel they are not yet ready for an undergraduate degree programme or mature individuals who feel they need some help to get up to speed with the demands of learning before embarking on a degree programme. Everyone who successfully completes this foundation programme will progress onto stage 1 of the Combined Studies degree programme or stage 1 of a wide range of degree programmes at the University of Bradford, including the BA in Community Regeneration and Development, the BA Applied Criminal Justice Studies or the BSc Economics. Students who successfully complete the foundation year and do not wish to continue their studies at the University of Bradford will be awarded a Certificate of Foundation Studies.

It is a flexible programme in every sense. You will be able to choose the modules that interest you to help construct a learning programme that is both challenging and stimulating and you can study as either a part-time or a full-time student. No matter what choices you make, the careful selection of the modules available and the core modules will ensure that by the end you are prepared, confident and ready to tackle the demands of undergraduate degree studies.

An important part of the programme is its flexibility. With guidance from the course tutor, you will choose the modules that interest you, constructing a learning programme that is both challenging and stimulating.

Owing to the fact that the programme is designed as a pre-degree access programme it will be necessary to choose options that best prepare you for your degree programme. The course tutor will help guide you to the most appropriate and beneficial choice of modules.

This programme will provide you with the skills, knowledge and understanding that are necessary for successful undergraduate study, and support you to become an independent learner.International students may join the International Stream specifically designed to meet their needs.

Programme Outcomes

On successful completion of the Bradford Foundation Year you will have acquired the underpinning knowledge and the understanding and skills needed to tackle the demands of undergraduate study. You will have developed an understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses as a learner and possess strategies to maximise your own learning. In addition you will have acquired the following:

Knowledge and Understanding of:

  • key concepts, approaches, texts in a selection of academic disciplines,
  • how people learn and the strategies that can be employed to support effective learning,
  • the relationship between growth, diversity and urban development
  • a variety of disciplines that span the social sciences and business

Discipline Skills in:

  • the identification, assessment and preliminary evaluation of information from a range of sources,
  • the construction of clear, cogent and coherent arguments in written and spoken form
  • the ability to use and apply a range of theories and concepts

Personal Transferable Skills in:

  • the value, nature and validity of information sources and how they can support an argument,
  • the ability to interpret information and to use IT systems to communicate, identify and access information
  • the ability to present information in a variety of formats appropriate to the audience
  • team working and problem solving
  • self awareness and time management
  • the ability to reflect on performance

A key feature of the course will be regular contact with programme tutor whose role will include offering advice and guidance to students on academic-related matters.

The Curriculum

The design of individual programmes of study is influenced by your personal and career aspirations. A range of modules is available from which your individual programme of study can be planned. There are two core modules that comprise 40 of the 120 credits needed to complete the Foundation programme.

International Stream students will include 50 credits of International Stream modules and the 10 credit Guided Group Study as part of their programme.

A key feature of the course is its multi disciplinary nature. You will study a number of different academic disciplines of your choice. However, this choice may be restricted by your choice of degree level study. All students may include 20 credits of elective level 0 modules negotiated with the course leader.

Unit
Code /

Unit title

/
Type
/
Credits
/
Level
/
Sem
International Stream ONLY
LEDL501M / General English Skills / Inter / 10 / 0 / 1
LEDL502M / Speaking 1 / Inter / 10 / 0 / 1
LEDL503M / Academic Writing 1 / Inter / 10 / 0 / 1
LEDL504M / Academic Reading 1 / Inter / 10 / 0 / 1
LEDL505M / Listening 1 / Inter / 10 / 0 / 1
Core Modules
LED0007D / The Effective Learner / Core / 20 / 0 / 1or 2
LED0032D / Data Handling and IT Skills / Core / 20 / 0 / 1or 2
Optional Modules
LED0001D / Ethnicity and the Inner City / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or 2
LED0013D / Guided Group Study * / Option / 20 / 0 / 2
LED0014M / Guided Group Study * / Option / 10 / 0 / 2
LED0006D / The Sociological Imagination / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0003D / Interpersonal Psychology / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0012D / Understanding Schools / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0002D / Industry and Society in Yorkshire / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0008D / Work Based Learning / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0010D / Writing in the City / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0015D / Gender Inequality and Education / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0017D / Introduction to Film Studies / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
ID-0003M / Preliminary Mathematics for Economists / Option / 10 / 0 / 1
ID-0004M / The World Economy Since 1945 / Option / 10 / 0 / 1
LED0018D / Introduction to Understanding Organisations / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0019D / Introduction to Project Management / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0020M / Introduction to Public Relations / Option / 10 / 0 / 1or2
LED0021D / Skills for Working with Young People / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0024D / Mapping your Future / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0025D / Language for Higher Education / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
HN-0026D / Human Biology / Option / 20 / 0 / 2
LED / Exploring Self-employment / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0029D / Criminology / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0022D / Introduction to Accounting / Option / 20 / 0 / 1or2
LED0559D / Skills for Facilitation and Mentoring / Option / 20 / 0 / 2

* Can do either module but not both

Please note that the curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Assessment regulations: a summary (the progression regulations can be found on the University website at )

To pass and proceed to the next stage, you must achieve at least 40% in 100 credits and 35% in the other 20 credits.

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies

The teaching, learning and assessment strategies will facilitate learning and encourage you to develop as an independent learner. The Effective Learner module (core) will provide the framework for your personal goal setting evaluation and review. The module will form a pivotal role in assessing your individual needs, in identifying the various resources available to supporting your study and in reviewing your progress.

A diverse range of teaching and learning strategies will be used in the delivery of the course with specific and appropriate teaching methods employed to meet the learning outcomes of individual modules. You will be particularly encouraged and supported to develop an independent style of learning. Reading, problem solving, project work, tutorials and student led seminars will all be a feature of the programme. In general, concepts, principles and theories will be introduced in lectures, and explored in more depth in associated tutorials and seminars. Assessment is a crucial component of your learning which is necessary to monitor your progress, motivate learning, provide feedback and grade students. Assessment methods will reflect the diversity of provision and directly address the desired learning outcomes.

The School and its partner organisations are committed to Equal Opportunities and will demonstrate this through the implementation of the University’s Equal Opportunity Statement. This will be shown through admissions and support procedures, teaching learning and assessment strategy and support of the curriculum.

Admission requirements

Offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. A key consideration in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular course. Entrance requirements will vary but are set after consideration of each applicant’s academic background and achievements and all other relevant experience. Applications are welcome from candidates with non-standard qualifications or who, lacking academic qualifications, have significant relevant experience.

All applicants will need to demonstrate drive, commitment and an adequate level of English and Mathematics (normally GCSE grade C or level 2 Key Skills in Use of Number and Communication). For full-time students we would expect a minimum level of academic achievement that would be equivalent to 120 UCAS tariff points including one six unit award. We would particularly welcome applicants with appropriate vocational awards in subject areas that form part of this Programme.

If you are a mature student there is no specific requirement for formal qualifications but you will be invited for interview with a member of academic staff to discuss whether your previous experience and qualifications would be deemed to be suitable. This is done on a case-by-case basis.

Alternatively you could access the course via the Associate Student Scheme. Associate students become eligible to join the award-bearing course upon successful completion of at least 40 credits from the programme, which must include the Effective Learner module. If you join the course as an associate student with a view to joining the award you must state your intention as soon as possible and in any event before completing more than 60 credits of study.

International Students
For International students whose first language is not English, they will be required to achieve an IELTS test score of at least band 6. Where a student has an IELTS score between band 5 and 6 they must enter the programme on the International Stream. Exceptionally, students with an IELTS score of 5.5 may enter the programme not on the International Stream but after completing a pre-sessional English programme.

As an International Stream student you will spend the first semester developing your English skills with the language experts of the University’s Language Unit before moving on to complete the programme.

Student Guidance and Progression

All students will be invited to an induction day before the commencement of semester one. At this event the course tutor and other staff will provide a detailed overview of the individual modules. This will include an overview of the various progression opportunities provided by the programme and an opportunity for a library induction by the School librarian.

In addition, University and School student handbooks, course handbook together with module information will provide you with a wealth of helpful information and guidance. The support provided by the School is enhanced by a strong University infrastructure, including the Disabilities Office, Student Counselling Service, Library, Careers Service and 24-hour access to Computer facilities. Student support links can be found at:

The programme tutor will advise you on appropriate choices of modules. In addition to this, the School has a Student Guidance Tutor who will be able to give help and advice to you throughout your university career.

For further information contact:

The School of Lifelong Education and Development

University of Bradford

Bradford

BD7 1DP.

01274-233210.

Visit:

Email:

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