University of Leeds “ International Foundation Year”

1. University of Leeds“International Foundation Year” Susan Hunter, International Office

2. International Foundation Year • Structure • Level 0 • Only for International Students • From mid-Sept to mid-June • 1-week induction course before the usual 2 semesters • Students are fully registered as University undergraduates

3. International Foundation Year • History • Offered since 1989/90 • Over 1400 students - see next slide • including more than 120 from Qatar • From over 60 countries • For more than 100 different degree programmes

4. International Foundation Year

5. International Foundation Year • Programmes • Arts • Business • Dentistry (only for students from some countries) • Design • Engineering • Joint Honours • Medicine (only for students from some countries) • Performance • Science

6. International Foundation Year

7. International Foundation Year • Subjects & Modules • All students take an “Undergraduate Study Skills in English” module plus modules in other subjects chosen from: • Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Design, Economics, Mathematics, Performance, Physics & Social Science • All subjects except Biology are taught on Leeds’ campus • New Social Science modules have been added recently – these provided access to “Law” and “International Relations” for Qatar students who have studied the “literary stream” in High School

8. International Foundation Year • Entry Requirements • Above average performance in the Thanawiya Amma Grade 12 examinations with good marks in relevant subjects – typically 80%+ • IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 72/200/530 or equivalent

9. International Foundation Year • How to Apply • The Leeds IFY is NOT in the UCAS scheme • Students normally apply directly either online or using the IFY’s own paper application form • Deadline – officially 30th June but this is flexible

10. International Foundation Year • Progression • To progress to yr 1, students on the IFY need to achieve grades  “typical offer” A-level grades as given in the Leeds UG prospectus • In practice this normally means that students should obtain marks of 60%+ in all their subjects during the IFY • Students are guaranteed a year 1 place at Leeds if they achieve these grades but they can apply elsewhere through UCAS during the IFY if they wish to do so

11. International Foundation Year • Progression • Leeds does not have any agreements with other UK universities to accept its IFY students but many have done so • If students only want to join Leeds after the IFY – they do not make normal UCAS applications – they use RPA forms once their IFY results are known

12. International Foundation Year • Success • The Leeds’ IFY has a very high success rate • Many students have gone on to obtain good UG honours degrees – see next slide • A significant number have also continued on to PG Masters and PhD programmes

13. International Foundation Year

14. International Foundation Year • Tuition Fees and Living Expenses • For 2008/09 the IFY tuition fees will be £9200 • The cost of living in Leeds is in the region of £650 per month – this covers all expenses in Leeds, i.e. accommodation, heating, food, clothes, pocket money, books, travelling in Leeds, but not air fares

15. International Foundation Year • Contacts • Sue Hunter s.hunter@adm.leeds.ac.uk 00 44 113 343 4080 • John Uren (ext.32313) • Christine Martin (ext.37976) • Gill Elliott (ext.33209 – also main IFY contact number) • Fax – ext. 32264 • www.leeds.ac.uk/international/foundation.htm • intfyear@leeds.ac.uk • Room 1.03, 11-14 Blenheim Terrace . . . • . . . 12.10, 12.11, 12.12 Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Building !!!

16. Thank you!Any questions?