Carmen Neghina

Setting up a successful foundation programme

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Key elements for successful pathways programmes

The international foundation programmes market is one of the most diverse one in higher education. Since there are no strict guidelines about how they’re set up, how long the programmes last, tuition fees, entry requirements and so forth, universities and providers have far more flexibility to set up the programmes that benefit their students the most. However, if you’re considering starting up your own foundation or pathway programme, there are four key elements you need for ensuring your students are successful in getting their foundation degree and proceeding to a Bachelor’s level afterwards.

1.  Rigorous academic content

Often, what students need the most is help catching up to the academic levels required for a university degree. Depending on the field, this could mean advanced preparation courses in biology for a medicine undergrad, accountancy and business skills for a business bachelor’s or advanced physics for an engineering degree. The goal of these courses is to give students the basis they need for the undergraduate level, and give them a tasting of the courses they will follow in the next step of their education.

2. Intense English language preparation

For students, being able to express themselves and understand course content is highly dependent on their English-level skills, since most foundation programmes are offered in English. These classes should be a combination of conversational English, academic English, and of course IELTS or TOEFL preparation courses to help them pass the exams they need for their undergraduate applications. English language preparation can also be improved in some cases just by ensuring the students live in an international environment where they are exposed to English on a regular basis, but also social activities and international groups and clubs that encourage students to improve their English and enrich their vocabulary.

3. General study skills

In most cases, due to differences between national high school systems around the world, students also require a more advanced set of general study skills, adapted to the country they want to purse their undergraduate degree. Courses that help students learn how to plan and complete a research project, present and deliver academic presentations, but also effectively take notes, participate in class, learn the proper academic writing style or how to reference and cite for their assignments are also crucial to the student’s future success. The goal of these courses is being able to help students develop study strategies based on self-evaluation, critical thinking and independent research skills that are required in an international education environment.

4. Cultural adaptation

Last, but not least, successful foundation programmes also need to pay attention to the cultural needs of the students. Often times, students attending foundation programmes are 17-18 year old and are living abroad for the first time in their lives. Being homesick, or experiencing culture shocks in the host country are issues that students sometimes need to have and learn how to cope with. Students attending a foundation programme, don’t just need to cope with a different education system, language or cultures, but will also need to adapt to new customs, laws, religion, lifestyle, social organisations, government and so forth. Special lectures or seminars, or simply having an assigned person who can help students with these miscellaneous problems can make the transition to the new country far less troublesome for the students.

If you’re interested in learning more about foundation programmes, feel free to read more about our first global research about this growing trend in international education.

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