Business, Finance, Economics and Marketing

Description

This programme ensures that you meet the English language and academic entry requirements for year 2 entry to the University of Stirling and other Scottish universities.
In Scotland, INTO academic preparation programmes count directly towards your degree, meaning it is possible to graduate with an ordinary degree after just two further years of study following the International Foundation – a great opportunity to get a head start in your career.

Why apply for the International Foundation programme at INTO Stirling?

• a quality-assured university programme
• a first-year Scottish undergraduate degree programme equivalent qualification
• direct entry to year 2 of an undergraduate degree
• full university status
• a campus-based programme with access to university facilities
• a conditional offer of a place on an undergraduate degree at the University of Stirling
• guaranteed university placement for all successful students
• high contact hours and small class sizes
• the highest levels of pastoral care and support

All students complete a common core set of modules. Additionally, there are optional modules to choose from and individual degree programmes may stipulate specific modules which you must study before being permitted to progress on to your chosen degree or university.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 10955 Year (EEA)
• GBP 10955 Year (Non-EEA)

September 2014 start(4 terms):£14,745;September 2014 start(3 terms):£10,995;January 2015 start (3 terms):£10,995

• English

Course Content

During this programme you may study:

Core modules:

• English Language for Academic Purposes (20 credits)

This module is designed to help students develop their skills and confidence in academic English for university study, focussing on reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The aim is to prepare students to be able to operate successfully in an undergraduate study environment. All the skills are important and all are developed in an integrated and task-oriented way. The module encourages students to take responsibility for their learning and a lot of emphasis is placed on self-study, student research, student-led presentations, seminar discussions, e-learning and group work.

• Core Mathematics and Statistics (20 credits)

The module covers mathematical and statistical techniques that have applications in business and in economics. The module initially reinforces algebra skills and then builds on these in the areas of equation handling and graphing techniques through to an introduction to differential and integral calculus. Differentiation is introduced as a technique for finding the slope and turning points of a curve. You will develop skills in the area of handling, summarising and representation of data, and become familiar with probability as a concept. The concept of correlation is also introduced and developed to establish relationships between variables while the statistics element focuses on key data handling, presentation and analysis.

• Introduction to British Culture and Society (10 credits)

This module will provide a broad introduction to British institutions and culture to enable students to understand the broader contexts of business, humanities and social science subjects in a UK university.

Topics covered may include: local and national government and politics; legal institutions; geography and sociology of Scotland and the UK; business in the UK; and UK education systems. The module features lectures, seminars, discussions and student presentations and is assessed via exams, written work and spoken presentations.

• ICT, Research and Study Skills(10 credits)

This module supports the work of academic modules and is designed to help students adjust to the specific nature, demands and expectations of UK higher education. The skills covered will include: personal and time organisation; library and information skills; using and interpreting data; teamwork; problem-solving; examination and revision techniques; presentation skills; and avoiding plagiarism. Students also have workshops in core ICT skills including the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, and web-based learning systems.

Optional modules:

• Computing for Business (20 credits)

The module briefly covers the history of computers and information technology, and examines the development of information and communications technology infrastructures. More particularly it focuses on the use of IT in work and business, as well as the general impact of information technology in society. It examines the structure and impact of the internet, in terms of the technical core as well as the impact of the online culture upon commerce and society. You will gain experience of elementary programming, the structure and use of relational databases and the use of spreadsheets in modelling and analysis of financial information.

• Economics (20 credits)

The module provides an introduction to the main theoretical models and concepts used in economics with an emphasis on the application of economic theory in the ‘real’ world. It aims to introduce Economics as a key strand of the social sciences. Inevitably contemporary Economics utilises mathematics and statistics to examine important issues. Use of such tools will be at an elementary level in the most part. Building on the behavioural foundations of Economics it facilitates an appreciation of economic forces in shaping our world.

• Introduction to Business(20 credits)

This module will help students understand key features of business in the UK and introduces many aspects of business in preparation for a range of business degrees. Topics covered range from motivation, management and leadership, business classifications, business funding in the UK, scrutiny of corporate annual reports and accounts, how economic factors affect business, marketing, and current themes in business. Learning is undertaken in lectures, seminars and tutorials, and will be assessed via examinations and coursework.

• Introduction to Psychology(20 credits)

As the scientific study of mind and behaviour, Psychology is both a biological and a social science. This module therefore comprises an introduction to core elements of the subject which include: Child Development; Brain and Behaviour; Language and Thinking; Animal Behaviour; Clinical and Abnormal Psychology; Social Psychology and Cognitive Psychology.

• Law and Legal Systems(20 credits)

The main principles and structure of business law are introduced in this module. In order to understand the background of the legal system you will study the principles of the constitution and various aspects of law. The module covers EU law as well as the European Convention on Human Rights. It looks at different types of law e.g. civil and criminal, public and private; comparative legal systems e.g. common and civil; sources of law in UK including the European Union; law making in UK including the court system; principles of contract.

• Principles of Accounting(20 credits)

The module provides a foundation in the theory and practice of accounting. The module covers the following topics: the balance sheet, the profit and loss account, the double entry system, adjustments of accounting, accounts of limited companies, costing, budgeting and variance analysis. It demonstrates some of the basic accounting concepts and procedures used in the preparation of financial statements and helps students understand financial performance.

• Understanding Media(20 credits)

This module provides an introduction to media. It looks at how different media forms create meaning, how they are consumed and the ways they work to structure forms of identity, introducing students to related critical debates in the field. Topics covered include communities and identities, promotional and celebrity cultures, global connections, film and fictional representations. Workshop activities and assignments are designed to develop skills in group work, engagement with critical thinking, original research and academic writing.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 4.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Academic requirements:

Completion of 12 years of schooling (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades.

For information about country-specific entry requirements please contact us.

The Centre accepts other Secure English Language Tests (SELT) including Pearson PTE.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Stirling.