International Foundation Programme (University of London)

• Candidates must be age 17 or older before 31 Dec in the year of registration
• Passed four separate subjects at GCSE / O level (grades A*-C / 9-4), or the equivalent

Equivalent International Qualifications

Other qualifications (subjects must be taught in English) will be assessed based on its equivalence to GCE ‘O’ level examinations.

For information on international qualifications, refer to SIM’s International Student Prospectus.

English Language Requirements

• Proof of competence in English acceptable to the University of London such as minimum Grade C6 and above in the GCE ‘O’ level English Language examinations or its equivalent*
• *A proficiency test awarded within the last three years:
  • IELTS with an overall score of at least 5.5 (no band under 5.0); or
  • TOEFL iBT – Test of English as a Foreign Language overall score of 75 or above with at least 18 in both Reading and Writing Skills sub-test and at least 16 in both Speaking and Listening sub-test; or
  • Pearson Test of English: score 46 or above, with at least 46 in both Reading and Writing elements; or
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English; or
• SIM English Placement Test (EPT) at Advanced Level 1 or better

Information not available

Structure

• Classes are conducted 2-4 hours and 5 days a week.
• Blended lectures, group discussions, workshops and online study.
• Classes are taught by local faculty, supplemented with intensive workshops, tutorials and discussion group.
• Average teacher-student ratio: 1:12
• Minimum class size to commence 20 students. Students will be informed within 30 days after the application period.

Assessment & Attendance

• Each module is assessed through continuous compulsory assessment, such as class tests, group/individual assignment and annual examinations.
• At the end of the programme, candidates must sit for an exam on all the modules.
• Students who marginally fail (30-39 marks) for only 1 paper, may be invited to take the supplementary paper. However, the final decision lies with UOL.
• Key Dates:
  • University exams: April 2024
  • Results released: June 2024
  • Resit exams: July 2024
  • Resit results released: Aug 2024
• All students must achieve 90% attendance in any month, and for the overall academic year. Students who failed will not be permitted to register for the university examinations.

Modules

Compulsory modules:

• Mathematics and Statistics

This is the foundation course on which subsequent, more specialised quantitative courses in Mathematics and Statistics are based. The course offers an overview of key mathematical methods and statistical concepts frequently applied to economics, management, finance and related areas.

• Economics

The course offers an overview of key economic concepts and their applications to everyday situations and current economic affairs using modelling techniques.

• Social Psychology

This course provides an introduction to Social Psychology as a social scientific discipline, its areas of interest, theory and methodologies. Students will learn to consider key ways in which social psychological knowledge can be applied to real-life contexts. It provides tools that support students in critical thinking and argumentation.

• Accounting and Finance

The course provides a foundation introduction to the purposes and functions of accounting and finance, as well as to develop the key concepts and techniques to fulfil these functions for business financial decision-making.

In addition to the core curriculum from UOL, SIM will provide students with additional compulsory classes in English Language skills. These classes are complimentary and will help students to improve their fluency and develop greater accuracy in both their written and spoken language.

The purpose of the English classes is to extend their vocabulary to include more specialised English related to their course of study. These classes will also prepare students for the Academic IELTS examination.