Business - Management, Economics and Finance (International Foundation) September 2020 entry
The International Foundation programme for Management, Economics and Finance is designed to facilitate the transition from high school to the first year of undergraduate study in a range of academic disciplines including management, economics, financial economics and mathematics.
It includes a blend of subject-related content in various related academic subjects and helps to develop the academic and language skills required for effective participation in undergraduate studies.
If you are interested in studying mathematics, you may also wish to read the Science (International Foundation) page.
The programme has a high success rate with an average of nearly 93% of students completing the programme successfully over the past three years. Graduates have gone on to study for single and joint Honours degrees at St Andrews and other top UK universities.
Course type
International Foundation programme
This is the University’s own pre-degree programme which prepares international students for undergraduate study in the UK and at the University of St Andrews in particular.
Course duration
Nine months, full time
Course dates
Start date: 7 September 2020
End date: 28 May 2021
The schedule for this programme differs slightly from the standard University semester dates. All weeks from the programme start date to end date are teaching or assessment weeks, other than the following:
- independent learning week: 19 to 23 October 2020
- winter vacation and inter-semester weeks: 21 December 2020 to 15 January 2021
- spring vacation: 22 March to 2 April 2021.
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
This course is for:
International students who are academically able, but whose high school qualification is not recognised for application to an undergraduate degree at St Andrews. Foundation students typically use English as an additional language.
Applicants will normally meet the following criteria:
- be designated 'overseas' for fees purposes by the University (not 'Home/EU' or 'Rest of the UK')
- have a national high school qualification or mixed-curricula qualifications not recognised for application to an undergraduate degree at the University of St Andrews. If you have three A Levels, the HKDSE, a full IB Diploma or any qualification type that is recognised for degree entry, you will not be eligible for an International Foundation programme, irrespective of the grades you have achieved.
- be due to leave school soon or have left school within the past three years
- have not previously studied on a foundation programme in the UK
- have not previously studied at university.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
No, but candidates aiming at a degree in economics should have grades in mathematics or related subjects that demonstrate a secure grasp of numeracy.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Typical IFP academic requirements - 2020-2021 entry (PDF) are listed alphabetically by country. If your qualification is not shown here, please email ifp@st-andrews.ac.uk about the grades needed from your high school system.
You can demonstrate that you have met the academic requirements with a high school transcript. Any high school qualification you use as evidence of your academic ability should be from the last year you attended high school and be dated within the previous three years.
You should apply before your final results are available, as the University can make you a conditional offer based on your past exam performance and predicted grades.
English language requirement
An IELTS (Academic) test report form with a minimum of 5.5 overall and no component score below 5.0.
If you require a visa, your IELTS test must be for UKVI purposes. See an overview of the English language requirements for foundation applicants.
You do not need to have your result when you apply, as this can be a condition of any offer made by the University.
Application requirements
The University requires you to provide the following documents as part of your application:
- your most recent high school transcript
- a personal statement outlining why you wish to study Management, Economics and Finance at St Andrews and reflecting on your life and learning experiences to explain why you feel you would be successful on this programme
- an academic reference from your high school on their letterhead or from a school email
- your IELTS (Academic) test report form.
Application deadline
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 15 July 2020. You only need to provide your high school transcript and personal statement when you first apply so that the University can consider your application. Your academic reference and your English language evidence can be provided later.
Reputation
The University of St Andrews as a whole was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2019 as 95% of St Andrews final year students gave the University top marks for the quality of the learning and teaching experience.
The University has secured a TEF Gold award for the quality of teaching and the undergraduate experience.
Course information
This programme will introduce you to business, management, economics and finance, giving you an opportunity to explore your strengths and interests in these fields.
The content of lessons is based on specific academic subject material relating to business and social sciences. Students will gain the knowledge, experience and confidence to cope with the demands of the University’s highly competitive degree programmes.
In particular, this programme offers:
- a unique blend of communication skills and academic skills integrated with business-related topics
- small group teaching with highly experienced teachers
- an intensive and academic learning experience designed to help you develop the skills to succeed at undergraduate level.
By the end of the programme, you will have a strong foundation on which to base your undergraduate degree studies. You will have a clear understanding of the key ideas that underpin many of the subjects you will be going on to study. You will also have knowledge of the university system and experience of different types of assessment.
Download the International Foundation Programmes brochure (PDF)
Modules
The International Foundation programme for Management, Economics and Finance has eleven compulsory modules.
In Semester 1, all students will study the same five compulsory modules:
- Communicating in Academic Contexts 1: helps you develop and practise productive and receptive academic spoken communication skills to use within the Foundation programme and in your undergraduate programme.
- Research and Writing for Business 1: develops greater familiarity with a wide range of primarily business-related topics. You will learn how to organise your writing, structure correct sentences, use formal academic vocabulary, and use correct academic style.
- Foundation Academic Thought in Arts and Science: enhances understanding of the key philosophical and analytical principles underpinning academic study.
- Foundation Psychology 1: gives a brief overview of different approaches to psychology and covers the many different ways in which mind and behaviour can be studied.
- Foundation Business: provides an introduction to a broad range of business concepts and theories; it analyses the goals, processes, and operations of business enterprises.
All students will study the same two compulsory modules:
- Communicating in Academic Contexts 2: helps you further develop and practise productive and receptive academic oral communication skills that you will need to draw on in your degree programme.
- Research and Writing for Business 2: builds on the key academic subject knowledge, skills and strategies covered in 'Research and Writing for Business 1', but with an increased focus on learner independence.
In addition to these two compulsory modules, you will focus on four academic modules relevant to your degree. Subjects typically available include:
The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2020 entry.
Teaching
Teaching format
Classes take place Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. You will spend approximately 16 hours per week on focused learning activities. During this time, you will experience a mixture of recorded lectures, live online or face-to-face seminars or tutorials, with your maximum class size likely to be between 14 and 16 students.
As well as your timetabled classes, you will be expected to complete approximately 20 to 25 hours of independent study each week. As a fully matriculated student, you have access to the University’s libraries and study areas, but you will also work with the University's online learning tool (Moodle and Microsoft Teams).
Students are expected to do the following to prepare for classes and consolidate their learning:
- read and take notes from online textbooks, articles, and other online sources as required
- undertake additional research and self-study through the University library and online
- complete a range of homework tasks, individually and in groups
- engage with feedback on both formative and summative assessments.
The University’s student services team can help students who have additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
Assessment
The programme includes a variety of types of assessment to give you experience of different ways of being examined, such as:
- essays
- multiple-choice tests
- presentations
- formal examinations
- group projects
- leading and participating in seminars
- research report.
You will have regular coursework assignments throughout both semesters, and some of these will contribute towards your final grade. You will also have two sets of examinations, one set at the end of each semester. You will receive feedback on practice tasks and tests to help you prepare for the assessments.
Fees
Combined fee
The International Foundation programme offers an all-inclusive fee package which covers all the major costs of the foundation year so that there are no hidden extra costs.
2020-entry fees: £29,200
The all-inclusive fee package includes:
- tuition
- accommodation, including a bedding pack
- a meal plan with 14 meals per week
- access to all University facilities
- a transfer from Edinburgh or Glasgow airport, or Leuchars train station, when you first arrive
- the use of course books, handouts and other course materials
- 24-hour emergency phone number
- programme-led and seasonal social events.
Scholarships
Kinnessburn Scholarship
For students moving from an International Foundation programme to a degree at the University of St Andrews.
Students who successfully complete the International Foundation programme with a distinction grade and move onto a degree at the University of St Andrews are eligible to apply for the Kinnessburn Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to one student annually in June and provides a partial fee waiver for each year of study on an undergraduate programme at the University.
Accommodation
The fee package for the International Foundation programme includes catered accommodation, which the University arranges on your behalf so you do not need to apply for accommodation.
All foundation students are allocated a room in David Russell Apartments (DRA). In each apartment, there are five study bedrooms, each with its own private shower and toilet, and a shared living space and fully equipped kitchen.
Bedding pack
A bedding pack will be delivered to David Russell Apartments, for each foundation student. The bedding pack is for a standard double bed (UK size) and contains:
- one duvet (10.5 tog)
- one duvet cover
- one flat sheet
- two pillows
- two pillowcases.
Meals
Foundation programme students are on a catered meal plan that gives them 14 meals per week during the semester.
Breakfast and an evening meal are served every weekday; breakfast and lunch are served on Saturdays and Sundays.
See a sample menu for the 14-meal plan.
Your future
In order to progress onto a degree at the University of St Andrews, students must achieve a final overall grade of 11.0 or above on the University’s 20-point scale. Other specific progression requirements are provided in the course handbook at the start of the programme.
There are many degree and post-study options available to successful foundation students. Popular degree subjects include:
- Economics
- Management
- Mathematics.
Students who pass the foundation programme but do not wish to stay in the University of St Andrews can receive advice and assistance with applications to other institutions in the UK.
Contact
International Foundation programmesInternational Education Institute
University of St Andrews
Kinnessburn
Kennedy Gardens
St Andrews
KY16 9DJ
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2255
Email: ifp@st-andrews.ac.uk
International Education Institute website
Page amendments
The academic requirements PDF was updated on Friday 20 March 2020.
The compulsory and optional modules listing, as well as teaching format, was updated on Monday 10 August 2020.
Policies
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our admissions policy.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online (PDF, 72 KB).
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online (PDF, 84 KB).