International Foundation Year in Management and Economics

Academic English Skills

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at the Royal Holloway University London, and ensures you are able to meet the requirements of the UKVI through demonstrating an English language level of CEFR B2 in the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related skills required for successful study at Higher Education level. These skills include the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Business

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at the Royal Holloway University London, and ensures you are able to meet the requirements of the UKVI through demonstrating an English language level of CEFR B2 in the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related skills required for successful study at Higher Education level. These skills include the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Economics

This module aims for a sound foundation for future studies in Economics. It facilitates your formative development by broadening your knowledge base, deepening your understanding of topics studied and practising appropriate study skills.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: demonstrate understanding of the key concepts, theories and models in either Micro-economic or Macro-economic; demonstrate knowledge of the main tools of macro-economic policies; display understanding of key economic objectives of government policy, and the way in which economic policy outcomes impact Economies; apply understanding of key principles and concepts to current issues in the UK economy and/or Economies internationally; explain the principles of supply and demand and apply knowledge to perform aggregate analysis with some awareness of market structure and demonstrate understanding and application of graphs, mathematical equation and financial records in analysing and interpreting Economic data.

Core Mathematics*

The overall aim of the module is to develop the techniques to promote logical thinking and confidence in solving mathematical problems and to develop your understanding of a range of statistical techniques and use these to analyse data.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: use mathematical techniques to communicate meaning and solve problems; understand how to find solutions to an appropriate level of stated accuracy; use a scientific calculator to support calculations; deconstruct and/or reconstruct a problem to consider its component parts, linkages, connections and impact to develop a logical chain of reasoning; use, analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative information to make reasoned judgements and find solutions and show an understanding of statistical calculations.

Sociology

This course aims to provide a grounding in sociology as a study of human society and will introduce you to key theories, concepts and research methods relevant to sociological investigations. The emphasis in the module is on the structure and functions of societal institutions such as the family, education, work and the prison system, as well as on a range of issues affecting contemporary society such as poverty, crime, race and gender.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: display an understanding and ability to apply sociological theories and sociological concepts in understanding society and social processes; appreciate the significance of a range of issues and historical events which have had an impact on the nature and development of a society; analyse what culture is, how it relates to identity and how it is manifest in society; critically evaluate and discuss the importance of social stratification in key institutions of society and analyse and evaluate the contributions made by sociology in understanding the role and function of different aspects of society such as family, religion, work, poverty, education, deviance and crime.

Global Politics

The course explores key themes in global politics among which climate change, identity and power politics, colonialism, neoliberalism, political violence and human rights. Each theme draws out specific historical and geographical locations and uses a wide range of illustrative examples to examine the complexity of responses and to evaluate the broader theoretical approaches. The aim of this module is to provide you with a grounding in key concepts of global politics and to introduce you to the central assumptions and theoretical approaches in the study of global politics.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: show solid foundational knowledge and understanding of politics, critically engage with the dominant assumptions and theoretical approaches that have shaped the understanding of global politics and analyse and reflect on the impact of different events on the nature and development of global politics.

Psychology

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of concepts, methodology and practical and ethical issues relevant to the study of Psychology. Such focus will allow you to develop independent study skills in research, group work and effective note taking. The main focus of study is on the various approaches to the subject in general terms, but you will have the opportunity to deepen your theoretical understanding and knowledge of psychological research.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: explain in general terms key concepts and theories underpinning the main approaches to studying Psychology; describe the strengths and weaknesses of a range of research methods in Psychology; critically evaluate key empirical and theoretical studies in core areas of Psychology and evaluate the contributions made by different approaches to the study of Psychology.

Applied Mathematics

This module will introduce applied mathematics through the applications of decision mathematics and statistics. The relationship between real life situations and mathematical models will be studied and the need to recognise how a situation may be represented mathematically to understand the relationship between ‘real world’ problems and their mathematical model will be developed. You will also need to understand how these can be improved and refined and the limitations of many common assumptions so that they can evaluate their own assumptions when setting up mathematical models in order to solve problems. There will be an emphasis on analysing and communicating solutions and generalizing to solve all problems of a particular type.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: accurately define, explain and use terminology; apply knowledge of theories, concepts, methods, models and principles to a variety of different situations; analyse situations and problems in the context of relevant concepts, methods, models, principles and theories; construct reasoned arguments assessing their validity and/or show a logical approach to arriving at solutions to problems and reflect, evaluate and/or justify conclusions based on knowledge and understanding.

_{*Cannot be taken in conjunction with Pure Mathematics}

Academic English Skills

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at the Royal Holloway University London, and ensures you are able to meet the requirements of the UKVI through demonstrating an English language level of CEFR B2 in the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related skills required for successful study at Higher Education level. These skills include the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Economics

This module aims for a sound foundation for future studies in Economics. It facilitates your formative development by broadening your knowledge base, deepening your understanding of topics studied and practising appropriate study skills.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: demonstrate understanding of the key concepts, theories and models in either Micro-economic or Macro-economic; demonstrate knowledge of the main tools of macro-economic policies; display understanding of key economic objectives of government policy, and the way in which economic policy outcomes impact Economies; apply understanding of key principles and concepts to current issues in the UK economy and/or Economies internationally; explain the principles of supply and demand and apply knowledge to perform aggregate analysis with some awareness of market structure and demonstrate understanding and application of graphs, mathematical equation and financial records in analysing and interpreting Economic data.

Core Mathematics (or Pure Mathematics for students wishing to progress to a joint degree with the Maths Department)

The overall aim of the module is to develop the techniques to promote logical thinking and confidence in solving mathematical problems and to develop your understanding of a range of statistical techniques and use these to analyse data.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: use mathematical techniques to communicate meaning and solve problems; understand how to find solutions to an appropriate level of stated accuracy; use a scientific calculator to support calculations; deconstruct and/or reconstruct a problem to consider its component parts, linkages, connections and impact to develop a logical chain of reasoning; use, analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative information to make reasoned judgements and find solutions and show an understanding of statistical calculations.

Business

The module focuses on developing your understanding of strategic issues facing the business enterprise in the modern market economy, while facilitating your formative development by broadening your knowledge base, deepening your understanding of the topics studied and practising appropriate study skills.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: demonstrate an understanding of the multi-disciplinary nature of business, displaying knowledge of commercial approaches and frameworks; demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles underpinning business enterprise and apply critical thinking skills to business concepts such as marketing, ethics, finance, and business structure; understand the application of marketing in business including topics such as the product lifecycle, the marketing mix, and market segmentation; identify and apply appropriate use of financial information to support business decisions and demonstrate understanding of graphical and tabular information. 

Sociology

This course aims to provide a grounding in sociology as a study of human society and will introduce you to key theories, concepts and research methods relevant to sociological investigations. The emphasis in the module is on the structure and functions of societal institutions such as the family, education, work and the prison system, as well as on a range of issues affecting contemporary society such as poverty, crime, race and gender.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: display an understanding and ability to apply sociological theories and sociological concepts in understanding society and social processes; appreciate the significance of a range of issues and historical events which have had an impact on the nature and development of a society; analyse what culture is, how it relates to identity and how it is manifest in society; critically evaluate and discuss the importance of social stratification in key institutions of society and analyse and evaluate the contributions made by sociology in understanding the role and function of different aspects of society such as family, religion, work, poverty, education, deviance and crime.

Global Politics

The course explores key themes in global politics among which climate change, identity and power politics, colonialism, neoliberalism, political violence and human rights. Each theme draws out specific historical and geographical locations and uses a wide range of illustrative examples to examine the complexity of responses and to evaluate the broader theoretical approaches. The aim of this module is to provide you with a grounding in key concepts of global politics and to introduce you to the central assumptions and theoretical approaches in the study of global politics.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: show solid foundational knowledge and understanding of politics, critically engage with the dominant assumptions and theoretical approaches that have shaped the understanding of global politics and analyse and reflect on the impact of different events on the nature and development of global politics.

Psychology

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of concepts, methodology and practical and ethical issues relevant to the study of Psychology. Such focus will allow you to develop independent study skills in research, group work and effective note taking. The main focus of study is on the various approaches to the subject in general terms, but you will have the opportunity to deepen your theoretical understanding and knowledge of psychological research.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: explain in general terms key concepts and theories underpinning the main approaches to studying Psychology; describe the strengths and weaknesses of a range of research methods in Psychology; critically evaluate key empirical and theoretical studies in core areas of Psychology and evaluate the contributions made by different approaches to the study of Psychology.

Applied Mathematics

This module will introduce applied mathematics through the applications of decision mathematics and statistics. The relationship between real life situations and mathematical models will be studied and the need to recognise how a situation may be represented mathematically to understand the relationship between ‘real world’ problems and their mathematical model will be developed. You will also need to understand how these can be improved and refined and the limitations of many common assumptions so that they can evaluate their own assumptions when setting up mathematical models in order to solve problems. There will be an emphasis on analysing and communicating solutions and generalizing to solve all problems of a particular type.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: accurately define, explain and use terminology; apply knowledge of theories, concepts, methods, models and principles to a variety of different situations; analyse situations and problems in the context of relevant concepts, methods, models, principles and theories; construct reasoned arguments assessing their validity and/or show a logical approach to arriving at solutions to problems and reflect, evaluate and/or justify conclusions based on knowledge and understanding.