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International Foundation Year in Management and Economics

A foundation programme leading to undergraduate management and economics degrees

The Management and Economics pathway at the International Study Centre will prepare you for management and economics-related degrees at the School of Management at Royal Holloway.

Key facts

Course length: Two semesters
Entry points: September, November (Enhanced Induction) and January
Age: 17+

See entry requirements

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What you will study

The programme consists of core and optional modules. Core modules will improve your academic and English language skills, and optional modules will teach you more about your chosen progression degree.

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 university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including 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.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning.

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.

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.

Collaboration for Sustainable Futures

Collaboration for Sustainable Futures (CSF) involves our international students developing and applying key skills required to be successful in a modern higher education context and beyond: Collaborating and building team-working skills, using appropriate research methods, reflective learning, independent enquiry and learner autonomy, and applying theory to develop create solutions to real-world problems. The module theoretical content is built around UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that organisations increasingly map their plans to. Students will work in groups across all IFY disciplines to first understand the relevance and aims of the goals, then how these apply in varied communities and contexts, before finally using their new skills and knowledge of sustainability to create a project that addresses a local issue. Throughout the module, students will be encouraged to apply what they have learnt in other modules to the problem they are seeking to address in their group, thereby bringing a cross-disciplinary approach to the issue at hand.

Core Maths 1

This course includes units reviewing basic arithmetic concepts important in science and algebra to generalise and solve problems. Graphical concepts will be introduced that support business decisions. Finally, you will be introduced to basic calculus methods to enable problem solving and decision making.

Core Maths 2

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.

Digital Technologies

This module will provide you with knowledge about the importance and application of IT, digital technologies, and information systems in organisations as well as its impact on organisational performance and competitive advantage. Furthermore, it will explain the importance of digital technologies in the creation of new products, services, and business models and how organisations can effectively manage and maximise digital technologies. This module will complement the other modules on this pathway and prepare students for various degrees in the School of Business Management and department of Economics.

Royal Holloway International Study Centre's Study Plan

Why join this November?

Join us in November 2024 and stay on track to progress to your degree in September 2025.

By starting in November, you will benefit from three additional weeks of study and life skills before commencing your main pathway programme in January 2025. There will be no additional tuition fee for this period, and this will provide you with a great opportunity for an enhanced student experience focusing on three key areas: orientation; practical support and academic and digital skills. Topics will include a digital skills health check, managing your money, practical tips on finding study and life balance, and an introduction to assessments in UK higher education.

What will I study in the additional three weeks?

You’ll benefit from a 15-hour per week of face-to-face classes, allowing you to:

  • feel more confident and better prepared for the start of your January programme of study
  • practice your English by interacting with the fellow students and build friendships
  • assess your own digital skills proficiency
  • meet the key Centre staff who will provide advice for success
  • familiarise yourselves with the support available
  • apply a range of academic study skills to meet your individual needs
  • have more time to adapt to the UK life and settle in before you begin your January programme.

Are there any additional cost or fees?

There will be no additional tuition fee, as November starts will have the same tuition fee as the respective January programme. However, there will be additional costs to consider, as expected with being in the UK for a longer period (i.e. accommodation). If you request accommodation on your application form, our Central Student Support Team will contact you directly in October regarding the options available.

Christabel, an international student standing on RHUL campus

“When it comes to Economics and Mathematics, everything they taught us at the International Study Centre is based on what they are teaching us now. They’re building on my basic knowledge, which is helping me to improve in academics.”

Christabel from Ghana
Studied International Foundation Year in Economics, progressed to BSc Economics and Mathematics

Progression degrees

You can continue your studies at Royal Holloway as an undergraduate when you successfully complete your International Foundation Year. This means that you have to achieve the required grades for progression. You can speak to staff about these requirements when you are about to finish your programme in case they have changed.

You can study one of the following undergraduate degrees:

Degree Programme NameAwardOverall GradeEnglish Grade
No Results
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Prepare for success

Join our online preparation course at no extra cost, so that you are ready to thrive academically and culturally in your new environment.

Explore the course

Careers after graduation

This foundation course is ideal for you if you would like a career in business, finance, or government. You can specialise in:

  • Accounting
  • Advertising
  • Consulting
  • Hospitality and events management
  • Human resources
  • Investment banking
  • Logistics and transport
  • Retail
Students studying on campus

Admissions

Applying to Royal Holloway International Study Centre is easy and straightforward. Check entry requirements, tuition fees and see what you have to do before you arrive, from getting your student visa to arranging accommodation.

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International Study Centre

The International Study Centre helps you prepare for undergraduate and postgraduate study at Royal Holloway, University of London. It is a dedicated learning space for international students, sharing the University's campus and facilities.

A Royal Holloway student on campus

English Language Preparation

Our online English Language preparation courses will help you develop your English language skills to the level required to begin your chosen pathway programme.

Join us today

Our Student Enrolment Advisors are available to answer any questions you may have and help you with your application. We can't wait to meet you!