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International Study Centre

International Foundation Year in Arts and Social Sciences

A pathway leading to undergraduate degrees in creative arts, politics or humanities

The Arts and Social Sciences foundation programme at the International Study Centre prepares you for a range of undergraduate degrees at Royal Holloway.

What you will study

The programme consists of core and pathway-specific modules. The core modules will improve your academic and English language skills, while the pathway-specific ones will build specific knowledge about your chosen progression degree.

Core modules

Academic English Skills

Academic English Skills aims to provide you with thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable you to best achieve your academic potential at University. 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.

Arts

A broad introduction to the study of Arts at university, focussing on the historical background and influences of the Arts on modern-day culture. You will explore a range of classical studies, which you will analyse through themes including ‘origins and transformations’, ‘origins of literature’ and ‘pre-colonialism’.

Sociology

You will be introduced to a range of issues which affect contemporary society, and study the research methods relevant to sociological investigations. You will also study the way societies develop, their structure and the way in which they function, including aspects such as family, education, work and crime, and issues in which social divisions are prominent; poverty, health, race and gender.

Pathway-specific modules

You will be introduced to the key concepts of media activities and consider the role and impact of the media through a study of the news. You will also learn basic textual criticism theory and broaden your knowledge base by studying the theoretical and practical aspects of film production.

Music

You will enhance your skills, knowledge and understanding of communicating through music. This will include appreciation of the diverse and dynamic heritage of music, promoting spiritual and cultural development. You will broaden your knowledge base, deepening your understanding of topics studied and practising appropriate study skills, to include critical thinking and problem-solving.

Politics

An introduction to International Relations theory, you will look at a range of issues that affect contemporary politics and develop an understanding of the principles of the legal system within England and Wales.

Topics include: Introduction to Global Politics; Historical Context of Global Politics; The Global Economy; States and Foreign Policy and UK Government and Politics.

Psychology

You will learn about the historical development of psychology as well as key areas of contemporary research, including cognitive, biological, developmental and social psychology. You will also study the methods of psychological research and will be required to evaluate the scientific status of issues associated with research involving humans and animals.

Study plans

IELTS	Length	Sep
4.5	4 terms	Start your degree
4.5	4 terms
5.0 (5.0 in writing)	3 terms
5.0 (5.0 in writing)	3 terms

International Foundation Year

English Language Preparation

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. The requirements might change. Our staff will speak to you about them when you are close to finishing your programme.

Progressing to study Music at Royal Holloway

If you would like to progress to an undergraduate degree in Music at Royal Holloway, you will need to demonstrate an ability to play to a proficient level. As evidence of your practical skills level, we accept:

Certificates of achievement
YouTube video (submitted to the Head of Centre).

You will also be required to demonstrate your knowledge of music theory.

Additional entry conditions for progressing include:

Reaching the equivalent of a Grade 7 in music theory and practical performance
A possible short interview and audition to assess your level.

You can also arrange additional practical and theory music tuition during your International Foundation Year.

Progression to degrees with a language

Students will need previous experience of the chosen language to A-level standard before joining the ISC.

“Studying at the International Study Centre has definitely prepared me for my first year at Royal Holloway. It helped in terms of knowing how to structure my essays the way the university would like them, bringing forward my basic knowledge of sociology into my current course, and adapting very well to the degree.”

Latifa from Bahrain
Studied International Foundation Year in Social Sciences, progressed to BSc Criminology and Sociology

You can study one of the following undergraduate degrees:

Degree Programmes	Award	Overall Grade	English Grade
BA History, Politics and International Relations	BA (Hons)	65%	60% overall with 70% in writing, 40% other skills
BA American Literature and Creative Writing	BA (Hons)	70%	70% overall with 70% in writing, 40% other skills
BA Ancient & Medieval History	BA (Hons)	65%	60% overall with 70% in writing, 40% other skills
BA Ancient History	BA (Hons)	65%	60% overall with 70% in writing, 40% other skills
BA Ancient History and Philosophy	BA (Hons)	65%	60% overall with 70% in writing, 40% other skills
BA Ancient History with Philosophy	BA (Hons)	65%	60% overall with 70% in writing, 40% other skills
BA Classical Archaeology and Ancient History	BA (Hons)	65%	60% overall with 70% in writing, 40% other skills
BA Classical Studies	BA (Hons)	65%	60% overall with 70% in writing, 40% other skills
BA Classical Studies and Comparative Literature and Culture	BA (Hons)	65%	60% overall with 70% in writing, 40% other skills
BA Classical Studies and Drama	BA (Hons)	65%	60% overall with 70% in writing, 40% other skills

Please note:

Duration of the degree

The following degrees run for a duration of four years:

BA European and International Studies (French)
BA European and International Studies (German)
BA European and International Studies (Italian)
BA European and International Studies (Spanish)
BA Liberal Arts with a language year abroad
BA Liberal Arts with International Year
BA Modern Languages
BA Modern Languages and Classical Studies
BA Modern Languages and Comparative Literature and Culture
BA Modern Languages and Drama
BA Modern Languages and English
BA Modern Languages and Greek
BA Modern Languages and History
BA Modern Languages and History of Art and Visual Cultures
BA Modern Languages and Latin
BA Modern Languages and Music
BA Modern Languages and Philosophy
BA Modern Languages and Translation Studies
BA Modern Languages with History of Art and Visual Culture
BA Modern Languages with International Film
BA Modern Languages with International Relations
BA Modern Languages with Music
BA Modern Languages with Philosophy
BA Modern Languages with Translation Studies
BA Translation Studies & Comparative Literature and Culture with a year abroad
BA Translation Studies & History of Art and Visual Culture with a year abroad
BA Translation Studies with a year abroad
BA Translation Studies with History of Art and Visual Culture with a year abroad
BA Translation Studies with International Film with a year abroad

Careers after graduation

Arts and Social Sciences graduates work in marketing, law, public relations, business, management, the civil service, or creative arts. Sample careers include:

Actor
Broadcast presenter
Composer
Editor
Film producer
Lecturer
Politician
Publisher
Researcher
Theatre director
Writer.