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The Certificate in International Foundation Studies is a Special Purpose Award, Level 6, worth 60 ECTS, recognised within the National Framework of Qualifications.
It is is a one-year full-time programme that offers international high school students a pathway to undergraduate study. It is suitable for international students who do not hold qualifications equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate or A-Level, and provides a comprehensive academic and English language foundation for undergraduate study.
Course objectives
By the end of the course it is expected that students will:
- have reached the required academic standard to study at UL
- have reached the English language level requirements for entry to UL
- be prepared for the linguistic demands of a degree course
- have demonstrated the necessary study skills for completion of their chosen course
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Course structure
Three streams are currently available: Science and Engineering, Business or Humanities.
Students study all the core modules plus the modules for their chosen stream.
The programme will provide a solid foundation in the core subjects required to study for a degree in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the Kemmy Business School or the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. All modules are worth 6 credits each.
Core Modules | |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
English Language for Study Purposes 1 | English Language for Study Purposes 2 |
Writing Skills and Study Strategies
| Applied Communication Skills, Study Strategies and Techniques |
Mathematics 1 | Mathematics 2 |
Streams
Business Stream | |
Introduction to Economics | Irish Marketing Environment |
Business Communication 1 | Business Communication 2 |
OR | |
Science and Engineering Stream | |
Introduction to Engineering | Introduction to Electronic Technology |
Science Foundation 1 | Science Foundation 2 |
OR | |
Humanities Stream | |
Introduction to Sociology and Politics | Irish History and English Literature |
Business Communication 1 | Business Communication 2 |
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Students will have a Senior High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Students pursuing the Faculty of Science and Engineering Stream are required to have English, mathematics, a laboratory science based subject and one other language
- Students pursuing the Business Stream are required to have English, mathematics and one other language
English language entry requirements
All Students must meet the English language requirements. Any one of the following will be accepted:
- IELTS score of 5.0, with no less than 5.0 in any one component or
- TOEFL score of 200 on the computer-based test
- TOEFL score of 530 on the paper-based test
- TOEFL score of 75 on IBT
- A grade B on the Cambridge First Certificate Examination
Course dates and fees
The Certificate in International Foundation Studies will start on Monday, 9 September 2024 and will end on 19 May 2025
The tuition fee for the course is €12,000 and includes the €50 administration fee.
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How to apply
The first step is to apply for your preferred undergraduate course at the University of Limerick.
Suitable candidates will then receive an offer letter from the University of Limerick. The Language Centre will then issue an offer letter.
To enroll on the Certificate in International Foundation Studies, students need to pay full fees to the University of Limerick Language Centre.
An administration fee of €50 is included in the tuition fee and is non-refundable. The Language Centre Terms and Conditions of Enrolment contain full details regarding payments.
If you are in receipt of a scholarship then a financial guarantee should be provided along with your completed application form.
Please note that it is essential to read and accept the Language Centre Terms and Conditions of Enrolment in full before making an application for a course at the University of Limerick Language Centre.
What our students say
I did the Science and Engineering stream of the International Foundation Programme. I studied various modules that prepared me perfectly for my future majors. As a student who was aiming to study Engineering, I held a U.L offer for my Bachelor programme prior to enrolling on the Foundation.
There were two modules each semester which were Engineering focused, Introduction to Engineering and Introduction to Electronic and Computer Technology. In addition to these, we studied general science and mathematics modules. This gave us all the basics needed to prepare for entry to my Engineering bachelor programme.
There were three modules dedicated to improving English language. I found these really helpful as they prepared me for future academic essays, presentations and research projects. Moreover, the English modules helped me to learnt he various technical Engineering terminology needed for my degree.
As an International Foundation student, I was able to use all of the U.L facilities such as the library, which was a truly amazing and quite space to do homework and assignments. I made plenty of time to explore the U.L campus which is full of nature, trees and the large river that runs through the campus makes it one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen!
Address for correspondence: University of Limerick Language Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Tel No.: +353 61 202 777 or +353 61 233 237
Email: language.centre@ul.ie
