University of St Andrews

This programme will involve study of Science (International Year Zero) at an advanced, research-led level in which students will gain an understanding of how knowledge is created, advanced and renewed. The programme will encourage in all students a desire to pursue independent learning with curiosity, integrity, accuracy and intellectual rigour.

This is a 12-month programme of study leading to the degree of International Foundation Programme Certificate. As with all St Andrews programmes, it is made up of credit bearing modules. Students must earn credits over the duration of the programme, with 120 credits normally earned each academic year. Typically, the first two years of study include core modules specific to the programme as well as other modules chosen from a range of options (in some cases, including modules from a different Faculty). The remaining years offer advanced research-led learning through modules that provide a programme-specific curriculum.

For information about core and optional modules for each programme, please consult the Programme Requirements, which can be found at https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/reqs/2021-22/list.html?v=az

These requirements describe the detailed structure of the course and link to the contents of all the modules that can be included in the programme. Teaching, learning and assessment are progressive, with both the content and methods of delivery changing to suit the increasing level of complexity in the material, and independence of students, as they work through the programme.

Distinctive features of this programme include: a) an interdisciplinary approach b) s-led conference c) small group teaching d) personal tutor to support studies

In the course of this programme students will develop programme-specific skills.

Reflectiveness, criticality, autonomy, confidence, academic integrity, knowledge of a range of subject specific content, academic literacy, discipline specific langauge, knowledge of Institutional Services at St Andrews, Process and Form of assessment at St Andrews, Critical Analysis of Data and Texts, Incorporating Sources and Evidence in Academic Work, Effective participation in a range of academic settings

Students will engage with independent and group study in a supportive framework of teaching and learning. The strategy is to use methods of teaching and assessment that will facilitate learning appropriate to the aims of the degree programme. The following methods will be employed where appropriate to the level of study and the particular content of each module in the programme.

Lectures
Small group discussions / tutorials
Problem solving workshops
Autonomous learning groups
Independent study activities(supervised and unsupervised)
One-to-one discussions / supervision
Project work
Workshops
Presentations
Practice exercises
Seminars
Larger group discussions / seminars
Technology enhanced learning
Group work
Reflective practice
Technology enhanced learning
Supervised engagement with feedback

Assessment can be a blend of diagnostic work to determine student needs, formative work submitted for assessment and feedback (but not necessarily for academic credit) or summative work submitted for academic credit.

Presentations
Class tests
Unseen written examinations
Essays
Oral examinations
Technology enhanced assessments
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Short Answer Questions (SAQ)
Group assignments
Posters
Problem solving exercises
Films, podcasts

Students' scholarship skills (in, for example, academic writing, information gathering and academic conduct) will be supported and developed through this programme. The following will be available, where appropriate to the level of study and the particular content of each module in the programme.

Personal tutorial system
In-house media support
Web based and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) resources
Feedback
Library support and resources
Reading lists
Training in Good Academic Practice
IT services support
Student services support*†
Mathematics and statistics support*
Student representation
Free WiFi