Bournemouth Business School International (BBSI), our highly-accredited business college and English school in Britain, offers international students the opportunity to undertake a university foundation course in Britain, while also studying the concepts and learning the skills required for careers in science and technology. Our University Foundation Course in Science, Technology, Computers & IT comprises 30 lessons weekly, and is carefully designed to enable students with an Intermediate level in English or above to prepare for university and also gain worthwhile technical English and science qualifications. Depending on the study option selected, awards include either a BBSI Higher-Certificate or Diploma qualification, plus the NCFE Certificate award and the International Computer Driving License® (ICDL†) qualification. The course syllabus includes extensive IELTS‡ Examination Preparation
UK University Placement. While undertaking their university foundation course and acquiring the academic study skills necessary for university, students are provided with extensive counselling and guidance in all aspects of study at British universities, and are given full assistance with the British university application process. All Foundation students who successfully complete their course are assured of a university place prior to graduation from BBSI.
Study Options. There are 2 study options for this course. For those students with excellent High-School grades and a sound Intermediate level in English, we offer a 24-week Higher-Certificate programme, Study Option 1, which enables participants to develop their technical, professional and academic skills to a more advanced level of proficiency in shorter time. However, for those students with a lower, Intermediate level in English, who require more emphasis initially on developing their academic English, technical English and academic study skills prior to the introduction of more advanced specialised studies, we offer a longer, 36-week Diploma programme that builds more gradually in professional intensity and specialisation. The course is conducted around a busy social and activity programme, and the maximum class size is 12, which can extend to 15 during the summer months, July-September.
Study Option 1
The shorter, Higher-Certificate study option is designed for those students with excellent High School grades and a sound Intermediate level in English or above. The course is of 24 weeks duration.
Course Outline:
Minimum English Entry Level: IELTS 5.0 (Intermediate)
Course Duration: 24 weeks (2 terms)
Course Designation: UST 24
Course Entry Dates: October, January, April or July (term dates 2008)
Lessons Weekly: 30 (each of 45 minutes' duration)
Minimum Age: 17 years
Course Structure & Content:
20 lessons weekly in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
10 lessons weekly in Academic Study Skills+ & IELTS Examination Preparation
Awards:
BBSI Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
(continuous assessment)
NCFE Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
(continuous assessment)
Optional Examination*: IELTS [Academic] (examinations monthly)
Course Objectives. The course objectives are to:
- fully prepare students academically for entry to a first degree course related to science, technology, computers, computing and IT at a university in the UK
- have completed the university-application process so that students secure a university placement in the UK on the undergraduate degree course of their choice
- acquire the necessary academic study skills for undergraduate study at a university in the UK
- develop an understanding of current theory and practice in science, technology and engineering
- acquire a sound, professional understanding and knowledge of science, technology, computers, computer software, IT and engineering concepts
- develop effective technical English and professional communication skills
- build appropriate technical vocabulary related to science, technology and engineering
- acquire the necessary communication skills for a career related to science, technology or engineering
- develop confidence and fluency in the English language to Upper-Intermediate Level
- prepare participants for the IELTS (Academic) examination
Course Elements. In addition to providing students with a thorough and comprehensive grounding in technical English and professional communication skills, Study Option 1 incorporates all the following specialised elements:
Applied Mathematics
- statistics
- number
- space & trigonometry
- probability theory
- algebra & equations
- scale & ratio
Applied Physics & Engineering
- materials & stresses
- force & effect
- light & radio waves
- nuclear physics
- engineering
- electrics, electromagnetism & electronics
Technology
- materials & systems
- applications
- security
- human factor/needs/values/aesthetics
General Science
- research methods
- reading & interpreting scientific information
- writing scientific reports
- problem solving
Computers & IT
- word processing
- spreadsheets
- database
- presentation
- Microsoft AccessTM
- database design
- forms & reports
- queries & SQL
- commands & macros
- business modelling
- computer configuration
- types of computers
- operating systems
- binary system
- programming & languages
- computer networks
- computer viruses
- internet viruses
- electronic communications
- using a computer effectively & managing files
- eeb-design theory
- eebsite-building (Microsoft FrontpageTM)
- introduction to PhotoshopTM
- concepts of information & computing technology
- publishing in HTML
- information & effective communication
Study Option 2
The longer, Diploma study option is designed for those students with excellent High School grades and a lower, Intermediate level in English who require more emphasis initially on developing their technical English and professional communication skills prior to the introduction of more advanced training. The course is of 36 weeks duration and builds more gradually in intensity and specialisation.
Minimum English Entry Level: IELTS 4.5 (Intermediate)
Course Duration: 36 weeks (3 terms)
Course Designation: UST 36
Course Entry Dates: October, January, April or July (term dates 2008)
Lessons Weekly: 30 (each of 45 minutes' duration)
Minimum Age: 17 years
Course Structure & Content:
Term 1
20 lessons weekly in General English
10 lessons weekly in Computers, Computing & IT Skills
(includes the full ICDL syllabus)
Terms 2 & 3
20 lessons weekly in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
10 lessons weekly in Academic Study Skills & IELTS Examination Preparation
Awards:
BBSI Diploma in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
(continuous assessment)
NCFE Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
(continuous assessment)
Optional Examinations*:
International Computer Driving License®
(examination dates)
IELTS [Academic] (examinations monthly)
Course Objectives. The course objectives are to:
- fully prepare students academically for entry to a UK university degree course related to science, technology and have completed the university-application process so that students secure a UK university placement on the undergraduate degree course of their choice
- acquire the necessary academic study skills for undergraduate study at a UK university
- develop an understanding of current theory and practice in science, technology and engineering
- acquire a sound, professional understanding and knowledge of science, technology, computers, computer software, IT and engineering concepts
- develop effective technical English and professional communication skills
- build appropriate technical vocabulary related to science, technology and engineering
- acquire the necessary communication skills for a career related to science, technology or engineering
- develop confidence and fluency in the English language to Upper-Intermediate Level
- prepare participants for the IELTS (Academic) examination
- prepare participants for the International Computer Driving License® award (optional)
Course Elements. In addition to providing students with a thorough and comprehensive grounding in technical English and professional communication skills, the Study Option 2 syllabus incorporates all the following specialised elements:
Applied Mathematics
- statistics
- number
- space & trigonometry
- probability theory
- algebra & equations
- scale & ratio
Applied Physics & Engineering
- materials & stresses
- force & effect
- light & radio waves
- nuclear physics
- engineering
- electrics, electromagnetism & electronics
Technology
- materials & systems
- applications
- security
- human factor/needs/values/aesthetics
General Science
- research methods
- reading & interpreting scientific information
- writing scientific reports
- problem solving
Computers & IT
- word processing
- spreadsheets
- database
- presentation
- Microsoft AccessTM
- database design
- forms & reports
- queries & SQL
- commands & macros
- business modelling
- computer configuration
- types of computers
- operating systems
- binary system
- programming & languages
- computer networks
- computer viruses
- internet viruses
- electronic communications
- using a computer effectively & managing files
- web-design theory
- website-building (Microsoft FrontpageTM)
- introduction to PhotoshopTM
- concepts of information & computing technology
- publishing in HTML
- information & effective communication
Certificate, Higher-Certificate, Diploma and
Pre-Masters' versions of the above course are also available.
† International Computer Driving License®
The International Computer Driving License® (ICDL) is an internationally-recognised qualification that verifies practical competence in computer skills in either a professional
or personal capacity and is the fastest growing international IT user-qualification. It is designed specifically for those who wish to gain a benchmark qualification in computing to enable them to develop their IT skills and enhance their career prospects. No prior knowledge of IT or computer skills is needed. The ICDL raises an individual’s level of competency in IT & computing skills; improves personal productivity, both at home & at work; requires no prior knowledge of IT or computer skills; and provides individual’s with an internationally-recognised qualification.
‡ IELTS
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It measures ability to communicate in English across all 4 language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS is the preferred English language assessment for universities in English-speaking countries worldwide. Examinations take place monthly in Bournemouth and a place can be secured at the time of booking your course with BBSI. Candidates must book for the examination at least 6 weeks before each examination sitting.
+ Academic Study Skills
Students require sound academic study skills in preparation for their university degree course:
effective writing ability
listening comprehension & note-taking
ability to transfer information in note form to essay format
understanding the conventions of bibliographies, footnotes & quotations
classroom, self-study & personal organisational skills
effective reading-comprehension
effective time-management
research techniques
Book this course on-Line.The following University Foundation courses are also available at BBSI:
* Examination fees for those seeking to undertake external examinations are not included in the BBSI course fees.
BBSI courses are carefully designed and structured at different language levels to enable international students to develop all 4 English language skills simultaneously, while developing their professional communication skills and professional knowledge in academic, vocational or professional context, in the specialised subject of their choice. Students therefore have the flexibility to focus on either academic or vocational progression, depending on their personal training needs and particular learning objectives.
Download a PDF of the BBSI University Foundation Course in Science, Technology, Computers & IT Skills.