Keele University Prospectus Undergraduate | 2016 | Page 222

FOUNDATION YEARS Social Sciences Foundation Year The course offers • A chance to sample social science subjects at university level before making a final choice of honours courses • I ntensive modules which provide the requisite background for specific honours courses for those without the necessary qualifications • A ccess for non-traditionally qualified students to a wide range of social sciences courses • A broad grounding in academic principles and methods Entry requirements To enter the Social Sciences Foundation Year, you must normally have: • at least 160 UCAS tariff points or • the equivalent in other qualifications or • relevant work experience and • GCSE English Language at grade C, or • IELTS 5.5 (with 5.0 in all subtests) and • a level 2 numeracy qualification. For progression to a numerate discipline after the Foundation Year, GCSE Mathematics at grade C or above is required. How to apply All applications must be made through UCAS. Students should apply for a specific subject with a Foundation Year (see the codes in the fact file box). Over the summer, prior to entry to Keele, you will be asked to decide provisionally which two dual honours subjects or single honours course you expect to take after the Foundation Year. You can discuss options with a Foundation Year tutor before arriving at Keele and may be able to change your choice following discussions with Foundation Year staff. Course content You will take the core skills modules in writing for Social Science Students, Seminar Skills, Academic Development, IT and Critical Thinking. In addition, modules are taken which are related to each of the subjects to be pursued in the remaining three or four years of the degree programme. The choice of modules is individual to you and made in consultation with a Foundation Year course tutor: Writing for Social Science Students and Seminar Skills Social science students must be able to communicate efficiently and professionally, using the conventions of their disciplines, to a wide range of specialist and lay audiences. This includes writing documents, giving oral presentations, participating in seminars and interpreting the work of others. These modules provide training in a wide range of forms of communication, laying the foundation for the communication skills required in future years. Academic Development This module provides opportunities for you to consider your learning process as well as relevant information and advice about the process of studying. The programme aims to look at the whole learning experience and individual approaches to studies. By the end, you will have had the opportunity to develop skills in a variety of study processes, consider strengths and weaknesses in relation to your studies, reflect on what influences your learning and consider how you can make the best use of the available resources. Information Technology You will take two modules in IT, one in each semester: Word Processing, Presentations and the Web, and Spreadsheets, Databases and Computer Ethics. Critical Thinking You will take the module Critical Thinking which provides grounding in a range of thinking skills. Option modules A range of other modules is available which provides a broad coverage of a particular subject area, including foreign languages. If you have a free choice of modules available after satisfying the relevant prerequisites for your degree courses, then you can choose one or more of these modules to broaden your general knowledge or pursue specific interests. Key Information Contact For further information, please contact: Dr Jonathan Cope Social Sciences Foundation Year Tutor Foundation year Centre Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG T: 01782 734433 E: [email protected] 222