Foundation Certificate: Business, Law and Social Sciences

Aim

The Foundation Certificate in Business, Law and Social Sciences prepares business students for an undergraduate degree in the School of Law, the School of Management or the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Sheffield. The course is academically challenging and provides integrated academic studies in business, law or social sciences, advanced level English language, and comprehensive study skills.

Business students taking The University of Sheffield’s undergraduate degrees are highly regarded by employers across a range of industries. Guided by the latest developments in each subject, the University’s degree courses equip students with cutting-edge skills and abilities, and produce business graduates who stand out in increasingly competitive job markets.

Entry requirements

Entry into the Foundation Certificate course requires business students to have successfully passed high school Grade 12 or equivalent. The exact entry requirements vary from country to country.

Find out more about entry requirements

The Foundation Certificate has flexible entry points depending on each business student's level of English proficiency. The table below shows the different levels, course durations and start dates available:

Language requirements	Duration	Start dates
IELTS 4.0 with min 4.0 in each component Or equivalent SELT	5 terms	10 January 2012
**IELTS 5.5 with min 4.5 in each component Or equivalent SELT	2 terms	17 January 2012

**The English Language entry requirements for students intending to progress to degrees in Journalism are now as follows:

2 term require IELTS of 6
3 term require IELTS 5.5

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Course Outline

Core Modules	Pathway Modules
Key Academic Skills 1a Key Academic Skills 1b Key Academic Skills 2 Economics in an International Context Mathematics and Statistics for the Social Sciences Four Core English Language Modules (3 term students only). Language and Communication for Academic Study 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b	Business Pathway Business and the Business Environment Business Enterprise Introduction to Social Sciences Business and Mathematics Pathway Applied Mathematics Foundation Mathematics Business and the Business Environment OR Business Enterprise Law and Social Sciences Pathway The Individual, State and Society Introduction to Legal Principles and Systems Introduction to Social Sciences Psychology Pathway The Individual, State and Society Biological Science Introduction to Social Sciences

Core Modules

Pathway Modules

Key Academic Skills 1a

Key Academic Skills 1b

Key Academic Skills 2

Economics in an International Context
Mathematics and Statistics for the Social Sciences

Four Core English Language Modules (3 term students only).

Language and Communication for Academic Study 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b

Business Pathway
Business and the Business Environment
Business Enterprise
Introduction to Social Sciences

Business and Mathematics Pathway
Applied Mathematics
Foundation Mathematics
Business and the Business Environment OR
Business Enterprise

Law and Social Sciences Pathway
The Individual, State and Society
Introduction to Legal Principles and Systems
Introduction to Social Sciences

Psychology Pathway
The Individual, State and Society
Biological Science
Introduction to Social Sciences

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Student Tutorials

All business students have a Learning Support Tutor who will work with you throughout your academic course at the college, and support you in achieving your study goals. Through regular meetings, your tutor can offer valuable advice to help you develop your study skills and knowledge, ensuring you receive the best possible business education.

Assessment

Business Students are assessed through a combination of assignments, periodic tests and end-of-module examinations. Full-time attendance is an important part of the assessment.

Progression

The Foundation Certificate allows business students to progress to the first year of an undergraduate degree within the Management School, the School of Law, or the Faculty of Social Sciences. Your place is guaranteed when you complete the Certificate course and achieve the grades stipulated in your offer letter. To find out more please follow the Quick Link to progression routes on the right.