International Foundation Year in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
The International Foundation Year in Business, Economics and Social Sciences prepares students for the first year in BESS (Business, Economics and Social Studies) or PPES (Philosophy, Political Science, Economics and Sociology), leading to a range of degrees in different disciplines.
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry dates | September 2012 or January 2013 |
| Progression to your degree | September 2013 |
| Course length | Three terms (September to June or January to August) |
| Term Dates | September 2012 start:
January 2013 start:
|
| Course structure | Four core modules and six route modules |
| Academic entry requirements | Good High School graduation grades. See entry requirements page for requirements by country |
| English language requirements |
IELTS 5.0 (with minimum 5.0 in writing) or equivalent |
| Tuition fee | See fees page |
Core modules
English and Skills for University Study 1, 2 and 3
Through these three modules you will develop your English communication skills and learn a range of study skills, including: writing and reading strategies, presentation and seminar participation, organisation of time and materials, meeting deadlines and responding to feedback.
When you have completed these modules, you will be able to take notes and write essays in English. You should also have the confidence to give presentations, answer follow-up questions and contribute to seminar discussions.
Applied Academic Writing/ Project Study
Complete a self-study project on a topic you choose, in consultation with your tutor, from the subject area you plan to study at degree level.
Route modules
Economics 1
You will learn about economic systems, types of goods, resource allocation, elasticity, price controls, market types, cost and revenue, economies of scale and market failure.
Core Mathematics 1
You will gain a basic knowledge of mathematics and an understanding of the appropriate concepts for the development of higher mathematical skills relevant to business-related subjects or those requiring a strong statistical element.
Choose three modules from:
Introduction to Business Information Systems
You will be introduced to the principles of management and organisational practice, structures and processes. There will be a focus on how information is gathered, analyzed and used effectively within a business environment.
Economics 2
You will explore aggregate demand and aggregate supply, economic policies, inflation, unemployment, international trade and development economics.
Accounting and Finance
You will be introduced to the basic ideas and concepts underlying this topic with an emphasis on the practical aspects of financial record keeping and management accounting systems
Computing 1
You will study HTML, website design, Javascript and Java 1.5
Core Mathematics 2
Focusing on algebra and statistics, you develop your knowledge and understanding of mathematical terms and techniques and apply these to solve problems, frequently drawn from real-life situations.
History and Urban Landscape of Dublin
The aim of this module is to develop the students' understanding of the historical origins and geographical influences on the growth and development of modern day Dublin. Students will be introduced to theories of urban growth and consider their relevance to the situation in Ireland. Students will gain an appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of Dublin including architecture, arts and literature that have made this one of the famous cities of the world. The module will give international students an understanding of the context of the city in which they have come to study in and there will be opportunities to visit key historical sites in the city.
Choose one module from:
Business Statistics
You will develop your analytical and data presentation skills through the use of Excel. You will be introduced to a variety of mathematical tools to apply the concept of “margin” to a range of economic and finance problems.
Introduction to Business Studies
The aim of this module is to develop students' understanding of both the operational and strategic problems facing the business enterprise in the modern market economy.