International Year One - second year degree entry

The International Year One is a three-term programme, equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree. It leads to direct entry to the second year of an undergraduate degree in business-related subjects.

• Key Facts
• Modules
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Apply Now for October 2012

The next entry point to start the International Year One is October 2012.
You can apply now to ensure your application is completed in good time.

What is special about the International Year One?

If you have studied at a level above High School, have completed a foundation year or have part completed the first year of a university degree, the International Year One programme at WISC will provide you with the relevant academic knowledge, study skills and English language proficiency to succeed as a second-year degree student.

Assured progression to the second year of your degree

Joining the International Year One guarantees you will receive a conditional offer for second-year entry on to an undergraduate degree programme in business at a choice of universities in England and Wales. Soon after you join the International Year One you will be helped to choose a degree programme that is right for you. Once you have successfully completed the programme and you have met the required entry standards you will start the second year of your degree. 

Assessment

You will be assessed regularly throughout the programme to ensure you remain on track to achieve the required grades for progression to your chosen degree. Your development is monitored through:

• End of module/term assessments: a combination of examinations and assessments of coursework, presentations, and extended essays.
• Continuous coursework: mixture of lecture classes, small-group seminar work and directed self-study.
• A series of presentations and extended essays as part of your overall assessment.            

International Year One Key Facts

The course combines a mixture of English language and academic subjects.

English language Modules

English and Skills for University Study 1, 2 and 3: Over 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. At the end of these modules you will have reached an IELTS level of at least 6.0 and be able to: use English language in your own academic work; give well structured presentations, confidently answer follow-up questions and confidently contribute to seminar discussions; take notes from readings and lectures; plan, develop and write well structured academic essays; be confident in self-directed learning strategies.

Applied Academic Writing Skills: This module will further develop your writing fluency and accuracy. You will have the opportunity to apply the skills you have learnt to an extended academic essay. You will also work on 5 short texts over the 10 week programme to make sure you are well practiced in using your new skills.

Academic Modules

Introduction to Economics: This module will cover the key economic concepts: supply and demand; costs and revenues; equilibrium; pricing and elasticity; market structures; macroeconomics; money and banking; government policy and international trade. At the end of this module you will be able to identify, explain and evaluate key economic principles.

Marketing: Theory & Practice 1: This module will provide an introduction to marketing concepts: market and product orientation; market segmentation; market research; the marketing mix; international marketing; marketing strategy and planning.

Introduction to Organisational Behaviour: This module will introduce key concepts of Organisational Behaviour: the nature of work and work ethics; the influence of social class; impact of external influences; skills development and motivational theories; performance at work and performance-related pay; managerial functions; business organisations, systems and functions; job descriptions and personnel specifications; change management.

Introduction to Management Accounting: This module will teach you how to use and interpret financial statements including: ratio analysis and the assessment of business performance; how to prepare and analyse budgets; types of costs, costing and decision-making; cost-volume-profit analysis; absorption and activity-based costing; capital expenditure proposals and appraisal; the social and ethical dimensions in decision-making.

Business Information Management: In this module you will learn how to use information within a business environment and the various ways business information can be analysed, interpreted and presented. You will have lots of opportunity to practice the skills needed to present information using information technology. The module will cover: business communication skills; meeting and negotiation skills; building relationships and team building skills; using information to manage and influence decision-making; the use of information technology in business communication; information systems and organisation.

Business Law: The main aim of the course is to provide students with an opportunity to develop an understanding of key concepts and principles relating to law affecting business. This will include an outline understanding of the English legal system including sources of law, as well as the law of contract.

Quatitative Methods: The module covers common mathematical techniques for managerial decision-making which are used in many business environments. The emphasis of the module is on practical application with extensive use of the Excel spreadsheet and its associated functions.