Humanities and Social Sciences International Foundation
This course prepares you for undergraduate degrees in subjects such as sociology, politics or journalism at Newcastle University's largest faculty. This course is full time for 3 or 4 terms.
Course overview
This course introduces you to British institutions and culture and gives you an introduction to humanities and sociology.
It prepares you for direct entry to the first year of your undergraduate degree in a range of subjects from law to media to politics to combined honours.
Successful completion of this programme will lead to you being awarded our International Foundation Certificate (RQF Level 3).
Progression
You're guaranteed a place on one of our designated undergraduate degrees at Newcastle if you successfully complete the International Foundation in Humanities and Social Sciences.
As a successful pathway student, you’ll have access to a number of Newcastle progression options. Each progression option will follow a specific pathway and specific requirements for both English/study skills and overall grade. You’ll also find some courses have specific requirements, such as:
- successfully completing an interview;
- having previously studied a relevant discipline;
- having previously completed a degree; or
- having IELTS 6.0 or equivalent in English language
Your progression options
Social Sciences
- Combined Honours BA Honours (Y001)
- Film and Media BA Honours (P303)
- Geography BA Honours (L701)
- Geography and Urban Planning BA Honours (LK74)
- Journalism, Media and Culture BA Honours (P500)
- Media, Communication and Cultural Studies BA Honours (PQL0)
- Politics BA Honours (L200)
- Politics and Economics BA Honours (LL21)
- Sociology BA Honours (L300)
- Philosophy BA Honours (V500)
Urban Planning
- Architecture and Urban Planning BA Honours (K190)
- Urban Planning BA Honours (K421)
- Master of Planning MPlan Honours (K400)
Law
Education
History, Classics and Archaeology
Quality and ranking
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Top 125 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 150 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Geography
-
Top 40 for Geography - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
History
-
Top 200 for History - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Politics
-
Top 150 for Politics and International Studies - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Sociology
-
Top 200 for Sociology - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Core modules (80 credits)
Introduction to British Institutions and Cultures (10 credits)
This module will provide a broad introduction to British institutions and culture to enable you to understand the broader contexts of humanities and social science subjects in a UK university.
Topics covered may include:
- literature
- local and national government and politics
- legal institutions
- geography and sociology of the UK and the North East
- business in the UK
- the UK education system
English for Academic Purposes (40 credits)
This module is designed to help you develop your skills and confidence in academic English. Four key skill areas are developed in an integrated and task-oriented way:
- reading
- writing
- listening
- speaking
The module will encourage you to take responsibility for your learning and a lot of emphasis is placed on:
- private study
- student research
- student-led presentations
- seminar discussions
- e-learning
- group work
Study Skills and Project (30 credits)
This module is designed to help you adjust to the specific demands and expectations of UK higher education.
The skills covered will include:
- personal and time organisation
- library and information skills
- using and interpreting data
- team-working skills
- problem-solving skills
- examination and revision techniques
- presentation skills
- avoiding plagiarism
You will also have workshop sessions in core ICT skills including:
- the use of Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- web-based learning systems
Specialist modules (40 credits)
Introduction to the Study of Humanities and Social Sciences (20 credits)
This broad-based module examines what is meant by social sciences and humanities and the nature of academic knowledge and research in these areas.
It includes a review of articles about topics in the social sciences and humanities; and study of the city of Newcastle and its region from geographical, sociological, political, historical, cultural and artistic perspectives.
Introduction to Sociology (20 credits)
This module offers an introduction to sociological concepts and methodological approaches, as well as the opportunity to study key sociological issues with particular reference to modern British society.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
Class hours: 21 hours per week minimum
Class sizes: Average of 20 students per class for English language teaching
Age requirement: 17 years and above
Assessment
Entry to all honours degrees at Newcastle University is highly competitive, and students hoping to progress to Newcastle must maintain high standards throughout their programme.
Whilst your grades in the Foundation programme do not count towards the final degree, your performance will be used to determine whether you meet the specified progression grades for direct entry to your chosen degree at the University. Assessment is both formal and informal.
Informally you will be given advice and feedback throughout your programme from your teachers. You will also be assessed via a combination of examinations at the end of each semester and coursework including
- written essays
- reports
- practical exercises
- group and individual research projects
- bibliographical searches
- oral and video presentations
- problem solving
Careers and employability
With 5 QS Stars for Employability (2023), Newcastle University consistently has one of the best records for graduate employment in the UK.
We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through an initiative called ncl+. This enables you to develop personal, employability and enterprise skills and to give you the edge in the employment market after you graduate.
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers.
Find out more about careers and employability at Newcastle University.
Entry requirements
To study on this course you need to meet the following entry requirements.
All candidates are considered on an individual basis. If your qualifications are not listed here, please see our additional entry requirements web pages to find out which other qualifications are considered.
The entrance requirements below apply to 2024/2025 entry.
English requirements
To progress to all degrees except Law
Three term: a minimum of IELTS 5.5 (with a minimum of 4.5 in all subskills) or an equivalent score
Four term: a minimum of IELTS 5.0 (with a minimum of 4.5 in all subskills) or an equivalent score
To progress to Law
Three term: a minimum of IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in all subskills) or an equivalent score
Four term: a minimum of IELTS 5.5 (with a minimum of 5.0 in all subskills) or an equivalent score
Don't meet English language requirements?
If you do not meet the minimum English language requirements you should apply for Academic English.
Additional fees
Enrolment fee: an extra charge of £250 per academic course, charged on confirmation
Text books: £75 -£415
Accommodation is not included in the fees. View your INTO Newcastle accommodation options.