Program Overview

---

International Foundation Year - Sports Science

Course Overview

The Sports Science International Foundation Year (IFY) aims to prepare you with the necessary toolkit to be successful while heading into your chosen degree. It will help you take a critical approach to your studies, reflect on your learning, organise your studies, and be a strong, independent learner.

What You'll Study

The Sports Science International Foundation Year will be a combination of English language and subject-specific modules.

• Introduction to Academic Language and Skills: This module is required for students who enter at IELTS level 4.5. This module aims to introduce you to life and study at UK universities. It explores some of the key academic language and skills needed for successful study and reviews teaching methods and ways to communicate with the wider university, including asking for help. It also introduces research, reporting and presentation skills, and key skills for managing successful study.
• Developing your Academic Language and Skills: This module is required for students who enter at IELTS levels 4.5 and 5.0. This module aims to provide an in-depth exploration of academic language and skills. This includes strategies for approaching academic assignments, structuring academic writing and presentations, developing a reasoned argument, incorporating supporting evidence, and summarising and proofreading. It will also explore different types of assessment tasks used in universities.
• Success in Academic Language and Skills: This module is required for students who enter at IELTS levels 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5. This module aims to review and refine your academic skills and language. You will analyse examples of academic work to identify successful approaches and strategies, deepen reading and listening skills for gathering information, and explore different ways of organising arguments and incorporating source material appropriately. You will also have the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills, an appropriate academic style and review key information about your destination degree course.

Subject-Specific Modules

Up to three of the four modules below will be assigned to you, depending on which cohort and entry point you join within the academic year. Each module assigned to you is compulsory.

• Introduction to Health and Disease: This module introduces how ill health and diseases develop and their effects on cellular systems, organs, organ systems and homeostatic control mechanisms at a chemical/molecular level. You will explore the relationship between pathophysiological changes to the structure and function of body systems and the most common causes of morbidity, mortality and sickness absence. You will also consider the relationships between specific health issues and how they impact homeostatic control, causing key signs and symptoms. We’ll also cover epidemiology, risk factors and preventative strategies. Emphasis is placed on understanding the key pathophysiological changes that accompany a particular health issue or disease, and the physiological and biochemical basis of current and possible future therapies.
• Introduction to Cell Biology: This module is designed to provide you with the cell biology knowledge and skills required for a successful transition to degree-level study in bioscience disciplines. The material covered is at a level corresponding to pre-university qualifications such as A levels in the UK. The module provides a foundation of knowledge in cell biology, and there is a strong emphasis on the application of the subject in bioscience contexts. You will examine the facts, principles and concepts of cell biology such as the key molecular components of cells and organelles, as well as their function and genetics. You’ll be expected to develop the skills required to use this knowledge and learn to understand scientific methods and advances in technology relevant to cell biology and their effects on society. You will also bring together knowledge and understanding of how different areas of cell biology relate to each other and other areas of bioscience.
• Foundation of Anatomy and Physiology: Here, we focus on physiological systems in the human body and how these systems interact to create a steady state (homeostasis). You’ll explore the basic anatomical structures of the main biological systems in the human body while observing the function and purpose of these systems, and how they help to regulate homeostasis.
• Foundation of Chemistry: This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills of chemistry to progress to degree-level study. The material in this module is the equivalent study level to a UK A-level in chemistry. The module provides a foundation of knowledge and understanding of the main branches of chemistry. You will be introduced to the major aspects of chemical terminology, as well as a range of organic and inorganic materials, and physical chemistry. You'll also look to develop an understanding of scientific methods, and the link between theory and practical experiments, as there is a strong emphasis on the practical application of the subject, in the context of biosciences. You will bring together knowledge of how different areas of chemistry relate to each other and other areas of bioscience, and the use of chemistry in society.

How You'll Learn

This International Foundation Year will be delivered by CU, part of the Coventry University Group, for and on behalf of Coventry University. You will be taught using various academic techniques, which may include lessons and individual and group tutorials. You will also have self-study materials to follow outside of the classroom.

Teaching Contact Hours

• Each one of the modules requires the equivalent of between 225 and 300 study hours. They run over a six-week period and are taught consecutively, with a combination of assessments in each six-week block.
• You will receive approximately 18-20 hours of teaching contact hours per week. This will be a combination of lectures and regular group or individual tutorials.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

Assessment

Your progress on the Academic Language and Skills modules will be monitored throughout the modules. Final assessments are delivered at the end of the Success in Academic Language and Skills module.

You have to meet the requirements in the final assessments for both the English and the subject-specific modules in order to secure the chance to progress onto your intended destination course.

For subject-specific modules, there is one assessment per module.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as provide an overall percentage grade.

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending on the degree selected or the module.

Assessment methods vary and could include:

• coursework (all years)
• exams
• oral presentations
• phase tests (all years)
• portfolio tasks and assessments
• practical class and project performance
• presentations (degree level)
• project thesis
• research/reports (degree level)
• tutorial tasks
• written practical reports.

Entry Requirements

• International

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

• Africa
• Americas
• Central Asia
• East Asia
• Europe
• Middle East
• South Asia
• South East Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS 4.5 entry: 4.5 overall (with no component lower than 4.5)
• IELTS 5.0 entry: 5.0 overall (with no component lower than 4.5)
• IELTS 5.5 entry: 5.5 overall (with no component lower than 5.0)

UKVI IELTS or SELT equivalent will be required for IELTS 4.5 and 5.0 entry. It may also be required for 5.5 entry points depending on your previous qualifications.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and Funding

2024/25 tuition fees. Fees and course duration are dependent on your IELTS entry level.

Student	Full-time	Part-time
International	IELTS 4.5	£16,000	36 academic weeks
	IELTS 5.0	£14,500	30 academic weeks
	IELTS 5.5	£12,500	24 academic weeks	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

Facilities

During your international foundation year you'll be based at our modern CU Coventry Mile Lane campus, located in the heart of the city. Your Academic Language and Skills modules could be delivered in other locations across Mile Lane and other Coventry University campus locations. You will also have access to the wider facilities and amenities available at Coventry University.

This includes full membership of Your Students' Union where you will receive access to support and advice as well as societies and events, and access to The Hub, which is the centre of student life at our Coventry campus.

Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable one-to-one academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open-access study areas, a café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office and a fantastic food court.

Lanchester Library

Coventry University’s Lanchester Library is usually open 24/7 in term-time, and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops.

Degree Ready

If you successfully pass the Sports Science IFY, you will be guaranteed a place on a relevant degree course at Coventry University subject to meeting all progression requirements.

Upon successful completion of your modules, including the subject-specific modules, you will have had the opportunity to:

• understand approaches to learning in UK universities and expectations in your chosen subject area
• write an extended piece of academic writing that requires elements of research and follows standard academic conventions
• express facts, information and ideas with effective grammatical accuracy and accuracy, using an appropriate range of academic and subject-specific vocabulary
• communicate effectively in everyday situations within the university environment and more generally in English-speaking contexts
• deliver a well-structured presentation on an academic topic
• participate in seminar discussions on academic topics
• access academic texts in order to select relevant information
• differentiate between different academic genres of writing
• comprehend extended academic listening texts and record relevant information
• access online materials and demonstrate increased digital literacy
• organise academic study and manage your time
• reflect on learning
• understand, engage with and critically evaluate knowledge relating to global issues
• apply your knowledge and language skills to a realistic learning opportunity and assessment, at an appropriate academic level.

Progression Degrees

Upon successful completion, you will be eligible to progress onto one of the following Coventry University degrees (subject to meeting all progression requirements):

• Coventry University
  • Dietetics BSc (Hons)
  • Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)
  • Sport and Exercise Therapy BSc (Hons)
  • Sports Coaching BSc (Hons)

Please note – the degree you intend to progress to is selected at the same time as your application to the IFY and any offer is made on that basis.

Entry requirements may vary so please check the ‘Entry requirements’ section on the relevant progression degree page for further information.

How to Apply

International students

Students should apply directly to the university via our application portal.

Apply now

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.

Course Codes

The code for your course is dependent on the location of study and your current IELTS score. See below to select the code you will need to use to apply.

• Delivered at CU Coventry (Coventry), with progression onto a degree at Coventry University:
  • CUCIFY28 (IELTS 4.5)
  • CUCIFY29 (IELTS 5.0)
  • CUCIFY30 (IELTS 5.5)