International Foundation Certificate in Social Sciences
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Why study International Foundation Certificate in Social Sciences at Goldsmiths
This one-year programme gives you the opportunity to develop your English language, become familiar with UK academic culture, and prepare to study for a BA degree in a related field.
- This programme enables you to attend lectures or choose modules in which you have a broad interest and, with the help of the tutorial support, clarify your future area of study. This makes the course ideal if you do not have a clear idea of exactly which subject you want to study.
- You will study two modules chosen from various academic departments across Goldsmiths, including the Departments of Politics, Anthropology, Sociology, Educational Studies and History. The option modules will give you a taste of undergraduate study at Goldsmiths.
- Develop your language skills in academic English.
- Familiarise yourself both with ways of working in British academic culture and in the standards required at degree level.
- You will have a personal tutor, who you meet in small groups or on a one-to-one basis to discuss progress on the course, general approaches to study, and ways of maximising language learning.
- Build skills including how to work independently.
- If you pass the programme at the required level, guaranteed progression onto a choice of degrees at Goldsmiths (see below) or you could choose to study at another university.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Helen Hickey (Admissions Tutor).
UCAS code
Entry requirements
Length
1 year full-time
Fees
International - full-time: £17650
Department
Guaranteed progression
If you pass the programme at the required level (a pass in all modules with an overall score of 50% or more), you are guaranteed a place on one of the following Goldsmiths degree programmes:
- BA Anthropology
- BA Anthropology and Sociology
- BA Anthropology and Visual Practice
- BA Arts Management
- BA Criminology
- BA Economics
- BA Education, Culture & Society
- BA History & Politics
- BA International Relations
- BA Politics
- BA Politics and International Relations
- BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics
- BA Sociology
- BA Sociology & Politics
- BA Sociology with Criminology
The following programmes require a pass in all modules with an overall score of 60% or more for guaranteed progression.
- LLB (Hons) Law
- LLB (Hons) Law with Politics & Human Rights
- LLB (Hons) Law with Criminal Justice & Human Rights
Alternatively, you may choose to continue your studies at another university.
What you'll study
You'll take the following modules:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Academic Reading and Writing | 30 credits |
| Academic Listening and Speaking | 30 credits |
| or | |
| Collaborative Research | 30 credits |
Your selection of Collaborative Research or Academic Listening and Speaking will depend on your English language proficiency.
All students take the following interdisciplinary modules:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Globalising Cultures | 15 credits |
| Understanding Images | 15 credits |
| Identity, Movement and Change | 15 credits |
| Urban London | 15 credits |
How you'll be assessed
The two compulsory English for Academic Purposes units are assessed by coursework, written examination and an oral examination. The remaining module units are assessed via a variety of methods which include, for example, essays and reflective journals.
How to apply
As part of your application you'll need to include:
- A reference
- A personal statement
- English Language certificates
- Transcript or student record
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for the International Foundation Certificate in Social Sciences are:
|
Academic |
A good high school leaving certificate or equivalent academic study with some evidence of learning in relevant subjects. |
|
English |
Evidence of English language proficiency: UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) IELTS 5.0 overall with no element lower than 5.0. If you have a lower English language score you may be accepted after successfully completing one of our Pre-sessional English courses. |
|
Age |
You must normally be 17 years of age or above. |
|
Country of residence and nationality |
All non-native English speakers will be considered. However, please be aware that all students will be subject to the International rate of fees. |
If you are not sure which type of IELTS test you need to take, contact our Immigration Advisory Service.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of UKVI IELTS 5.0 (with no individual score lower than 5.0) to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.
- International - full-time: £17650
Find out about our tuition fees and funding opportunities.
Funding opportunities
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, and our Careers Service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies. Find out more about funding your studies with us.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
