International Foundation in Medical and Healthcare Sciences

What is the International Foundation programme?

Lasting three terms, this programme will prepare you for entry to either the Biomedical Science (International) (BSc Hons) programme or the International Medicine (BSc/MBBS) programme. The qualification also prepares you for training in other professions allied to medicine, such as physiotherapy or radiography. 

The programme combines scientific academic study and study skills with English language support, cultural orientation and specific classes in medical and healthcare professionalism. 

The programme also includes preparation for the UKCAT entrance exam and medical selection interview that will form part of the selection process for progression onto International Medicine (BSc/MBBS).

Why choose the International Foundation programme?

The programme provides academic preparation in line with that of UK A-levels, with the added benefit of preparation for moving into a professional training programme.

Gaining entry to a medical, biomedical or healthcare degree can be exceedingly competitive, so this programme combines academic study with specific support for international students as you move through the admission and selection processes.

What is special about the International Foundation programme?

• Full university status for all students
• Quality assured by St George’s, University of London, the UK’s second oldest medical school
• All of the training is provided at St George’s, University of London, which shares its site with St George’s NHS Trust, one of the UK’s largest and busiest hospitals
• Tailored support for international students in preparing for applications to medical and healthcare programmes – including interview preparation and the development of key skills and competencies, such as empathy, integrity, communication skills, and insight
• Excellence in personal care and support – a collegiate and welcoming environment

What if I do not meet the minimum English language requirements?

If you do not meet the minimum English language requirements for direct entry to the three-term Foundation programme we recommend you take one or more terms of English for University Study at one of the INTO centres.

How is the International Foundation programme validated and recognised?

The programme is accredited and quality assured by St George’s, University of London. Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of a St George’s Hospital Medical School International Foundation Certificate, with the opportunity to progress onto a degree programme in Medicine, Biomedical Science or a number of other professions allied to medicine.

Academic content

Approximately three quarters of the programme is devoted to the subject based science modules, designed specifically to help you to reach the required academic level to progress onto a medical, biomedical or related degree programme. In addition the programme will develop your academic, study, professional and language skills.

Skills development and English language support

The essential skills module embeds English language support which is designed to help you reach the required level in academic English and covers reading, writing, spelling and listening. Overall, the module is assessed internally, though you may additionally choose to take an external test such as IELTS.

Professionalism and study skills

Preparation for university is about more than academic and language support. Students need to identify how they learn, and develop the skills to ensure they are successful, such as note taking, structuring written assignments, group work, and presentation.

In preparation for medical, biomedical and healthcare degrees, it is also essential for you to develop the core non-academic competencies necessary when moving into professional training, including organisation and problem solving, initiative and resilience, insight and integrity, and empathy.

A typical week

You will be expected to work a nominal 40-hour week, made up of an average of approximately 20 hours of timetabled lessons and 20 hours of self-directed learning.

These contact hours will be made up of a combination of lectures, workshops, tutorials and use of the Virtual Learning Environment, and in some weeks there are up to 28 contact hours.

A number of other weeks are focused on self-directed study and independent projects. As part of this, you will spend approximately one session each week undertaking laboratory based work.

All sessions will be supervised by teaching staff, tutors or demonstrators to ensure experiments are undertaken safely and that the theories behind the experiments are appropriately discussed and understood.

Academic guidance

You will receive support from your tutor on personal and academic issues, including advice on your studies.

Assessment

Assessment is both formal and informal. Entry to all INTO St George’s, University of London honours degrees is highly competitive. The process of assessment is not simply to pass or fail students, but to help you improve and build on your success. Marks from the International Foundation programme do not count towards a final degree, but help the University assess your abilities in your chosen field of study.

Elite English students and near-native speakers

If your English language skills are sufficiently advanced (above IELTS 7.0) your programme may be adapted and you will be set challenging academic tasks that further develop your study skills and independent research techniques.

Students on all courses are immersed in the clinical environment from day one.

Modules

Academic English, Study Skills and Professional development (30 credits)

The skills module, assessed by 100% coursework, is designed to integrate three interdependent strands of learning:

Academic Skills (20 credits)

This develops the skills needed in order to effectively deal with academic studies. It deals with the structure and conventions of academic writing and develops reading strategies for academic study. 

In addition it looks at ways to deal with spoken texts such as university lectures as well as develop the ability to take part in academic discussion and give academic presentations. For those who need it, it also focuses on key aspects of the use of English for academic purposes.

Study Skills

This is designed to help with the transition needed from a school based learning environment to that of a university one with regard to learning and studying approaches.

It will focus on key skills such as time management and learning strategies as well as develop critical and analytical thinking. These skills are not only essential for future study but will also help with the preparation for the UKCAT exam.

Professional Skills:

This is conducted in collaboration with St. George’s University of London lecturers. It looks at the aspects and skills needed to succeed as a medical or biomedical and health sciences degree student and eventually a medical professional such as communication skills and an understanding of current medical issues.

This part of the module includes an understanding of the application and interview process required including interview techniques and step by step assistance for the UCAS application.

English language development component of the above modules:

For those students who fall below the required English language level for entry into Medical or Bio Medical and Health sciences degree courses, there will be additional assistance with the development of level of English.  This is also true for those students who are having difficulties with certain aspects of their English language.

 

 

Modules

Study Skills

This is designed to help with the transition needed from a school based learning environment to that of a university one with regard to learning and studying approaches.

It will focus on key skills such as time management and learning strategies as well as develop critical and analytical thinking. These skills are not only essential for future study but will also help with the preparation for the UKCAT exam.

Professional Skills:

This is conducted in collaboration with St. George’s University of London lecturers. It looks at the aspects and skills needed to succeed as a medical or biomedical and health sciences degree student and eventually a medical professional such as communication skills and an understanding of current medical issues.

This part of the module includes an understanding of the application and interview process required including interview techniques and step by step assistance for the UCAS application.

English language development component of the above modules:

For those students who fall below the required English language level for entry into Medical or Bio Medical and Health sciences degree courses, there will be additional assistance with the development of level of English.  This is also true for those students who are having difficulties with certain aspects of their English language.

Specialist modules

The remaining credits will be made up of the following specialist modules:

Biology (30 credits)

This module covers basic biological concepts such as microscopy, enzyme kinetics, membrane transport, cell division and cellular structure which will then lead onto the mechanisms of action and specific reactions that take place in living tissues. Detailed knowledge of the physiology of the human body will be acquired through tissue dissection and practical classes and these will be related to diseases and disorders to reinforce the learning.

You will also study individual organ systems of the human body in depth to include the circulatory, respiratory, nervous and endocrine, lymphatic, digestive and excretory systems and learn how each system functions on its own and in relation to the others.

The module will be delivered in line with the UK curriculum for A-level Biology and will be taught through formal lectures, laboratory experiments and workshops. Assessment will comprise of both coursework and two written examinations in January and June.  Coursework elements include the oral and written communication of researched tasks as well as worksheets, practical reports and in-class tests.

Chemistry (30 credits)

In this module you will gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Topics will include atomic structure and theory, the periodic table, chemical bonding, thermodynamics and reaction kinetics, nomenclature, classification, structure and reactions of a range of organic molecules to include alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters, acids and bases and industrial chemistry.

The knowledge gained in the first part of the module will be built on to embed a detailed knowledge of analytical chemistry and electrochemistry. The physiology of the human body is governed by chemical reactions and much of the learning in this module will be carried out by practicals that will be related to specific reactions that take place in the human body.

A formal lecture series and wide ranging practical activities and workshops will be used to deliver this module and assessment is carried out by coursework and two written examinations. Coursework assessments will comprise of practical reports and problem-solving exercises and will require significant mathematical ability to calculate and analyse data.

Physics (15 credits)

This module will convey the fundamental principles of physics and topics will include physical qualities, forces and collisions, waves, radioactivity and nuclear structure, work, energy, power and motion. Individual topics will be tailored and related to medical physics and medicine outlining how physics contributes to modern therapeutic approaches toward tackling of diseases and disorders.

Examples of the use of physics, such as radiotherapy and scanning in relation to cancers, MRI and CAT scanning, the use of gamma and X-rays and ultrasound imaging in pregnancy, will be a focus for learning.

Assessment will comprise of coursework and written examination. Coursework will include practical reports, researched topics and presentations of findings as oral and written communications as well as in class tests.

Mathematics (15 credits)

An integral part of any science course is mathematics and a thorough grasp of the fundamentals of mathematical concepts and theories is the aim of this module. 

Topics covered include sequences and arithmetic series, differentiation, integration, trigonometry, exponentials and logarithms, statistics, integral calculus, logarithms, vector geometry, binomials and probability. Mathematical knowledge will be applied to analyse and interpret data and much of the coursework will be carried out through class tests.

There will be significant statistical analysis, calculation, graph interpretation and data analysis in the other science subjects and this module will form the basis for learning and application of such skills. There will also be two examinations in January and June.

Progression

Satisfactory completion of the International Foundation in Medical, Biomedical and Health Sciences can lead to any of the following options. Please note, in line with all healthcare programmes, acceptance is also subject to satisfactory police and health clearance.

Minimum requirements

International Medicine BSc/MBBS - 75% score on your International Foundation course

No less than 60% in all modules. In addition to academic grades, applicants will be assessed on the quality of their written application, their work or voluntary experience, their performance in the UKCAT examination, and their performance in the medical selection Multi Mini Interview (MMI).

International Biomedical Science BSc Hons - 68% on your International Foundation course

No less than 60% in the Foundation Biology and Foundation Chemistry modules, and no less than 50% in all other modules. In addition to academic grades, applicants will be assessed on the quality of their written application (including work experience) and will be asked to attend a selection interview.

Physiotherapy BSc Hons - 68% on your International Foundation course

No less than 60% in the Foundation Biology module, and no less than 50% in all other modules. In addition to academic grades, applicants will be assessed on the quality of their written application, their work or voluntary experience, and their performance in the physiotherapy selection interview.

Diagnostic Radiography BSc Hons - 68% on your International Foundation course

No less than 50% in all modules. In addition to academic grades, applicants will be assessed on the quality of their written application, their work or voluntary experience, and their performance in the diagnostic radiography selection interview.