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This course will give you the chance to spend a year preparing for a university degree course at London Met. You'll develop your subject knowledge, English language skills and the study skills you'll need to progress to a degree course.
The International Foundation Programme Architecture and Interior Design course is a one-year programme designed to prepare EU and overseas students for an undergraduate degree at London Met.
You’ll be introduced to key concepts in architecture and interior design, develop key study and English language skills, and gain an orientation to higher education in the UK.
It will also introduce you to academic study in the UK and, if necessary, help you to reach a level equivalent to at least 5.5 IELTS in English. You'll be registered as a London Metropolitan University student, and successful students are guaranteed a place on a suitable degree course at London Met.
For more information about becoming an international student at London Met please see the international section of our website.
Please note that there is no UK public (or Student Finance England) funding available for this course.
You'll be assessed through examinations, essays, practical reports and presentations.
In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:
To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Tier 4 student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.
If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2019/20 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 0 modules include:
The Formats module is in a relatively objective position in relation to the Project and Techniques modules; whereas their focus is on aspects of an individual’s creative practice Formats addresses what is shared or common across creative practices, such as colour, composition, having and using ideas, collecting and categorising, curating, presenting and exhibiting. It is used to integrate the individual project-related work with knowledge, methods and formats from creative practice more widely.
Relations are explored between individual creative practice and other creative practices through producing work in different digital and analogue formats – including document, journal, process diary, book, album, brochure, instruction manual, worksheet, competition entry, exhibition, pop-up event, etc.
The different formats relate to ways of working and ways of thinking presented in different contexts; acting as multifunctional/responsive spaces that uses a range or combination of materials, methods and presentation environments, eg drawing, painting, photography, collage, transcribing, recording, notation, animation, film, commentary, diagram, on-line algorithm, collection and categorising, mind-maps, and ‘Thinking Hats’, etc.
There is an emphasis on the process of learning from self-evaluation and critical reflection towards propositions using both prescribed tasks and imaginative/conceptual interpretation eg colour theory – wheels/ swatches/ assemblage; reflection/ illustrated journal; composition/ narrative; exhibition/ publication; teamwork/ peer review; collecting/ curating, etc.
The module develops evidence of independent and discriminating thought and action in the research, approach and development of creative work using existing knowledge alongside diverse experience, self-reflection and critical reflection to learn about, understand and develop creative practice.
It introduces practical strategies for the formation and growth of nascent creative work and ideas; and seeks to introduce methods of thinking, recording, collecting, documenting, reading, mapping, reworking, reflecting and evaluating to evolve creative habits. It aims to evidence increasing subject-area knowledge and to develop understanding of the relationship between practical, conceptual and intellectual methods associated with different creative practices.
It encourages self-assessment of skills and knowledge to contribute to and participate in team-work and collaborative outcomes. It guides navigation between the rigorous/professional (criteria, formats and deadlines) and the imaginative/innovative (novelty, diversity and questioning).
- to develop the students competence and confidence in the use of the four language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening
- to enable students to communicate effectively with their peers and fellow and teachers
- to accustomise students with the conventions and the practices of academic English
- to develop students’ vocabulary, grammar and academic English in relation to their chosen subject pathways
A project develops ideas through conceptual and material processes towards outcomes that can be evaluated in relation to the initial idea; and other related contexts that may arise during the time-frame of the project. The Project module is an introduction to the project as a key feature of creative practice.
The projects in the Project module vary considerably in aim, structure and duration to reflect their application in a wide range of creative practices. The definition, implementation, development and outcome of the projects is transferred from tutor to student as the course proceeds. The projects are inherently student-centred with course demands satisfied by developing the student’s independent inquiry, discovery and production.
Each project requires direct engagement, participation and responsibility in relation to ideas, productivity and the reflection on and evaluation of creative work.
Practical elements of project-work are built-up by a close relation with the Techniques module. Critical reflection and self-evaluation encourage the development of self-organisation and effective time-management.
The Project module provides a broad, varied, stimulating and diagnostic experience of a range of creative practices that allows for self- assessment of individual interests and aptitudes towards developing a creative practice in relation to making an informed choice of a progression pathway ahead.
It enables the development of a productive, disciplined and critical approach to visual and practical enquiry; and to individual independent thinking, making and communicating. It develops the individual’s portfolio of work in a distinctive and ambitious way as evidence of a personal creative practice in the context of a specific subject area. Assignments and study trips will open up London as a source of limitless research potential and creativity.
The Techniques module delivers the skills-based, technical aspects of creative practices in relation having, developing and resolving ideas through processes towards media/material outcomes. It concerns the quality of making, considerations of care, appropriateness and endeavour. It encourages recognition of the intrinsic formal and structural qualities of different media as essential elements in visual/aural communication. The module involves a series of learning experiences that introduce and develop many of the key skills and techniques needed for a range of making practices across various subject areas; the outcomes are in the context of and further developed in close relation with the Project module.
The Techniques module introduces a wide range of materials, methods, techniques and processes to make work in a broad sense. It is closely aligned with the Project module to develop understanding of the limitations and potential of selected media, materials and techniques in the development project work. Responsible attitudes aligned to ethical and professional contexts are applied and considered in relation to imaginative experimentation and exploitation for innovation.
The Techniques module links the analysis and evaluation of technical quantitative properties with qualitative aesthetic discernment and judgment and introduces a common vocabulary, technical/professional language, core skills and reference models. It introduces safe and appropriate studio/workshop/site practice.
"I really enjoyed the programme, and I believe it helped me a lot to settle in and learn the language. The teachers during the programme were are all great and they do a very good job!"
"The IFP has taught me to think differently about the world and that there is potential in absolutely anything, any object, any topic and any issue, it just depends how you see it, from which angle you view something. The course has taught me to think out of the box, and that from one small idea, you can build, expand and let it grow into something much bigger, something inspiring… it has opened my mind to whole different dimension!
If you pass the International Foundation Programme (IFP) you'll be automatically offered a place on an architecture or interior design-related undergraduate degree.
You can study the IFP from September to June or from January to July. You can then join your chosen bachelors degree in the following September.
Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things like equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees.
Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.
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Use the apply button to begin your application.
You should submit a sample of creative work in a digital format (PDF files) with your application. This should be 5 to 10 pieces of artistic work and could include pages from a sketchbook, graphic work or photography, freehand drawings or architectural drawings. Any type of artistic work can be included and we advise you to submit a variety of media.
Non-EU applicants looking to study part-time should apply direct to the University. If you require a Tier 4 visa and wish to study a postgraduate course on a part-time basis, please read our how to apply information for international students to ensure you have all the details you need about the application process.
We accept applications for all courses starting in September one year before the start of the course. You are advised to apply as early as possible as applications will only be considered if there are places available on the course.
