International Foundation Year in Business, Law and Social Studies
Find out more about studying Business, Law and Social Studies.
Your pathway to the first year of a business, law or social studies degree
The programme includes academic modules, study skills and English language training, providing complete preparation for your undergraduate degree.
Is this programme for me?
On the Business, Law and Social Studies route, you will:
- learn about the importance of financial management, and the operational and strategic challenges facing the businesses
- gain understanding of the concepts and models of micro-economic and macro-economic analysis
- develop core mathematical skills that will be relevant to your undergraduate degree
- gain business skills, including decision-making and problem solving
- for Law, you will study the English legal system, the mechanics of the legal process, justice and those who administer it.
Why study the International Foundation Year in Business, Law and Social Studies?
- LJMU is a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business which is dedicated to improving the quality of business education worldwide.
- 86% of LJMU School of Law graduates are in work or further study 15 months after completing LLB Law*.
- Staff in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences are research active and produce world-leading research that has real-world impact.
*Discover Uni
What will you study?
Over the two-semester programme, you will study a number of core modules that relate to your chosen progression degree. The modules have been designed by expert academics at the International Study Centre, in collaboration with LJMU, to ensure you have the skills you need to succeed upon progression to the University.
To develop your understanding of both the operational and strategic problems facing the business enterprise in the modern market economy, with particular reference to marketing management, advertising and public relations (PR). This module will advance your knowledge of management processes and themes in contemporary business management.
This module will provide you with an understanding of the principles of economics and a sound foundation for further study of the subject within a business or law related degree. You will be taught a combination of micro-economic and macro-economic content, drawing on local, national and international contexts. You will be able to identify economic concepts and theories in a range of contexts and appreciate their value and limitations in explaining real-world phenomena.
These modules are designed to develop your English communication skills and to ensure you learn a range of study skills, including writing and reading strategies, presentation and seminar participation, organisation of time and materials, meeting deadlines and responding to feedback. By the end of the course we would expect you to be able to take notes and write essays in English. You should also have the confidence to give presentations, answer follow-up questions and contribute to seminar discussions.
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the key concepts of business studies. It will help you to develop an understanding of both the operational and strategic problems facing the business enterprise in the modern market economy. This module considers the practical aspects of setting up, establishing and running a business and looks at the external influences that could have a major impact on business success.
This module will introduce you to the concept of law as a subject and the role of law in society. It will also introduce you to the principles which underpin the English legal system, the mechanics of the legal process, justice in a wider sense, and the personnel who administer it.
This module aims to provide you with the basic knowledge of mathematics for progression to a degree programme in business related subjects. You will also acquire an understanding of the fundamental concepts of business maths using a selection of real-world applications. The module will enable you to establish a firm foundation in mathematical applications for finance and accountancy.
You will complete a self-study project on a topic that you will take, in consultation with your tutor, from the academic discipline that you will subsequently study at degree level. This will also include computer skills.
This will introduce you to basic legal principles and practice in contract law and consumer protection. You will also receive an introduction to the principles, issues and legislations relating to contract and consumer protection.
Optional modules
Please note: students wanting to progress to the Financial Accounting degree must study the Introduction to Financial Accounting module.
To provide you with knowledge and an understanding of politics and business in an ever globalized world. The module will address the key challenges, issues and approaches to politics as a global activity, and business in a globalized market.
To provide a basic knowledge of financial mathematics for progression to a degree programme in business related subjects, and to establish a firm foundation in mathematical applications for finance and accountancy.
Study plan
| English language level | Semesters | Course length | Start date | End date |
| IELTS 4.5 (4.0 in all skills) | 2 semesters | 27 weeks | September | June |
| IELTS 4.5 (4.0 in all skills) | 2 semesters | 27 weeks | January | August |
Entry requirements
English language: Academic IELTS for UKVI overall 4.5 (minimum 4.0 in writing and minimum 4.0 all other areas)
Nationality: Available to international and EU students
Age: 17+
Academic entry requirements
Good high school graduation grades or equivalent academic study. Please see below. If you have any questions, please contact us.
| Country | Qualification |
| Bangladesh | HSC with overall GPA 3.0 or 50%, with 50% or above in Maths and English. Maximum age 21 years & 364 days |
| Bahrain | Tawjahiya (secondary school leaving cert) average grade 60% or above, including relevant subjects |
| China (Mainland) | Successful completion of Senior High 2 at an average grade of 70% or Senior High 3 at an average of 65% or above |
| China (Hong Kong) | Successful completion of the HKCEE with 4 x E's in academic subjects or Form 5 in a minimum of 3 academic subjects (grades will be assessed on a case by case basis) or HKDSE with minimum grades 222 in relevant subjects |
| China (Macau) | Successful completion of Form 5 or Senior Middle 2 with an average grade of 60% |
| Ghana | Successful completion of the West African School Certificate (WAEC) with grades 1-8 in 4 relevant subjects |
| India | Successful completion of Standard 10 with 65% or Standard 10+1 with 55% |
| Indonesia | Successful completion of SMU 2/Sikolah Menegah with a average of 7.0 |
| Iran | Successful completion of High School Diploma (3 years) with passes in 4 relevant subjects |
| Japan | Successful completion of Kotogakko with a GPA of 2.0 |
| Jordan | Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 50% in 4 relevant subjects |
| Kazakhstan | Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education |
| Kuwait | Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama (General Secondary School Leaving Certificate) average grade 60% or above, including relevant subjects |
| Korea | Korean high school graduation equivalency exam - 60%+ including relevant subjects |
| Libya | Successful completion Secondary Education Certificate with average of 60% |
| Malaysia | SPM school: Form 5, Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 4 subjects to include English and Maths |
| Mexico | Successful completion of Bachillerato with average grade of 65% |
| Morocco | Successful completion of Diplôme du Baccalauréat with grade average of 10 |
| Myanmar | High School Diploma: 60% PLUS 1 year of further study |
| Nigeria | Successful completion of West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate with grades 1-8 in 4 relevant subjects |
| Oman | Thanawiya Amma (School Leaving Certificate) average grade 60% or above, including relevant subjects |
| Pakistan | Successful completion of High Secondary Certificate (50%) or SSC (65%) |
| Qatar | Successful completion of Thanawaya Aam Qatari with average grade 60% |
| Russia | Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education with a GPA of 3.5 |
| Saudi Arabia | Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 60% in 4 relevant subjects |
| Singapore | Form 5: Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 4 subjects to include English and Maths |
| Taiwan | Successful completion of Senior High 2 at an average grade of 60% or Senior High 3 at an average of 55% and passes in 4 or more subjects |
| Thailand | Successful completion Mathayom 6 with a GPA of 2.0 in relevant subjects |
| Turkey | Successful completion of Deviet Lisen Bitirme Diplomasi or High School year 3 - minimum overall grade 45%, including relevant subjects |
| UAE | Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 60% |
| Ukraine | Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education with a GPA of 4.5 |
| Vietnam | Successful completion of Year 12 with a GPA of 6.0 |
Other qualifications
| The Diploma of the International Baccalaureate (IB Diploma) and the Diploma Programme Course (IB Certificate) | 20 / 40 UCAS points |
| IGCSE/GCSE/O-Levels | 4 passes at A-C in relevant subjects (excluding native language). new grades 9-4 in English and Maths. |
For courses starting in September 2022, you must join us on campus by the latest arrival date. Find out more here.
Joining us on campus
You can start your studies with a UKVI- approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), provided you have met all the programme entry requirements.
The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme.
- IELTS Academic for UKVI
- Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI
- Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
- PSI Skills for English UKVI (4 components)
You will need to obtain a SELT with the required minimum score to make a Student Visa application in order to come to campus.
In this section
Key facts
Course length: Two semesters
Entry dates: September or January
All students must be 18 within six weeks of their LJMU enrolment date
Semester dates
| September 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 18/9/2022 | - | 12/1/2023 | |
| 15/1/2023 | - | 4/5/2023 | |
| January 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/1/2023 | - | 4/5/2023 | |
| 7/5/2023 | - | 10/8/2023 | |
Fees
Our programmes offer students great value for money. Discover our different fees and find out how much your programme is.
Find your fees
Progression degrees
Successful completion of this programme leads to a range of postgraduate degrees at LJMU, subject to achieving the required grades. As well as achieving the grades necessary, you will be required to take an Academic English Studies (AES) test at the end of your course. Once you successfully complete this, you will be ready to start your degree at Liverpool John Moores University.
| Degree Programme Name | Award | Overall Grade | English Grade | Grade Module |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Results | ||||