International Foundation Programme
International Foundation Programmes (IFP) are one-year intensive courses, designed as an alternative to A Levels, which prepare international students for undergraduate study.
All of the IFPs include subject modules specific to the pathway course and they also include core skills modules which aim to equip students with the necessary skills and competencies required for undergraduate study and overall university readiness.
DLD College London offers a range of pathways as part of its International Foundation Programme to ensure you get the best possible preparation for your chosen degree course at university.
SUBJECT PATHWAYS
ADVANCED MATHEMATICS AND ECONOMICS
The Advanced Maths and Economics pathway is designed for students with an interest in studying a more pure Economics course at university. The Advanced Maths content also allows for opportunities in Computer Science.
Students on this pathway have received offers for courses such as Economics & Maths at the University of Bath and Financial & Business Economics at Royal Holloway, University of London.
With a focus on logic and quantitative skills, career options are not limited to Economics. Students have also received offers for other Maths-based courses at university including Computer Science at King’s College London and the University of Sussex.
In addition to the common Key Components Strand, students will study the following subject components:
ADVANCED MATHEMATICS I (FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS)
More than ever before in human history, we are building. In addition to physical structures and complex machinery, we are building in the virtual world. Engineers need to be able to address the needs of the future. Advanced Mathematics 1 equips learners with the core skills required to embark on further study of this dynamic field.
- Quadratic Functions and Inequalities
- Exponential and Logarithmic functions
- Transformations of Graphs
- Coordinate Geometry
- Radian measures, Trigonometric Functions and Equations
- Differentiation including parametric equations
Assessment Method: Written assignment.
ADVANCED MATHEMATICS II (FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS)
Building on prior study, in Advanced Mathematics II students will expand their knowledge and skills gained and apply them to more complex issues. This module demands an analytical and synthetic approach that allows learners to develop engineering knowledge, skills, imagination and experience to the highest levels in readiness for their future studies and career.
- Partial fractions
- Binomial Expansion
- Arithmetic and Geometric series
- Integration including parametric equations and differential equations
- Vectors in two and three dimensions
- Numerical Methods
Assessment Method: Written assignment.
PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS (FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES)
Principles of Economics (Faculty of Social Sciences)
In the light of the global financial crisis, Economics continues to be the key discipline that students need to understand the world we live in today. ‘Principles of Economics’ will cover the basics of Micro and Macro Economics that students will need to begin to understand and critically engage with the world around them.
- Factors of production
- Opportunity cost
- Production possibility frontiers
- Demand and consumer surplus
- Elasticities of demand
- Supply and producer surplus
- Price elasticity of supply
- Circular flow of income
- Economic growth
- Inflation
- Unemployment
- Current account on the balance of payments
- Fiscal policy
- Monetary policy
- Supply side policies
- Aggregate supply and aggregate demand
- Conflicts of economic policy and objectives
Assessment Method: Written exam.
THE GLOBAL ECONOMY (FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES)
In a world that is more connected and interlinked more than ever before, the growth of international trade, multi-national corporations and improvements in technology are changing how markets interact. In ‘The Global Economy’ students will study some of the key reasons and effects of these changes and be equipped with the tools to be difference makers in the new global economy.
- Globalisation
- International trade
- Protectionism
- Development economics
- Multi-National corporations
- Exchange rate systems
- Economic integration and monetary union
- Balance of payments
Assessment Method: Written exam
ART & DESIGN
ART & DESIGN SUBJECT COMPONENTS
GRAPHIC ART DESIGN
- Illustration
- Typography
- Photography
- Mixed media
- Graphics
- Logos
- Colour Schemes
DESIGN PROCESS
- Designing Fashion (the role of the Fashion Designer)
- The Crafting and Construction of a Garment (use of materials and construction of proto-types)
- Commercial Production (from mass production to hand-made and Haute Couture)
HISTORICAL AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS
- Art Deco + influence and effects
- Cubism + influence and effects
- Skills building
- Digital development
FASHION, CULTURE & IDENTITY
This module will cover the history and development of Fashion, looking at key developments, historical and contemporary. It will also study how Fashion has developed to be a social and cultural phenomenon that can express and reflect cultural identity and value, as well as its’ recent development as a diverse social art form expressively connected to identity, creative self-expression, and lifestyle.
- Traditional & Ceremonial Dress (Cultural Rituals, Festivals, Courtly, Ceremonial & Formal Occasions)
- Functional/Official Dress (Office/Manual Labour, Sportswear, Casualwear)
- Social/Tribal Dress (Status, Gender, Identity-Designer Labels, Logo-wear, Mods, Rockers, Punks, Hippies, Form & Function)
- Key Designers & Fashion Houses/Brands (including Chanel, Dior, Yves St Laurent, John Galliano, Hussein Chalayan, Issey Miyake, Vivienne Westwood, Burberry, Alexander McQueen)
Assessment Method: Portfolio and written assignment.
View our IFP Art & Design brochure here: DLD College London IFP Art & Design 2020
To find out more about our outstanding Art Department, view our dedicated web page here.
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
Our IFP Biomedical Science Programme offers progression to a wide range of biomedicine and general science courses at universities in the UK and overseas.
Click the link to find out more about our Biomedical Science International Foundation Programme.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
Situated in the heart of London, DLD College is ideally placed for students preparing for a career in the commercial sector. The College is within easy reach of the Bank of England and the London offices of major multinational firms such as Facebook and Google.
In today’s digital age, it is essential for learners to future-proof their education. The Business and Economics pathway seeks to inspire future leaders and prepare students for undergraduate study in a range of courses. In the past, our students have received offers for courses such as Business Management at King’s College London, International Banking and Finance at City University London and Accounting and Finance at the University of Birmingham. To find out more about what you will study on this pathway, see below:
In addition to the common Key Components Strand, students will study the following subject components:
BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS SUBJECT COMPONENTS
21ST CENTURY BUSINESS (FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES)
Businesses and business leaders have been key architects of the digital age and the globalised world we inhabit. The challenge of managing finite resources in a way that satisfies a network of stakeholders is perhaps greater and more exciting than ever.
This module requires students to critically engage with foundational concepts and the evolving functional areas of business.
- An introduction to business in the UK
- Stakeholders; their interests and behaviour
- Revenue, costs, contribution and profit
- Foundations of marketing
- Introduction to accounting
- Operations and lean processing
- Key concepts in human resources
- Market-driven decision making
- Digital business & entrepreneurship
- Assessment Method: Written exam
MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY (FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES)
The fast-paced and dynamic nature of modern business requires leaders to be incisive in their decision making whilst taking into account the interests of their ever expanding group of stakeholders. This module explores a variety of decision making models based on fundamentals of business strategy. As part of this course, students will explore the work of such important authors as Peter Drucker and Michael Porter.
Fundamentals of leadership
- Leadership theories
- MBO
Developing corporate strategy
- Growth strategy
- Porter’s five forces analysis
- SWOT analysis
Managing external pressures
- Analysing the external environment
- The ethical business
Principles of financial accounting
- Ratio Analysis
Decision making models
- CPA
- Decision trees
- CBA
- Forecasting
Evaluating investment decisions
- Investment appraisal
- Managing change
- Change management
- Risk management
Assessment Method: Written exam.
PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS (FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES)
Principles of Economics (Faculty of Social Sciences)
In the light of the global financial crisis, Economics continues to be the key discipline that students need to understand the world we live in today. ‘Principles of Economics’ will cover the basics of Micro and Macro Economics that students will need to begin to understand and critically engage with the world around them.
- Factors of production
- Opportunity cost
- Production possibility frontiers
- Demand and consumer surplus
- Elasticities of demand
- Supply and producer surplus
- Price elasticity of supply
- Circular flow of income
- Economic growth
- Inflation
- Unemployment
- Current account on the balance of payments
- Fiscal policy
- Monetary policy
- Supply side policies
- Aggregate supply and aggregate demand
- Conflicts of economic policy and objectives
Assessment Method: Written exam.
THE GLOBAL ECONOMY (FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES)
In a world that is more connected and interlinked more than ever before, the growth of international trade, multi-national corporations and improvements in technology are changing how markets interact. In ‘The Global Economy’ students will study some of the key reasons and effects of these changes and be equipped with the tools to be difference makers in the new global economy.
- Globalisation
- International trade
- Protectionism
- Development economics
- Multi-National corporations
- Exchange rate systems
- Economic integration and monetary union
- Balance of payments
Assessment Method: Written exam.
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS SUBJECT COMPONENTS
ADVANCED MATHEMATICS I (FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS)
More than ever before in human history, we are building. In addition to physical structures and complex machinery, we are building in the virtual world. Engineers need to be able to address the needs of the future. Advanced Mathematics 1 equips learners with the core skills required to embark on further study of this dynamic field.
Quadratic Functions and Inequalities
Exponential and Logarithmic functions
Transformations of Graphs
Coordinate Geometry
Radian measures, Trigonometric Functions and Equations
Differentiation including parametric equations
Assessment Method: Written assignment.
ADVANCED MATHEMATICS II (FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS)
Building on prior study, in Advanced Mathematics II students will expand their knowledge and skills gained and apply them to more complex issues. This module demands an analytical and synthetic approach that allows learners to develop engineering knowledge, skills, imagination and experience to the highest levels in readiness for their future studies and career.
- Partial fractions
- Binomial Expansion
- Arithmetic and Geometric series
- Integration including parametric equations and differential equations
- Vectors in two and three dimensions
- Numerical Methods
Assessment Method: Written assignment.
COMPUTER SYSTEMS FOR THE DIGITAL WORLD
COMPUTER SCIENCE FUNDAMENTALS
ENGINEERING
More than ever before in human history, we are building. In addition to physical structures and complex machinery, we are building in the virtual world. The Engineering IFP is ideal preparation for undergraduate study in a range of fields.
Engineers need to be able to address the needs of the future. Engineering is an extremely broad field encompassing civil, mechanical, electrical, electronic, aeronautical, automotive and biomedical engineering. Successful graduates of the DLD College London IFP in Engineering have received offers for prestigious courses such as Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Manchester and Mechanical Engineering at Queen Mary, University of London. The inclusion of the Advanced Mathematics content gives students access to other courses including Computer Science.
In addition to the common Key Components Strand, students will study the following subject components:
ENGINEERING SUBJECT COMPONENTS
ADVANCED MATHEMATICS I (FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS)
More than ever before in human history, we are building. In addition to physical structures and complex machinery, we are building in the virtual world. Engineers need to be able to address the needs of the future. Advanced Mathematics 1 equips learners with the core skills required to embark on further study of this dynamic field.
- Quadratic Functions and Inequalities
- Exponential and Logarithmic functions
- Transformations of Graphs
- Coordinate Geometry
- Radian measures, Trigonometric Functions and Equations
- Differentiation including parametric equations
Assessment Method: Written assignment.
ADVANCED MATHEMATICS II (FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS)
Building on prior study, in Advanced Mathematics II students will expand their knowledge and skills gained and apply them to more complex issues. This module demands an analytical and synthetic approach that allows learners to develop engineering knowledge, skills, imagination and experience to the highest levels in readiness for their future studies and career.
- Partial fractions
- Binomial Expansion
- Arithmetic and Geometric series
- Integration including parametric equations and differential equations
- Vectors in two and three dimensions
- Numerical Methods
Assessment Method: Written assignment.
THE FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS (FACULTY OF SCIENCE)
The aim is to introduce important conventions and principles that permeate physics, giving students the ability to effectively communicate their knowledge. Understanding the key concepts, will enable students to apply mathematical models to various situations so as to be able to analyse and link ideas.
- Quantities and units
- Basic principles of kinematics
- Basic principles of dynamics
- Work, energy and power
- Properties of solids
- Circular motion
- Simple Harmonic Motion and its effects
Assessment Method: Written exam
THE APPLICATIONS OF PHYSICS (FACULTY OF SCIENCE)
Building on the content of the first Unit, this Unit introduces a breadth and depth of
subject matter that allows students to wrestle with abstract ideas. More challenging
topics are covered and new models introduced to explain our observations. Furthermore, conflicts will be introduced to show how scientific theories and understanding change as new evidence is obtained.
- Electric currents and their effects
- Electric circuits
- Charge and electric fields
- Capacitors
- Magnetic fields
- Electromagnetic induction
- Transformers and the transmission of electrical power
- Waves and wave motion
- Reflection and refraction
- Optical fibres and their applications
- erposition
Assessment Method: Written exam
FASHION MANAGEMENT
Our Fashion Management pathway seeks to train and inspire future fashion professionals with acute commercial awareness and prepare students for undergraduate study in a range of fashion based courses.
Situated in the heart of London, an international Centre for Fashion, DLD College London is ideally placed for students preparing for a career in the Fashion sector. The College is in close proximity of the vast range of extraordinary galleries and fashion related venues. In today’s visual, technological and digital age, it is essential for creative learners to receive high quality creative arts training. The creative industries make a vital contribution to a progressive and thriving society. Students will progress on to a range of high quality London based, national and international Fashion based Courses.
In addition to the common Key Components Strand, students will study the following subject components:
FASHION MANAGEMENT SUBJECT COMPONENTS
FASHION, CULTURE & IDENTITY (FACULTY OF CREATIVE ARTS)
This module will cover the history and development of Fashion, looking at key developments, historical and contemporary. It will also study how Fashion has developed to be a social and cultural phenomenon that can express and reflect cultural identity and value, as well as its’ recent development as a diverse social art form expressively connected to identity, creative self-expression, and lifestyle.
- Traditional & Ceremonial Dress (Cultural Rituals, Festivals, Courtly, Ceremonial & Formal Occasions)
- Functional/Official Dress (Office/Manual Labour, Sportswear, Casualwear)
- Social/Tribal Dress (Status, Gender, Identity-Designer Labels, Logo-wear, Mods, Rockers, Punks, Hippies, Form & Function)
- Key Designers & Fashion Houses/Brands (including Chanel, Dior, Yves St Laurent, John Galliano, Hussein Chalayan, Issey Miyake, Vivienne Westwood, Burberry, Alexander McQueen)
Assessment Method: Portfolio and written assignment.
DESIGN PROCESS (FACULTY OF CREATIVE ARTS)
This module combines theory and practical design in order to develop students’ creative potential in an intellectually stimulating environment. Learners will focus on the communication of design through a variety of briefs aimed at a broad set of audiences. This module will also examine the fundamental properties of colour and our human response to colour, visually, culturally, psychologically, and emotionally. The importance of colour in the design process will be explored through the study of colour in advertising, on the internet, colour reproduction in the media, and colour psychology.
- Designing Fashion (the role of the Fashion Designer)
- The Crafting and Construction of a Garment (use of materials and construction of proto-types)
- Commercial Production (from mass production to hand-made and Haute Couture)
Assessment Method: Portfolio.
21ST CENTURY BUSINESS (FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES)
Businesses and business leaders have been key architects of the digital age and the globalised world we inhabit. The challenge of managing finite resources in a way that satisfies a network of stakeholders is perhaps greater and more exciting than ever.
This module requires students to critically engage with foundational concepts and the evolving functional areas of business.
- An introduction to business in the UK
- Stakeholders; their interestsand behaviour
- Revenue, costs, contribution and profit
- Foundations of marketing
- Introduction to accounting
- Operations and lean processing
- Key concepts in human resources
- Market-driven decision making
- Digital business & entrepreneurship
Assessment Method: Written exam.
MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY (FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES)
The fast-paced and dynamic nature of modern business requires leaders to be incisive in their decision making whilst taking into account the interests of their ever expanding group of stakeholders. This module explores a variety of decision making models based on fundamentals of business strategy. As part of this course, students will explore the work of such important authors as Peter Drucker and Michael Porter.
Fundamentals of leadership
- Leadership theories
- MBO
Developing corporate strategy
- Growth strategy
- Porter’s five forces analysis
- SWOT analysis
Managing external pressures
- Analysing the external environment
- The ethical business
Principles of financial accounting
- Ratio Analysis
Decision making models
- CPA
- Decision trees
- CBA
- Forecasting
Evaluating investment decisions
- Investment appraisal
- Managing change
- Change management
- Risk management
Assessment Method: Written exam
View our IFP Fashion Management brochure here: DLD College London IFP Fashion Management 2020
To find out more about our outstanding Art Department, view our dedicated web page here.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Available from September 2021 at DLD College London, our one year Social Sciences International Foundation Programme combines History, Politics, Psychology and Sociology modules and offers progression to a wide range of courses at top UK universities.
In addition to the common Key Components Strand, students will study the following subject components:
HISTORY
Unit 1: Sept- Jan 40% of marks
- Causes of the Cold War
- Peaceful coexistence
Unit 2: Jan – June 60% of marks
- Détente
- End of the Cold War
POLITICS
Unit 1: Sept – Jan 40% of marks
- Representative Government
- Political Legitimacy
- Pluralism
- Constitutionalism
- Political ideology
Unit 2: Jan – June 60% of marks
- Globalization and the State
- IR Theory
- Global Governance
PSYCHOLOGY
Unit 1: Sept – Jan 40% of marks
- Psychological Approaches and Research Methods
Unit 2: Jan – June 60% of marks
- Criminal Psychology and Forensics
- Introduction to Psychopathology
SOCIOLOGY
Unit 1: Sept 40% of marks
- Sociological Methods of Research
- Sociological Perspectives
Unit 2: Jan 60% of marks
- Crime and Deviance
Assessment
Essay and case study based written examinations take place in January (Unit 1, 40% of total module marks) and June (Unit 2, 60% of total module marks). Students are able to resit both papers in June.
To see the content of each of the core skills module, click below:
CORE SKILLS
ESSENTIAL MATHEMATICS A
- Percentages, ratios, standard form, significant figures, surds, indices
- Expanding algebraic brackets, factorising algebraic expressions
- Linear and quadratic equations and inequalities
- Simultaneous equations
- Exponential & logarithmic functions/equations
- Circles, area of 2D shapes, volume of 3D shapes, pythagoras’ theorem
- Equations of Straight Lines and Curves, Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
ESSENTIAL MATHEMATICS B
- Sine, cosine and tangent Ratios
- Arithmetic and geometric series
- Probability, including mutually exclusive and independent events, tree diagrams
- Data analysis, including finding averages (Mean, Median, Mode) and range
- Venn diagrams, stem & leaf diagrams, (Cumulative) frequency tables, histograms, box plots
- Differentiating polynomials, identifying increasing/decreasing functions and stationary points
ACADEMIC SKILLS & RESEARCH
- Writing for academic purposes
- Research objectives
- Referencing
- Constructing a bibliography
- Hypothesis formation
- Ethical procedures
- Introduction to quantitative and quality methods
- Library systems
- Note-taking techniques
- Collaborative study
- Validity and reliability
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
- ICT skills
- Inter-personal skills
- British culture and values
- Professional etiquette
- Study skills and effective organisation
- Careers education
- Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for a DLD International Foundation Programme students must:
- Normally be aged 17 or over before the 1 September in the year of registration
- Have passed GCSE English or have an overall IELTS score of 5.0 (with a minimum of 5.0 in the reading and writing components) or IELTS 4.5 for the 18 month programmes
- As IELTS* tests cannot be taken in certain parts of the world, language may be assessed through an entrance test
*IELTS requirements may vary for specific subject strands
