Combine business foundation with tennis

The business foundation course is a standard offering from all UK universities. UK universities have a strong reputation for delivering respected diplomas. In order to deal with the large number of foreign students wishing to achieve these diplomas, UK universities have had to put in place a pre-entry course in order to validate students with varied high school qualifications. Many students want to study business, and because there are rarely business subjects offered in High Schools around the world, universities cannot be sure what the academic level is of a student. This foundation year also gives a chance for a foreign student to catch up on his English language skills, and to become accustomed to university testing methods.

For the last two years Challenge Europe has embraced the Business Foundation course programme, because it is such a popular choice for students. It is the most convenient and most effective way for foreign students to gain entry into the UK university system.

Challenge Europe runs it as an eight month course, which is usually ample time to make sure that a student is truly ready to continue his studies in Higher Education. Our students have sometimes needed extra help to pass English exams such as IELTS or TOFL. Sometimes their class performance, or essay-writing performance, has been inadequate and this time period is usually sufficient for most students to be confident of surviving the very rigorous UK university system, where many students leave, or are asked to leave before completing their courses, because their levels have not been good enough. 

Manageable hours

The reason why the Foundation course has been so good for Challenge Europe, is because a typical student will only need to work 20 hours a week to complete all his tasks on time. This leaves plenty of time for a student to pursue other courses, or to do several hours of sports training or sports competition per day.

We have had some students who have failed university entry after an eight month course. Sometimes a student needs more time. If we are convinced that the student will continue to make progress, and he is a credit to the organisation and the sponsors, then he will be allowed to take a second year.

Foundation business content

The Foundation course has five modules - human resources, finance, market forces, marketing and operations. In total 14 2000 word assignments must be delivered over the eight months, and then a final 4000 word project that is a complete study of a major company. All of this work must be entirely the student's own work. Additionally there are four two hour assessments after every six weeks, a two hour Final exam and weekly written and oral tests. So it is a highly intensive course. The students must learn a great deal and must deliver all work on time. At the end of the work, a percentage grade is given. The top universities will be expecting an average of 70%. In the last two years three-quarters of our students have achieved the entry requirements for their first choice universities. Nearly all the remaining students have either been offered places in second choice universites, or have been able to use their Foundation diploma for other institutions.

Students are assigned an individual tutor for the Foundation course, so a student has every opportunity to succeed.

The Foundation Course is fully residential. Please see the current price list to see how much you will have to pay. Because Challenge Europe has voluntary workers, and students working for their places, as well as our sponsors, prices are around 30% less than a university would charge. And the course is much more effective.

For some students we offer scholarships. If you can demonstrate an outstanding record, or outstanding sporting record, Challenge Europe sponsors will support you. Every case is judged individually by a committee.

Courses start in September, and the Final Exam is usually in the first week of May, at which time a final diploma is issued. Some students have stayed on site for the entire summer period, continuing to practise their sports. Others have deferred their university application for a whole year, in order to continue their sporting ambitions.