International Foundation Programme celebrates 30 glorious years

Wednesday, 20 May 2015

Current and former staff and students came together on Friday 15 May to celebrate 30 years of the International Foundation Programme. Highlights of the evening included a performance of a traditional Vietnamese folk song by IFP student Tran Trung Nguyen, live music, international dance music and of course the arm wrestling competition. 

The IFP programme started in 1985 with 27 students from 8 countries. Today the programme has 193 students from 53 countries in Reading and around 40 students in the Malaysia campus. These students will have the opportunity to progress onto any undergraduate degree at the University. Half of today's international students in the Law School have progressed through the IFP. 

A major attraction and benefit to students joining the International Foundation Programme is that the programme is owned and run by the University of Reading, as it has been for the last 30 years, unlike many other institutes and is based in the heart of Whiteknights campus.  Many students stay in University of Reading accommodation and the teaching is done by staff from their receiving departments.  This ensures students on the programme are treated very much like all other students, gaining the best possible preparation for their degrees and benefitting from all the student resources available.  Students requiring English Language teaching also benefit from the expertise of the internationally recognised International Study and Language Institute, within which the IFP is based. 

Dr Mark Peace, Course Tutor said:"The festive and jovial atmosphere on the evening reflects the supportive and friendly environment nurtured on the IFP and the strong relationships students make that last throughout their further studies at the University of Reading and beyond."