International

Foundation Year (IFY)

Skills for Success

Guide for Teachers

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OVERVIEW
WHAT IS SKILLS FOR SUCCESS?
The Skills for Success module is designed to help NCUK IFY students develop higher order thinking skills
to assist them in their current and future study.

HOW IS THE MODULE STRUCTURED?

The module is split into 15 ‘weeks’ or topics. Students should generally start studying the content
approximately half-way through their first semester and complete approximately half-way through their
second semester. This is to allow students to develop their English language skills prior to starting the
module. (Note: Students may need to start studying this module earlier if they are completing an
intensive IFY programme over less than 30 weeks).

A topic can typically be completed in 2 hours and will involve students reading some content, watching
videos, visiting useful websites, completing quizzes and answering short written tasks.

WHAT TOPICS WILL STUDENTS COVER?

Students will cover the following topics:
 Week 1 – What is Critical Thinking?
 Week 2 – Asking Questions
 Week 3 – Checking Your Sources
 Week 4 – Critical Reading
 Week 5 – Barriers to Critical Thinking
 Week 6 – Thinking Skills
 Week 7 – Organising Your Ideas
 Week 8 – Summary – Using Your Own Words
 Week 9 – Synthesis – Connecting Ideas
 Week 10 – Reflection and Change
 Week 11 – Argument – Good Reasoning
 Week 12 – Argument – Analysis
 Week 13 – Argument – Evaluation
 Week 14 – Argument – Academic Writing (Putting It All Together)
 Week 15 – Module Summary

HOW IS THE MODULE DELIVERED?

The module is delivered via the NCUK learning and assessment platform. It will be studied
asynchronously by students, i.e. they will work through the materials online, at their own pace. All of the
necessary instructions are provided within the materials.

There are no ‘live’ lectures or seminars, and Study Centre teachers are not required to deliver classes to
cover the content.

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 HOW AND WHEN WILL STUDENTS ACCESS THE MODULE?
Students will automatically be given access to the module upon registration to NCUK. Once the student
is added to the NCUK learning and assessment platform, the module will appear in their ‘Courses’ list on
the platform.

As outlined above, students should be advised to wait until they are approximately half-way through the
first semester of their IFY study to start work on the Skills for Success module. This is to allow students
to improve their English language skills before undertaking the Skills for Success module.

HOW AND WHEN WILL TEACHERS ACCESS THE MODULE?

Teachers will be given access to the module from 9 August 2021, or for new teachers, upon registration
on the NCUK learning and assessment platform. The module will appear in the ‘Courses’ list on the NCUK
learning and assessment platform.

HOW SHOULD TEACHERS SUPPORT THE MODULE?

Teachers are not required to deliver the content of the module or arrange follow-up classes. However,
individual students may need some support with understanding vocabulary or concepts that are
developed within the module.

The module is designed to build skills and thus support students’ learning and development across the
IFY qualification. You may want to check-in with students periodically to check their progress and their
understanding of the topics covered.

It may be helpful to review students’ portfolios (see below) prior to 1-1 tutorials. These may provide
further points for students to consider when reflecting on their progress over the module.

HOW ARE STUDENTS ASSESSED ON THE MODULE?

Students are not formally assessed on the module. The module is designed to develop students’ critical
thinking skills in order to improve their learning and development.

During the study of Skills for Success, students will complete short quizzes and tasks. These quizzes and
tasks are not graded but should be helpful for students in tracking their progress. All tasks that are
completed will be saved in a student portfolio that students can review at the end of their study to
reflect on how they have developed their skills.

IS THE MODULE COMPULSORY?

The Skills for Success module is not compulsory. However, we believe that by completing the module,
students will develop their higher order thinking skills which will benefit them in their future studies and
assessments.

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 HOW CAN STUDENTS GIVE NCUK FEEDBACK ON THIS MODULE?
A student questionnaire has been included at in the final week of the module. This will allow students
to give NCUK feedback on the module and how useful they have found it. Their feedback and comments
will allow us to develop and improve the module for future years.

If you require further information or help, or have any feedback on the module, please contact the NCUK
Academic Support & Development team (centresupport@ncuk.ac.uk).

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NCUK – The University Consortium

76 King Street, Manchester, M2 4NH, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)161 549 9220

www.ncuk.ac.uk

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