Introduction to Studying Business
Prepare for an undergraduate business degree, with support in academic English skills such as critical reading and note taking.
1,962 enrolled on this course
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
2 hoursLanguages
English, Italiano, Español, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Italiano100% online
How it works
Introduction to Studying Business
Develop the skills you need to prepare for studying business at university
This three-week business foundation course provides an introduction to the modules covered on the International Foundation Programme (IFP) in business.
Discover the key business concepts that will inform your future studies, whilst learning how to improve your academic English study skills.
Explore key business concepts including the global market and trade protectionism
This introductory programme will set you up for success when progressing to an undergraduate business course, as it introduces you to the need-to-know concepts.
Explore international trade versus protectionism and the different operating environments for businesses. You’ll learn about the global market, examining how to sell to customers locally, nationally and internationally.
Improve your academic English skills and learn business research methodologies
This course will equip you with essential academic English study skills and business research methods, preparing you to advance your studies with confidence.
Discover how to critically read a text, make meaningful notes and develop strong academic arguments.
Develop confidence in using various research design approaches. Learn how to choose an appropriate research methodology for a specific research problem. You’ll do this by using a range of sampling, quantitative and questionnaire techniques.
Learn from the experts in IFP Business
This International Foundation Programme (IFP) is delivered by ULaw’s specialist IFP tutors who also deliver the undergraduate IFP course. So, when you’re ready to undertake graduate business studies with ULaw, you will already know some familiar, friendly faces.
Syllabus
Week 1
English Language and Study Skills
Welcome to the International Foundation Programme in Business mini-course
A short video introduction to the course, which is based on the International Foundation Programme (IFP) at the University of Law. The video is delivered by Helen, our National Director for International and Pathway programmes.
Introduction
The IFP will develop your English language, academic and study skills in preparation for a degree in Business and this is the focus of week 1. Please start by reading the introduction and learning outcomes below.
Critical Thinking and Critical Reading
What does it mean to think and read critically? Why is it important? Find out in this section.
The Expansion of Heathrow Airport
An overview of this controversial proposal and a chance to give your initial views.
Critical Reading and the RADAR Framework
Read two texts about the proposed Heathrow expansion and evaluate them using the RADAR framework.
The Arguments For and Against Heathrow Expansion
Read about the arguments for and against the expansion of Heathrow Airport and practice your note-taking skills. Then contribute to a debate about whether the expansion should go ahead.
Completion of Week 1 and Introduction to Week 2
Now that you have completed your first week, Helen will introduce you to your second week, Business Concepts, which is led by Anastasia.
Week 2
Globalisation & The New Business Environment
Introduction
Welcome onboard this week session dedicated to a serious question that every business person should consider carefully: that of where to locate his/her business.
Section 1 - Compete in a protected market or not?
We research and discuss whether businesses should be protected against foreign competition.
Section 2 - Understanding competition
Understanding competition in your market.
Section 3 - Understanding customers
Understanding your customers
Section 4 - Business Sustainability
Business Sustainability, Ethics and Environmental and Social Responsibility
Completion of Week 2 and Introduction to Week 3
Now that you have completed your second week, Helen will introduce you to the third and final week- Research Skills
Week 3
Research Skills
Week 3: Introduction to Research skills
In this module, you will explore the importance of Quantitative research strategies and appropriate sampling methods/techniques.
Sampling
Students will be able to understand the basic concept of; sampling, target population, technical terminology and why sampling is important.
Sampling Methods
Students will learn the difference of probability and non-probability sampling and be able to distinguish between the different key sampling techniques.
Questionnaire
Students will learn the concept of questionnaire techniques of data collection in which each person is asked to respond to the same set of questions in a predetermined order.
Questionnaire Design
Students will learn the concept of questionnaire techniques of data collection in which each person is asked to respond to the same set of questions in a predetermined order
Completion of Week 3 and end of IFP Business mini-course
Well done for completing the third and final week of this IFP Business mini-course. Helen will now explain how you can learn more about the IFP and the University of Law.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Compare and contrast international trade and protectionism
- Understand different operating environments for business
- Learn to critically read a text and make meaningful notes
- Develop an argument in an academic context
- Select an appropriate research methodology using a range of sampling and questionnaire techniques
Who is the course for?
This course is designed specifically to enable international students to improve their academic English, to learn about business and to develop all the necessary skills needed for successful undergraduate study.
Who will you learn with?
Senior Tutor for International and Pathway Programmes at the University of Law. Over thirteen years of teaching and academic management experience, gained in the UK, South Korea and Hungary.
Anastasia holds an MBA and her professional portfolio and background include Lean transformation projects, Executive training programs and Internationalization projects. She teaches in HE since 2015.
Who developed the course?
The University of Law
The University of Law is one of the UK’s longest established specialist providers of legal education, believing that students should learn in a realistic, professional and contemporary context.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Start learning today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $79/one-off payment | $335.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Try this course - with limits | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Limited to 3 weeks |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$335.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$79/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Start learning today
Free
Try this course - with limits
- Limited to 3 weeks
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
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- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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