Foundation Year

All of our undergraduate degrees are offered with the option of a Foundation Year.

The Foundation Year is designed to provide students with the academic knowledge, English language competencies, and study skills needed to progress into degree-level studies.

There are three Foundation Year options, leading to a choice of six undergraduate degrees:

Business Foundation leading to:
- BSc Business Management
Economics and Business Foundation leading to:
- BSc Economics and Business
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Foundation leading to:
- BEng Civil Engineering
- BSc Computer Sciences
- BSc Exploration Geology
- BSc Mathematics for the Modern World

All Foundation Years include an Academic Skills module to give you a solid base in preparation for specialised modules that focus on the relevant skills and knowledge required to progress onto an undergraduate degree in your chosen field of study.

Entry requirements

To enter the Foundation Year, leading to our three-year undergraduate degree programme you will need:

to successfully complete the ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education with an overall average of 4 or above from the grade 11 transcript, to include a grade of 4 or above in mathematics.

a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (with no component below 5.5) or an equivalent proof of English proficiency such as TOEFL or the Cardiff University English Language Test.

Alternative qualifications at this level will also be considered.

Tuition fees

	Fee	Programme start date
Fee for Kazakhstani students	US$16,000 per year	September 2026
Fee for international students	US$18,000 per year	September 2026

How to apply

Applying for your chosen programme is simple: click on your chosen degree pathway and complete the application form.

Our Admissions Team is available to help if you have any questions. Contact us on: admissionskz@cardiff.edu.kz if you need help with your application.

Academic content

All Foundation Year students will complete the core modules listed below. Specialised academic modules will be offered based on your selected degree pathway.

Core Modules

Academic Skills

Credits: 10 ECTS

This module introduces international Foundation Year students to the core academic skills required for successful study in higher education. The module supports students in understanding UK academic expectations, developing independent learning strategies, and building the confidence needed for progression to undergraduate study. The development of academic skills will be facilitated in the module through a reflection on the differentiation and similarities between disciplines, but also cultures and how together, we can address changing global challenges.

Learning outcomes include:

Academic Reading, Research & Digital Literacy

Identify and select appropriate academic and digital sources using library databases and online research tools
Explain key ideas, arguments, and evidence from academic texts
Apply digital tools, including AI-supported research tools, to support information gathering
Evaluate the credibility, relevance, and limitations of academic, digital, and AI-generated sources

Academic Writing & Responsible Use of AI

Produce structured academic writing using appropriate academic conventions
Develop clear arguments supported by relevant evidence
Apply AI tools responsibly to support planning, drafting, and editing of academic work
Demonstrate correct referencing practices and acknowledge AI use in line with academic integrity requirements

Communication, Presentation & Digital Tools

Communicate academic ideas clearly in discussions and seminars
Deliver structured oral and digital presentations using appropriate academic language
Use digital presentation and collaboration tools effectively
Respond constructively to feedback from peers, tutors, and digital platforms

Critical Thinking, Evaluation & AI Awareness

Analyse academic arguments, sources, and AI-generated content
Differentiate between reliable and unreliable information
Compare multiple perspectives to support reasoned conclusions
Evaluate the appropriateness of AI-generated outputs using independent academic judgement

Study Skills, Academic Practice & Ethical Digital Engagement

Apply effective study strategies, including time management and independent learning
Use digital learning environments and productivity tools to support academic study
Demonstrate understanding of academic integrity, data privacy, and ethical AI use
Reflect on personal learning practices to support ongoing academic development

History of Kazakhstan

Credits: 10 ECTS

The course History of Kazakhstan introduces you to the major historical processes that have shaped the territory and people of present-day Kazakhstan from ancient to the contemporary period. The module is recognised as a core element of the general education curriculum under the State Compulsory Standard of Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and complements foundational skills in Language, Science and Maths with a broader liberal arts focus.

You will explore the key stages in Kazakhstan’s historical trajectory, including the development of nomadic cultures, the emergence and evolution of Kazakh statehood, and the socio-political legacies of colonialism, Soviet governance, and post-independence nation-building. Emphasis is placed on examining how civic identity, cultural continuity, and historical memory have been shaped over time and in relation to broader regional and global dynamics.

Through engagement with primary sources (in translation) and secondary scholarship, you will develop historical and comparative skills, as well as team working and presentation experience. The module fosters independent thinking and scholarly inquiry, providing a foundation for interdisciplinary application and informed global citizenship. It is particularly well-suited for both domestic and international students seeking to contextualise Kazakhstan within wider historical frameworks.

Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:

Identify and describe the principal stages and key developments in the history of Kazakhstan, from antiquity to the modern era.
Recognise major historical events, processes, and transformations in Kazakhstan’s past, situating them within broader regional and global historical frameworks.
Apply historical frameworks to interpret case studies from Kazakhstan’s past, considering implications for political, social, economic and cultural themes in contemporary Kazakhstan.
Demonstrate awareness of competing perspectives in historical sources.
Present information clearly and accurately, responding appropriately to questions and feedback.

Introduction to Philosophy

Credits: 10 ECTS

The course Introduction to Philosophy will provide you with an accessible and engaging basis from which to explore the fundamentals of Philosophy, with a view to the application of key concepts and arguments to contemporary Kazakh and global society. The aim is to foster a basic understanding of the scope and methods of Philosophy and enable you to make use of your knowledge to inform your study in other subjects as well as your engagement with everyday life – in particular ethical, political and societal matters. As such the module is a core element of the subject degree programmes and complements foundational skills in Language, Science and Maths with a broader liberal arts focus.

You will initially explore key questions around what constitutes Philosophy as a subject, discussing its basic aims and developing a knowledge of its various branches, including epistemology (theory of knowledge), philosophy of science, ethics and comparative philosophy. With this framework in hand, you will then be encouraged to critically analyse and evaluate ethical issues within moral and political philosophy, and to apply philosophical thinking to civic society. In this context themes that may be explored include ideas of the good life, the idea of toleration, the foundations of the state, freedom and equality and the intersection between philosophy and history, and how it can inform our understanding of contemporary Kazakh and global society – in particular in relation to questions of imperialism, language, and national identity.

Through engagement with primary philosophical texts (including some from the most notable thinkers in the canon) and consideration of philosophical themes and issues within contemporary, popular sources, you will develop philosophical and analytical skills, as well as team working and presentation experience. The module fosters independent thinking and scholarly inquiry, providing a foundation for interdisciplinary application and informed global citizenship. It is particularly well-suited for both domestic and international students seeking to contextualise Kazakhstan within wider ethical, political and social frameworks.

Learning outcomes include:

Recognise the broad aims and methods of Philosophy as a subject and identify and describe the major branches of Philosophy.
Understand and critically evaluate some key questions in epistemology, metaphysics, ethics and political philosophy, through careful study of specific academic debates and texts
Apply analytical and argumentative skills, by isolating key arguments in philosophical writings and other texts, constructing careful critiques of those arguments
Deploy the intellectual skills of reading, analysing, critiquing, discussing, and writing, at an appro-priate academic/professional level
Apply the knowledge and skills developed on the module to contemporary issues in Kazakh and Global society
Present information clearly and accurately, responding appropriately to questions and feedback.

An English for Academic Purposes module will be required for students with an IELTS score below 6.5 overall (or equivalent).

English for Academic Purposes

Credits: 10 ECTS

This module develops the academic English and study skills required for successful transition from the foundation year into undergraduate study at a UK university. Designed for international students studying in a transnational education context who need to develop their English proficiency across the four main language areas to develop their communicative competence, it focuses on building confidence in academic communication, developing learner autonomy, and understanding UK academic conventions.

Learning outcomes include:

Reading

Identify main ideas, supporting details, and organisational patterns in academic texts
Apply reading strategies (skimming, scanning, predicting, annotating) to extract information efficiently
Evaluate the credibility and relevance of academic sources

Writing

Produce short academic texts (paragraphs and basic essays) with clear organisation and coherence
Demonstrate ability to paraphrase, summarise, and incorporate sources using appropriate citation conventions
Demonstrate control of grammar, punctuation, and academic vocabulary suitable for Foundation Year writing

Listening

Develop structured notes from short academic lectures and discussions
Identify key ideas, examples, and signposting language in spoken academic input
Demonstrate comprehension of gist and key details in academic audio materials

Speaking

Contribute to small‑group academic discussions using appropriate register and turn‑taking strategies
Deliver a short academic presentation with clear structure and visual support
Ask and respond to questions in a seminar‑style context

Language Systems

Use a developing range of academic vocabulary and subject‑neutral terminology
Apply common academic grammar structures with increasing accuracy
Demonstrate understanding of academic integrity, referencing, and plagiarism

Specialised modules for the Business Foundation

Key Topics in Social Sciences

Credits: 10 ECTS

This module explores the key ideas and debates in social science that help us understand how people, organisations, and societies work — and why that matters for business.

In this module you will learn to build strong, evidence-based arguments, form informed opinions, and critically evaluate key debates. You’ll examine how culture, identity, and power shape human behaviour, decisions, and relationships. We’ll look at how social structures — such as education, government, and the economy — influence business environments, customer behaviour, and workforce dynamics.

You’ll also explore major social issues like globalisation, climate change, and inequality, and consider how they impact businesses and the wider economy. The module introduces key disciplines such as sociology, politics, and economics, all through a lens that links social science to the world of work, enterprise, and management.

It also teaches you to spot biases and limitations in research, sharpening your ability to think critically about the world around you. By the end of the module, you’ll have developed critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of how social factors influence business success — preparing you for further study in business, management, or related subjects.

Learning outcomes

Define and explain core social science concepts
Discuss key topics within the field of Social Science
Construct well-supported arguments based on evidence and theoretical frameworks.
Evaluate different perspectives on social issues and forming informed opinions.
Identify biases and limitations in social research.

Social Research Methods

Credits: 10 ECTS

In this module you will learn about different ways of conducting research projects in Business Management. The module starts by exploring how to ask a good research question, moving onto the difference between qualitative and quantitative approaches. You will also gain experience of designing simple data collection instruments.

Learning outcomes

Specify a research question that relates to a Business Management context
Describe the key differences between quantitative and qualitative approaches
Apply an appropriate research strategy to a research question
Collaborate with peers to present an appropriate research proposal

Reflect on ethical issues relating to Business Management

Understanding the Economy and Business Context

Credits: 10 ECTS

This module will equip you with the skills to analyse the external environment in which businesses operate. You will explore how these factors influence business strategies and decision-making, with a focus on real-world applications. Key topics include government policies, economic indicators, societal trends, technological advancements, legal compliance, and sustainability challenges.

Learning outcomes

Describe the role of political systems, government policies, and legal frameworks in shaping the opportunities and challenges faced by businesses.
Explain how economic factors such as inflation, GDP, unemployment, interest rates, and globalisation impact business performance, trade, and strategic decision-making.
Identify and evaluate how social and cultural factors, including demographics, lifestyle changes, and consumer behaviour, impact business activity.
Demonstrate an understanding of how technological developments influence innovation, business efficiency, and competitive advantage.
Explain the role of environmental factors, such as sustainability and climate change, in influencing business practices and long-term planning.

Understanding Organisations

Credits: 10 ECTS

In this module you will learn how organisations function and the activities of people within them. It covers key business areas—marketing, strategy, operations, finance, accounting, and HR—while exploring individual and group behaviour, managerial control, and the changing nature of work. Through this you will gain a foundation in business disciplines and insight into how different theoretical perspectives shape management practices.

Learning outcomes

Identify the roles of key business areas (marketing, strategy, operations, finance, accounting, and HR) within organisations.
Explain the importance of strategy and decision-making in achieving organisational goals.
Apply basic marketing principles to demonstrate how organisations create value for customers.
Discuss how human resource management practices impact organisational performance.
Interpret basic financial and accounting information to understand organisational decision-making.
Analyse the challenges organisations face in managing operations, including efficiency and sustainability.

Specialised modules for the Economics and Business Foundation

Data Science and Statistics

Credits: 10 ECTS

This module introduces you to the fundamental principles and techniques of data analysis, providing a foundation in data collection, cleaning, and manipulation, alongside essential descriptive statistics and data visualisation methods.

You will learn how to summarize and interpret data effectively, identify patterns and trends, and gain a basic understanding of inferential statistics, including hypothesis testing and confidence intervals. The module emphasises practical application, enabling students to analyse real-world data sets and draw meaningful conclusions.

Learning outcomes

Collect and organize data from various sources, and prepare it for analysis using appropriate techniques.
Calculate and interpret descriptive statistics, including measures of central tendency, dispersion, and correlation.
Visualise data effectively using a range of graphical methods, such as histograms, scatter plots, and box plots.
Perform basic inferential statistical tests, and interpret the results.
Communicate findings from data analyses clearly and concisely, using appropriate statistical terminology and visualisations.

Key Topics in Social Sciences

Credits: 10 ECTS

This module explores the key ideas and debates in social science that help us understand how people, organisations, and societies work — and why that matters for business.

Learning outcomes

Define and explain core social science concepts
Discuss key topics within the field of Social Science
Construct well-supported arguments based on evidence and theoretical frameworks.
Evaluate different perspectives on social issues and forming informed opinions.
Identify biases and limitations in social research.

Mathematical Foundations

Credits: 10 ECTS

This module helps you build strong skills in key areas of mathematics such as algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. You will learn how to solve problems, think logically, and understand important mathematical ideas. These skills are essential to study a degree on Physical Sciences and Engineering.

You will explore how to work with different kinds of equations, graphs, and shapes. You will also begin learning basic calculus, including how to find slopes and areas using simple rules.

Learning outcomes

Accurately simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions and functions, including polynomials, rational expressions, exponents, to solve problems.
Solve and interpret linear, quadratic, simultaneous, and trigonometric equations and inequalities using appropriate algebraic and graphical methods.
Use coordinate geometry and vector operations to solve geometric problems involving lines, circles, and basic conic sections in two dimensions.
Apply trigonometric rules, graphs, identities, and inverse functions to solve problems involving angles, triangles, and periodic patterns in radians and degrees.

Understanding Organisations

Credits: 10 ECTS

Learning outcomes

Identify the roles of key business areas (marketing, strategy, operations, finance, accounting, and HR) within organisations.
Explain the importance of strategy and decision-making in achieving organisational goals.
Apply basic marketing principles to demonstrate how organisations create value for customers.
Discuss how human resource management practices impact organisational performance.
Interpret basic financial and accounting information to understand organisational decision-making.
Analyse the challenges organisations face in managing operations, including efficiency and sustainability.

Specialised modules for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Foundation

Data Science and Statistics

Credits: 10 ECTS

Learning outcomes

Collect and organize data from various sources, and prepare it for analysis using appropriate techniques.
Calculate and interpret descriptive statistics, including measures of central tendency, dispersion, and correlation.
Visualise data effectively using a range of graphical methods, such as histograms, scatter plots, and box plots.
Perform basic inferential statistical tests, and interpret the results.
Communicate findings from data analyses clearly and concisely, using appropriate statistical terminology and visualisations.

Mathematical Foundations

Credits: 10 ECTS

You will explore how to work with different kinds of equations, graphs, and shapes. You will also begin learning basic calculus, including how to find slopes and areas using simple rules.

Learning outcomes

Accurately simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions and functions, including polynomials, rational expressions, exponents, to solve problems.
Solve and interpret linear, quadratic, simultaneous, and trigonometric equations and inequalities using appropriate algebraic and graphical methods.
Use coordinate geometry and vector operations to solve geometric problems involving lines, circles, and basic conic sections in two dimensions.
Apply trigonometric rules, graphs, identities, and inverse functions to solve problems involving angles, triangles, and periodic patterns in radians and degrees.

Scientific Thinking

Credits: 10 ECTS

This module introduces you to how science works and how scientists investigate the world. You will become more comfortable asking questions and learn to design simple experiments, and carefully analyse results. You will also learn to think critically, work independently, and study effectively in a UK university setting.

You will practise how to read scientific information, spot mistakes or weak arguments, and share your ideas clearly through posters, videos, and presentations.

Learning outcomes

Apply the scientific method to create testable hypotheses and design simple experiments based on observation and logical reasoning.
Identify strengths and weaknesses in scientific information by evaluating evidence and recognising bias or limitations in research claims.
Analyse and interpret data using appropriate methods to find patterns and draw logical and valid conclusions.
Communicate scientific ideas clearly through a short video presentation and visual tools, using correct scientific terms and presentation techniques.
Demonstrate the ability to reflect on the scientific method and your own learning process using study skills relevant to higher education.

For students progressing to the BSc Computer Sciences or BEng Civil Engineering degree programmes:

Mathematical Modelling and Applications

This module introduces you to the powerful combination of mathematics and computation for understanding and simulating real-world phenomena. You will learn the basic rules of calculus and core programming principles to turn mathematical ideas into working computer programs.

Learning outcomes

Write simple algorithms using variables and conditional statements to model mathematical problems.
Differentiate standard mathematical functions from first principles and apply rules such as the product, quotient, and chain rules to solve practical problems.
Translate mathematical problems into clear computational algorithms and accurately implement them in code.
Analyse simple mathematical models that use calculus and simulation of differential equations by applying numerical methods and visualization techniques.
Apply computational thinking and programming skills to investigate and solve problems in scientific and mathematical contexts by integrating advanced modelling, simulation, and visualisation methods.

For students progressing to the BSc Exploration Geology programme:

Exploring Planet Earth

This module introduces the whole Earth system, linking key processes within the solid Earth, the atmosphere and oceans and their role in the evolution of the habitable planet that we live on today. You will explore the Solid Earth cycle and will be given an introduction to rock types (igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary) and their context via the concept of the Rock Cycle.

You will investigate the atmosphere-ocean system looking at global processes occurring at the surface of the Earth. Phenomena such as temperature gradients, winds and currents will be introduced, and past extreme climate will be discussed in the form of icehouse and greenhouse conditions, snowball Earth and glacial-interglacial cycles. By investigating rising atmosphere and ocean temperatures and how future climate is modelled, you will learn about the hazards and risks faced by society.

Finally, you will explore the mineral, energy, and water resources that are produced by the Earth system.

Learning outcomes

Describe Earth’s internal and external structure using evidence from a range of geological sources.
Explain fundamental geological processes and their role in shaping Earth’s surface, including the formation of mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
Describe the basic scientific principles behind the interactions and exchanges between the different parts of the Earth system
Discuss different past climate states and phenomena in the context of time and recognise climate and geological hazards related to the atmosphere-ocean/solid Earth system
Recognise the occurrence and distribution of mineral, energy, and water resources in the Earth system
Demonstrate basic techniques relevant to Earth sciences, including data analysis, and interpretation, and report findings effectively.

How to apply

Applying for your chosen programme is simple: click on your chosen degree pathway and complete the application form.

Our Admissions Team is available to help if you have any questions. Contact us on: admissionskz@cardiff.edu.kz if you need help with your application.

All Courses

Foundation Year

All of our undergraduate degrees are offered with the option of a Foundation Year.

Entry requirements

Tuition fees

How to apply

Academic content

Core Modules

Academic Skills

History of Kazakhstan

Introduction to Philosophy

An English for Academic Purposes module will be required for students with an IELTS score below 6.5 overall (or equivalent).

English for Academic Purposes

Specialised modules for the Business Foundation

Key Topics in Social Sciences

Social Research Methods

Understanding the Economy and Business Context

Understanding Organisations

Specialised modules for the Economics and Business Foundation

Data Science and Statistics

Key Topics in Social Sciences

Mathematical Foundations

Understanding Organisations

Specialised modules for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Foundation

Data Science and Statistics

Mathematical Foundations

Scientific Thinking

For students progressing to the BSc Computer Sciences or BEng Civil Engineering degree programmes:

Mathematical Modelling and Applications

For students progressing to the BSc Exploration Geology programme:

Exploring Planet Earth

How to apply