Foundation Program options

English as a Second Language, Level 1 (ESL 1)

• Length: 1 semester
• In‐class hours per week: 15 (6 grammar; 6 reading and writing; 3 listening)
• Expected average hours of external work per week (preparation, homework): 45
• Access to university‐level courses: None
• Course grade: The student is assigned a “Pass” or “Fail“ by the Registrar’s Office based on the results of the final examination.

English as a Second Language, Level 2 (ESL 2)

• Length: 1 semester
• In‐class hours per week: 9 (3 grammar; 3 reading and writing; 3 listening)
• Expected average hours of external work per week (preparation, homework): 27
• Access to university‐level courses: Limited to 3‐4 semester credits/6‐8 ECTS (1 course from the list below):
  • Introduction to University Studies (1 semester credit / 2 ECTS)
  • Computers and Applications (2 semester credits / 4 ECTS)
  • College Algebra (3 semester credits / 6 ETS)
  • Digital Photography (3 semester credits / 6 ETCS)
  • Introduction to Drawing and Design (3 semester credits / 6 ECTS)
  • Introduction to Painting (3 semester credits / 6 ECTS)
  • Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy (3 semester credits / 6 ECTS)
• Expected progression: Unconditional admission to a UNYP bachelor’s degree program and/or English Pre‐Composition depending on the test result at the end of the semester.
• Composition depending on the end of the semester test result.
• Course grade: The student is assigned a “Pass” or “Fail” by the Registrar’s Office based on the results of the final examination (see Progression chart). The “Pass” level is 72 or above.

Progression Chart

*The scores listed are approximations; further diagnostic tests are required in order to accurately place applicants.

**All students must write an entrance essay in case recommendations need to be made for additional writing support such as English Pre‐Composition.

*** The list of examinations above is not exhaustive. Additional examination results may be considered subject to approval from the Chair of the English Language & Literature Department, the Registrar, and the Rector.

Foundation Program students must obtain permission from the Foundation Program Advisor or the Rector before retaking UNYP’s institutional English language test with the Admissions department. The ESL 1 and 2 courses may be merged to accommodate all the students in the Foundation Program, depending on enrolment numbers.

During the regular scheduled final examination period, the Foundation Program instructors or the Admissions department will administer UNYP’s institutional English language test and/or the official TOEFL to the Foundation Program students. The Registrar’s Office will use these results to pre‐register (or adjust existing pre‐registrations for) the students for the next semester based on the table.

If the student has progressed beyond the Foundation Program but is not quite ready for Composition I, the student will be enrolled in the English Pre-Composition course.

Pre-Composition students will have UNYP degree program access but Pre-Composition will not earn credit toward a degree.

Students who have not progressed from their original placement after two semesters of study, or have not qualified for enrollment as full‐time, degree‐seeking, university students after three semesters of study, are dismissed from UNYP.

The UNYP attendance policy applies to the Foundation Program. Students with more than the maximum allowed unexcused absences from any component of the Foundation Program will fail the course; the Registrar’s Office will immediately assign a grade of “F” and the student will not be allowed to continue attending the Program during that semester. The student may re‐enroll at the same level as the Foundation Program in the next semester.