The International Foundation Program is a new option for the University of Toronto international undergraduate students. It combines conditional acceptance to the University with intensive courses in English and other for-credit courses. The successful completion of this program ensures students can enter into one of the following faculties: Faculty of Music, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, or the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design.
What is the IFP Program?
The International Foundation Program is exclusively designed for international students who are academically qualified but whose English proficiency level does not meet the University of Toronto standards. The program includes English courses, a degree-specific course, and a discipline-specific course.
IFP Degree Courses
Students in the International Foundation Program will also take one for-credit degree-specific course. This will count towards the degree they intend to enter after the completion of the International Foundation Program. The course could be one of the following:
- Themes in World History
- Themes in World History will be the course for students in the Faculty of Arts and Science, Faculty of Music, Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design
- Engineering Strategies and Practice
- Engineering Strategies and Practice will be the course for students in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
IFP Discipline-Specific Courses
The International Foundation Program combines intensive English language courses alongside one course that is discipline-specific. The discipline-specific course will relate to your admission stream, and could be one of the following:
- Reading and Writing in Mathematics
- Accounting, Finance, and Statistics in Commerce
- Problem Solving in the Sciences
- Information in the Digital Era
- Challenges to Global Equity
- Engineering Foundations in Mathematics
- Applied Music
IFP Language and Skill Development Courses
One of the key components of the International Foundation Program is the intensive English language courses. In these courses, students learn how to interpret information from both written and oral mediums, construct evidence-based arguments, and present ideas. The courses students will take include:
- Academic Listening and Speaking
- Critical Reading and Writing
- Written English Discourse
- Academic Literacies and Identities
- University Skills and Strategies
IFP – Your Gateway to U of T!
For international students, the International Foundation Program is your gateway to an exceptional education experience in Canada. There are several perks of the IFP program for incoming international students.
Admission to Canada’s Top University
To begin, the IFP program is your gateway to Canada’s number 1 public university, the University of Toronto, which also places 18th in the world. This acceptance is based on the successful completion of the IFP program.
Get Credits Towards your U of T Degree
Next, during your IFP program, you’ll receive credits for your degree at the University of Toronto; this is achieved by taking one of the courses that are designated as degree courses. This for-credit course will be either Themes in World History or Engineering Strategies and Practice. The history course will be relevant to students entering degrees in either Faculty of Music, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, or the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design. An example degree where this could be applicable to students entering a History major. Meanwhile, the engineering course will be relevant to students entering degrees in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, for example, a Mechanical Engineering degree.
Gain Exposure to Canadian Education
Further, this for-credit course along with the other IFP courses are taught by trained academic professionals who will expose the students to academic university courses in Canada. This gives international students a leg up on other international students at U of T; they will better understand the structure of Canadian university-level courses.
Benefit Academically from Small Class Sizes
Finally, international students in the IFP will benefit from small classes and personalized learning, translating to success later on in their U of T program. IFP mentions that their students perform exceptionally well in their undergraduate studies, largely thanks to the IFP program allowing them to grow in a personalized setting!
The International Foundation Program is a great option for international students who are highly academically qualified but fall short of the University of Toronto English language requirements. The program allows students to take intensive English courses improving their skills and knowledge but also gives them a taste of what their first-year courses at the University of Toronto will be like.
