Foundation Unit
17
Faculty members
20 : 1
Student-to-faculty ratio
340
New Students
Message from Head of UFP Unit
Welcome to Al Buraimi University College’s Unit of Foundation Program (UFP)! Our web pages will give you a clear idea about BUC’s Foundation Programme and all our regular updates. The UFP aims at preparing students for their undergraduate courses, improving their English language proficiency, with integration of the necessary learning study skills needed to effectively adopt, learn and excel throughout their period of study.
The programme also aims at reinforcing students’ knowledge of basic Mathematics and enhancing their Information Technology skills.
Our courses have been designed according to the Oman Academic Standards for Foundation Programmes introduced by the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and the Ministry of Higher Education. These standards are reflected in the form of learning outcomes for English, Mathematics, Information Technology and General Study Skills.
The UFP, with its qualified and experienced staff, encourages students to make the most of the Foundation Programme courses, to equip them with the skills needed to do well in their specialization courses to follow. The UFP welcomes queries from students, parents and guests and guarantees to them regular updates on various issues regarding the FP courses and developments. My best wishes go to all our students, wishing them all the best in their study at Al Buraimi University College.
Dr. Rana Al Nuaimi
Director, Unit of Foundation Program || E-mail: rana@buc.edu.om
Student Entry
The Admission and Registration Department enrolls all students seeking admission to BUC by advertising from time to time and by accepting the students allotment from the MOHE. Admission is open to students who have cleared their General Diploma Certificate Examination (Grade 12) from a recognized board of education and possess the relevant attested certificate. New entrants will take the Placement Tests for English, Mathematics and Computing Exam conducted by the UFP. Information regarding admission criteria for all new entrants is mentioned in the Student Guide . New students will take the Oxford English Online Test, the in-house Computer Based Mathematics Test and IC3 Test. Students who score A0 – A1 are placed in Level 1, A2 in Level 2, B1 in Level 3, while students who score between B2 – C1 join the Academic Departments. Students who score less than 50% marks in the Computer Based Mathematics Test will have to study Basic Mathematics along with the Level 1 English Course while those students who fail the IC3 Placement Test will have to study IC3 along with the Level 2 English Course. Students who fall under the following categories are exempted from the Placement Test:
- Submitting an IELTS score no less than 5 or a TOEFL (Paper Based Test) score no less than 500 and TOEFL (CBT) no less than 180.
- Passing the Foundation Program Certificate from another educational institution in or outside Oman (Students must submit original documents including a transcript and description of the courses certified by the educational institution where the student studied).
Foundation Unit General Goals
According to the Ministry of Higher Education and Oman Academic Accreditation Authority guidelines, the following are the General Foundation Program objectives which aim at preparing students to do the learning activities independently, developing their critical thinking skills, and applying the skills they have acquired..
- To conduct entrance and exit level exams for students seeking admission to post-secondary and university degree programs offered in Al-Buraimi University College.
- To help students acquire adequate proficiency in the English Language and prepare them for their undergraduate studies at the academic departments.
- To expose students to basic mathematical concepts and logical analytical concepts and to apply their knowledge in both technical and business arenas.
- To enable students to use and practice basic computer skills that help them to handle computers, internet and other technical devices.
- To prepare students in their study skills and learning patterns through note-taking, searching and collecting for information from different sources, doing projects and writing assignments that help them in their academic studies.
2. General Study Skills (GSS):
The aim of this area is to equip students with fundamental study and academic skills needed for post secondary or higher education studies. According to the Oman Academic Standards for General Foundation Programs (point 6.1 page 25), “General Study Skills may be taught either as specific course/s, or may be embedded into each of the English, Mathematics and Computing courses”. The UFP has opted for the second choice and the General Study skills are embedded all across the three foundation programs. The learning outcomes of the GSS are clearly stated within each course syllabus of all the foundation courses
3. Information Technology:
According to the Oman Academic Standards for General Foundation Programs a HEI which issues an accredited ICDL certificate and uses it for the GFP will be deemed to have met the IT program standards and will automatically pass the assessment of its Computing program. Al-Buraimi University College, through its Training Centre, issues an accredited IC3 certificate which is used to meet the standards of Foundation Computing Program. The IC3 program is supervised and directed by the Training Centre director and IC3 trainers.
