International students' new route to success in BA English

Students Yu Shing Wong, known as Harry, and Xinhui Yang, Julia, both achieved exceptionally high results on the International Foundation in Humanities, Law and Social Science at INTO University of Exeter.

Harry, who is now studying on the BA English, achieved exceptionally high results on his programme, subsequently being awarded the prestigious ‘College Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence’ at the INTO graduation ceremony held last week. Harry commented, “Even though I worked hard to get a good result, I was surprised to have been the best”.

INTO students are taught by a team of experienced lecturers who have substantial experience of teaching at university level. All teaching quality and assessment is assured by the University and student progress is closely monitored, with clear forms of feedback on all formative assessment. This enables students to perform to the best of their ability on summative assessment in order to achieve the required grades for progression onto an undergraduate degree. These requirements are particularly high for progression onto BA in English, BA in English and Film and BA in Film Studies and reflect entry requirements for direct admission to the University.

Both students studied a brand new module, the Introduction to Film and Literary Studies, introduced in 2011. This module creates a transitional pathway into Undergraduate programmes in English and in Film Studies for International students interested in studying Humanities at Exeter.

Dr. Helen Hanson, Lecturer in Film Studies at Exeter explains, “This module prepares students for the BA in English and BA in Film through training in foundational skills in literary and film analysis and coverage of key concepts in the study of literature and film. Students practise close analysis, reflect on issues such as genre and authorship, and recognise the significance of production contexts and reception on the interpretation of literary and filmic texts. It exploits some of the superb resources for Humanities study at Exeter, particularly archival sources, papers in the Literary Special Collections and film-related material in the Bill Douglas Centre collection.”

Harry adds, “The broad genre of texts studied on the module helped me get used to the work I am doing now.  The best part of the course is the seminars – discussing questions with other students and talking to the tutor about how to approach the question and develop an argument - seminars are an interactive way to study the texts”.

The progression of these students onto Humanities degree programmes in English fulfils the aims of the College to expand its International student body and for inclusivity and diversity in the classroom.

Helen Turner, Programme Manager of Humanities, Law and Social Science at INTO University of Exeter, comments, “We are very proud of Harry and Julia having successfully progressed to BA English. They both worked consistently hard to achieve high results, playing an active role in seminars and developing their critical thinking skills. We wish them every success in their undergraduate studies.”

For more information please visit the INTO University of Exeter, the Department of English and Department of Film Studies websites.