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FoundationYear

The Foundation Year Program is the flagship offering of the Department of Fundamental Skills and Knowledge. It is specially designed to prepare students for enrollment in the undergraduate medical program offered at SRU.

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IntroductionProgram PurposeLearning ObjectivesStudy PlanEnglish Language ExemptionThe Department

Introduction

The Foundation Year Program is the flagship offering of the Department of Fundamental Skills and Knowledge. It is specially designed to prepare students for enrollment in the undergraduate medical program offered at SRU. Nursing, MLS (Medical Laboratory Sciences) and other programs take some shared and special components of the program in the first two levels of their study plan (visit college site for more details).

Program Purpose

The Foundation Year develops the required standards in:

  1. 01English language proficiency
  2. 02Basic sciences knowledge
  3. 03Communication skills
  4. 04Study and IT skills
  5. 05Professional behavior
The program also integrates an introduction to Problem-Based Learning (PBL), which is the educational methodology adopted by the College of Medicine.

Professional Behavior

At SRU, we strive not only to build knowledgeable students but also to instill in them professional behavior values that will continue to guide them throughout their careers. The Foundation Year employs a vigorous professional behavior policy that develops crucial characteristics including:

  • Responsibility
  • Time management
  • Ethics
  • Teamwork
  • Academic honesty

Program Learning Objectives

By the end of the Foundation Year, students will be able to:

  1. 01Demonstrate the ability to follow scientific, medical, and technical course content in the English language.
  2. 02Develop English Grammar, Reading, Listening & Speaking, and Writing skills at the upper-intermediate level.
  3. 03Explain basic Biochemistry, Biology, Medical Physics, and Biostatistics knowledge in English at the basic level.
  4. 04Develop study and research skills needed for effective learning at the introductory level.
  5. 05Demonstrate communication skills for effective communication in health care professions.
  6. 06Demonstrate skills in information communication technology needed for effective technological communication.
  7. 07Recognize problem-based and student-centered learning systems at the basic level.

Educational Methods

The Foundation Year employs a variety of educational methods to achieve its learning outcomes:

Developing detailed and aligned course specifications for all courses.

Detailed Course Specifications

All courses have aligned and detailed specifications.

Clear Assessment Plans

Rubrics and assessment plans are used for all continuous and final assessments.

Balanced Teaching and Learning Environment

Lectures, group work, continuous assessment, feedback sessions, and final assessments are used.

E-Learning and Multimedia

Online resources and multimedia tools enhance learning.

Office Hours

Fixed office hours are established for all courses to provide one-on-one tutorial sessions.

Modern Curriculum

The latest and most relevant books and materials are used to ensure a state-of-the-art curriculum.

Qualified Faculty

Highly qualified and motivated instructors who adopt a student-centered approach are recruited.

Medical Track Foundation Year Study Plan

Semester One
Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
ENGL101English Reading (1)2
ENGL102English Listening & Speaking (1)2
ENGL103English Writing (1)2
ENGL104English Grammar (1)2
STS101Study Skills2
ME101Medical Terminology2
CHEM201Biochemistry3
COM102Information Communication Technologies1
Total16
Semester Two
Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
ENGL111English Reading (2)2
ENGL112English Listening & Speaking (2)2
ENGL113English Writing (2)2
ENGL114English Grammar (2)2
BIOL101Human Biology3
STAT101Biostatistics2
COS101Communication Skills2
PHYS106Medical physics2
Total17

Business Track Foundation Year Study Plan

Study Plan
Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
ENGL105Business English Writing4
ENGL106Business English Listening & Speaking4
ENGL107Business English Reading4
ENGL108English Grammar & Business Vocabulary4
ENGL109Business Debate, Negotiation & Interpersonal Skills4
QUA101Business Statistics2
Total22

English Language Exemption Policy

First: Requirements for students to be exempted from the English language courses of the first and second semesters of the foundation year:

  • The student must obtain an overall score of at least 6.5 in IELTS, or its equivalent, to be eligible for exemption from all English language courses of the first and second semesters.
  • The student must submit the official IELTS result certificate (or its equivalent) to the Office of Registration and Academic Advising no later than the time specified in the academic calendar of the same year.
  • The student will then be awarded a grade of (A +) for all English language courses of the first and second semesters, and attendance is not required.
  • All exemptions must be approved by the Skills and Essential Knowledge Department.

Second: For students who are to be exempted from the English language courses of the second semester only of the foundation year, the following requirements must be met:

  • The student must obtain an overall score of at least 6.0 in the IELTS test, or its equivalent, to be eligible for exemption from all English language courses of the second semester.
  • The student must submit the official IELTS result certificate (or its equivalent) to the Office of Registration and Academic Advising no later than the time specified in the academic calendar of the same year.
  • The student must pass all English language courses of the first semester.
  • The student will then be awarded a grade of (A +) for all English language courses of the second semester, and attendance is not required.
  • All exemptions must be approved by the Skills and Essential Knowledge Department.

Third: Financial and Scholarship Statuses for exempted students are as follows:

  • English language courses are counted as credit-bearing courses included within the financial package of the semester, and the student is not refunded the fees of the exempted courses.
  • The student is treated, with respect to the counting of courses within the scholarship, in accordance with the scholarship policy approved at SRU.
English Test Equivalency Table
TOEFLIELTSSTEP
IBT (new scale)
69N/A
57N/A
4.56.5N/A
4697
3.55.5-
2.5583
24.5-

Department of Fundamental Skills and Knowledge

About the Department

The Department of Fundamental Skills and Knowledge is the academic cornerstone of every undergraduate student's journey at SRU. We are responsible for delivering the essential courses that form the foundation for all subsequent specialized studies.

Our department provides a cohesive, high-quality, and student-centered curriculum that equips every student with the linguistic confidence, ethical grounding, critical awareness, and professional skills required for success in their chosen fields. Through our commitment to academic excellence and holistic student development, we actively contribute to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by building a skilled, knowledgeable, and empowered workforce capable of driving the nation's economic and social transformation.

We are equally committed to meeting international standards in teaching, learning, and assessment. Our curricula are designed in alignment with global best practices and accreditation frameworks, ensuring that our students are competitive on both a national and international level. The department continuously benchmarks its programs against reputable international institutions and adheres to quality assurance standards set by national and international accrediting bodies.

The department operates through three specialized academic units, each dedicated to a distinct area of foundational education, supported by a dedicated administrative and quality assurance team.

Vision and Mission

Vision

To be the leading foundational academic department in Saudi Arabia, producing students who are linguistically confident, ethically grounded, critically aware, and professionally skilled.

Mission

To deliver a cohesive, high-quality, and student-centered foundational curriculum that equips every SRU student with the essential knowledge, skills, and values required for success in their specialized studies and future careers.

Academic Units

1. English Language Unit

Responsible for all English language instruction, including credit-bearing English courses, foundational English programs, and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) offerings.

Key Responsibilities

  • Delivering rigorous English language courses across all four language skills
  • Developing and updating English curricula
  • Managing English language assessment and exam invigilation
  • Providing faculty development in TESOL methodologies

2. Foundational Knowledge Unit

Responsible for courses in mathematics and the sciences that build quantitative and scientific literacy.

Key Responsibilities

  • Teaching mathematics, statistics, biology, physics, and chemistry courses
  • Coordinating with specialized colleges to align course content
  • Managing laboratory instruction
  • Offering remedial support for students needing additional assistance

3. General Courses Unit

Responsible for university-required courses that reinforce our institutional, national, and Islamic identity.

Key Responsibilities

  • Unifying syllabi, learning outcomes, and assessment methods
  • Coordinating qualified faculty across all sections
  • Implementing quality assurance systems
  • Providing clear guidance to students on course requirements

Academic Programs

  • Foundation Year Program
  • Business Foundation Program