The Foundation Programme Department

Vision

To be the most highly trusted and valued institution of foundation education and training in the Sultanate of Oman

Mission

To empower our students with linguistic and academic skills of an international standard that will enable them to succeed.

The Foundation Programme Department

The Foundation Programme Department aims at preparing students for the engineering programmes offered at MTC through delivering the General Foundation Programme (GFP). The programme enhances students’ skills in four areas: English, mathematics, computing, and physics. It develops students’ study skills to help them cope easily with academic life.

 

Key Goals

  • To provide an innovative educational environment.
  • To promote life-long learning for GFP students and staff.
  • To foster collaboration among students and staff.
  • To create a positive and supportive learning environment.
  • To develop students’ English language proficiency to the equivalent of IELTS 5.0 in all skills.
  • To develop students’ study and presentation skills.
  • To introduce students to a wide variety of skills and knowledge complying with OAAAQA GFP standards covering Computing, Mathematics and English language skills.

Entry Requirements

  • All prospective students, excluding those who already have a valid IELTS certificate with an overall band score of 5.0 as minimum, are required to take an ‘Entry Test’ to ensure they meet a minimum standard of English proficiency.
  • Applicants meeting minimum standard will sit for an in-house placement test.
  • Once placed at the right level/module, students are expected to complete the programme in one year.
  • In addition to getting an IELTS overall band score of 5.0 as minimum, students are expected to pass English4, the Research Report Artefact, their Computing, Physics, and Basic and Pure Mathematics modules successfully in order to complete the Foundation Programme (GFP) and progress to Engineering Foundation Year (EFY).
  • Any new intake student enrolling for the GFP who submits a valid IELTS certificate with an overall band score of 5.0 as minimum, will be permitted to sit for the MTC CMP Exit Examinations for all modules provided that the certificate is presented upon admission to the college.
  • The pass mark for all CMP Exit Examinations is 60%. Students must pass all four CMP Exit Examinations to progress directly to EFY. Unsuccessful students are required to complete all four modules as part of the GFP.

Programme Structure

The General Foundation Programme academic calendar is divided into 3 terms. Each term has 11-12 teaching weeks. The modules and the number of study hours per term are listed in the table below:

Modules Number of Hours per week approx.
English 15-20
Computing 5
Basic Mathematics 5
Pure Mathematics 4
Physics 6

Pathways and Progression

English language modules progression

  1. An overall pass mark of 60% is required to progress to the next module of English.
  2. A student is allowed to repeat a module only once.
  3. Students are expected to successfully complete the Foundation Programme within one year. If a student fails the same English module twice, the student will be recommended to be excluded from the College.
  4. Only students who successfully complete English 4 are allowed to submit an external IELTS certificate with an overall band score of 5.0 as minimum, by the deadline that the college sets.

 

Computing/Physics/Basic and Pure Mathematics progression

  1. An overall pass mark of 50% is required to pass the module to pass the module.
  2. Students who fail a CMP module are eligible for Second Attempt Assessment (SAA) in Term 3.
  3. Students will study Basic Math and Computing in term 1 and Pure Math and Physics in term 2.
  4. A student must pass all four CMP modules in order to progress to EFY.

 

Conditions pertaining to Geomatics Progression to Engineering Foundation Year (EFY)

  1. All Geomatics students are placed at English 2 on enrolment.
  2. Attainment of 50% is required to pass English 4.
  3. Attainment of 50% is required to pass Computing, Basic Math, and Pure Math.

IELTS Requirement

The final summative examination to decide whether you can progress to Engineering Foundation Year is an IELTS examination that is taken on-site at MTC. Students must attain an overall band score of 5.0 as a minimum to qualify for the Engineering Foundation Year.

If students (Excluding Geomatics Students) do not achieve IELTS 5.0 by the end of term 3, they will have the opportunity to sit for a two-week booster course and arrange to sit for an external IELTS during the summer break.

Teaching and Learning Resources

The GFP uses a combination of published textbooks and in-house learning support materials. Students will have the opportunity to further their knowledge and learn through:

  • Active involvement in the classroom
  • Guided self-study
  • Reading extensively outside the classroom
  • Practicing regularly on E-learning websites
  • Participation in the co-curricular activities

E-learning, including activities on Moodle and other online sources, is utilised to provide blended learning both during class hours and during free study time. The Learning Resources Centre (LRC) operates with flexible, accommodating opening hours, including access during weekday evenings and at weekends.

 

 

Academic Calendar

Once you are placed in a level, you cannot move to another.
If you fail a level, you have to repeat the level you failed and only once.
Your first point of contact is the Personal Tutor, but you can also refer to other staff depending on the nature of the problem.
Yes. You get an appointment with your teacher during the academic advising hours.
Refer back to Attendance Policy for details.
Refer back to Attendance Policy for details.
If you miss more than 20% of classes, you will not be allowed to take the final exam.
Yes, you must bring your ID card to all exam.
The cost will be deducted from your allowance and you will have to buy a new one
  • English is 60%
  • C/M/P is 50%
    Overall band 5.0