This foundation course is classed as an integral part of a 4-year degree and on successful completion you will graduate with a BA or BSc (Hons) degree in one of a range of subjects including law, politics, geography, humanities, psychology, English, media and communication and more. Click 'Progression and degree options' below for a list of degrees you can study afterwards.
It is suitable for international, EU and British students who do not currently meet the entry requirements for their chosen bachelor's at Oxford Brookes.
Overview
This course is designed for students from a range of educational backgrounds who need an additional year of study prior to their undergraduate degree. You should take this course if any of the following apply to you:
- You have less than 13 years of schooling
- You need to improve your academic skills and English to join an undergraduate course
- You haven't met the entry requirements for direct entry on to the first year of a degree
The course is classed as an integral part of a 4-year degree, and takes place before the first year of your chosen degree. After your total four years of study (five if you take a work placement or additional year studying abroad) you will graduate with a BA or BSc (Hons) degree in the same way as your classmates on your specific degree.
This foundation course is linked with a range of our excellent degrees in subject areas such as arts and humanities, education, international relations, languages, law, media and communication, politics, philosophy, publishing, religion and theology, and social sciences (see Progression and degree options below).
See our full range of foundation courses for international students. We have foundation courses for students with IELTS 4.5 upwards.
Teaching learning and assessment
In your foundation year you will be taught by highly qualified academic staff. They are specialists in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) who have many years of teaching experience in the UK and overseas.
You will gain practice and training in the different kinds of assessment that are common in higher education, for instance essays, reports, individual and group presentations, learning journals, project work and examinations.
There will be a maximum of 18 students in a class in your compulsory modules. Your subject specialisation modules may be larger.
Teaching hours
You will have 18 class hours in semester 1 and 15 class hours in semester 2 per week. Classes are held Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays), usually between 9am and 4pm. Some subject modules may be between 5pm and 8pm.
You will need to spend at least 20 hours per week on independent study which includes homework, assignments, tutorials, reading and preparation for classes (in groups or individually).
Accreditation and quality
In detail
Course content
Over the course of two semesters you choose a personal pathway of modules that build on your current academic skills and reflect your own subject and career interests.
You will develop your knowledge of academic subjects through modules related to your future course of study. One or two of these modules will be at undergraduate level to give you the experience of studying at a higher level.
You will develop your study skills and critical thinking skills before beginning your degree course. The course will also increase your knowledge and confidence in using English for academic purposes. There is not an 'English language' component of the course. However, for international students who need to raise their English level, we will consider successful completion of the foundation as bringing your language level to what is required for your degree.
Modules
You must take and pass eight modules to complete the foundation year.
Compulsory modules
Three compulsory modules will develop your academic study skills and your critical-thinking skills in preparation for your future courses. These are:
- Orientation to University Studies - Develop your research, critical thinking and study skills and understand the culture and expectations of taking a university degree.
- Intercultural Communication - Increase your awareness and understanding of how people from diverse backgrounds, including yours, interact with, and interpret, the world around them; prepare yourself for studying in a multicultural university and, in future, living and working as an active citizen in a globalised world.
- Foundation Project - Understand the processes of planning, researching and writing a substantial assignment to the standards required for higher education; you will finally submit a 2,500-word paper.
Optional modules
Your choice of four optional modules will depend on your interests and future study plans. We will advise you on the best combination at the start of the course. As courses are reviewed regularly the module list you choose from may vary from that shown here.
Foundation level
- Foundation Media Studies
- Foundations of Modern Theory and Belief
- Literature and Arts in Context
- International Relations
- Modern British Cinema and Society
- Foundation Law
- Foundation Politics
- Foundation Engineering Mathematics I
- Foundation Engineering Mathematics II
Undergraduate level
- Politics in Comparative Perspective
- Foundations of Social Psychology
- Foundations of Developmental Psychology
- Foundations of Cognitive Psychology
- Publishing Principles
- Publishing Principles and Practice: Author to Reader
- The Rise of the Modern World
- Contemporary British Studies
- Introduction to Language and Society
- Introduction to Popular Music
- Introduction to Philosophy (for students with at least IELTS 6.0)
Undergraduate language modules for students with IELTS 6.5 or above - not available to native speakers of the language
- French A1
- French A2
- French B1 (1)
- French B1 (2)
- German A1
- German A2
- German B1 (1) dependent on student numbers
- German B1 (2) dependent on student numbers
- Japanese for Beginners
- Japanese 2A
- Japanese 2B
- Mandarin Chinese 1A
- Mandarin Chinese 1B
- Mandarin Chinese 2A dependent on student numbers
- Mandarin Chinese 2B dependent on student numbers
- Spanish A1
- Spanish A2
- Spanish B1 (1)
- Spanish B1 (2)
Recommended modules for particular pathways
You can choose modules according to your previous experience, interests and study plans. However, the following modules are recommended for progression to undergraduate degrees in particular subject areas.
Recommended for law, politics and psychology
- Foundation level: Foundation Law (Semester 1 or 2); Foundation Politics (Semester 2); International Relations (Semester 1 or 2 or S); Literature and Arts in Context (Semester 2)
- Undergraduate level: Foundations of Social Psychology (Semester 1); Foundations of Developmental Psychology; Foundations of Cognitive Psychology; Politics in Comparative Perspective (Semester 2); The Rise of the Modern World (Semester 2); Introduction to Philosophy (Semester 1)
Also: Appropriate mathematics module if required for Psychology
Recommended for the social sciences, humanities, media, communication and publishing
- Foundation level: Foundation Media Studies (Semester 1); Literature and Arts in Context (Semester 2); Modern British Cinema and Society (Semester 2)
- Undergraduate level: Foundations of Social Psychology (Semester 1); Politics in Comparative Perspective (Semester 2); Digital Cinematography (Semester 1); Multimedia IT Skills (Semester 2); Publishing Principles and Practice (Semester 1); Publishing Principles and Practice: Author to Reader (Semester 2); Introduction to Popular Music (Semester 2); Modern language at appropriate level
*Not available to students with equivalent AS/A2 level qualifications
Semester 1 = Sept-Dec
Semester 2 = Feb-MayS (Summer semester) = June-Aug
Student support
Our dedicated student support team are here throughout your time at Oxford Brookes International and can help with any problems or issue you may face. They can provide one to one support, pastoral advice and guidance to help you progress through your course. They also organise our welcome programme and social events for students.
Course dates
September 2017 start
Enrolment and induction: 18-22 September 2017
Semester 1: 25 September - 18 December 2017
Semester 2: 29 January - 19 May 2018
January 2018 start
Enrolment and induction: 25-26 January 2018
Semester 1: 29 January - 19 May 2018
Semester 2: 29 May - 17 August 2018
(See our university calendar for details of bank holidays.)
Key facts
This course is taught by Oxford Brookes International
Course length
Full-time: 1-year foundation course leading to 3-year undergraduate degree (or 4-year undergraduate degree if it involves a work placement or you take a study abroad year)
Teaching location
Headington Campus
Start date
September 2017 or January / September 2018
Progression and degree options
Guaranteed progression: You will progress automatically to your degree once you pass your foundation year with 40%. You can choose the degree you want to study when you apply or during your course. We can help you decide.
This foundation can prepare you for a range of outstanding degrees at Oxford Brookes University including:
Arts
- BSc (Hons) Digital Media Production
- BA (Hons) Drama*
- BA (Hons) English Literature
- BA (Hons) English Literature with Creative Writing
- BA (Hons) History of Art
- BA (Hons) Film Studies
Humanities
- BA (Hons) History
- BA (Hons) History of Art
- BA (Hons) English Literature
- BA (Hons) Philosophy
Languages
- BA (Hons) Applied Languages
- BA (Hons) Japanese Studies
Law
- LLB (Hons) Law
Publishing and Communication
- BA (Hons) Communication, Media and Culture
- BA (Hons) English Language and Communication
- BA (Hons) Publishing Media
Social Sciences
- BA (Hons) Anthropology
- BSc (Hons) Biological Anthropology
- BA (Hons) Communication, Media and Culture
- BA (Hons) Criminology
- BA (Hons) Economics, Politics and International Relations
- BA (Hons) Geography
- BA (Hons) International Relations
- BA (Hons) International Relations and Politics
- BA (Hons) Politics (as part of a joint degree)
- BSc (Hons) Psychology
- BA (Hons) Social Anthropology
- BA (Hons) Sociology (as part of a joint degree)
Sport, Exercise and Nutrition
- BSc (Hons) Coaching, Sport and Physical Education
If you do not see the degree you want to study in this list, please see our other international foundation courses.
We will give you advice on the best course for you and help you to apply for your chosen undergraduate course at Oxford Brookes or another British university. There are lectures and seminars on British higher education, and individual help with your application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) from our admissions staff, our administrative team and your tutors.
