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International Foundation Business and Technology, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), International Foundation Programme, Oxford Brookes University Pathways

the United Kingdom

Oxford Brookes University Pathways

Study options for this course

The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), International Foundation ProgrammeFull-time1 yearJanuaryGBP 9250GBP 12210
BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), International Foundation ProgrammeFull-time1 yearSeptemberGBP 9250GBP 12700

About International Foundation Business and Technology, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), International Foundation Programme - at Oxford Brookes University Pathways

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 a subject area such as business and management, computing, or hospitality, leisure and tourism. 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 can be tied with a range of our excellent degrees in subject areas such as business and management, accounting and finance, computing, or hospitality, leisure and tourism (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

  • Foundations of Computer Systems
  • Foundations of Computer Programming
  • Perspectives on Business Studies
  • Foundation Economics
  • Perspectives on Macroeconomics
  • Foundation Tourism and Hospitality
  • International Relations
  • Foundation Engineering Mathematics I
  • Foundation Engineering Mathematics II

Undergraduate level

  • Basic Survey Methods
  • Basic Data Analysis
  • Digital Cinematography
  • Multimedia IT Skills
  • Raising Individual Financial Awareness
  • Foundations of Business
  • Global Business Communications
  • Planning a Successful Event

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 business, marketing, accounting and tourism

    • Foundation level: Perspectives on Business Studies (Semester 1); Foundation Economics (Semester 1 or S); Foundation Tourism and Hospitality (Semester 1 or S); International Relations (Semester 2 or S); Perspectives on Macroeconomics (Semester 2)
    • Undergraduate level: Foundations of Business* (Semester 1 or 2 or S); Global Business Communications (Semester 1 or 2); Basic Data Analysis (Semester 2); Basic Survey Methods (Semester 1 or 2); Raising Individual Financial Awareness (Semester 1 or 2); Planning a Successful Event (Semester 1)
      Also: Level 3 mathematics module if required for Business

    Recommended for computing

    • Foundation level: Foundations of Computer Systems (Semester 1); Foundations of Computer Programming (Semester 2)
    • Undergraduate level: Basic Data Analysis (Semester 2); Digital Cinematography (Semester 1)
      Also: Level 3 mathematics module if required

    *Not available to students with equivalent AS/A2 level qualificationsSemester 1 = Sept-Dec
    Semester 2 = Feb-May (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:

    Business and Management

    • BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance
    • BA (Hons) Business and Management
    • BA (Hons) Business and Marketing Management
    • BA (Hons) Business Management
    • BA (Hons) Business, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
    • BSc (Hons) Economics
    • BSc (Hons) Economics, Finance and International Business
    • BA (Hons) Economics, Politics and International Relations
    • BA (Hons) Events Management
    • BA (Hons) Human Resource Management
    • BA (Hons) International Business Management
    • BSc (Hons) International Business, Finance, and Economics
    • BSc (Hons) Information Technology Management for Business
    • BA (Hons) Marketing Management

    Computing, Multimedia and Sound Technology

    • BSc (Hons) Computer Science
    • BSc (Hons) Computing for Robotic Systems
    • BSc (Hons) Digital Media Production
    • BSc (Hons) Network Computing
    • BSc (Hons) Software Development for Business

    Hospitality Management

    • BA (Hons) Events Management
    • BSc (Hons) International Hospitality Management

    Real Estate and Construction

    • BA (Hons) City and Regional Planning
    • BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management
    • BA (Hons) Planning and Property Development
    • BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management
    • BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management

    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.

    Notes about fees for this course

    The tuition fees for international students for the foundation year are £12,210 (for Sep 2017/Jan 2018). 

    For EU (including British) applicants the tuition fees are £9,250.*

    After the foundation year you will pay fees for the relevant undergraduate course

    If you are an EU (including British) student you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government for the whole duration of your degree including the foundation year.

    Due to UK Government funding regulations, we unfortunately cannot accept UK/EU students on to this course in January. You are welcome to apply for our International Foundation Diploma, but no government funding is available for these courses. Please contact us on [email protected] if you have any questions about this.

    **Whilst these inflationary fee increases in tuition fees from have been announced by the UK government, they are still subject to formal parliamentary approval and the University meeting expectations in the new Teaching Excellence Framework. Further information is available in the Minister of State for Universities and Science's written statement from 21 July 2016. They are also subject to OFFA's approval of the University's access statement. If you join us as an EU student in 2017/18 you will not move to International level fees, provided this continues to be permitted by UK law. Further information is available on our dedicated Brexit FAQs webpage.

    Entry requirements

    Entry requirements

    Academic

    • Qualifications from your country
    • British A-levels: 88 UCAS Tariff Points from 3 A Levels (equivalent to CCD)
    • International Baccalaureate: 24 points 
    • Equivalent qualifications accepted
    • GCSE Maths Grade C (or B for progression to economics/finance related degrees) or equivalent

    English language

    • IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills 
    • Pearson Test of English 42 overall with 42 in all skills

    Module options are available if you have a higher level or are a native speaker of English.

    English language requirements for visas

    This course is classed as a B2 level for visa purposes. To apply for a student visa you will need to meet the minimum B2 English language requirements.

    Minimum age

    The normal minimum age for this course is 18. We will admit 17-year-olds on a case-by-case basis if they turn 18 during the academic year in which the course runs.

    Under 18s are only admitted to the University if they live in student accommodation. Find out more about the university's policy on the safeguarding of children.

    More information for students aged under 18.

    How to apply

    September entry

    You should apply through UCAS using the following details:
    Institution code: O66
    Course code: NJ19
    Institution code name: OXFD
    Short form of course: BSc/IFB

    For assistance with your application call us on +44 (0)1865 483874 or email us on [email protected]

    Your admissions officer for University English, Parrizad Pound (right), will assist you from the moment you apply to when you eventually enrol at Oxford Brookes.

    January entry

    Apply online directly to Oxford Brookes. January entry is not available to British or EU students due to government funding regulations.

    Tier 4 visas for international students

    If you are an international student and need a Tier 4 student visa to enter the UK, then you will get a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) for four years which will cover your foundation year and your three-year full-time degree course.

    Be aware that BSc (Hons) International Hospitality Management or BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management include a compulsory year-long work placement so last four years. If you wish to do one of these courses after your foundation, inform the admissions team at [email protected] as your CAS will need to be issued for five years to cover the whole period of study.

    We cannot issue a CAS for five years if the degree course you wish to progress to does not have a compulsory work placement.

    Students wishing to take a work placement on a degree where this is optional would need to renew their visa at home before beginning their degree. Please contact [email protected] for the best advice.

    Further information about visas and work placements

    Conditions of acceptance

    When you accept our offer, you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

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    Other courses at Oxford Brookes University Pathways

    There are 9 other courses listed from Oxford Brookes University Pathways. A selection of these are displayed below:

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    International Foundation Business and Technology BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), International Foundation Programme

    Oxford Brookes University Pathways

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    International Foundation Diploma International Foundation Programme

    Oxford Brookes University Pathways

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    International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) International Foundation Programme

    Oxford Brookes University Pathways

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    Pre-Master's Certificate - Study Skills Pre-Masters

    Oxford Brookes University Pathways

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    Pre-Master's Diploma - English Language and Study Skills Pre-Masters

    Oxford Brookes University Pathways

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    Two Year Master's Programme MA, MSc, Pre-Masters

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    View all 9 courses at Oxford Brookes University Pathways

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