StudyLink logoHome
Students on a university campus

International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway), 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
International Foundation ProgrammeFull-time12 monthsSeptemberGBP 13010GBP 16535

About International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway), International Foundation Programme - at Oxford Brookes University Pathways

This course develops your study skills, subject knowledge and use of academic English to prepare you for a wide range of undergraduate degrees. It includes a first semester of pre-sessional English. Click 'Progression and degree options' below for a list of degrees you can study afterwards.

Overview

You should take this course if you need to take a foundation course before starting undergraduate study and have an English level of IELTS 4.5 or equivalent.

In your first semester you will improve your academic English skills and you will then continue onto foundation modules for your second and third semesters. You will only need to make one application and you can apply for a visa for the whole three semester programme.

The programme will help you to meet the English language and academic entry requirements for undergraduate degrees in a range of subjects.

See our full range of international foundation courses if you have a higher IELTS level, including our integrated four-year degrees that combine your foundation and undergraduate degree.

Teaching learning and assessment

The programme fully prepares you for university study at a UK university. You will experience all the teaching and learning methods used in British universities, such as lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will develop your listening and note-taking skills and learn how to take part in seminars. You will also develop your own ideas through group discussions and class presentations.

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.

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.

Class sizes are small, with a maximum of 16 students for skills classes. You will be allocated an academic adviser to help you with academic issues and guide you through your progression to the undergraduate course.

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, 18 class hours in semester 2 and 15 class hours in semester 3 per week. Classes are held Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays), usually between 9am and 5pm. 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

We are accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English as a foreign language. The report from our last inspection stated:

The British Council inspected and accredited Oxford Brookes International in October 2009. The Accreditation Scheme assesses the standards of management, resources and premises, teaching and welfare and accredits organisations which meet the overall standard in each area inspected (see www.britishcouncil.org/accreditation for details).

The large English language teaching department of this university offers courses in academic English for adults.

Points of excellence were noted in aspects of general management, academic resources, course design and learner training.

The inspection report stated that the organisation met the standards of the Scheme.

In detail

Course content

Semester 1

In the first semester you will improve your English language skills on the modules that are part of University English Level 1

Semester 2 and 3

During your final two semesters you will take International Foundation Diploma modules to further develop your knowledge of using English for academic purposes. You will develop your subject knowledge 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 with British and international students.

On successful completion of this programme you will receive a certificate for the International Foundation Diploma. Your transcript will show all the modules you have taken over the 3 semesters.

Modules

You will take four modules in each semester.

Semester 1

  • Academic Writing
  • Academic Reading
  • Academic Listening and Speaking
  • Grammar and Vocabulary Skills

Semester 2 and 3

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 
  • Foundation Project
  • Intercultural Communication

    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
    • Foundation Media Studies
    • Foundations of Modern Theory and Belief
    • Literature and Arts in Context
    • International Relations
    • Introduction to International Development
    • Modern British Cinema and Society
    • Foundation Law
    • Foundation Politics
    • Foundation Engineering Mathematics I
    • Foundation Engineering Mathematics II

    Undergraduate level

    • Basic Survey Methods
    • Basic Data Analysis
    • Digital Cinematography
    • Multimedia IT Skills
    • Politics in Comparative Perspective
    • Foundations of Social Psychology
    • Foundations of Developmental Psychology
    • Foundations of Cognitive Psychology
    • Raising Individual Financial Awareness
    • Foundations of Business
    • Global Business Communications
    • Planning a Successful Event
    • 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

      Recommended optional 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 S); Planning a Successful Event (Semester 1)
        Also: An appropriate Level 3 mathematics module if required for Business

      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: An appropriate Level 3 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 1); Publishing Principles and Practice (Semester 1); Publishing Principles and Practice: Author to Reader (Semester 2); Introduction to Popular Music (Semester 2)

      Recommended for computing

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

      *Not available to students with equivalent AS/A2 level qualifications

       Semester 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
      Semester 3: 30 May - 18 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 (September to August)

      Teaching location

      Headington Campus

      Start date

      September 2017 or September 2018

      Progression and degree options

      Guaranteed progression: Your place on a three year undergraduate course is guaranteed provided you pass your foundation year with the required grades.

      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

      Arts

      • BSc (Hons) Digital Media Production
      • BA (Hons) Drama (as part of joint degree)
      • BA (Hons) English Literature
      • BA (Hons) English Literature with Creative Writing
      • BA (Hons) History of Art
      • BA (Hons) Film Studies

      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
      • Education and Early Years
      • BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
      • BA (Hons) Education Studies

      Hospitality Management

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

      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

      Real Estate and Planning

      • 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

      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

      Course list correct at time of publication

      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 are £15,970 for international students

      For UK and EU applicants the tuition fees are £13,010*. You will not be eligible for a student loan or other funding from the UK government for this course.

      Teaching materials

      Your tuition fees include most of your teaching materials, and gives you access to the university's learning facilities including the libraries, computers and virtual learning environment. You will need to purchase specific text books for this course costing up to approximately £100.

      Deposits and refunds

      A non-refundable £1,000 deposit is required to secure your place on this course.

      In the unlikely event that you decide to leave within the first four weeks of the course we will refund the tuition fees minus the £1,000 deposit. No refunds are available after the fourth week of the course. For more information see our terms and conditions.

      *These fees are subject to confirmation, but will be no more than £13,010.

      Entry requirements

      Entry requirements

      Academic

      • Qualifications from your country
      • British A-levels: EE
      • British AS-levels: CCC
      • International Baccalaureate: 20 points
      • IGCSE: 5 grade Cs/4s

      English language

      • UKVI-approved SELT IELTS 4.5 (with 4.0 in all skills) (test must be taken at an approved test centre)

      If you have a higher language level, you can apply for one of our other international foundation courses.

      English language requirements for visas

      This course is classed as a B1 level for visa purposes. To apply for a student visa you will need to meet the minimum B1 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.

      How to apply

      Apply online directly to Oxford Brookes.

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

      Your admissions officer for this course, Lucy Norris, will assist you from the moment you apply to when you eventually enrol at Oxford Brookes.

      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.

      Courses you may be interested in at other institutions

      Below are some suggested courses at other providers that you may also be interested in:

      Software Engineering BSc

      CODE University of Applied Sciences

      Find out more

      Business Administration (five profiles) Master Degree

      University of Groningen

      Find out more

      Dance BA (Hons)

      The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA)

      Find out more

      Bachelor of Business Administration BBA

      University of Applied Sciences Europe - Amsterdam

      Find out more

      Filmmaking - 3 year Bachelor Degree

      ESRA International Film School

      Find out more

      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:

      International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), LLB, International Foundation Programme

      Oxford Brookes University Pathways

      Find out more

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

      Oxford Brookes University Pathways

      Find out more

      International Foundation Diploma International Foundation Programme

      Oxford Brookes University Pathways

      Find out more

      International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) International Foundation Programme

      Oxford Brookes University Pathways

      Find out more

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

      Oxford Brookes University Pathways

      Find out more

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

      Oxford Brookes University Pathways

      Find out more

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

      Oxford Brookes University Pathways

      Find out more
      View all 9 courses at Oxford Brookes University Pathways

      Related Information

      Find out more about studying in the United Kingdom