International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway), International Foundation Programme

Oxford Brookes University Pathways, Oxford Brookes University, the United Kingdom

Oxford Brookes University Pathways, Oxford Brookes University

Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
International Foundation Programme	Full-time	12 months	September	GBP 13010	GBP 16535

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

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 pathways@brookes.ac.uk

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.