the United Kingdom
Oxford Brookes University Pathways| The award | How you will study | Study duration | Course start | Domestic course fees | International course fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Foundation Programme | Full-time | 9 months | January | GBP 9250 | GBP 12210 |
| International Foundation Programme | Full-time | 9 months | September | GBP 9250 | GBP 12700 |
This course will prepare you for an undergraduate course at a UK university. You will improve your subject knowledge, study skills and use of English for academic purposes. Click 'Progression and degree options' for a list of degrees you can study afterwards.
Students who apply for the International Foundation Diploma (IFD) and who have a higher level of English will be placed on the International Foundation Diploma Plus. The IFD Plus has a slightly wider range of (mainly modern language) modules.
Overview
The International Foundation Diploma fully prepares students from a range of backgrounds for undergraduate courses at Oxford Brookes University. It provides a bridge between school study in your home country and undergraduate study at a UK university.
Choose this course if you have fewer than 13 years of schooling and want to enter an undergraduate course. This diploma leads to courses in subjects such as business and management, computing, English language and communication, film studies, hospitality and tourism, international relations, law, life sciences, politics, social sciences and education.
If you have a higher English language test result, or if you are a native English speaker, you will be placed on the International Foundation Diploma Plus. IFD Plus students will be able to choose modern languages modules in addition to modules available to all IFD students. The IFD Plus was formerly known as the Foundation Diploma in Liberal Arts.
See our full range of international foundation courses suitable for students with a range of IELTS levels. These include our integrated four-year degrees that combine your foundation and undergraduate degree.
Teaching learning and assessment
The International Foundation Diploma trains you to become an independent learner and fully prepares you for university study. 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 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
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
Over two semesters you choose a personal pathway of modules that build on your language and 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 with British and international students.
You will also increase your knowledge of English and confidence in using it for academic purposes, and develop your study skills and critical thinking skills before beginning your degree course.
Modules
You must take and pass eight modules to complete the diploma.
Compulsory modules
Three compulsory modules will develop your academic study skills and your critical-thinking skills in preparation for your future courses. These are:
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
Undergraduate level
Undergraduate language modules for students on the IFD Plus. Not available to native speakers of the taught language.
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 degrees
Recommended for law, politics and psychology degrees
Recommended for social sciences, humanities, media, communication and publishing degrees
Recommended for computing degrees
Compulsory modules for life sciences degrees (available only to IFD students starting in September)
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: 2 semesters (24 weeks' teaching)
Teaching location
Headington Campus
Start date
September 2017 or January / 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
Arts
Computing, Multimedia and Sound Technology
Hospitality Management
Humanities
Languages
Law
Publishing and Communication
Real Estate and Planning
Social Sciences
Sport, Exercise and Nutrition
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.
The tuition fees for international students are £12,210 (Sep 2017/Jan 2018)
For UK and EU students the tuition fees are £9,250 (fees are subject to confirmation but will be no more than than this amount). 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.
Entry requirements
Academic
English language
If your English level is IELTS 4.5 (with 4.0 in all skills) or equivalent you can apply for our International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway).
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.
More information for students aged under 18.
How to apply
Apply online directly to Oxford Brookes.
Your admissions officer for this course, Lucy Norris, will be pleased to advise you and will see your application through to the moment you enrol at Brookes.
Contact her on [email protected] or +44 (0)1865 483874 for more information
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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Find out more
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
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Find out more International Foundation Business and Technology BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), International Foundation Programme
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Find out more International Foundation Diploma International Foundation Programme
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Find out more International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) International Foundation Programme
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Find out more Pre-Master's Certificate - English Language and Study Skills Pre-Masters
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Find out more Pre-Master's Certificate - Study Skills Pre-Masters
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Find out more Pre-Master's Diploma - English Language and Study Skills Pre-Masters
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Find out more Find out more about studying in the United Kingdom
