International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway)
Foundation diploma
Accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English
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.
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.
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
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
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
Your three compulsory modules will further develop your English and academic study skills in preparation for your future courses.
- Preparation for University Studies (double module)
- Foundation Project.
You will take 5 optional modules based on you future education and career interests. Ths courses are reviewed regularly so the module list you choose from may vary from that shown here.
Foundation
- Foundations of Computer Systems
- Foundations of Computer Programming
- Perspectives on Business Studies
- Foundation Economics
- Foundation Tourism and Hospitality
- Foundation Media Studies
- Orientation to Study Skills
- Introduction to Academic Writing
- Literature and Arts in Context
- Intercultural Communication
- International Relations
- Modern British Cinema and Society
- Foundation Law
- Perspectives on the Social Sciences
- Foundation Politics
- Thinking Critically
Basic undergraduate modules
- Basic Survey Methods
- Basic Data Analysis
- Basic Mathematical Methods I
- Basic Mathematical Methods II
- Introduction to Human Rights
- Politics in Comparative Perspective
- Foundations of Social Psychology
- Foundations of Business
- Managing in a Diverse Global Environment
- Planning a Successful Event
- Publishing Principles and Practice: Author to Reader
- The Rise of the Modern World
- Contemporary British Studies
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 these subject areas.
Recommended for business, marketing, accounting and tourism
- Foundation level: Perspectives on Business Studies (Semester 1 or 2 or S); Foundation Economics (Semester 1 or 2); Intercultural Communication (Semester 1 or 2 or S); Foundation Tourism (Semester 1 or S); International Relations (Semester 1 or 2 or S); Thinking Critically (Semester 1 or 2 or S).
- Undergraduate level: Foundations of Business (Semester 1 or 2); Managing in a Diverse Global Environment (Semester 1 or 2); Basic Data Analysis (Semester 1 or 2); Basic Survey Methods (Semester 1 or 2); Raising Individual Financial Awareness (Semester 1 or 2); Planning a Successful Event (Semester 2)
Also: Basic Mathematical Methods I (Semester 1 or 2) or Basic Mathematical Methods II (Semester 2) if required for Business
Recommended for law, politics and psychology
- Foundation level: Intercultural Communication (Semester 1 or 2 or S); Foundation Law (Semester 2); Foundation Politics (Semester 2); International Relations (Semester 1 or 2 or S); Literature and Arts in Context (Semester 2); Thinking Critically (Semester 1 or 2 or S).
- Undergraduate level: Foundations of Social Psychology (Semester 1); Introduction to Human Rights (Semester 2); Politics in Comparative Perspective (Semester 2); The Rise of the Modern World (Semester 2) ; Introduction to Philosophy (Semester 1)
Also: Basic Mathematical Methods I (Semester 1 or 2) or Basic Mathematical Methods II (Semester 2) if required for Psychology
Recommended for the social sciences and humanities, media and communication
- Foundation level: Perspectives on the Social Sciences (Semester 1); Foundation Media Studies (Semester 1); Intercultural Communication (Semester 1 or 2 or S); Literature and Arts in Context (Semester 2); Modern British Cinema and Society (Semester 2); Thinking Critically (Semester 1 or 2 or S)
- Undergraduate level: Foundations of Social Psychology (Semester 1); Introduction to Philosophy (Semester 1); Politics in Comparative Perspective (Semester 2); Publishing Principles and Practice: Author to Reader (Semester 2).
Recommended for computing
- Foundation level: Foundations of Computer Systems (Semester 1); Foundations of Computer Programming (Semester 2)
- Undergraduate level: Basic Mathematical Methods I (Semester 1 or 2) or Basic Mathematical Methods II (Semester 2) (only if required for undergraduate programme)
Course dates
May 2012 start
Semester 1: 31 May – 24 August 2012
Semester 2: 17 September – 21 December 2012
Semester 2: 21 January – 17 May 2013
September 2012 start
Semester 1: 17 September – 21 December 2012
Semester 2: 21 January – 17 May 2013
Semester 3: 31 May – 24 August 2013
Key facts
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
Taught by
Course length
Full-time: 1 year (September to August, or June to May)
Teaching location
Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane
Start date
September
or
May
2012
June
or
September
2013
Contact
Oxford Brookes International
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483874
Progression and degree options
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
You can progress to undergraduate courses in business and management, computing, English language and communication, film studies, hospitality and tourism, international relations, law, politics, social sciences, or education.
Four-year offer: we can offer international students with the appropriate qualifications a place on the International Foundation Diploma followed by three years of undergraduate study to degree level. Your place on an undergraduate course is guaranteed provided you pass the foundation diploma with the required grades.
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.
Tuition fees
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
The tuition fees for 2011/12 are £11,790.
This fee is the same for international, EU and UK students.
Apply / Entry reqs
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
Entry requirements
Academic
- High school leaving certificate, A-levels, Baccalaureate or equivalent
English language
- IELTS 4.5 (with 4.5 in all skills)
- TOEFL ibt 50 overall with 8 in reading, 14 in writing, 11 in listening and 17 in speaking
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.
How to apply
You should apply directly to Oxford Brookes International using the application form available from our website. Alternatively please call us on +44 (0) 1865 483874 or email us on pathways@brookes.ac.uk.
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.
