International Foundation Diploma
Foundation diploma
Accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English
Overview
The International Foundation Diploma fully prepares international students 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, politics, social sciences and education. (If you are a native or near-native speaker of English you should take the Foundation Diploma in Liberal Arts.)
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.
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
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 English and academic study skills in preparation for your future courses. These will differ depending on your language level.
If you enter with IELTS 5.0 to 5.5 or equivalent you will take:
- Preparation for University Studies (double module)
- Foundation Project.
If you enter with IELTS 6.0 or equivalent you will take:
- Key Academic Skills
- Orientation to Academic Studies
- Foundation Project.
Optional modules
As courses are reviewed regularly 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 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
September 2012 start
Semester 1: 17 September – 21 December 2012
Semester 2: 21 January – 17 May 2013
January 2013 start
Semester 1: 21 January – 17 May 2013
Semester 2: 31 May – 24 August 2013
Key facts
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
Taught by
Course length
Full-time: 2 semesters (or 1 semester with prior accreditation)
Teaching location
Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane site
Start date
September
2012
January
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.
Students who start the diploma with an entry level of IELTS 5.0 / TOEFL 61 ibt, typically leave with IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79-80 ibt.
Tuition fees
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
The tuition fees are £8,640 (2011/12). 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 5.0 with 5.0 in all skills
- TOEFL ibt 58 overall with 12 in reading, 15 in writing, 13 in listening and 18 in speaking
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) 36 overall with 36 in all skills
If your English level is IELTS 4.5 (with 4.5 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.
How to apply
An Oxford Brookes International application form is 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.
