The modules
What are modules?
All our undergraduate courses, as well as some postgraduate taught courses, are made up of modules: self-contained classes that are taught and assessed independently of each other.
The academic year is divided into two semesters, and full-time students take four modules a semester. Each module is assessed by coursework and/or end-of-semester examinations, so you can continually monitor your progress and adjust your study programme. This is much less stressful than having your award depend on final examinations at the very end of your course.
Choosing modules
Undergraduate study
All undergraduate students study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. In many courses you can choose modules from other subjects as well as your own. This gives you the chance to:
- sample new disciplines or pursue personal interests, such as sport, coaching or philosophy
- improve your basic skills, e.g. by taking a minor field in languages
- pick up vocational skills, by taking modules such as business or accounting.
In your first year you will normally study the compulsory modules in your subject and select from a small range of options. In your second and third year the choice becomes much wider.
For a full list of modules for each course see the individual course entries.
You can also improve your career prospects by taking a Business and Enterprise Skills Certificate - offered by the Business School to encourage entrepreneurial talent.
Associate study
If you enrol as an associate student at Oxford Brookes you can take individual modules on a part-time basis to qualify for admission in a subsequent year. This route has the advantage of enabling you to taste the modular programme whilst allowing you and the staff to determine compatibility for your chosen subjects. Progression to a degree course is not automatic.
Managing your course modules
As a student you will be given access to special webpages (Personal Information Portal, or PIP) that enable you to plan and update your course online.
Personal Information Portal (PIP)
We make the most of the web to help you keep track of your progress, and plan your own development through university. You will be given your own Personal Information Portal (PIP) where you can view and amend your personal details, register for your graduation ceremony, and view information such as your module results, timetable and examination schedule.
You will also have online access to:
- the Undergraduate Modular Programme Handbook, which allows you to look up module descriptions, degree programmes, and regulations to help you plan your programme
- Online Programme Registration (OLPR), which enables you to add and delete modules to and from your programme.
Additional online facilities, such as requesting changes to your personal tutor, mode of study and field(s) of study, are also available.
