International Foundation Business and Technology

BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons)

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Key facts

UCAS code

NJ19

Start dates

September 2023 / January 2024 / September 2024

Location

Headington

Course length

Full time: 1-year foundation course leading to 3-year undergraduate degree (or 4-year undergraduate degree if it involves a work placement or you take a study abroad year)

Overview

This foundation course is classed as an integral part of a 4-year degree and on successful completion you will graduate with a BA or BSc (Hons) degree in a subject area such as business and management, computing, or hospitality, leisure and tourism. Click 'Progression and degree options' below for a list of degrees you can study afterwards.

It is suitable for international, EU and British students who do not currently meet the entry requirements for their chosen degree at Oxford Brookes.

You will develop your study skills and critical thinking skills before beginning your degree course. The course will also increase your knowledge and confidence in using English for academic purposes. There is not an 'English language' component of the course. However, for international students who need to raise their English level, we will consider successful completion of the foundation as bringing your language level to what is required for your degree.

International Foundation Business and Technology, BA or BSc (Hons) student using a tablet computer on campus at Oxford Brookes University

Start this course in January

This course has entry points in September and January. Your course is 24 weeks so if you start in September, you will study your first semester between September and December and your second semester between January and April. If you start in January, you will study your first semester between January and April and your second semester between May and August.

How to apply

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

  • Qualifications from your country
  • British A-levels: 80 UCAS Tariff Points (equivalent to CDD)
  • Equivalent qualifications accepted
  • GCSE Maths Grade C or equivalent
  • Applicants without the appropriate Maths GCSE grade (or equivalent), who wish to progress to a course that requires Maths GCSE (or equivalent), will need to take the compulsory Maths and Statistics module within the foundation year.

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.

English language requirements

  • IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
  • Pearson Test of English 51 with 51 in all communicative skills

 

English requirements for visas

This course is classed as a B2 level for visa purposes. To apply for a student visa you will need to meet the minimum B2 English language requirements.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Credit transfer

Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.

Application process

September entry

Applications for September entry can be made directly to the university or through UCAS.

If you are applying through UCAS, you will need to use the following details:
Institution code: O66
Course code: NJ19
Institution code name: OXFD
Short form of course: BSc/IFB

For assistance with your application contact our admissions team on admissions@brookes.ac.uk

January entry

Apply online directly to Oxford Brookes. January entry is not available to British or EU students due to government funding regulations.

Student visas for international students

If you are an international student and need a Student visa to enter the UK, then you will get a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) for four years which will cover your foundation year and your three-year full-time degree course.

Be aware that BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management or BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management include a compulsory year-long work placement so last four years. If you wish to do one of these courses after your foundation, inform the admissions team at admissions@brookes.ac.uk as your CAS will need to be issued for five years to cover the whole period of study.

We cannot issue a CAS for five years if the degree course you wish to progress to does not have a compulsory work placement.

Students wishing to take a work placement on a degree where this is optional would need to renew their visa at home before beginning their degree. Please contact admissions@brookes.ac.uk for the best advice.

Further information about visas and work placements

Apply now

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

International full time
£14,500

Home (UK) full time
£9,250

International full time
£15,250

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

Tuition fees

2023 / 24
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

International full time
£14,500

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

International full time
£15,250

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

After the foundation year you will pay fees for the relevant undergraduate course.

If you are an EU (including British) student you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government for the whole duration of your degree including the foundation year.

Due to UK Government funding regulations, we unfortunately cannot accept UK/EU students on to this course in January. You are welcome to apply for our International Foundation Diploma, but no government funding is available for these courses. Please contact us on admissions@brookes.ac.uk if you have any questions about this.

*The fees that EU/EEA students starting courses at UK universities after the UK has formally left the EU are required to pay will depend on what is agreed as part of the UK's exit negotiations. Please see Brexit information for applicants for the most up-to-date information.

Financial support and scholarships

For general sources of financial support, see our Fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Learning and assessment

This course is designed for students from a range of educational backgrounds who need an additional year of study prior to their undergraduate degree. You should take this course if any of the following apply to you:

  • You have less than 13 years of schooling
  • You need to improve your academic skills and English to join an undergraduate course
  • You haven't met the entry requirements for direct entry on to the first year of a degree

The course is classed as an integral part of a 4-year degree, and takes place before the first year of your chosen degree. After your total four years of study (five if you take a work placement or additional year studying abroad) you will graduate with a BA or BSc (Hons) degree in the same way as your classmates on your specific degree.

This foundation course can be tied with a range of our excellent degrees in subject areas such as business and management, accounting and finance, economics, marketing, hospitality management, computing, or real estate and construction.

International Foundation Business and Technology, BA or BSc (Hons)students discussing a project on campus at Oxford Brookes University

Start this course in January

This course has entry points in September and January. Your course is 24 weeks so if you start in September, you will study your first semester between September and December and your second semester between January and April. If you start in January, you will study your first semester between January and April and your second semester between May and August.

Study modules

You must take and pass eight modules to complete the foundation year, including one Undergraduate (Level 4) module.

You will study

Compulsory modules

  • Academic Study Skills 1

    This module is for students with IELTS 5.0 - 5.5.

  • Academic Study Skills 2

    This module is for students with IELTS 5.0-5.5 

  • University Study Skills

    This module is for students with IELTS 6.0+

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    This module is for students with IELTS 6.0 +

  • Culture and Communication

    Increase your awareness and understanding of how people from diverse backgrounds, including yours, interact with, and interpret, the world around them; prepare yourself for studying in a multicultural university and, in future, living and working as an active citizen in a globalised world.

  • Extended Research Essay

    Understand the processes of planning, researching and writing a substantial assignment to the standards required for higher education; you will finally submit a 2,000-word paper.

  • Business Fundamentals OR Economics for Business

    • Business Fundamentals - Examine the nature, forms and functions of business organisations and their relationship with the external environments in which they operate.
    • Economics for Business - Introduction to basic economics, with reference to theory and contemporary issues.

Optional modules

Foundations of Computer Programming

For those progressing to a degree in Computing

Maths and Statistics for University Study

For those without the appropriate Maths GCSE or equivalent

Foundation level (Level 3) and Undergraduate level (Level 4) modules

Your choice of three optional modules will depend on your interests and future study plans. Your Academic Adviser 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

  • Maths and Statistics for University Study 
  • Development Studies
  • Business Fundamentals
  • Economics for Business
  • Ideas and Ideologies
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Global Issues
  • English Law

Undergraduate level

  • Foundations of Business (For those without A Level Business)
  • Global Business Communications
  • Britain: Past and Present.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Learning and teaching

In your foundation year you will be taught by highly qualified academic staff. They are specialists in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and various subject disciplines 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, reflective learning journals and project work.

Teaching hours

You will have around 15 class hours 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).

Assessment

Assessment methods used on this course

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, reflective learning journals and project work.

Progression

Guaranteed progression: You will progress automatically to your degree once you pass your foundation year with 40%. You can choose the degree you want to study when you apply or during your course. We can help you decide.

This foundation can prepare you for a range of outstanding degrees at Oxford Brookes University in subject areas such as:

If you do not see the degree you want to study in this list, please see our other international foundation courses.

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 from staff here at Oxford Brookes.

If you would like to check your eligibility to study an undergraduate course, please contact the admissions team on admissions@brookes.ac.uk or call + 44 (0) 1865 535000 for further information.

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.