International Foundation Diploma
Foundation Diploma
Key facts
Start dates
January 2023 / September 2023
Location
Course length
Full time: 2 semesters (24 weeks' teaching)
Department
Overview
This course is designed for students from a range of educational backgrounds who need an additional year of study prior to their undergraduate degree.
This foundation course is linked to a range of our excellent degrees in subject areas such as Business and Management, Biological, Environmental and Medical Sciences, Arts, Digital Media and Publishing, Computing, Educatin, Hospitality Management, Law, English and Modern Languages, History, Philosophy and Culture, Real Estate and Construction, Social Sciences and Sport, Exercise and Nutrition.
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. One module will be at undergraduate level to give you the experience of studying at a higher level with undergraduate 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.
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. Please note that the Science pathway is not available as a January start.
How to apply
Entry requirements
Academic entry requirements
- Qualifications from your country
- British A-levels: EE
- British AS-levels: CCC
- International Baccalaureate: 20 points
- IGCSE: 5 grade Cs/4s
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
UKVI-approved SELT IELTS 5.0 with 5.0 in all skills (test must be taken at an approved test centre).
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 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.
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.
Application process
Apply online directly to Oxford Brookes
For assistance with your application contact our admissions team on admissions@brookes.ac.uk
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
You will not be eligible for a student loan or other funding from the UK government for this course.
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.
Deposits and refunds
A £3,000 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 a £100 administration fee. No refunds are available after the fourth week of the course. For more information see our terms and conditions.
Financial support and scholarships
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
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 module 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.
Student support
Our student support team provides academic and pastoral student support services for all students across all Pathways programmes. The Pathways student support is facilitated by the Student Support Coordinators (SSCs) for the Oxford Brookes Business School. Find out more.
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. Please note that the Science pathway is not available as a January start.
Study modules
You must take and pass eight modules to complete the foundation year, including one Undergraduate (Level 4) module.
Four compulsory modules will develop your academic study skills and your critical-thinking skills in preparation for your future courses.
Your choice of three 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.
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
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.
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 both 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.
Progression
Progression: Once you pass your foundation year with the required grades, this foundation diploma can prepare you for a range of degrees at Oxford Brookes.
- Business and Management courses
- Biological, Environmental and Medical Sciences courses (IFD students Sept entry)
- Arts, Digital Media and Publishing courses
- Computing courses
- Education courses
- Hospitality Management
- Law
- English and Modern Languages courses
- History, Philosophy and Culture courses
- Real Estate and Construction courses
- Social Sciences courses
- Sport, Exercise and Nutrition
We will give you advice on the best course for you and help you to apply for your chosen undergraduate course. 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 483040 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.