Foundation in Education
Foundation course
This course is subject to validation
Start dates: September 2026 / September 2027
Full time: 1 year
Part time: 2 years
Location: Headington
Overview
Whether you are returning to study, already working in education as a teaching or nursery assistant, or looking to strengthen your qualifications, this course supports your next step. You will develop academic writing, research and study skills for university success, alongside professional and personal skills valued across education settings.
A compulsory placement gives you first hand experience in a real educational environment, allowing you to apply theory to practice, gain insight into classroom life and build confidence in your abilities.
With a strong focus on support, employability and progression, the Foundation in Education is a welcoming step into university learning, preparing you to progress to undergraduate education courses and move forward towards a rewarding career in education or related sectors.
Why Oxford Brookes University?
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Dynamic and experiential
Through our placement, you can apply your learning in real educational settings.
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Skills and employability
A focus on personal and professional growth as well as key academic and employability skills.
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Expert support
Join a close-knit and supportive community of teachers and educators.
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Next career step
The next step in an education career - building confidence and skills, and offering a pathway to education undergraduate degrees.
Course details
Course structure
Lectures, workshops, presentations, independent and group project work help you develop the written, oral and interpersonal skills you need to succeed at university.
In your second semester you’ll apply your learning from semester one in the classroom through your compulsory placement and deepen your interests ahead of the research project.
You’ll then be ready to complete your own research project. With 1-to-1 guidance, you’ll follow your interests and dig deep into your own topic, fully preparing you to progress and study at degree-level.
The programme consists of on-campus and on-placement learning, helping you to observe, deconstruct, practise, refine and apply your learning to your classroom teaching.
Careers
Further Study
Listed below are the range of programmes you may be able to progress onto. We review which programmes are running on a yearly basis.
BA Early Childhood Studies*
BA Education Studies
BA Primary Teacher Education*+
*All applicants will be screened for fitness to practise and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be made.
+Students wishing to progress to BA Primary Teacher Education will be required to undertake an interview and meet additional entry requirements.
You’ll be able to progress directly to the courses above, if running, as well as Joint Honours courses in Education Studies at Oxford Brookes without further application. You’ll be advised and assisted in this process by your Academic Advisor and/or your Student Support Coordinator.
Related courses
Entry requirements
Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.
Standard offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 48
A Level: DD
IB Points: 24
BTEC: PPP or MP
Contextual offer
UCAS Tariff Points:
A Level:
IB Points:
BTEC:
Specific entry requirements
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
Screening
All applicants will be screened for fitness to practise and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be made.
English language requirements
Please see the University's standard English language requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about 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.
How to apply
Application process
Full time international applicants can also apply through UCAS
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Please note, tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.
For further information please see our tuition fees FAQs.
Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
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
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.
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.