This interdisciplinary foundation course will give you a broad introduction to a range of humanities subjects. You will benefit from a unique and individualised programme, be able to explore multiple subject areas according to your interests, and gain the skills you need to succeed in further study.
In Semester 1, you will take three modules that bring together expertise in English Literature and Drama, History and History of Art, and English Language and Communication. You will also take a module dedicated to improving the range of oral, written and interpersonal skills required for success in Higher Education.
In Semester 2, you will take a compulsory module that brings together History, Philosophy, Stylistics and English to help you consider the link between nationality and identity. You will be able to choose two additional optional modules from the fields of Philosophy, History, Education Studies or Law, to give you a head start for your future studies.
NB: Students wishing to progress to Law (LLB) will have to choose the Introduction to Law module.
Semester 2 also includes a small research project designed to prepare you for your target degree. You will receive one-to-one supervisory support for this project.
Throughout the foundation diploma you will be supported by a dedicated Academic Advisor and other student support staff. They will help you to explore your options for either continued study or employment, so you can be sure that your next step will be the right one for you.
Study modules
As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown here.
Semester 1
All semester 1 modules are compulsory.
- Being Human: Love, Sex and Death
- Cultural Moments
- Language, Vision and Representation
- The Reflective Learner
Semester 2
- Nation and Identity (compulsory)
- Research Project (compulsory)
Optional modules (you can choose up to two optional modules)
- Introduction to Law (LLB)
- French A1 (Modern Language)
- French A2 (1) (Modern Language)
- German A1 (Modern Language)
- German A2 (1) (Modern Language)
- Human Nature (Philosophy)
- Literature and Arts in Context (Literature and Cultural Studies)
- Death, Disease and Doctors: Medicine and Society (History)
- Modern British Art (History of Art)
- Modern British Cinema and Society (Film Studies and History)
- Practice and Pedagogy (Education Studies)
- Superpowers: an International History of the Cold War (History)
- Spanish A1 (Modern Language)
- Spanish A2 (1) (Modern Language)
NB: Students must have a current DBS check to take the Practice and Pedagogy module, and students must seek the advice and approval of the Subject Co-ordinator before electing any of the language modules.
Modules in detail »
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Please note that the free language courses are not available if you are:
- studying at a Brookes partner college
- studying on any of our teacher education courses or postgraduate education courses.
Attendance pattern
You will undertake four modules in each semester. Each module will be timetabled for 2-3 hours each week. The optional modules will vary throughout the week and students will be informed of the timetable slots as they choose their semester 2 modules. The research project in semester 2 is taught by supervision; it is not timetabled and tutorial meetings will be arranged between the student and the supervising tutor.
Additional costs
There are no specific additional costs associated with this course. However, students who choose to take the optional module in Semester 2, Practice and Pedagogy, will need to be DBS checked which carries a fee to be met by the student.
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.