The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements. In the event of changes made to the government advice and social distancing rules by national or local government, the University may need to make further alterations to the published course content. Detailed information on the changes will be sent to every student on confirmation in August to ensure you have all the information before you come to Oxford Brookes.
Foundation in Humanities
Foundation course
Key facts
UCAS code
LL90
Start dates
September 2021 / September 2022
Course length
Full time: 1 year
Part time: 2 years
Department
UCAS Tariff Points
72
Overview
Our Foundation in Humanities course gives you the subject knowledge and skills you need for undergraduate study. Our course is ideal:
- if you want to study at Oxford Brookes but need to supplement your A-Levels.
- if you have returned to study after a long break.
We teach you essential academic skills in individual and small group sessions. You'll also gain skills that are valuable to employers and further study.
If you successfully complete the course, you will be guaranteed a place on a degree or combined degree in a range of subjects in the Humanities and Social Sciences at Oxford Brookes. These include, but are not limited to:
- Anthropology
- Criminology
- English Literature
- English Language
- Education Studies
- Geography
- History
- History of Art
- International Relations and Politics
- Law
- Philosophy
- Sociology.
*Please see below for our full list of progression courses.

How to apply
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.
For more information about how we are supporting applicants impacted by Covid-19, please see our information for applicants page.
Standard offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 72
A Level: DDD
IB Points: 24
BTEC: MMP
Further offer details
Applications are welcomed from candidates with alternative qualifications, and from mature students.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
Applicants whose main language is not English should have IELTS 6.0.
Please also 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.
Credit transfer
Many of our courses consider applications for entry with credit for prior learning. Each application is individually assessed by our credit entry tutors.
If you would like more information about whether or not you may be eligible for the award of credit, for example from an HND, partly-completed degree or foundation degree, please contact our Admissions team.
We operate 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
Full time Home / EU applicants
Apply through UCASPart time Home / EU applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityInternational applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityFull time 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. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.
Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.
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, if any, are detailed below.
Students who choose to take the optional module in Semester 2, Young Children's Outdoor Learning, will need to be DBS checked which carries a fee to be met by the student.
Learning and assessment
On our course you will:
- examine a broad range of humanities subjects
- explore multiple areas according to your interests
- gain the skills you need to succeed in further study.
In Semester 1 you will improve your oral, written and interpersonal skills for Higher Education. And take three modules that combine:
- English Literature and Drama
- History and History of Art
- English Language and Communication.
In Semester 2 a compulsory module combines History, Philosophy, Stylistics and English to explore nationality and identity. And you can choose two optional modules from the fields of Philosophy, History and Education Studies.
You will undertake a small research project to prepare you for your target degree. You will receive one-to-one support from a supervisor.
A dedicated academic advisor will support you throughout your course. And help you explore your options for either continued study and employment.

Study modules
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
Our course is interdisciplinary. This means we draw upon teaching content, approaches, and expertise from a range of subjects in our Faculty. We might introduce you to new subject areas and approaches to studying.
Our modules all feature content from different disciplines, leading to a unique learning experience.
After you graduate
Career prospects
Foundation in Humanities is principally intended as a route to further study at degree level. However, this is also a course that is heavily focussed upon developing your academic and interpersonal skills and inspiring self-confidence. By the end of this course you will have been coached in written expression, presentation skills, independent learning, working in groups, accessing information from a range of sources and working to deadlines. All of these qualities are valued by employers and will make you attractive to a range of workplaces.
Further study
Foundation in Humanities has been specifically designed to introduce you to, and prepare you for, any one of the awards named below:
- BA Hons Criminology
- BA Hons Communication, Media and Culture
- BA Hons Early Childhood Studies*
- BA Hons Education Studies*
- BA Hons English Language and Linguistics
- BA Hons English Literature
- BA Hons English Literature with Creative Writing
- BSc Geography
- BA Hons History
- BA Hons History of Art
- BA Hons International Relations and Politics
- BA Hons Japanese Studies
- BA Hons Philosophy
- BA Hons Social Anthropology
- BA Hons Sociology
- BSc Hons Anthropology
- BSc Hons Biological Anthropology
- LLB Hons Law
- Law with Criminology
Combined Awards
- BA/BSc Hons Anthropology and Communication, Media and Culture
- BA Hons Anthropology and English Literature
- BA/BSc Hons Anthropology and Geography
- BA/BSc Hons Anthropology and Philosophy
- BA/BSc Hons Anthropology and Sociology
- BA Hons Communication, Media and Culture and English Language and Linguistics
- BA Hons Communication, Media and Culture and English Literature
- BA Hons Communication, Media and Culture and International Relations
- BA/BSc Hons Communication Media and Culture and Politics
- BA/BSc Hons Communication, Media and Culture and Sociology
- BA/BSc Hons Criminology and Anthropology
- BA/BSc Hons Criminology and Education Studies
- BA Hons Criminology and English Literature
- BA Hons Criminology and History
- BA/BSc Hons Criminology and International Relations
- BA/BSc Hons Criminology and Politics
- BA/BSc Hons Criminology and Sociology
- BA Hons English Language and Linguistics and Education Studies
- BA Hons English Language and Linguistics and English Literature
- BA Hons English Language and Linguistics and Japanese Studies
- BA Hons English Literature and Education Studies
- BA Hons English Literature and History
- BA Hons English Literature and Philosophy
- BA/BSc Hons Geography and Anthropology
- BA Hons Geography and History
- BA/BSc Hons Geography and International Relations
- BA Hons History and Anthropology
- BA Hons History and Geography
- BA Hons History and Japanese Studies
- BA Hons History and International Relations
- BA Hons History and Politics
- BA Hons History of Art and Anthropology
- BA Hons History of Art and English Literature
- BA Hons History of Art and History
- BA Hons History of Art and Sociology
- BA/BSc Hons International Relations and Anthropology
- BA/BSc Hons International Relations and Geography
- BA Hons International Relations and Japanese Studies
- BA/BSc Hons International Relations and Philosophy
- BA/BSc Hons International Relations and Sociology
- BA/BSc Hons Philosophy and Politics
- BA/BSc Hons Sociology and Education Studies
- BA/BSc Hons Sociology and Philosophy
- BA/BSc Hons Sociology and Politics
You will be able to progress directly to these awards at Oxford Brookes without further application and you will be advised and assisted in this process by your Academic Advisor and/or your Student Support Co-ordinator.
*All applicants will be screened for fitness to practise and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be made.
The courses below are not eligible for automatic progression from Foundation in Humanities. Please visit the relevant course pages to view their entry requirements:
Free language courses
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.
Information from Discover Uni
Full-time study
Part-time study
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.