Foundation in Humanities

• This course is taught and designed by experienced academic staff and covers a wide range of humanities subjects
• You will gain direct entry to a degree or combined degree in a range of subjects in Humanities and Social Science (for example English Literature, History, History of Art,  Philosophy, Drama, English Language, Education Studies or Law) following successful completion of the course. See After Graduation for full details
• All our course content is drawn from the research expertise of the academic teaching team
• You will have one-to-one and small group tuition in essential academic skills 
• You will gain skills and abilities that will be valuable to both employers and continued study

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 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.

Teaching and learning

Foundation in Humanities is an explicitly interdisciplinary course, drawing upon teaching content, approaches, and expertise from across a range of subjects within the Humanities Faculty at Oxford Brookes.

You could be introduced to new subject areas and different approaches to studying.

Each module has been designed to feature content from across different subject disciplines, leading to a truly unique learning experience.

Approach to assessment

You will be assessed predominantly by coursework. Coursework takes many forms, including essays, reflective logbooks, critical commentaries, video assignments, and e-portfolios, as well as group projects.

Tuition fees

Home/EU - full time fee: 2018/19: £9,250. 2019/20: £9,250.

Home/EU - part time fee: 2018/19: £750 per single module. 2019/20: £750 per single module.

International - full time: 2018/19: £13,150 2019/20: £13,410

Please note tuition fees for Home/EU 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 and EU students at the maximum permitted level.

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 in the 'This course in detail' window above.

Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk

Funding and scholarships

For general sources of financial support, see:

• Funding for Undergraduate students from the UK and EU
• Funding for Undergraduate students from outside the EU

Typical offers

UCAS Tariff points: 72

A-Level: DDD

Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. This combination of A-level grades would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.

IB Diploma: 24

BTEC: Merit, Merit, Pass

Applications are welcomed from candidates with alternative qualifications, and from mature students.

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.

How to apply

Part-time students should apply directly to the University.

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.

Why Oxford is a great place to study this course

You will be encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunities Oxford offers and discover how the range of libraries, museums, art galleries and cultural events that tie in so well with the study of the humanities, can be brought into the classroom.

All of the teaching staff are closely connected to different cultural institutions in Oxford, such as The Story Museum, Modern Art Oxford and The Pegasus Theatre, and you will be regularly informed of relevant events and exhibitions.

Support for students studying Foundation in Humanities

As student on the Foundation in Humanities, you will be part of a unique cohort within the Faculty with a programme of study that is dedicated to you . 

This programme will play an important part in helping you to decide which degree programme you will follow once you have successfully completed the year. For this reason, you will be invited to a combination of group and individual meetings with your Subject Co-ordinator, Programme Lead and/or Academic Advisor during the course of this programme to discuss your progress and your plans for the future. There will also be opportunities for you to meet students from the courses that this programme is intended to prepare you for, and you will be invited to the full range of careers events and activities that form part of the standard University year.

General support services

Supporting your learning

From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.

Personal support services

We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.

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 English Literature
• BA Hons History
• BA Hons English Language and Communication
• BA Hons Philosophy
• BA Hons Education Studies
• BA Hons History of Art
• LLB Law

Combined Awards

• BA Hons Drama and English Literature
• BA Hons English Literature and History
• BA Hons English Literature and Philosophy
• BA English Literature and History of Art
• BA Hons History and History of Art
• BA Hons English Language and Communication and English Literature
• BA Hons English Literature and Education Studies
• BA Hons English Language and Communication and Education Studies
• BA Hons History and Education Studies

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.

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