Latvia, International Foundation course
“I’ve been given a lot of help with choosing my modules and my programme. Right at the beginning of the course I was advised on what I should do. What subjects would better suit my programme and help me to progress to the undergraduate course. I like this.”
Deniss Tiscenko - Latvia, International Foundation course
Why did you decide to study in the UK?
Some of my friends had the experience of studying in the UK and I visited and studied a little bit about the approach to learning and I liked the methods used in UK higher education, so that was my decision.
Why did you choose Oxford Brookes in particular?
I was already familiar with the location and the university and I liked it. Oxford itself is a very nice place for students to live and to study and Oxford Brookes had exactly the programme I needed to progress on to my undergraduate course.
Why did you choose to study this course?
I needed it to get to the undergraduate programme. And why the Foundation? Because I applied for several courses and the International Foundation Diploma was the one that met my expectations. This foundation course will help me to progress on to my undergraduate degree, and will probably give me an insight in to university lifestyle and what university studies are really like in Britain. It will also give me the chance to make all the small mistakes that you usually make at the start of a university course before beginning my actual degree.
How different is the University's teaching style compared to your previous experience?
It's more liberal in its approach to students and to how the courses are organised. It is very different from what I've experienced back home. Because the tutors and lecturers are continuing their own studies themselves, they don't place themselves above the students in some way. They remain on the same level.
What do you like most about living in Oxford?
Probably the weather, it's much warmer than back home and I like the kind of city that Oxford is. It's a small city, a very green one with lots of spaces to walk around and spend some free time. It's quite student orientated, so it has lots of things to do when you’re not studying and of course the coach service to London is great. Just one and a half to two hours' journey, it's very convenient.
Have the teaching and administrative staff supported you and helped you to settle in?
I’ve been given a lot of help with choosing my modules and my programme. Right at the beginning of the course I was advised on what I should do. What subjects would better suit my programme and help me to progress to the undergraduate course. I like that