International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law
BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) or LLB Law (Hons)
Key facts
UCAS code
Y002
Start dates
January 2025 / September 2025 / January 2026 / September 2026
Location
Course length
Full time: 1 Year Full time: 1-year foundation course leading to 3-year undergraduate degree (or 4-year undergraduate degree if it involves a work placement or you take a study abroad year)
Overview
This foundation course is classed as an integral part of a 4-year degree and on successful completion you will graduate with a BA or BSc (Hons) degree in one of a range of subjects including Education, English, Modern Languages, History, Philosophy, Communication, Media and Culture, Law. See 'Progression and degree options' below for a list of degrees you can study afterwards.
It is suitable for international students who do not currently meet the entry requirements for their chosen degree at Oxford Brookes.
You will develop your study skills and critical thinking skills before beginning your degree. The course will also increase your knowledge and confidence in using English for academic purposes. There is not an 'English language' component of the course. However, for students who need to raise their English level, we will consider successful completion of the foundation as bringing your language level to what is required for your degree.
Start this course in January or September
This course has entry points in September and January. Your course is 24 weeks so if you start in September, you will study your first semester between September and December and your second semester between January and April. If you start in January, you will study your first semester between January and April and your second semester between May and August.
How to apply
Entry requirements
Academic entry requirements
- British A-levels: 80 UCAS tariff points (equivalent to CDD
- Equivalent qualifications accepted
Minimum age
The normal minimum age for this course is 18. We will admit 17-year-olds on a case-by-case basis if they turn 18 during the academic year in which the course runs.
Under 18s are only admitted to the University if they live in student accommodation. Find out more about the university's policy on the safeguarding of children.
English language requirements
- IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
English requirements for visas
This course is classed as a B2 level for visa purposes. To apply for a student visa you will need to meet the minimum B2 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
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.
Application process
September entry
Applications for September entry can be made directly to the university or through UCAS.
If you are applying through UCAS, you will need to use the following details:
Institution code: O66
Course code: Y002
Institution code name: OXFD
Short form of course: BA/IFA
For assistance with your application contact our admissions team on admissions@brookes.ac.uk
January entry
Apply online directly to Oxford Brookes. January entry is not available to British students due to government funding regulations.
Student visas for international students
If you are an international student and need a Student visa to enter the UK, then you will get a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) for four years which will cover your foundation year and your three-year full-time degree course.
Students wishing to take a work placement on a degree where this is optional would need to renew their visa at home before beginning their degree. Please contact admissions@brookes.ac.uk for the best advice.
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
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
After the foundation year, you will pay fees for the relevant undergraduate course.
Due to UK Government funding regulations, we unfortunately cannot accept UK students on to this course in January. You are welcome to apply for our International Foundation Diploma, but no government funding is available for these courses. Please contact us on admissions@brookes.ac.uk if you have any questions about this.
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.
Learning and assessment
This course is designed for students from a range of educational backgrounds who need an additional year of study prior to their undergraduate degree. You should take this course if any of the following apply to you:
- You have less than 13 years of schooling
- You need to improve your academic skills and English to join an undergraduate course
- You haven't met the entry requirements for direct entry on to the first year of a degree
The course is classed as an integral part of a 4-year degree, and takes place before the first year of your chosen degree. After four years of study (five if you take a work placement or additional year studying abroad) you will graduate with a BA or BSc (Hons) degree.
This foundation course is linked to a range of our excellent degrees in subject areas such as Education, English, Modern Languages, History, Philosophy, Communication, Media and Culture, Law.
Start this course in January or September
This course has entry points in September and January. Your course is 24 weeks so if you start in September, you will study your first semester between September and December and your second semester between January and April. If you start in January, you will study your first semester between January and April and your second semester between May and August.
Study modules
You must take and pass eight modules to complete the foundation year.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
In your foundation year you will be taught by highly qualified academic staff. They are specialists in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and various subject disciplines who have many years of teaching experience both in the UK and overseas.
You will gain practice and training in the different kinds of assessment that are common in higher education, for instance essays, reports, individual and group presentations, reflective learning journals and project work.
Teaching hours
You will have around 15 class hours per week. Classes are held Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays), usually between 9am and 4pm.
You will need to spend at least 20 hours per week on independent study which includes homework, assignments, reading and preparation for classes (in groups or individually).
Progression
Guaranteed progression: You will progress automatically to your degree once you pass your foundation year with 40%. You can choose the degree you want to study when you apply to us or during your course.
This foundation can prepare you for a range of outstanding degrees at Oxford Brookes listed below
If you do not see the degree below that you want to study, please see our other international foundation courses and their pathway courses.
- Communication, Media and Culture
- Criminology
- Digital Media Production
- English Literature
- English Literature with Creative Writing
- Early Childhood Studies
- Education Studies
- Education Studies - SEN, Disabilities and Inclusion
- History of Art
- Geography
- History
- International Relations
- International Relations and Politics
- Japanese Studies
- Law
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Media, Journalism and Publishing
- Psychology
- Film
- Anthropology
- Law with Business
- Law with Criminology
- Criminology and Law
- Liberal Arts
- Criminology and Education Studies (joint honours)
- Criminology and Sociology (joint honours)
- Modern Languages with Translation
- Anthropology and Communication, Media and Culture (joint honours)
- Anthropology and English Literature (joint honours)
- Anthropology and Geography (joint honours)
- Anthropology and History (joint honours)
- Anthropology and History of Art (joint honours)
- Anthropology and International Relations (joint honours)
- Anthropology and Philosophy (joint honours)
- Anthropology and Sociology (joint honours)
- Communication, Media and Culture and International Relations (joint honours)
- Communication, Media and Culture and Politics (joint honours)
- Criminology and International Relations (joint honours)
- Criminology and Politics (joint honours)
- Geography and History (joint honours)
- Geography and International Relations (joint honours)
- History and International Relations (joint honours)
- History and Politics (joint honours)
- International Relations and Philosophy (joint honours)
- International Relations and Sociology (joint honours)
- Philosophy and Politics (joint honours)
- Fine Art and History of Art
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.