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Introduction
Introduction
Why choose this course?
Overview
Build university-level academic skills - and start your university experience.
This course will prepare you to transition onto a three-year university degree in the Humanities, Law and Social Sciences. On the course, you’ll develop academic skills crucial to university study - like critical analysis, essay writing and collaboration. And you’ll grow your confidence working on university level assignments.
You’ll be able to explore a mix of subjects at university-level - from Education, to History of Art and Politics. You’ll also be able to take modules in a chosen subject area. You’ll get to know your strengths and build your knowledge - getting ready for degree-level study. And you’ll be supported all the way through.
Successful completion of the course guarantees you a place on the majority of the Oxford Brookes undergraduate degree courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
You’ll join the undergraduate student community - and you’ll have the full student experience - including access to all university services.
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.
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.
Modules
Semester 1
Compulsory modules
Being Human: Love, Sex and Death
Love, sex and death - how do these make us human? In this module, you’ll gain core analytical skills, key to studying Humanities at university, as you explore human bodies and emotions through time.
You’ll understand the ideas, practices and experiences that we have around bodies and feelings. You’ll also explore how bodies and emotions are shaped by:
 politics
 religion
 science
 medicine
 literary and artistic fashion.
You’ll analyse texts, images and artefacts to understand the core role of human emotions and bodies in our world.
Cultural Moments
How do genres - styles or categories of literature - grow from major events in history and culture? In this module, you’ll explore how drama and literary studies relate to genre. You’ll get to grips with genres as categories that have evolved historically to become key influences on culture, taste and fashion. You’ll investigate real life cases of key movements across a range of disciplines. You’ll also consider how art responds to life and life to art.
Language, Vision and Representation
In this module, you’ll learn about basic theories of meaning-making. You’ll begin to undertake a critical analysis of systems of representation - which could be spoken or written language, and virtual or physical texts. You’ll come to understand how meaning is made, but also challenged, through acts of interpretation which often we’re not conscious of making. You’ll also be encouraged to reflect on your own role in producing ‘meanings’.
The Reflective Learner
Do you dream of studying a Humanities subject at university? In this module, you’ll gain the core skills and strategies you need to succeed as a university student. You’ll build up knowledge of each of the subjects within our Foundation in Humanities course and learn how to turn critical reading into clear and successful undergraduate assignments. You’ll also learn effective study strategies, including:
 learning from lecture content
 taking part in seminars
 working and studying in groups.
Semester 2
Compulsory modules
Research Project
This module gives you the chance to do independent research on a topic that fascinates you. You’ll gain the key skills you need to succeed as a university student, as you create, manage and complete your own research project. You’ll have one-to-one guidance from an expert academic supervisor in your chosen subject area who will support you to shape your research from your initial ideas through to your completed project.
Nation and Identity
What is a nation? Do nations develop through shared language or the history of a people? Are they about laws and governance, or habits and customs? In this module, you’ll get to grips with core themes from Humanities subjects, including:
 Philosophy
 Religious Studies
 History
 English Literature
 English Language.
You’ll develop a strong understanding of the concepts of a nation (including elements such as borders and national identity) and its challenges.
Optional modules
Modern British Art
In this module, you’ll dive into art and artists through the century - from the Camden Town Group, to Modernists like Barbara Hepworth and Pop Artists like Peter Blake. You’ll examine paintings, sculptures and films as you discuss how British artists tried to create modern forms of expression. You’ll also investigate the ways they promoted their work, like:
 exhibitions
 manifestos
 books
 little magazines.
You’ll enjoy on-site visits, where you’ll examine works of art firsthand. You’ll also attend exciting lectures and seminars where you’ll explore your ideas and enrich your understanding of modern British art.
French Beginners 2
As someone with a beginner’s knowledge of French, you’ll develop stronger skills in French speaking and writing, translating and interpreting. You’ll be able to express yourself effectively in French, and gain a critical sensitivity to the intercultural differences between France and other countries.
Spanish Beginners 2
As someone with a beginner’s knowledge of Spanish, you’ll develop stronger skills in Spanish speaking and writing, translating and interpreting. You’ll be able to express yourself effectively in Spanish, and gain a critical sensitivity to the intercultural differences between Spain and other countries.
Development Studies
This is your opportunity to explore some of the key issues (e.g.urbanisation, poverty and social exclusion, environmental concerns and gender issues) within the field of Development Studies. You’ll also look at the factors causing poverty in countries defined as less developed.
Exploring the fundamentals of how sociology, human geography and economics interact in the process of development. You’ll study key topics that will teach you to draw on your own knowledge and experience where possible to evaluate the policies in pursuit of development, and to address the problems faced by least developed countries. You’ll build your skills in identifying and reflecting on some of the key social, economic and environmental issues that challenge sustainable development.
Global Issues
What is ‘global politics’? What do we mean by ‘international relations’? And how do our personal values affect our understanding of politics and historical events? In this module you’ll explore the global challenges we face, and how they are understood by different groups. You’ll examine issues like power structures and global conflict. And you’ll come to understand how these issues impact societies and the environment we live in.
Physical Theatre
In this module you’ll examine physical theatre - from its historical beginnings right through to the rise of the director and 21st century actor training. Your weekly workshops will introduce you to the key principles of training the body. You’ll also learn about practices like:
 posture
 balance
 energy
 relaxation
 stage presence
 improvisation.
Eastern Religious Philosophies
What can philosophies and religions teach us about being human? In this module, you’ll immerse yourself in key themes of Eastern religions, including the Buddhist and Hindu traditions. You’ll gain a core understanding of the philosophical foundations of different religious traditions.
Young Children's Outdoor Learning
You’ll explore how young children learn through play. You’ll also discover how adults plan exploration and play for children in outdoors environments. You’ll get to grips with two key areas:
 maintaining good provisions and interactions in an early years outdoors area
 teaching and learning through the Forest School approach.
You’ll look at how children and adults interact in a variety of situations. You’ll also gain core knowledge of health and safety training, as you study issues such as:
 children as risk-takers
 off-site travel
 maintaining a safe environment.
You’ll develop core analytical skills as you explore how research and government policy affect children’s outdoor learning.
Customs, Icons and Symbols
Explore the study and understanding of Culture and Society by looking at relevant Customs, Icons and Symbols with a particular emphasis on communicative practice of reading and written language in contexts.
Origins of the Climate Crisis: A Global History of the Environment
You will engage with the ways in which the environment and the climate have changed over the past six centuries. Looking at:
 sustainability
 climate change
 conservation.
Which are pressing issues with a rich and compelling history. You will investigate environmental changes and how they were contested and experienced at communal, national and international levels. You'll think about the political, economic, social and cultural contexts of resource management, energy use and food production. Including a focus on future policy solutions
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:
 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.
English language requirements
Applicants whose main language is not English should have IELTS 6.0.
The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.
The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and assessment
On this course you’ll:
 explore subjects across the humanities
 follow your interests
 and get the skills you need for a undergraduate degree.
In your first semester you'll focus on the oral, written and interpersonal skills you’ll need to succeed at university. And you’ll take three modules that combine the latest thinking in:
 English Literature and Drama
 History and History of Art
 English Language and Communications.
In semester 2 you’ll be able to explore subjects you care about most. You might examine international development or global politics. Or you could explore philosophy, education or even the history of art.
You’ll also be able to follow your interests through a research project, which will fully prepare you for degree-level study.
Learning and teaching
You’ll experience a wide range of humanities disciplines through:
 lectures
 workshops
 tutorials
 project work
 presentations
 group seminars
 supervised independent learning
 critical thinking tasks
 skills acquisition sessions.
You’ll have a dedicated academic advisor throughout your course, for support and guidance when you need it. You’ll also have 1-1 academic supervisor for your second semester research project, providing support and guidance as you need it.
Assessment
You’ll be mostly assessed by coursework, including:
 essays
 reflective logbooks
 critical commentaries
 video assignments
 e-portfolios
 small group projects.
Career Opportunities
The Foundation in Humanities fully prepares you for degree-level study, and guarantees you a place on the majority of Oxford Brookes undergraduate courses in Humanities, Law and Social Sciences.
You’ll also build skills that are directly relevant to university-level study, like:
 time management
 independent thinking
 presentation skills
 interpersonal and communication skills
 written, digital and oral literacy.
This will set you up to hit the ground running on a three-year degree programme.
You’ll also have full access to the Oxford Brookes Careers Services, co-curricular activities and peer mentoring schemes.
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