Foundation Year in Humanities

Introduction to the course

Are you a student from the UK interested in studying Classics, English, History or Theology & Religion but your personal or educational circumstances have meant you are unlikely to achieve the grades typically required for Oxford courses? If so, then choosing to apply for your course with a Foundation Year might be the right option for you.

Typical A-level entry requirements are BBB. We do accept other types of qualifications and further information about academic entry requirements is available on the University of Oxford website.

Whichever pathway you choose, students also take the Preparation for Undergraduate Studies course. 

What will my week look like?

During your foundation year you will be expected to attend around five hours of classes per week, participate in regular meetings with tutors to discuss work, carry out independent research and you are likely to write at least one essay every two weeks.

Your time will be spent both on academic work for your Humanities programme and work related to the Preparation for Undergraduate Studies course.

In each term there will be modules which will lead to your degree pathway. In your final term you will complete an extended essay on a subject related topic of your choice, deepening your subject interest and building your skills in independent study.

You may also have the opportunity to learn a language or enhance your maths skills during the foundation year.

Tutorials are usually for around two students and a tutor. Classes are slightly bigger, and class sizes may vary depending on the modules that you choose. There are likely to be around four students in a class, except when the whole Humanities cohort is together. Lectures are a larger format again, and are likely to be delivered to the entire foundation year cohort.

Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by staff who are tutors in their subject. Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students.

Subject pathways

This course is for candidates with an A-level or equivalent in either Latin or Greek. 

This course is for those who have not had the opportunity to study either Latin or Greek at school or college and includes a preliminary year at undergraduate level, in which students learn Latin or Greek, alongside some study of classical literature. It is a five-year course, including the foundation year.

Entry requirements

 Qualification 
 Requirements 
 A-levels  BBB
 Advanced Highers   BB/BBC
 International Baccalaureate (IB)   35 (including core points) with 555 at Higher Level 
 BTECs

 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: MMM
 BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: MM plus B at A level
 BTEC Level 3 National Subsidiary Diploma: M plus BB at A level 
 Access to HE Diploma  Completion of Access to HE Diploma with all the level 3 credits taken at Merit, and B grades in any A levels taken 
 Any other equivalent qualification   View information on other UK qualifications.

 

Applying for the Astrophoria Foundation Year is a competitive process. Meeting the eligibility and academic entry requirements does not guarantee that your application will be successful.

Final decisions will use the full range of evidence available, including past and predicted exam results, information from the FYAAQ, the UCAS teacher reference, the personal statement, and interviews (if shortlisted and invited to interview). This means that not all candidates who satisfy the admissions criteria will receive offers.

Student Stories

Zoe and Rahiya took part in the pilot foundation year programme at Lady Margaret Hall and progressed to study English as undergraduates at Oxford. Hear what they have to say about studying a foundation year at the University of Oxford.

 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/sIMRLEUEqfE

More about Humanities at Oxford

The Humanities effect positive change in the world by analysing complex problems, informing debate, exchanging ideas and influencing for good. They enable us to expand our horizons and allow for other perspectives to be heard in an empathetic way. The Humanities also have the power to help us understand such challenges in their broader context through historical, cultural, political and linguistic lenses.

 Find out more about the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford