British and European Studies
Course
In Oxford
Description
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Type
Course
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Location
Oxford
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Duration
1 Year
The Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies course aims to. …improve your academic English and your critical thinking …enhance your confidence to engage in intellectual debate within the context of British academic culture …deepen your knowledge of British and European culture and civilisation …boost your English language communication skills …prepare you for further study at the postgraduate level in the UK. Suitable for: The pre-master's Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies course is suitable for you if. .you are a graduate .you need to rapidly improve your all-round English language proficiency .you intend to apply for postgraduate study at a leading British University .you would like to learn more about British and European civilisation and culture .you would relish a challenging and academically stimulating experience
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
This one-year full-time course is intended for international students… ...who are graduates ...who are senior undergraduates majoring in relevant subjects ...with an IELTS score of at least 6.5
Reviews
Course programme
Pre-Master's Course - Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies
Our highly successful Pre-Master's Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies course offers you a unique opportunity to study at one of the world’s leading universities and would be perfect for you if…
- you are a graduate
- you wish to follow an academically rigorous pre-master's course
- you need to rapidly improve your English
- you would like to learn more about Britain and Europe
- you would relish a challenging and stimulating academic experience
The programme consists of:
- A two-week pre-sessional orientation course
- An academic module
- An English language module
Orientation Course
Your introduction to this pre-Master's course, and to your year at Oxford University, takes the form of an intensive two-week course of language practice, academic study skills and cultural orientation.
Academic Module
You will experience a rigorous and intellectually stimulating academic programme in British Studies & European Civilisation and Culture taught through a wide range of academic subjects (approx 6 contact hours) over 3 terms.
- Political, Economic & Social History of Britain 1900-2010
- British Politics from Thatcher to Cameron
- Religion in Britain & Europe Today
- Contemporary British Society
- British Art
- From Heritage to Cool Britannia: British Cinema since the '80s
- Writing Now: Contemporary Literature in English
- Project Europe? A History of Unity (& Division) 1792-1992
- European Integration
- European Politics 2000-2011
In your second term, you will choose a topic of special interest to you for an extended essay which you submit at the end of the third term. You will also benefit from the support of an academic tutor who will advise you and supervise your work in weekly one-to-one tutorials.
English Language Module
A team of highly experienced and well-qualified expert language tutors will help you rapidly improve your language skills by teaching you in small seminar groups for maximum progress. Additionally, you will also benefit from a weekly one-to-one language tutorial.
You take the following English classes (approx. 10 contact hours per week):
- Academic Writing
- Contemporary Britain in Focus: reading
- Contemporary Britain in Focus: listening
- Pronunciation practice
- Use of English
- Speaking skills
- Word study
- Writing skills
- IELTS preparation practice
You will also maintain a personal language portfolio in which you will set individual learning objectives, as well as record and monitor your progress and achievements throughout the year.
Course books and materials
All course books and study materials for both academic and English language modules are included in your course fees.
British Heritage & Culture
During your year at Oxford University, to help you discover the real Britain, we include the following at no extra cost:
UK study visits
- St Paul's Cathedral
- London theatre visit
- Houses of Parliament
- National Gallery
- Ashmolean Museum
- A Shakespeare play in Stratford-upon-Avon
Special occasions in Oxford
- Welcome reception and lunch
- Guy Fawkes Night
- Christmas Carol Concert
- English afternoon tea
- Closing reception, lunch and group photo
Course Dates 2012 - 2013
The Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies requires a full academic year of study:
- Pre-sessional course (24 September – 5 October 2011)
- Term 1: Michaelmas (8 October – 15 December 2011)
- Term 2: Hilary (14 January – 15 March 2012)
- Term 3: Trinity (22 April – 21 June 2012)
A typical teaching day starts at 9.15 a.m. and ends at 3.30 p.m. during which you take up to three 90-minute classes and benefit from small study groups and individual weekly tutorials.
Each day, during your daily morning break, we invite you to relax in our Common Room and enjoy complimentary tea/coffee and biscuits.
Assessment methods
Assessment for the Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies consists of continuous assessment in the form of coursework assignments and seminar presentations for both English and academic subjects, as well as an extended academic essay on a specialist subject of your choice.
Teaching Resources, Methods & Study Support
Our teaching and learning facilities are first class with modern tutorial and seminar rooms, libraries and reading rooms, and dedicated student IT facilities.
You will have access to the University’s Language Centre and to the unrivalled resources of the world famous Bodleian Library.
Your tutors will adopt a range of teaching methods that will include lectures, group discussion, critical thinking and problem-solving tasks, and role play in order to encourage independent learning and to develop your intellectual and analytical skills.
- You will receive a minimum of 15 contact teaching hours each week
- You will study in small seminar groups for academic subjects
- You will follow academic lectures
- You will actively participate in communicative English language classes
- You will receive one-to-one English language tutorials throughout your year
- You will receive one-to-one specialist academic tutorials in Terms 2 and 3
- You will be expected to record your progress in an individual language portfolio and discuss this with your language tutor
Teaching outcomes
By the end of your course you are expected to be able to demonstrate:
- sustained improvement in all four English language skills
- enhanced knowledge of the structure, levels and discourse functions of English
- a developing ability to read critically
- a developing ability to participate in intellectual debate, both orally and on paper
- knowledge of essential and precise critical and linguistic terminology
- an awareness of how language produces and reflects cultural change
On successful course completion, many of our students embark upon Master's degree courses at leading British universities. As a pre-Master's course, the Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies programme provides the ideal foundation for students to boost their English language proficiency, as well as improve their academic writing and study skills.
British and European Studies