pre-masters course brochure 2014/15
DESCRIPTION
Pre-Masters courses at the Department for Continuing Education, Oxford UniversityTRANSCRIPT
Pre-Master’s Courses 2014/2015Advanced Diploma in British & European Studies Foundations of Diplomacy Course
‘…a most enriching experience…The opportunity to improve my critical thinking skills has given me the confidence to contribute to discussions in a positive, considered and meaningful manner… I feel both privileged and proud to have been a student.’ Kenneth, South Africa
Pre-Master’s Courses
The University of Oxford’s pre-master’s courses are ideal for international graduates and working professionals who would like to prepare for entry to master’s degree courses at leading British universities.
Why study at Oxford?
Global Reputation: One of the oldest and most prestigious universities in
the world with an unparalleled academic reputation.
Valued Qualifications: Recognised and valued by institutions and employers
worldwide.
Quality of Teaching: Your course will prove both academically challenging
and intellectually rewarding.
Personal Attention: Individual weekly tutorials and a high degree of personal
attention throughout your course.
College Membership: Associate membership of one of Oxford’s 38 Colleges
enables you to engage with academics and fellow students within a friendly,
intellectual and social community.
Modern Study Facilities: Access some of the finest library and study facilities
in the world.
Perfect Location: Just an hour away from London, Oxford is one of Britain’s
most glorious cities.
International Outlook: A truly international community with students
from 138 countries.
A unique learning experience
The Oxford pre-Master’s courses are offered by the Department for Continuing
Education and are taught at Rewley House in the heart of Oxford. Aimed at students
who intend to pursue Master’s degree studies at leading British universities, they
combine academic study across a number of disciplines with an intensive English
language enhancement programme.
Our courses not only help students to communicate confidently and fluently in spoken
and written English, but also to develop superior analytical, critical thinking and
presentation skills. Students also learn how to engage successfully with peers and
tutors in an intellectually stimulating international study environment.
Applicants should note that successful completion of our pre-Master’s course does
not automatically guarantee progression to Master’s degree courses at Oxford for
which separate application is necessary. Over the past few years, our students have
gone on to take Master’s degrees at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Bath,
Durham, Glasgow, St Andrews, and Warwick, as well as at King’s College London,
LSE and UCL.
Course benefits• Experttutors
• Smallclasssizes
• First-classacademicsupport
• Individualweeklytutorials
• Regularfeedback
• Highdegreeofpersonalattention
• Fullpastoralsupport
• Worldclasslibraryresources
• Allcoursebooksincludedinfees
• Allculturalvisitsincludedinfees
• Internetaccess
Admission requirements• Goodfirstdegreeinanysubject
• MinimumofIELTS6.5(orequivalent)
A warm welcome
‘An unforgettable programme! The holistic combination of interesting classroom learning and exciting field trips made the subjects taught come alive. Overall a thoroughly recommended course!’Rial, Singapore
To ensure you settle into university life, our pre-sessional programme has been especially designed to offer you a smooth transition not only to your full-time academic studies, but also to help you integrate successfully into everyday life in the UK.
Pre-sessional programme
Your pre-sessional course is intended as the first step on your
journeytobecomingaconfident, independentandresourceful
Master’s student. It offers you a unique academic, cultural and
social orientation programme which introduces you to Oxford’s
unparalleled learning and study resources, provides you with
contextual study skills practice and helps you develop successful
self-management strategies.
Academic Life• LearnaboutthehistoryandtraditionsoftheUniversity
• LearnhowtoaccesslibraryandITfacilities
• Developenhancedacademicwritingandstudyskills
Everyday Life• FamiliarizeyourselfwithOxford
• Collegewelcomeevents
• LearnaboutlivinginBritain
• Openabankaccount
Social Life• WalkingtoursofOxford
• Awelcomereceptionandlunch
• AvisittoLondon
• Joinuniversityandcollegesocieties
• AttendFreshers’Fair
Living in Oxford
Oxford offers students a wide variety of accommodation options
which can include:
• College(in-CollegeandinpropertiesacrossOxford)
• University(singleroomsandflats)
• Private(flat-share,flatsandhouses)
As soon as a student has been offered a place on one of our
courses, we provide information on both University and private
accommodation options. We let you know how to apply for
University accommodation and how to go about arranging
private accommodation.
Although many of our students are offered college
accommodation, we are unable to guarantee availability because
of the high demand.
Please note that accommodation costs are not included in your
course and college fees. For 2014-2015, you should budget
£150(approx.)perweekforaccommodationand£120(approx.)
per week for food, transport and entertainment.
Students should note that whilst we are happy to advise on
where to look for accommodation, it is ultimately a student’s
responsibility to make their own living arrangements in Oxford.
For more detailed information on accommodation options,
please visit www.conted.ox.ac.uk/198.
College membership
Associate student membership of one of the University’s 38
collegesenablesyoutoenjoytheuniquesociallifeofanOxford
college and to use a wide range of facilities which vary from
college to college, but usually include:
• Common Room
• Dining Hall
• Library(someoffer24-houraccess)
• IT facilities
• Café/Coffee shop
• Gym & sporting facilities
• TV room and bar
Students have enjoyed associate memberships to Keble,
Kellogg, Linacre, Mansfield, Merton, Queen’s, Regent’s Park, St.
Anne’s, St. Cross, St. Hilda’s, St. Hugh’s, Somerville, Wadham
and Wolfson Colleges.
Visit us
If you would like to visit the Department for Continuing Education
to see our facilities for yourself and to ask us any questions, we
would be delighted to welcome you at any time throughout the
year.PleasecontactJudithArneiltoarrangeavisit:judith.arneil@
conted.ox.ac.uk
The benefits of an OxfordPre-Master’s course
‘Joining the course was the best decision of my life. Thank you, Oxford, for the most amazing opportunity.’Gina, Philippines
Preparing you for success
Graduate success in the UK depends on many factors including
a high degree of proficiency in academic English and the mastery
and active synthesis of an integrated platform of non-linguistic
skills, abilities and knowledge. These include independent
inquiry, critical and analytical thinking and intercultural awareness.
You will be encouraged to take responsibility for your own
learning through the acquisition of new skills for self-management
and will learn how to work effectively in teams. You will also
be encouraged to benefit from the unique resources and
opportunities offered by a world-class university.
Academic and Personal Support
Whether you are studying overseas for the first time or have
already studied in the UK, we offer you a first-rate academic and
personal support network to help you to get the most from your
time at Oxford.
You will benefit from regular contact with your tutors, course
director and programme administrator, as well as from a
college attachment which will enable you to make the most of
opportunities for formal and informal interaction with peers and
academics in a vibrant and intellectually stimulating international
learning community.
Throughout your course, you will learn about social behaviour,
customs and values in the UK and will also explore ways of
enhancing your intercultural communication skills.
Independent Learning Skills
From day one, we will teach you how to think independently. You
will learn how to:
• developeffectiveself-managementskills
• prioritisetasksandstructureyourownlearning
• makeoptimaluseofyourtimeandresources
• identifyyourpreferredlearningstyle
• reflectpositivelyonyourlearning
• empoweryourselfthroughincreasedpersonalmastery
Critical Thinking Skills
We will introduce you to the expectations of graduate work in
the UK by helping you practise and develop your critical thinking
skills on an on-going basis to enable you to:
• findandevaluatereliablesourcesofevidence
• developaquestioningapproachtoyourreading
• evaluatedifferingviewpointsobjectively
• recogniseassumptions
• identifyflawsinanargument
• developeffectiveanalysisandargument
You will also develop and improve your academic reading skills
inordertoanalyze,reflect,evaluate,andsynthesizethedifferent
types of texts you read in an efficient and effective manner.
Academic Literacy Skills
You will benefit from a weekly academic literacy class, as well as
from a weekly individual academic writing tutorial. This will teach
you how you might use your reading in your writing and allow you
rapidly to improve your study and writing skills and enable you to
receive on-going personalised feedback on the development of
your academic writing and critical thinking skills.
To help you monitor your personal progress in both areas, your
essays will be returned to you in duplicate. One will contain
feedback on your academic performance in terms of argument,
critical thinking and research and the other will offer detailed
analysis of your English language writing skills in an academic
context. You will then discuss both sets of feedback with your
tutorandestablishpersonallearningobjectivestoadvanceyour
critical thinking and academic writing skills.
Transferable Skills
Our pre-Master’s course will equip you with valuable transferrable
skills which can be used beyond university and which are also
highly valued by employers. These include:
• communicationskills
• organisationalskills
• interpersonalskills.
• interculturalcommunicationskills
• presentationskills
At Oxford, we take a holistic approach to your intellectual and personal development. We appreciate that learning takes place through various channels including active participation in seminar and tutorial discussion, as well as more informally outside the classroom or lecture theatre environment.
Advanced Diploma in British & European Studies
A rigorous and intellectually stimulating programme taught through awiderangeofacademicsubjectsoverthreeterms.Thecourseispitched at final year UK undergraduate level and leads to the award of an Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies.
About the course
The course is ideal for students who...
• graduatedfromauniversityoutsidetheUK
• needtorapidlyimprovetheiracademicEnglishskills
• are looking for a challenging and stimulating pre-Master’s
course
• needtoimprovetheircriticalthinkingskills
• wouldliketooptimisetheirpotentialforsuccessinaBritish
university environment
• intend to apply for aMaster’s course in a subject that is
different from their undergraduate degree
Do you already speak English fluently?
We welcome applications from students with native or near
native speaker proficiency in English. In such cases, the
English language module is waived and you follow an additional
academic module. You must (in addition to your academic
courseassignments)submitassignmentstotallingnomorethan
10,000 words on your additional academic courses.
For more information on this option please contact us.
CollegeAttachment(optional)Students wishing to apply for a college attachment must indicate
their intention on the application form. Please note that an
attachmentincursanadditionalfeeof£2657.Formoredetails,
please contact the course administrator.
Course Fees 2014-2015
These are £13,888.
Course structure
Students take twomodules: Academic (British and European
Studies)andEnglishlanguage.
Academic Module - British and European Studies • BritishHistorysince1918
• TheFaceoftheNation?BritishPoliticsToday
• BritishSocietyToday
• HistoryofArt
• ReligioninBritainToday
• BritishCinema
• EnglishLiterature
• ProjectEurope?AHistoryofUnity(&Division)1792-1992
• EuropeanIntegration
• EuropeanPolitics2000-2015
Extended Academic Essay/Academic TutorialsIn 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• AcademicLiteracy
• CriticalThinkingSkills
• ContemporaryBritaininFocus:Reading
• EnglishGrammar
• ListeningandSpeakingSkills
• WeeklyAcademicWritingTutorial
You will also maintain a personal language portfolio in which
youwillsetindividuallearningobjectives,aswellasrecordand
monitor your progress and achievements.
British Heritage & Culture During your year at Oxford University, to help you discover the
real Britain, we include a series of study visits at no extra cost
such as:
• StPaul’sCathedral
• ContemporaryplayinLondon
• HousesofParliament
• AshmoleanMuseum
• NationalGallery
• ShakespeareplayinStratford-upon-Avon
Please refer to our website
for any course changes and updates.
Pre-sessional Course 201422 September - 3 October
Michaelmas Term 20146October-12December
Academic Module• BritishHistorysince1918
• HistoryofArt1
• ReligioninBritainToday
• ProjectEurope?AHistoryofUnity
(&Division)1792-1992
Assessment: 2 x 1,500-word essays on
any TWO of the above courses
English Language Module• AcademicLiteracy1
• CriticalThinkingSkills
• ContemporaryBritain:Focus
on Reading 1*
• Listening&SpeakingSkills1*
• EnglishGrammar1*
Assessment: Work totalling no more
than 3,500 words for courses marked*.
Hilary Term 201512 January - 13 March
Academic Module• HistoryofArt2
• BritishSocietyToday
• TheFaceoftheNation?
British Politics Today
• EUIntegration
Assessment: 3 x 1,500-word essays on
any THREE of the above courses
English Language Module• AcademicLiteracy2*
• CriticalThinkingSkills
• ContemporaryBritain:Focus
on Reading 2*
• Listening&SpeakingSkills2*
• EnglishGrammar2
Assessment: 1 x 2,000-word essay
for’AcademicLiteracy2’ANDwork
totalling no more than 2,000 words for
courses marked *.
Trinity Term 201521 April – 20 June
Academic Module• EnglishLiterature
• ContemporaryEuropean
Politics 2000-2015
• BritishCinema
Assessment: 1x 2,000-word essay
onanyONEcourseAND1x4,000
- 5,000-word essay on an academic
subjectofyourchoiceagreedwiththe
course director.
English Language Module• AcademicLiteracy3
• IELTSTestPractice
• Listening&SpeakingSkills3*
• EnglishGrammar3*
Assessment: Work totalling no more
than 2,500 words for courses marked*.
You are assessed throughout your course on a blend of classwork (includingshortwrittentasksandpresentations)andlongeressays.Uponsuccessful course completion, you are awarded a University of Oxford Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies.
A typical day starts at 9.15 a.m. and ends at 3.30 p.m. during which you take up to three 90-minute classes. You also benefit from small study groups and individual weekly academic writing tutorials, as well as guest lectures. The timetables below give an indication of a typical study week.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9.15 am Academic Literacy Individual Tutorial English Grammar
10.45 am BREAK
11.15 am Religion in Britain Critical Thinking
Skills Reading Skills Listening & Speaking Skills
12.45 pm LUNCH
2.00 pm ProjectEurope Art History British History since 1918
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9.15 am Academic Literacy Reading Skills English Grammar
10.45 am BREAK
11.15 am British Politics Individual Tutorial Listening & Speaking Skills
Critical Thinking Skills Academic Tutorial
12.45 pm LUNCH
2.00 pm British Society
Today Art History European Integration
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9.15 am Academic Literacy English Grammar IELTS Practice
10.45 am BREAK
11.15 am English Literature Listening &
Speaking Skills IELTS Practice Individual Tutorial
12.45 pm LUNCH
2.00 pm European Politics 2000-2015 British Cinema Academic Tutorial
Michaelmas Term 2014
Hilary Term 2015
Trinity Term 2015
Foundations of Diplomacy Course
‘A brilliant experience! I was taught by ambassadors, ministers and distinguished academics, where else would I get an opportunity like this?’Vignesh, India
This full-time pre-master’s course is taught intensively over six months. It combines academic study in diplomacy, politics and international relations with classes in practical and public diplomacy, as well as offering a full programme of English language support.
About the course
Thecourseassumesnopreviousknowledgeof(orexperience
in) diplomacy/international relations and would be perfect for
those who...
• intend to pursue a career in diplomacy or international
business
• wouldliketodevelopexpertiseinpracticaldiplomacy
• needtoboosttheirEnglishlanguageskills
• arelookingforanintellectuallyrigorouspre-Master’scourse
• needtoimprovetheiracademicwritingandresearchskillsin
English
• haveafirstdegreeinadifferentfieldandintendtostudyfor
a Master’s degree in diplomacy/international relations.
Do you already speak English fluently?
We welcome applications from students with native or near
native speaker proficiency in English. In such cases, the English
language module is waived and students follow an additional
academic module. Students choose from a wide range of
lectures in international relations, politics, law and history from
the University’s varied lecture programme.
For more information on this option please contact us.
Study Modules
You take two modules: Academic and English language.
Academic: Diplomacy, Politics & International Relations You will experience a rigorous and academically demanding
programme of study taught by both academic tutors and former
senior British diplomats. This module offers a rich blend of both
academic and practical classes which includes:
• DiplomacyinPractice
• DiplomaticSimulations
• SkillsforPublicDiplomacy
• InternationalRelations
• EuropeanIntegration
• EuropeanPolitics2000-2015
• PoliticsandIdeology
• FoundationsofPublicInternationalLaw
English LanguageHighly experienced and well-qualified expert language tutors
help you rapidly improve your language skills and media interview
techniques. Your English classes will include:
• Diplomatic&ProfessionalCommunicationSkills
• AcademicLiteracy
• CriticalThinkingSkills
• ReadingSkills
• Listening&SpeakingSkills
• PresentationSkills
• EnglishGrammar
• WeeklyIndividualTutorial
• IELTSPractice
You will also maintain a personal language portfolio in which
youwillsetindividuallearningobjectives,aswellasrecordand
monitor your progress and achievements throughout the year.
You will work on this with your English language tutor.
CollegeAttachment(optional)For those students who wish to apply for a college attachment, we
would be pleased to arrange for associate student membership
status at Kellogg College. This would incur an additional fee. For
more details, please contact the course administrator.
‘A really top-notch course with a unique blend of theory and practice. Impressive library facilities and superb teaching in a friendly and supportive learning environment.’Miguel, Portugal
Pre-sessional Course 201430 September - 3 October
Michaelmas Term 20146October-12December
Academic & Diplomatic Practice Module• DiplomacyinPractice1
• SkillsforPublicDiplomacy
• InternationalRelations
• Politics&Ideology
• EUIntegration
Assessment:
2 x 2,000-word essays
1 x 1,500-word essay,
1eachof:Non-paper,Memo,Telegram,
Speaking note.
English Language Module• AcademicLiteracy1
• Diplomatic&Professional
Communication Skills 1
• Listening&SpeakingSkills1
• ReadingSkills1
• EnglishGrammar1
Assessment: Work totalling no
more than 3,000 words.
Hilary Term 201512January–27March
Academic & Diplomatic Practice Module• DiplomacyinPractice2
• DiplomaticSimulations
• EuropeanPoliticssince2000
• FoundationsofPublic
International Law
Assessment:
3 x 2,000-word essays
1 x viva voce examination
1 x diplomatic presentation
English Language Module• AcademicLiteracy2
• Diplomatic&Professional
Communication Skills 2
• Listening&SpeakingSkills2
• ReadingSkills2
• EnglishGrammar2
• IELTSTestPractice
Assessment:
Work totalling no more than
3,000 words.
Native English-speaking StudentsStudents who have been exempted
from the English Language Module
must(inadditiontotheaboveacademic
assignments)submitassignmentson
their elective academic courses. The
assignments must total 5,000 words.
Michaelmas Term: As above plus one
additional essay of 2,500 words.
Hilary Term: As above plus one
additional essay of 2,500 words.
UK and International Study VisitsYou will also benefit from the following
study visits to London and Vienna:
• Foreign&CommonwealthOffice
• ADiplomaticMissioninLondon
• HousesofParliament
• CabinetOffice
• ViennaFieldTrip(UN,OSCEand
MinistryofForeignAffairs)
ScholarshipsWe regret that we are currently unable
to provide any scholarships for our pre-
Master’s courses.
Fees 2014-2015Course Fee: £13,480.
You are assessed throughout your course on a blend of classwork (includingshortwrittentasksandpresentations)andlongeressays.Uponsuccessful course completion, you are awarded a University of Oxford Certificate of Course Completion.
You will have the opportunity to engage with peers from many different countries in practical seminars and lively discussion groups on a regular basis. Most recently we have welcomed students from Italy, Japan, Mexico, Montenegro, Romania and the UK.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9.15 am Academic Literacy
Diplomatic & Professional
Communication Skills
English Grammar Listening & Speaking Skills
10.45 am BREAK
11.15 am Diplomacy in Practice Reading Skills Individual Tutorial Critical Thinking
Skills
12.45 pm LUNCH
2.00 pm International Relations EU Integration Politics & Ideology
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9.15 am Academic Literacy
Diplomatic & Professional
Communication Skills
Individual Tutorial Listening & Speaking Skills
10.45 am BREAK
11.15 am Diplomacy in Practice English Grammar Reading Skills Critical Thinking
Skills IELTS Practice
12.45 pm LUNCH
2.00 pm Diplomatic Simulations
European Politics 2000-2015 Public International
Law
Michaelmas Term 2014
Hilary Term 2015
Foundations of Diplomacy Course European Field Trip to Vienna
Itinerary
Day 1 Diplomatic Vienna a.m. Depart Oxford
p.m. Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Day 2 International Organisations a.m. OSCE
p.m. UnitedNations
Day 3 Vienna’s Cultural Legacy a.m. Walking Tour: Old Town
Hofburg Palace
St Stephen’s Cathedral
Opera
p.m. Free
Day 4
p.m. Depart Vienna
There is no additional fee for this field trip which includes airport
transfers(UKandAustria),flights,B&Baccommodation,lunches
in Vienna and excursions and entrance fees. Students are
responsible for arranging their own travel insurance, any visa
costs, personal spending money and evening meals.
Pleasenotethattheabovescheduleissubjecttochange.
In 2015, we are delighted to introduce a European field trip to Vienna for our Foundations of Diplomacy Course students.
How to applyAdvanced Diploma in British & European Studies Foundations of Diplomacy Course
Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies Pre-Master’s Course
To apply for a place on the Advanced
Diploma in British and European Studies
Course, follow this simple four-step
process.
1. Download and complete the course
application form at www.conted.
ox.ac.uk/274
2. Email us:
• yourcompleted
application form
• copiesofyouruniversity
certificates
• copiesofyouruniversity
transcripts
3. Post us:
• Tworecentpassportphotos
4. Provide a letter of reference.
Course Dates 2014-2015Pre-sessional 22 September – 3 October 2014
Michaelmas 6October–12December2014
Hilary
12 January – 13 March 2015
Trinity 20 April – 19 June 2015
Fees* 2014 -2015Course Fee: £13,888
CollegeFee(optional):£2,657
*PleasenotethatyourfeesDONOT
include accommodation or meals.
Foundations of Diplomacy Pre-Master’s Course
To apply for a place on the Foundations
of Diplomacy Course, follow this simple
four-step process.
1. Download and complete the course
application form at www.conted.
ox.ac.uk/198
2. Email us:
• yourcompleted
application form
• copiesofyouruniversity
certificates
• copiesofyouruniversity
transcripts
3. Post us:
• Tworecentpassportphotos
4. Provide a letter of reference.
Course Dates 2014-2015Pre-sessional 30 September – 3 October 2014
Michaelmas6October–12December2014
Hilary
12January–27March2015
Fees* 2014 -2015Course Fee: £13,480
CollegeFee(optional):£2,657
*PleasenotethatyourfeesDONOT
include accommodation or meals.
Application
We accept applications for our
Pre-Master’s courses on a rolling
admissions basis which means that you
may submit your application at any time
during the year.
Application Deadline
Application deadline for both courses is
27June2014.
Telephone Interview
When we have received your
pre-Master’s course application
documentation and letter of reference,
we will get in touch with you to arrange
a telephone interview with our course
director. About a week after your
interview, you will learn the outcome of
your application.
‘A wonderful academic experience. I’ll never forget it.’Eldar, Azerbaijan
For more information on our courses, please visit our website at www.conted.ox.ac.uk.
Contact usTel: +44(0)1865270451Email: [email protected]: Pre-Master’s Courses University of Oxford OUDCE 1 Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JA
Photography © Darrell Godliman