Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies

• you are a graduate or senior undergraduate student
• you need to rapidly improve your academic English language skills
• you would like to learn more about British and European civilisation
• you would relish a challenging and stimulating academic experience
• you need to prepare for postgraduate study in the UK

The programme consists of:

• A two-week pre-sessional orientation course
• An academic module
• An English language module

British & European Studies Non-award-bearing Stream

Candidates are required to have a minimum overall IELTS score of 5.5 at entry. Candidates follow the same programme of study as award-bearing stream candidates. This stream leads to a Certificate of Course Completion.

Native or near-native English-speaking students

We also accept applications for the Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies Course from students with native or near native speaker proficiency in English. In such cases, the English language module may be waived and students follow an additional academic module. Students choose from a wide range of lectures in subjects of their choice relating to British and European Studies, e.g. history, literature, politics. This allows them to study an area (or areas) or specific personal interest in depth.

Pre-sessional Orientation Course

Your introduction to the Advanced Diploma in British & European Studies, and to your year at the University of Oxford, takes the form of an intensive two-week course of language practice, academic study skills and cultural orientation.

You will experience a rigorous and intellectually stimulating academic prograqmme in British and European civilisation and culture taught through a wide range of academic subjects (approx 6 contact hours) over 3 terms.

Academic Modiule - British Studies

• Political, Economic & Social History of Britain 1900-2010
• British Politics from Thatcher to Cameron
• British Society Today
• Wirting Now: Contemporary Literature in English
• Religion in Britain Today
• From Heritage to Cool Britannia: British Cinema since the '80s

Academic Module - European Studies

• Project Europe? A History of Unity (& Division) 1792-1992
• European Integration
• European Politics 2000 - 2011
• European Art

In your second term, you will choose a topic of special interest to you for an extended essay which you shall submit at the end of the third term. You will also benefit from the support of an academic tutor who will supervise your work in individual weekly tutorials.

English Language Module

A team of highly experienced and well-qualified expert language tutors will help you to make rapid progress by teaching you in small seminar groups. You will also benefit from an individual weekly language tutorial. You take the following English classes (approximately 10 contact hours per week):

• English for academic study
• Contemporary Britain in Focus: reading
• Contemporary Britain in Focus: listening
• Use of English
• Speaking skills
• Word study
• Wrting skills

You will also maintain a personal language portfolio in which you will set individual learning objectives, as well as record and monitor your progresss 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 and Culture

During your year at the University of Oxford, you will make study visits to:

• Windsor Castle
• Eton College
• Houses of Parliament
• Ashmolean Museum
• National Gallery
• A Shakespeare play in Stratford-upon-Avon

Course Dates 2011-2012

The Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies requires a full academic year of study:

• Pre-sessional course (26 September - 7 October 2011)
• Term 1: Michaelmas (10 October - 16 December 2011)
• Term 2: Hilary (16 January - 17 March 2012)
• Term 3: Trinity (23 April - 22 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. You will also benefit form small study groups and individual weekly language tutorials.