Overview

You take a combination of modules to a total of 120 credits: core modules, those related to your intended degree programmes after your Foundation Year and some free choice. Modules are worth 10, 15 or 20 credits.

Core modules

The core modules include:

• Social Theory and Political Thought (20 credits)
• Europe and the Modern World 1815 -1918 (20 credits)
• Essay Writing for University Study (15 credits)
• Seminar & Presentation Skills (15 credits)
• One of
  • Academic Development (10 credits)
  • Academic Development for Vocational Students (20 credits), for students who have not taken A levels, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma
  • A Guide to Success for International Students (15 credits), for students deemed to require English language training during the Foundation Year

Subject-specific modules (optional core)

Modules related to particular subjects, but which can also be taken as options, are listed in the Indicative Modules tab.

Option modules

Additional modules can be taken to bring the total module credit value to 120. These can be in any subject available at Foundation level and modern foreign languages, subject to timetabling constraints and room capacity.

Who can apply

UK or EU students from a broad range of backgrounds wishing to take a humanities degree at Keele. Overseas applicants should see the International Degree Programme.

Indicative modules

Please refer to the list of Humanities Foundation Year modules associated with each degree subject.

Entry requirements

To enter the Humanities Foundation Year in 2018, you must normally have:

• at least 64 UCAS points or
• the equivalent in other qualifications or
• relevant work experience

AND

• GCSE English Language at grade C, or
• IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

AND

• GCSE Mathematics at Grade C (required for progression to a business degree), or
• a Level 2 numeracy qualification such as Key Skills Application of Numbers Level 2 or Functional Skills Numeracy Level 2

For students intending to progress to Principal Music, you must have:

• a practical music qualification to the equivalent of at least ABRSM grade 5 or
• (for the non-performance route only) a minimum of grade 5 Music Theory grade C or GCSE Music or equivalent together with demonstrable music experience.

Course routes

Degree Courses available with a Humanities Foundation Year

Honours programmes

• American Studies
• English and American Literature
• English Literature and Creative Writing
• Film Studies and Creative Writing
• History
• Media
• Media, Culture and Creative Practice
• Music
• Music Technology
• Philosophy

Please note that after successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress automatically to a Bachelor degree in the subject you chose through UCAS. Some combinations of subjects and some undergraduate Masters programmes will also be available.

How to apply

All applications must be made through .

You should apply for a specific subject with a Foundation Year (see codes below). You can discuss options with a foundation year tutor before arriving at Keele and may be able to change your choice following discussions with foundation year staff.

UCAS single honours programmes with a Humanities Foundation Year

TV70 American Studies

Q3VA English Literature

Q3V0 English and American Literatures

Q3W9 English with Creative Writing

P3V0 Film Studies

PW39 Film Studies with Creative Writing

VV10 History

P9V0 Media, Culture and Creative Practice

W300 Music

J930 Music Technology

V5V0 Philosophy

UCAS combined honours with a Humanities Foundation Year

If you are applying for a combined honours programme with a foundation year, you will be intending to study two subjects at degree level. You will need to specify a second subject at the time of applying. Please note that after the foundation year in the above subjects you will progress to a Bachelor's degree in that subject, plus a second subject for combined honours.

TV70 American Studies

Q3VA English Literature

P3V0 Film Studies

VV10 History

P9V1 Media

W300 Music

J930 Music Technology

V5V0 Philosophy

Teaching and assessment

The programme will be delivered through a mixture of classes which may include lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and placements; some students will also have computer classes, computer exercises and laboratory classes. In addition, you are expected to undertake a large amount of independent study and revision.

Lectures are normally 50 minutes long and consist of a member of staff talking to the whole class with the aid of PowerPoint presentations, whiteboards and other visual aids. Many lectures involve only teaching by the lecturer, although there is usually opportunity to ask questions. However, some lectures are more interactive and may involve activities for you to undertake.

Tutorials and seminars are small group sessions with a member of staff. Usually there is much more participation by students in these than in lectures. There is often opportunity for you to suggest the topics to be discussed, to ask questions and even to lead part of the session. Tutorials and seminars usually support the material delivered in the lectures; seminars often allow you and/or staff to introduce supplementary material.

Workshops are small group sessions based around an activity. These may be individual or group activities. A member of staff facilitates the session but the learning comes largely through the undertaking of the activity. Some workshops will complement the material delivered in the lectures rather than build on it directly.

Laboratory classes provide opportunity for you to perform experiments and other practical work under supervision.

During placements you have the opportunity to observe professional practice.

In computer classes you complete tasks using a wide variety of computer applications. Members of staff are available to provide guidance.

Independent study includes revision, wider reading around the subject, preparation and writing of assignments, preparatory reading, preparation for seminars and tutorials, and developing skills to complement the material delivered in class. Reading lists are provided to help you direct your reading.

Assessment - The following list is representative of the variety of assessment methods used within the Humanities Foundation Year:

• Unseen closed and open book examinations in different formats test your knowledge and understanding of the subject. Examinations may consist of essay, short answer and/or multiple choice questions
• Essays and reports allow you to demonstrate your ability to articulate ideas clearly using argument and reasoning skills, and with close reference to the contexts and critical concepts covered in the modules. Essays also develop and demonstrate research and presentation skills (including appropriate scholarly referencing)
• Book reviews test your ability to interpret written material for a less specialist audience
• Class either conventionally or online via the Keele Learning Environment (KLE) assess your subject knowledge and your ability to apply it
• Treatment projects test your knowledge of different research methodologies and the limits and provisional nature of knowledge. They also enable you to demonstrate your ability to formulate research questions and to address them using appropriate methods
• Oral and poster presentations and reports assess your individual subject knowledge and understanding. They may also test your ability to work effectively as members of a team, to communicate what you know orally and visually, and to reflect on these processes as part of your own personal development
• Portfolios may consist of a range of different pieces of work but routinely include a requirement that you provide some evidence of critical reflection on the development of your own learning
• Peer assessment - in some cases you will be involved in peer evaluation of other students’ work, particularly in group work. This helps you to take responsibility, improve your performance, and reflect on both your own work and that of others
• Course work assignments consist of short written pieces completed in your own time and provide the opportunity to test a range of deeper learning concepts; you are expected to make use of a variety of source material, as well as your lecture notes and text books etc., to complete these assignments
• Laboratory reports – structured pro formas and full laboratory reports are formal summaries of work carried out in the laboratory. They test your understanding of the practical aspects of the programme and develop the skills necessary to enable you to present and analyse your results, as well as explain the rationale behind an experiment, describe an associated replicable methodology and draw valid conclusions
• Participation – in some modules, marks are awarded for participation in group discussions.

Contacts and further information

For further information, please contact:

Jil Griffiths
Admissions Officer
Foundation Year Centre
Recru it networ
Staffordshire,

Tel: 01782 733763

Email: [email protected]

Progression

All students will be required to obtain an average of 55% across 120 credits during the Foundation Year.  In addition, the following marks must be obtained in the certain modules to progress to the specified degree subjects.

Subject	Module requirements
Single honours English Literature	70% in Understanding Narrative 70% in Understanding Poetry
English and American Literature (Single honours)	70% in Understanding Narrative 70% in Understanding Poetry
English Literature and Creative Writing (Single honours)	70% in Understanding Narrative 70% in Understanding Poetry
Single honours History	60% in Anglo-Saxon England 60% in The Age of the Tudors

Additional costs

As to be expected there will be additional costs for textbooks and other course books, an approved calculator for scientific and mathematical modules, inter-library loans, potential overdue library fines and printing.

We do not anticipate any further additional costs for this Foundation Year programme except in the case of you taking a science or mathematics module as an option, or the social science module Education in Practice which involves a placement in a school and you will be expected to fund your own travel in that regard. Students working in the chemistry and biology laboratories will be required to wear protective equipment; these can be purchased from the University for a total cost of about £15. Students taking the module ‘Exploiting the Earth’ will be required to provide a £10 deposit with regard to the field trip, returnable on attendance. Most mathematics or science modules require the use of an approved calculator.

What our student say

"I’d just like to email all of you to express my gratitude for what you have done for me this past semester. Be this through lectures, tutorials or simply replying to my emails, your efforts have allowed me to push myself and achieve more than I believed I would; meaning I only wish to push myself more next year."

PJ Leahy: Humanities Foundation Year 2016-7, studying Economics and Film Studies