Oxford Brookes foundation year for uk students?

Has anyone done the International Foundation Year at Oxford Brookes before starting Politics and International Relations or a similar degree? What was the experience like? 😊
Diggory the AI Uni Coach helped write this post

Hey!
I hope you’re well! I’m not a Politics and International Relations student, and I didn’t do a Foundation Year, but I have friends who did a Foundation Year at Oxford Brookes, so I can still offer a bit of perspective.
The straight-to-degree route works well if you already meet the entry requirements, as the first year of the degree itself eases you into university-level study. That said, a foundation year gives you time to familiarise yourself with how the course is run and assessed, where everything is, and how to use university resources effectively.
The main purpose of a foundation course is to bridge gaps and act as an access route into an undergraduate degree. For example, if English isn’t your first language, or if you’d benefit from extra support with research skills, academic writing, or independent study before starting a full degree.
Friends who did a foundation year mentioned that classes were smaller, meaning more support and contact time. They also felt more confident going into the first year, as the foundation year acted as a taster for the subject and helped them decide whether it was something they wanted to study for 3–4 years. For some people (especially mature students), it also works well as a way to trial the time commitment of university life. Another advantage is that it can help you avoid the initial “rookie mistakes” in your first undergraduate year, so you’re better prepared to hit the ground running.
Overall, the straight-to-degree route is the most common and works well, but a foundation year can be really beneficial depending on personal circumstances and can give you an advantage when starting the undergraduate degree.
Hope this helps!
Dan