Introduction to Oxford Brookes University Speaker: Dr. Alazar Gebre-Yesus 1

Oxford 30,000 students live in Oxford. “Oxford is naturally a student-friendly city and there all the facilities you could want in town”. (The Guardian – University Guide 2009) “Oxford Brookes’ academic appeal is founded on its outstanding teaching record”. (Sunday Times – University Guide 2009) 2

What makes OBU great! Its commitment to learning and teaching, for example: a) offering free extra study support. Student can access this through the unique Upgrade service. b) providing three libraries that are well stocked with up-to-date and ancient texts, and friendly subject librarians that are always willing to help by visiting the different sites of the University. 3

What makes OBU great! Strong teaching in research: 75% of the University’s research is internationally recognised. (Research Assessment Exercise 2008 – The official rankings of university research in the UK). These research teaching areas are, for example, in arts, sciences, law, health and education. 4

What makes Oxford great! Example For the 8 th year running, Brookes has been named the UK’s leading modern university by the Sunday Times – University Guide OBU has reputation for its connectedness to the public. How and why? It calls experts and guest speakers who are leaders, for example, in industry to share their ideas. 5

What makes OBU great! Example OBU has strong links with world leading hospitals based in Oxford, such as the John Radcliffe and Churchill Hospitals, where the Universities health care students carry out work placements. 6

What makes OBU great!  World Leading Hospitals: One positive outcome of this is that the Biomedical Science Degree (research study in biotechnology: DNA, immunology, histology, chemistry) has been developed within these local hospitals. The course’s clinical aspects are delivered by hospital-based health professionals. 7

What makes OBU great! Study abroad  Biomedical Science Degree (3 years): Part of the course can be studied abroad, for example, in USA, Canada and Australia. 8

What makes OBU great! OBU has won an international award for its European exchange programme. These are with: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, USA. 9

What makes OBU great! Conclusion Because the quality of teaching and learning at Brookes is high, it has been awarded millions of pounds of additional funding. 10

OBU Academic Schools  School of Arts and Humanities  School of the Built Environment  The Business School  School of Life sciences  School of Social Sciences and Law  School of Technology  Westminster Institute of Education  School of Health & Social Care (SHSC)  Note: See Appendix for more information about the Academic Schools 11

Academic Departments of the SHSC Pre-Qualification: BSc / DipHE Adult Nursing Paediatric Nursing Learning Disability Nursing Mental Health Nursing Midwifery Nursing Studies Occupational Therapy Operating Department Practice Osteopathy Paramedic Emergency Care Physiotherapy Social Work Post-Qualification: BSc / BA Cancer Care Children’s Nursing Emergency Care Practice Health & Social Care Studies Health & Social Care Student Designed Award Mental Health Nursing Midwifery Nursing Studies Palliative Care Social Work Post-Qualifying Specialist Level Studies 12

Entry Requirements to the SHSC  Example: Adult Nursing FT Study: Application through UCAS PT Study: Application direct to the University DipHE and BSc courses: 5 GCSEs (including Mathemathics, English Language and a science subject at C or above, or equivalent BSc (Hons) requirements: additionally, CCC at A- Level preferable including a science subject, or equivalent in terms of vocational A-Levels. All applicants will be screened for fitness for practice A Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguard Authority (ISA) check will be made. Process of Selection: Application Letter / CV/ and Interview 13

SHSC Yearly Admission: Example Adult Nursing Oxford: Twice a year: September and January. Swindon: Once a year, i.e. September Number of student according to the available place of study: Total number of places available: 588 See Table of Admission (Example): 14 OBU Campuses Available Number of Place Application Received 2009 Application Received 2010 Oxford = students 725 students Swindon students 243 students T otal 194

Teaching and Learning Resources  Brookes Virtual Learning (BVLE): PCs  Libraries and Library Staff Support (Headington, Wheatley, Swindon)  Student Support: - Academic Advisor - Student Support Co-ordinator - Dyslexia Support - Upgrade: Study Skills - Tutorial Group Support - Student Services : e.g. Counselling, Financial Advice, Student Union Advice Centre, Student Representatives  Clinical Practice: - Link Lecturer - Practice Educator - Mentors - Staff Nurses - BVLE 15

Teaching and Learning Methods  School Blended Learning Seminar Lecture Conference Workshop Presentation Self-directed Learning Tutorial Group Project works  School BVLE: demo of study skills OSCE Authentic World Simulated Practice Learning CVS Practical Skills Placement: Clinic OSCE: Objective Structured Clinical Examination 16

Example of Skills Learning & Assessment Method in Anatomy & Physiology: Cardiovascular (CVS) Practical Skills 17

OBU Structure of Each Semester The academic year is divided into 3 sections: Semester 1: 16 Weeks: i.e. 12 weeks of teaching, 12-16: Reflection, Consolidation of clinical practice, Week 13: Examination. Semester 2: 14 Weeks: i.e. 12 weeks of teaching, Weeks 13-14: Examination. Summer Session: Teaching professional practice or skills simulation, or resits. 18

Conclusion Question Time Thank you for listening 19

Appendix: OBU Academic Schools  School of Arts and Humanities The School is one of the world's leading centres of education in publishing, and our History department is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for research and teaching.  School of the BuiltEnvironment The School is one of the largest of its kind in the UK. A recent HEFCE report indicated that the Brookes-based Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (OISD) is one of the key players in sustainable development research.  The Business School One of a limited number of schools worldwide to be AMBA accredited, Oxford Brookes Business School programmes were rated excellent in the last Government quality audit. The BA (Hons) Business and Management programme and Hospitality and Tourism MSc programmes were among the first to be EPAS accredited. 20

Appendix: OBU Academic Schools  School of Life sciences With a long standing reputation for its teaching and research, the school teaches subjects across the whole spectrum of the life sciences. Students have access to excellent laboratories and state-of- the-art technology.  School of Social Sciences and Law The school has an acclaimed Law Department and both the Psychology Department and the Department of International Relations, Politics and Sociology were rated ‘excellent’ by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). The MSc in Primate Conservation was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Award for Higher and Further Education.  School of Technology The school is situated in a new £8 million teaching and research facility including workshops, computer laboratories, a recording studio, and a dedicated motor sport engineering area. The school has good industry links and internationally reputed research groups. 21

Appendix: OBU Academic Schools  Westminster Institute of Education Both primary and secondary teacher training have been graded as 'outstanding' by Ofsted inspection.The school is the largest provider nationally of government funded continuing professional development.  School of Health and Social Care With a dedicated site in Oxford and a thriving campus in Swindon, the school is strongly focused on encouraging each individual to attain their full potential. The school has been awarded the highest rating in all recent quality assurance reviews. 22