Start your journey to uni
If you don't meet the entry requirements for a Bachelor's degree, or you're returning to study after a break, a foundation year course is ideal.
Taking a foundation year course offers you a different pathway to uni, a taste of what university is like. You'll get the knowledge, skills and tools to succeed in you're studies, and pursue what you're passionate about.
When you finish your full degree with a foundation year, you'll come out with the same qualification as someone with a straight bachelor's degree. And your decision to take on a foundation year shows that you can persevere and handle challenges that come your way.
Why a foundation year is worth it
A foundation year course gives you your first step into university, where you'll study a wide range of topics in your chosen field.
On your foundation year you'll:
- Get used to the way lectures, tutorials and uni life runs
- Relearn the ropes if you've been out of education for a while
- Use the same equipment and expert knowledge as other uni students
- Get access to support services so you know you have the tools you'll need to succeed
What a foundation year is like
Doing a foundation year is the first step towards a full bachelors course. You'll get access to the same facilities and resources, and you're studying on campus, you'll experience everything that comes with student life.
When you'll study:
The academic year runs from September to early June with breaks at Christmas and Easter. It's divided into 2 teaching blocks and 2 assessment periods:
- September to December – teaching block 1
- January – assessment period 1
- January to May – teaching block 2 (includes Easter break)
- May to June – assessment period 2
What to expect:
It depends on what course you're doing but in a week studying in foundation year you'll:
- Attend classes focused on developing core skills for your discipline and your study skills
- Have roughly 8 – 15 hours in lectures, guest lectures, seminars, and tutorials
- Conduct independent study like research, reading, coursework and project work either alone or in a group
- Aim to spend a total of 35 hours a week in classes or studying
Accessible entry requirements
If you didn't get the UCAS score you were aiming for, lower entry requirements on foundation year courses give you the option to still go to university. We'll consider any Vocational A levels (AVCE), BTECs and Access courses in your application.
If you're applying through UCAS you'll also need to write a personal statement. It's a written submission that shows your chosen universities why you'll make a great student and why they should make you an offer.
Progressing to your Bachelor's degree
When you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll progress straight onto the first year of your Bachelor's degree.
You may be asked to attend an interview before continuing onto your Bachelor's degree after completing your foundation year. Some courses might also have additional entry requirements, which you can find in the entry requirements section on the course page.
If you're unsure or have any questions, our admissions team are standing by to help.
Alternatives to a foundation year
If you're checking out alternative pathways to university, it's important to know all the options available to you.
Despite the similar names, a foundation year is a one year course that gives you a bridge into a bachelor's degree. It covers broad topics in your subject area and key skills you'll need as a uni student.
A foundation degree is a two-year course that combines academic and vocational qualifications.
Only certain universities offer these degrees and they're sometimes in partnership with external organisations. It's a standalone degree that's equivalent to two-thirds of a bachelor's degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND).
Distance learning means you study online at a time that fits your schedule and commitments.
You learn using digital course material, streamed lectures and online forums, and live chats with your teachers and peers.
Distance learning has great benefits, such as:
- You can usually decide when, where and how much you study
- Lower tuition fees than courses on campus
- You can study anywhere that you have an Internet connection
An HND qualification is equivalent to a foundation degree (FdA) or 2 years of a 3-year Bachelor's degree. You can study an HND at a university, at a college in partnership with a university or an independently run college course.
Once you complete an HND, you can use your qualification to go straight into work. Or use your knowledge and skills to top-up your HND to a Bachelor's degree.
Find out more about alternative ways to get a degree.