Overview

If you want to kickstart your career but aren't yet ready to embark on a full undergraduate degree, our foundation year courses are for you.

During our foundation year degrees, you'll get all the background knowledge and skills you'll need to move on to a full Bachelor's degree. So, it's ideal if you don't yet meet the entry requirements, if you've taken a break from study, or if you need a bit of extra support to get uni-ready.

You'll spend a year studying with us on campus, through ICP. You'll get the knowledge and academic skills needed to take on a bachelor's degree, learning how to analyse information, do research, and improve your academic writing.

The skills you'll learn will help you work in teams as well as on your own in culturally diverse workplaces. You'll develop your understanding of new workplaces and environments, and how to adapt to new environments.

After your foundation year, you'll be ready to move onto the first year of your chosen Bachelor's degree here at Portsmouth.

A guaranteed place

Once you’ve successfully completed your foundation year, you'll be ready to progress onto the full degree of your choice with a guaranteed place.

Which degrees can I move on to?

Course highlights

ICP is based on the University of Portsmouth campus so you'll have access to all facilities, support and societies
When you finish your foundation year successfully, you get a guaranteed place on the degree of your choice
Get used to how lectures, seminars and tutorials work, so you can move onto your degree ready for success
Learn how to meet the demands of taking on a bachelor's at university

Entry requirements

ICP Foundation Year entry requirements

Typical offers

UCAS points - 32 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent. Other qualifications such as Vocational A levels (AVCE), BTECs and Access courses will also be considered (calculate your UCAS points)

You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.

English language requirements

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 5.5 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications.

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Please note these courses aren't currently open to EU or International students.

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

Modules

What you'll study

In your foundation year, you'll gain the knowledge you need to move on to the first year of your chosen degree. It will bridge the gap to uni, with the knowledge and academic skills you'll need to start.

Throughout the year, you'll learn to critically engage with information, undertake literature reviews, enhance your academic writing, and gain awareness of different types of research.

When you successfully complete this year, you'll get a guaranteed place on the first year of your chosen degree.

Which degrees can I move on to after my foundation year?

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

A typical foundation year timetable will have 10 lessons spread out throughout the week, ranging from 2-4 hours in length.

You can expect to be in classes 4-5 days a week depending on your timetable.

Alongside your timetabled sessions, you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. Typically, you can expect to do 4-5 hours of independent learning per module, per week.

You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching once you begin your full Bachelor's degree.

Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends.

Assessment

You'll be assessed in a number of ways on your foundation year, including:

assignments
oral presentations
exams
lab reports
portfolio
court reports

Typically, you can expect to have two assessments per module.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

Supporting you

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of support

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.

You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

They can help with:

improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
understanding and using assignment feedback
managing your time and workload
revision and exam techniques

During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.

Support is available for skills including:

University study
Getting into the right study mindset
Note-taking and note-making skills
Referencing
Presentation skills
Time management, planning, and goal setting
Critical thinking
Avoiding plagiarism

If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
liaise with external services

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)

These foundation year courses aren't currently open to EU or International students.

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Apply

Apply now for September 2025

Please note these courses aren't currently open to EU or International students.

Our ICP Foundation Year courses

Our Foundation Year courses with ICP