All about Foundation Years

What is a foundation year?

A foundation year is an opportunity to study at a university or college for a year before joining the main course. It usually makes the three-year course into a four years. Within the foundation year, students may be studying with people from different courses at the same institution, as well as people from the subject specific foundation year. This year is designed to equip students with additional skills and knowledge to feel even more prepared when going onto the main undergraduate course the year after with the main cohort. Many students who complete a foundation year feedback that this enabled them to explore subjects in more depth before committing to a three-year degree programme.

Why do people do foundation years?

People do foundation years for multiple reasons; they may have studied very different subjects to their degree choice at college or sixth form so want an additional year of subject knowledge before they go onto the main degree. They may want more time to adjust to the different way of studying during a degree before entering their main degree area, or could have taken advantage of foundation year courses having lower entry requirements.

How do you apply for a foundation year?

When applying through UCAS you add your course with a foundation/gateway year to the course name (i.e. History with a foundation year). It will have a different course code to the 3-year Undergraduate course so double check this. Students may be offered a course with a foundation year if you grades are missed for the main 3-year course either through UCAS track or through clearing. It is well worth considering the foundation year as it gets students on to the main 3-year course after the initial foundation year and you get the same degree at the end. All 4 years can also be fully financed through student finance loans as well.

Check out these short videos from our current students talking about their foundation year experience.