What is a foundation year?
A foundation year is an extra year of study at the beginning of your undergraduate degree. These are for people who don't meet the entry requirements or who are returning to study after a break. It equips you with the academic skills you need to study at university.
What's the difference between a foundation year and a foundation degree?
A foundation year is the equivalent to a Level 3 qualification, and prepares you for entry onto an honours degree programme. You can study a foundation year then progress onto a foundation degree.
Foundation degrees are usually a two-year course and cover the key areas of a subject. A foundation degree is a Level 5 qualification, and the equivalent of two-thirds of a bachelor degree. You'd need a further top-up year to gain an honours degree.
Why study a foundation year?
A foundation year could be your route into a degree. If you didn't study the right subjects at A Level, or you are returning to study, a foundation year can help you get onto your chosen course. They are also useful if your qualifications don't meet the current entry requirements for your chosen course.
I know that my foundation year is the reason that I’ve succeeded in my time at university...my foundation year showed me exactly what my lecturers would expect of me for the next few years at UCLan.
