Why you should consider a Foundation Year

If you're not sure about going to university, or you're a mature student considering a return to education, a foundation year (FY) gives you the chance to experience studying a university course.

Going to university is a big step. If you've been out of education for a few years, it can be a daunting prospect. For mature students in particular, there may be the added worry of whether university is really for you - will you have anything in common with your fellow students?

The development of the foundation year has opened doors for those who may have previously thought university wasn't an option, whether for academic or personal reasons, from school leavers to busy working parents. It can be seen as a stepping-stone into the world of higher education (HE), particularly if you don't have the right qualifications to go straight onto your chosen degree programme.

What is a Foundation Year?

A foundation year gives you the opportunity to get an understanding of your field of interest before progressing to the full three-year degree programme. As well as subject knowledge, you'll get used to the HE context and gain the skills needed for higher level study. For example, at the University of Bedfordshire, initial sessions focus on career aspirations and opportunities, existing transferable skills, an introduction to your chosen subject, and writing essays.

A variety of subjects can be studied with a foundation year, and many degrees now offer this as an option. At the University of Bedfordshire a large number of our courses provide an FY pathway.

These include subjects areas such as:

• Biological Sciences
• Business
• Creative Arts
• Education
• Social Studies
• Sport

As an alternative route into university, a foundation year can ease you back into the education environment while providing access to the degree of your choice. If you successfully complete the foundation year, you can progress immediately into the first year of a degree.

Who should take a Foundation Year?

A foundation year offers a supportive environment if you've been out of education for a few years and are nervous about embarking on a university degree.

For example, as a mature student you may be worried you'll be the only person over 25 in a room full of teenagers, but this isn't the case. More mature students are going to university than ever before.

In fact, at the University of Bedfordshire, more than half of the student population is aged 21 or over. This presents you with a fantastic opportunity to mix with people with a shared interest.

Hear from student Tim Wright about how accessing the Foundation Year as a mature student helped build upon his previous experience working with the homeless and how academics within the social sciences helped support and direct him towards a pathway into Criminology, to help facilitate Tim’s future plans of working within the Youth Justice system.

What are the entry requirements?

If you're considering doing a foundation year, you shouldn't be put off because of a lack of formal qualifications.

If you have work experience and passion for your subject area, universities will look at your profile and advise whether they can accept you, or what else you need to do prior to starting the course.

Many universities across the country are now offering degrees with a foundation year so there's plenty of choice.

In terms of finance, students are currently eligible to take out student loans for the full four years of their degree with a foundation year. When applying to a university, be sure to ask about their available bursaries.

How will I progress onto my degree?

There are a number of different avenues that you can follow once you’ve completed a foundation year. If you have chosen to remain on the course that you selected with a foundation year, and have successfully passed the course you will be automatically receive an invitation to enrol on the full degree programme.

Alternatively you may started on one course, but throughout the duration of the foundation year programme found yourself gravitating towards a different degree programme entirely. In this case, you would need to discuss this with the course co-ordinator for the course you were interested in and if they are happy, complete a course transfer form.

However, in some circumstances a course transfer will not be sufficient, and anyone looking to move on to a professional course, especially within Healthcare, would need to apply through UCAS to move on to their chosen degree once they have completed their foundation year.

Hear from Lynne Reynolds, the course co-ordinator for Foundation Year in the School of Applied Social Sciences about the different avenues you can follow once completing your foundation year

What else do I need to know?

The foundation year is usually linked to the degree you'll progress onto. It allows you to meet with your peers in the year above, so you'll know what to expect when you move onto a degree.

You're typically taught by tutors who will be with you throughout your degree, and you also complete the type of assessments you'll be taking in subsequent years, preparing you for what's to come.

You'll get plenty of support in understanding how the foundation course works and what's needed to reach the required standard. As a foundation year student, you're a university student from the day you register, and will benefit fully from the facilities and opportunities available to all students.