Introduction
If you are an international student about to graduate from high school, with less than 13 years of education, and would like to pursue your first degree, consider enrolling in a foundation course at a UK college or university.
International students who require additional academic and English language preparation for admission to an undergraduate program at a UK institution can enroll in a foundation course, which is a one-year program.
Those who have completed their schooling outside the UK and want to study for a degree at a UK institution can enroll in foundation programs. By filling up academic gaps, enhancing English proficiency, and acquainting you with UK culture and society, the foundation course links your current qualifications and the undergraduate admission requirements of UK universities, preparing you for university life.
What is a Foundation Degree?
Foundation degrees give candidates a great start in the job market and offer avenues for those who want to pursue a complete undergraduate degree.
The qualification will take two years if you decide to study it full-time. The duration of the part-time route is typically four years.
As with bachelor's degrees, foundation degree programs are categorised by subject matter; for example, awards such as FdSc and FDA are associated with the sciences and the arts, respectively.
Foundation degrees are perfect for people who aren't quite ready to commit to three years of study for a full degree because they allow you to study while you work. Whichever course you select, in addition to the role-specific abilities you will acquire, it should equip you with desirable attributes that employers look for in candidates.
Check out what skills employers’ value most. But, choosing a subject you'll enjoy is crucial because pursuing a foundation degree require strong organisational skills, motivation, and the capacity to adjust to various job contexts.
Foundation Degree Equivalent
At Level 5 of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), a foundation degree is the academic equivalent of two-thirds of a bachelor's degree, a Higher National Diploma (HND), and a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE).
How to Choose Between Different Foundation Degrees
Foundation degrees are perfect for people who aren't quite ready to commit to three years of study for a full degree because they allow you to study while you work. In less time than it would take to complete a degree, you can acquire professional and technical skills to further your career, regardless of whether you are working in or towards the role.
Typically, they need two years of full-time study or more for those enrolled part-time.
If you decide to pursue a complete degree after all, you can typically continue for an additional year to earn a full honours degree.
What are Foundation Years?
A university foundation year, sometimes a foundation course, is typically a one-year curriculum created to assist students in acquiring the skills and information necessary to advance to an undergraduate degree at a college or university.
Study techniques, academic writing, research techniques, and academic subjects, including science, math, and English are all covered in the foundation year. After finishing the foundation year, students can typically continue to their preferred undergraduate degree at the same university or a different one.
The foundation years serve as a link between college and high school education.
Entry Requirements
No specific prerequisites exist for foundation degrees because formal qualifications are superseded by relevant industrial or commercial job experience and skills in an industry. Universities and colleges can specify their requirements, which are available on their websites.
Your non-traditional qualifications, such as relevant work experience or life experiences, will be considered by the college in addition to your academic performance and expected grades. The primary prerequisite is the capacity to handle coursework at the degree level.
What does it mean to start a Foundation Degree?
- Practical Skills for Work - With a foundation degree, you can jumpstart your career by gaining practical experience in your field of choice and developing transferable abilities that will make you stand out from the competition when applying for jobs. They might assist those employed in enhancing their skills and obtaining a raise.
- Great Flexibility - Foundation degrees are a flexible alternative that can fit around current responsibilities if you're already working and looking to upskill or if you have personal circumstances you need to accommodate. The course provider can provide more details about what they can offer you.
- Future Outcomes - Enrolling in a three-year program might be intimidating, particularly if you're unsure of your career goals or what to accomplish to get there. A foundation degree might be an excellent way to get started. You will begin to comprehend a course's structure and benefits as you pick up new information and experiences. Remember that a bachelor's degree can require less practical experience. It's possible that obtaining a foundation degree is all you need to get the position you want.
What can you do with a Foundation Degree?
Furthermore, there are now more options for accessing their structured training programs. These offer more flexible entry requirements focused on critical thinking tests, relevant job experience, and other merits than typical graduate schemes, which usually demand a 2:1 Bachelor’s degree as a baseline prerequisite.
Duration of the Degree
Full-time foundation degrees are usually two years in length. Part-time courses take longer – usually three or four years. There are often flexible learning options, such as block release.
Full-time courses work well if you are not currently in employment and want to get an academic qualification in a shorter timeframe than it would take to do an undergrad degree. Part-time courses are for people studying around a full-time job.
Undergraduate Degree vs Foundation Degree
The duration of an undergraduate degree is longer than that of a foundation degree. Unless you enroll in an intensive, more costly expedited course, they require a minimum of three years to complete. Some undergraduate programs require four to six years to complete (medical programs, for instance, or studies in Scotland).
Immersion learning is typically a part of undergraduate courses. Five days a week of lectures and seminars (small group lessons) are typical. You will also be required to turn in essays and take final exams at the end of the year. A strong emphasis on academic studies will be placed on your reading of theories and concepts, which your lecturers will help you examine and comprehend from an intellectual standpoint.
Although foundation degrees involve some academic coursework, their main goal is to provide more than theoretical knowledge. Additionally, you'll pick up relevant skills for a career in the workforce.
Most universities will allow you to pursue a third year of study to turn your two-year foundation degree into a full degree, also known as an undergraduate, bachelor's, honours, or BA degree, if you determine that you enjoy learning.
Costs for a Foundation Degree
Foundation degree costs will vary throughout universities, and course fees will depend on the topic of study. Tuition costs for an academic year will be around £2,500 and £6,500 at the low and high end respectively. Multiply that by two to get the entire price.
Student loans, grants, and other financial aid are available to assist with the expense of education, much like for undergraduate degrees. It's worthwhile to enquire about financial help for your studies if you are employed and believe that pursuing your education would improve your work performance and add value to your employer.
Requirements for a Foundation Degree
Each university will have different entry requirements for a foundation degree, and there are no set requirements like there are with other undergrads. To understand what you'll need, take some time to look at a few courses and their entry requirements.
While Bachelor's degrees usually have a list of formal qualifications they offer, foundation degrees are more likely to accept different forms of training that you may have already received through existing job roles.
What's always good to have is relevant experience for the subject, or transferable skills you've already gained in this course.
Conclusion
Foundation degrees offer a flexible and practical route for those looking to enhance their skills and knowledge while balancing other commitments. They provide a solid foundation for your career, allowing you to gain valuable experience and develop competencies that employers seek.
Once you have completed a foundation degree, you can continue your academic journey by progressing to a bachelor's degree, which further broadens your opportunities and deepens your expertise.
For more information on advancing to a bachelor's degree after completing a foundation degree, check out the BSc (Hons) program offered by The College of Contract Management. This could be your next step towards achieving your academic and career goals.