What are foundation degrees?

Foundation degrees are designed and delivered in partnership with employers to equip people with the relevant knowledge and skills for business. student with book

They are offered by universities in partnership with higher education colleges and further education colleges. The study methods can be very flexible, which means that they are available to people already in work, those wishing to embark on a career change and to those who have recently completed level 3 qualifications (e.g. A-levels, Advanced Apprenticeships or NVQ3).

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How long is a foundation degree?

A full-time course usually takes two years. Part-time courses may take longer, although this is not always the case.

What are the entry requirements?

Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements. Formal qualifications are not always necessary as appropriate commercial and industrial experience can be more relevant. Check with the institution concerned as some courses may have specific requirements.

What options are available if I have a foundation degree?

Foundation degree graduates have a number of options. Employment may be your major focus after gaining your foundation degree. Many graduates choose to combine employment with further study and you will have the opportunity to progress to a full honours degree with around 12 months of further study (the time taken depends on how you choose to study). Alternatively, you may wish to progress to further professional qualifications.

Employer involvement

The following are quotes from employers involved with foundation degrees.

BMW

For the companies whose staff are taking the Automotive Manufacturing foundation degree course, the benefits of this approach are obvious. Bob Lyall from BMW says: "The work assignments help students learn and gain points towards a degree. But they might also improve BMW's operations. I know from my own studies that work-based assignments can save a company millions. So we had one scenario in which a turntable for an automated guided vehicle was locking in the wrong position. The foundation degree students proposed a solution as part of their studies."

Bob Lyall is pleased with the results. He says: "This degree is all about self-improvement. It's done in the employees' own time. So far, I'm very impressed with the quality of the teaching and the rigour of the students' work."

SKILLFAST

Skillfast is the sector skills council for the apparel, footwear and textile industry. Celia Thornley, their workforce development co-ordinator says: "We have to accept that the industry is global and give companies flexible training that helps them remain competitive, thereby keeping high level skills and expertise in this country."

RADISSON EDWARDIAN HOTEL GROUP

Omar Ismail, Head of HR at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel Group says: "Potential employees feel that they will be automatically hired if they have a degree. However, what really counts is how they can add value for our guests and organisation through effective communication, not just theory.

"You can't quote theory to a guest, so whilst we welcome people with qualifications in hospitality, it's those courses which offer both practical and theoretical learning that add the most value for the guest and the organisation.

"The foundation degree is an excellent vehicle for delivering a mix of theory and practice to the students. It provides them with academic excellence, which can be used to enhance the guest experience."

How to apply

I have found a course that I would like to study, what do I do now?

It is a good idea to contact the university or college you are interested in and ask for further information about the course and university/college to make sure it is right for you. Many universities and colleges have an online prospectus, or you can contact them and ask for an undergraduate or foundation degree prospectus.

The foundation degree course search section also has a course contact telephone number. This person will be able to provide you with specific information about the course and what it involves.

When you are sure you have found a course you are interested in, the next stage is making your application.

How to apply to a part-time course

You will need to apply direct to the university or college offering the foundation degree course. Contact details can be found on the foundation degree course search, towards the bottom of the course information. Each university or college will have their own method of entry, but it is likely that you will have to complete an application form.

How to apply to a full-time course

All full-time courses which are taken at a university or college in the UCAS scheme will need to be applied for through UCAS. You can check if the institution you want to go to is in the UCAS scheme by using the institution guide. If the course is not in the UCAS scheme, you should apply direct to the university or college offering the course.

You can complete a UCAS application using Apply on the website. The course information required to complete a UCAS application can be found on the Course Search and help is available throughout the process.