Durham University - Undergraduate Pre-application Open Day
26 Jun 2026, 08:00
Durham
Course details
About our Foundation Programmes
The Foundation Programme is designed for students from under-represented groups in higher education, who have the potential to achieve but who, because of educational disadvantage or disruption, do not have the level of attainment or access to qualifications required for standard entry to a Durham University course. Please note there are eligibility criteria (For more details please scroll to “How to Apply” below for link information).
What we do
Our Foundation Programmes are delivered by a dedicated team of academic tutors from Durham’s Centre for Academic Development. Each year it provides places for 100 students and supports them to progress to Level 1 study in various academic subjects from most academic department in the university. The content focuses on developing an understanding of how knowledge is constructed within the degree programme, metacognitive skills, and independent learning, becoming increasingly specialised as the course progresses. We support students to develop the skills and subject knowledge required for successful study at degree level. On successful completion of the Foundation Year, students will progress to the first year of their degree - Psychology BSc.
Psychology
Developing the skills; knowledge and understanding needed to be part of the future of psychological science.
For full details please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.
In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/
This programme provides high-quality teaching and learning in a supportive and productive environment which encourages self-awareness, reflective practice, and cross-discipline awareness.
Towards the end of the year, greater emphasis is placed on independent study, not just in preparation for classes and reading around the subjects, but also with students completing an individual project related to their progression route.
Assessment will include across the year; continuous assignment and essay work, maths test, oral presentation and a final dissertation of 3000 words. For full details please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.
This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.
This course has restrictions on who can apply.
The following entry points are available for this course:
This course is not available to International applicants. Any International applicant interested in studying a Foundation programme leading to further study at Durham University should visit www.durhamisc.com for more information.
Discover what it's like to study Psychology with Foundation at Durham University: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.
If you achieved or have predicted grades that meet the standard offer for your Durham University degree course without Foundation, then you should apply for direct entry, as you will not be considered for the Foundation Programme.
It is not necessary to have Level 3 qualification to apply to the Foundation Programme but you must be able to demonstrate the potential to have achieved the qualification above.
If you have completed Level 3 qualifications within three years or are currently taking them, you need to achieve for each A-level at least grade C, and/or each BTEC at least grade Merit; or at least a Merit in all level 3 modules for an Access to HE course.
Specific Eligibility Criteria
Recommended Criteria for Mature Applicants (over 21 years)
Applicants over 21 are likely to have achieved GCSE grade 4 in Maths and English Language or be able to clearly demonstrate their potential in these subjects.
Essential Criteria for Younger Applicants (under 21 years)
Applicants under 21 must have achieved a GCSE grade 4 or higher in Maths and English Language.
General Eligibility Criteria
All applicants need to meet criteria to be considered: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-development/study/foundation/eligibility/
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
English Language requirements https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
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Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
This course does not accept overseas fee paying students.
Year 1 relates to 1st year of study (year 0) for fee purposes. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
Durham University will charge home rate tuition fees up to the maximum allowed by the UK Government. Should the UK Government choose to increase the maximum tuition fee allowed in the second and subsequent years of your course, Durham University will raise tuition fees in line with UK Government policy and approvals, subject to an inflationary cap, but at no time more than 10-15% of your total tuition fees.
There may also be additional course costs for things like books (if you want to purchase them), field trips etc.
Durham University offers a range of scholarship opportunities to academically well-qualified and highly motivated students. For further details, including deadlines for application, please visit: www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE
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Phone:0191 334 1000