Foundation year university courses are an extra year of study at the start of an academic programme that lets students experience what studying a university course would be like. A foundation year provides a bridge between secondary education and embarking on an undergraduate degree course.
After all, choosing the right higher education path can be challenging, especially if you don’t feel ready to start a traditional degree programme immediately. That is when a foundation year is a valuable option.
Warwick Business School (WBS) offers foundation year courses to help build the confidence and academic skills you need to progress to an undergraduate degree. A foundation year can be the ideal stepping stone as you begin your educational journey, whatever your personal circumstances or qualifications.
So, what is a foundation year at university? A foundation year is an extra course of study before you begin your first year of an undergraduate course. It’s designed to bridge the gap between secondary education and university by helping students develop their foundational knowledge, skills and confidence. It helps prepare an individual for the demands of degree-level study, especially if they don’t initially meet the traditional entry requirements or feel unready to enter a complete undergraduate programme. To learn more, watch this video of our academic staff discussing the key details and benefits of an undergraduate foundation year.
While they sound similar, a foundation year and a foundation degree are different. A foundation year is a one-year course that introduces students to the subject and prepares them for starting the full-time degree course. A foundation degree is a combined vocational and academic qualification in its own right, equivalent to two-thirds of an honours bachelor’s degree.
A foundation year is designed for students who:
Joe Randall is a graduate of WBS’ BSc Accounting & Finance foundation year:
“I believe that the Foundation Year successfully bridges the gap between A-levels and Higher Education by integrating aspects of university-style teaching and assessment with a greater exposure to the level of independent preparation required to succeed.”
For other students, the Foundation Year provides an opportunity to get back into full-time study after a period of time out of education.
Enabling students to study for one year before entering the first year of their chosen degree course is, for some, a favourable option. It allows an individual to strengthen their academic skills and subject knowledge, helping to provide a smooth transition to studying for their undergraduate degree. Foundation year courses consist of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and assessments, much like a standard undergraduate degree. They assist students in developing their critical thinking, research, and communication skills before seamlessly progressing to the first year of their degree course.
Foundation years have entry requirements; however, they are typically more attainable than those needed for an undergraduate course: you will need GCSEs, A-levels, BTECs, the International Baccalaureate or Scottish Advanced Highers.
You may also be required to provide a personal statement or attend an interview, much like applying for an undergraduate degree course. To discover more about the specific entry requirements, check out our Foundation Year courses in business, management, and finance.
Sound right for you? See our Undergraduate brochure or give our course finder a try to discover your ideal programme on the WBS website.
Completing a foundation year allows students to progress to the first year of their undergraduate degree course. It is not a qualification but a preparatory step on the path to accessing a wide range of undergraduate courses.
At WBS, our foundation year courses are tailored to provide a strong business-focused education that will prepare students for success in a variety of fields:
Foundation year courses provide an accessible route to undergraduate degrees thanks to their lower entry requirements than traditional undergraduate programmes.
A foundation year enables students to develop essential personal and academic skills, such as critical thinking, how to go about research, and an ability to clearly express thoughts and concepts through written work, alongside crucial soft skills, such as time management and adaptability.
BSc Management graduate Jessica Elvidge highlights how her foundation year enabled her to progress to degree-level education:
"The course definitely prepared me for degree-level study. They gave me a foundation of knowledge for business, statistics, how to write at a degree-level standard, and think academically and creatively.”
Some students find the transition from school to university life daunting, especially if they’ve had a significant break in their education. A foundation year can make the process much less worrying, enabling students to adjust comfortably to university life before fully committing to a degree programme.
“The main way I believe that the Foundation Year helped me transition into university life is its ability to allow students to adjust to the new location and campus-based life,” adds Jessica.
A foundation year exposes students to a variety of subjects, helping them make informed decisions about their career goals and the academic path needed to be taken to achieve them. This approach reduces the pressure to commit to a full degree course immediately.
BSc Management graduate Taiyla began her academic journey with a foundation year; she shares:
“For students looking to join the Foundation Year programme, I would say that there is no other opportunity as valuable as this for students from widening participation backgrounds. You will be pushed to develop academically, personally and professionally, which will leave you with a toolkit to excel. Completing the Foundation Year definitely helped me throughout my first year studying Management.”
Kickstarting your higher education journey with a foundation year could be the key to success. Undergraduate foundation years equip students with essential academic skills, subject knowledge and the confidence to succeed in an undergraduate degree programme. These courses bridge the gap between sixth form and university, can assist with returning to education after a break, and ensure you are prepared for the demands of degree-level study.
When you're ready to take the next step in your academic journey, explore our exciting range of foundation year courses. They will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence you need to embark on one of our highly accredited Undergraduate courses. Many of these courses are ranked among the top in the UK and are recognised as some of the best worldwide.
Get in touch to learn more about foundation year courses and whether it’s the right option for you or to discuss your academic goals.
We are excited to be celebrating the WBS Foundation Year 10th anniversary. Undergraduate alumni, Torr James, shares how the Foundation Year at WBS provided an opportunity for him to prepare and make the most out of his university experience.
We are excited to be celebrating the WBS Foundation Year 10th anniversary. Undergraduate student, Mariyah, reflects on how the Foundation Year has impacted her experience at university.
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