August 2024

Blog | What is the difference between a foundation year and a foundation degree?

By Sean Madden

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Read time: approx 7 mins

For prospective students unsure whether they are ready to commit to a full undergraduate course or who don't quite have the grades, University College Birmingham offers a wide variety of foundation degrees and foundation year courses.

You may have heard of foundation years and foundation degrees and wondered what the difference between the two really is.

In this blog, we take a closer look at both to help you decide whether a foundation degree or foundation year is the right choice for you.

What is a foundation degree?

A foundation degree is a great option if you don't quite meet the entry criteria to do a undergraduate degree straight away.

To be able to apply for a foundation degree, which combines academia with hands-on skills development, you usually need at least 32 UCAS Tariff points - undergraduate degrees often require you to have higher grades.

A foundation degree isn't just a route into higher education but an actual degree qualification. It is equivalent to the first two years of an undergraduate degree (Levels 4 and 5) and after this, you can ‘top up’ to a BA or BSc (Hons) degree (Level 6), with additional study of 1-2 years.

Ultimately, by studying for a foundation degree and then topping up, you can come out with a full honours degree anyway - it's just a different route. You don't have to 'top up' either. Many students use their foundation degree as a stand-alone qualification to improve their job prospects or make further progress in their career.

What is a foundation year?

A foundation year is a one-year, Level 3-equivalent course designed to help students who have just missed the entry criteria for undergraduate study to gain the skills necessary to begin a degree.

A foundation year offers you a clear and structured pathway into higher education, without having to apply for a top-up after you've completed the course.

It is taken directly before a three-year undergraduate degree, and gives you the opportunity to learn more about your chosen subject area, developing the knowledge and skills you will need to succeed on your full degree course.

You will be taught in the same way as you will be on your degree, with lectures and seminars all taking place on the University campus. Assessments are also carried out as they would be in a university degree, through a mixture of essays and exams.

The foundation year is not a qualification, but is essentially a route into a three-year undergraduate degree, which means that your degree would effectively take four years.

If you are eligible for a student loan from Student Finance England, you are entitled to use one year of this funding for your foundation year.

What is an Access to Higher Education Course?

If you are aged over 19 want to return to education but don’t currently have the qualifications to apply for university, why not apply for an Access to Higher Education course?

They are one year long and very flexible. The course itself is similar to a foundation year in that you complete it immediately before going to university, but unlike a foundation year you can use it to apply to various universities around the UK.

Graduate Jen now runs a successful events business

Student case study: Jen Ellin

A foundation degree is often a career stepping stone for our students, helping to provide the flexibility of learning increasingly valued by students – especially if you are either thinking of a career change, or unsure whether you are ready to embark on a full degree.

University College Birmingham foundation degree graduate Jen Ellin was already running a successful business in Personal Assistance when she decided that the Events Management FdA would give her greater creative freedom and the tools to put her ideas into practice.

After completing her course, she rebranded her business as Jen’s Tailored Events before beginning the one-year top-up to turn her foundation degree into a Business Enterprise BA (Hons). With this, she was able to not only expand her own company, but pass on her experience to the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Read Jen's story

Shanice Hinds on her sports therapy foundation degree

Student case study: Shanice Hinds

The flexibility offered by the foundation degree was particularly useful for Sports Therapy FdSc graduate Shanice Hinds.

She began her course at University College Birmingham in 2018, but after being unable to give the course her full attention, completed her second year in 2022.

After this, she was able to top up her course to the full Sports Therapy BSc (Hons), and after gaining placement experience at Coventry City FC and Leamington Rugby Club, is now a physiotherapy and occupational therapy assistant in neurorehabilitation at a major NHS rehabilitation hospital.

Read Shanice's story

What foundation degrees do we offer?

An extensive range of foundation degrees is available at University College Birmingham, with curriculums developed to provide the academic and practical skills needed to advance your career or learning journey. You can choose from: