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Study a degree with a foundation year
Find out what a degree with a foundation year involves, what you'll study and a list of courses that offer a foundation year.
Foundation courses
A foundation year is an extra year of study at the start of your university course.
There are many reasons why you might choose to study a foundation year. Maybe you don’t meet the entry requirements to enter directly onto a degree course, or perhaps you want to study something new.
How does a foundation year work?
Your course will take four years, or five years if a placement or year abroad is available on your degree.
You’ll develop skills and subject-specific knowledge to ensure you can advance to the full degree course.
Once you have passed the foundation year you will progress directly onto Year 1 of the linked honours degree. You do not need to reapply through UCAS.
What will you study?
You’ll study four units to build your confidence and prepare you for the rest of your chosen degree.
These include three units that provide an introduction to your subject, and a unit designed to develop your academic and study skills that you’ll need for degree-level study.
We use a range of teaching methods during your foundation year, depending on the course. This involves a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops, laboratory sessions and online learning. You’ll also spend time each week on independent study. Your foundation year will be assessed by coursework and formal exams.
Courses with a foundation year
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Accounting, Finance and Banking
BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance
UCAS code N424BSc (Hons) Banking and Finance
UCAS code N343 -
Biological sciences
Science and Engineering degrees with a foundation year (Biology and Chemistry route)
UCAS codes:
ABC4 - BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Conservation with a Foundation Year
C108 - BSc (Hons) Biology with a Foundation Year
CC56 - BSc (Hons) Microbiology and Molecular Biology with a Foundation Year
C309 - BSc (Hons) Zoology with a Foundation Year
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Biomedical and physiological sciences
Science and Engineering degrees with a foundation year (Life Sciences route)
UCAS codes:
C742 - BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with a Foundation Year
C114 - BSc (Hons) Human Biosciences with a Foundation Year
B124 - BSc (Hons) Human Physiology with a Foundation Year
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Business and management
BA (Hons) Business Management
UCAS code N203BA (Hons) Human Resource Management
UCAS code N602BA (Hons) International Business Management
UCAS code N128BA (Hons) Sports Business Management
UCAS code N088BA (Hons) Sports Marketing Management
UCAS code 188N -
Chemistry
Science and Engineering degrees with a foundation year (Biology and Chemistry route)
UCAS codes:
F108 - BSc (Hons) Chemistry with a Foundation Year
MPC0 - BSc (Hons) Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
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Computing, mathematics and digital technology
Science and Engineering with a foundation year (Computing, Mathematics & Digital Technology route)
UCAS codes:
G5A2 - BSc (Hons) AI and Data Science with a Foundation Year
AC12 - BSc (Hons) Applied Computing with a Foundation Year
GCS5 - BSc (Hons) Cyber Security with a Foundation Year
C5V9 - BSc (Hons) Computer Animation and Visual Effects with a Foundation Year
CGD2 - BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development with a Foundation Year
G402 - BSc (Hons) Computer Science with a Foundation Year
G109 - BSc (Hons) Mathematics with a Foundation Year
G608 - BSc (Hons) Software Engineering with a Foundation Year
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Education and childhood studies
BA (Hons) Early Years and Childhood Studies
UCAS code X341BA (Hons) Education
UCAS code X351 -
Engineering and Product Design
Science and Engineering degrees with a foundation year (Engineering route)
UCAS codes:
H742 - BEng (Hons) Biomedical Engineering with a Foundation Year
H608 - BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a Foundation Year
H308 - BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year
H908 - BSc (Hons) Product Design Engineering with a Foundation Year
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English
BA (Hons) Creative Writing
UCAS code W813BA (Hons) English
UCAS code Q303BA (Hons) English and American Literature
UCAS code QT37BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing
UCAS code C3WRBA (Hons) English and Film
UCAS code PQ33BA (Hons) English and Multimedia Journalism
UCAS code M3J9BA (Hons) Film and Media Studies
UCAS code VW39 -
Geography and environment
Science and Engineering degrees with a foundation year (Environmental Science route)
UCAS code:
F908 - BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with a Foundation Year
Science and Engineering degrees with a foundation year (Geography route)
UCAS codes:
L704 - BSc (Hons) Geography with a Foundation Year
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History, politics and philosophy
BA (Hons) Ethics Religion and Philosophy
UCAS code 7D36BA (Hons) History
UCAS code V101BA (Hons) History and International Relations
UCAS code VL18BA (Hons) History and Politics
UCAS code VL12BA (Hons) International Relations
UCAS code L251BA (Hons) Philosophy
UCAS code V502BA (Hons) Politics
UCAS code L202BA (Hons) Politics and Philosophy
UCAS code LV52 -
Journalism, Information and Communications
BSc (Hons) Digital Media and Communications
UCAS code P305BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism
UCAS code 8F58 -
Languages, linguistics and TESOL (Teachers of English to speakers of other languages)
UCAS codes:
- L587 - BA (Hons) Linguistics
- QQ30 - BA (Hons) English/Linguistics
- 7Y66 - BA (Hons) English/French
- 4R21 - BA (Hons) English/Spanish
- QX62 - BA (Hons) English/TESOL
- 2R47 - BA (Hons) English with Japanese
UCAS codes:
- 8R14 - BA (Hons) French with Mandarin Chinese
- 2N76 - BA (Hons) French with Modern Standard Arabic
- 8V67 - BA (Hons) French with Japanese
- L358 - BA (Hons) French Studies
- L258 - BA (Hons) French and Spanish
- 8G66 - BA (Hons) Spanish with Mandarin Chinese
- 2S76 - BA (Hons) Spanish with Modern Standard Arabic
- 8F59 - BA (Hons) Spanish with Japanese
- L458 - BA (Hons) Spanish Studies
- 2S23 - BA (Hons) Linguistics with Modern Standard Arabic
- 2W36 - BA (Hons) Linguistics with Mandarin Chinese
- 8C47 - BA (Hons) Linguistics with Japanese
- 4A24 - BA (Hons) Linguistics/French
- 8V50 - BA (Hons) Linguistics/Spanish
- XQ61 - BA (Hons) TESOL and Linguistics
- 8V47 - BA (Hons) TESOL with Modern Standard Arabic
- 2Q75 - BA (Hons) TESOL with Mandarin Chinese
- 8G55 - BA (Hons) TESOL with Japanese
- 2X59 - BA (Hons) TESOL/Spanish
- 2Q67 - BA (Hons) TESOL/French
Languages degrees with a foundation year (Stream C – International Relations with a Language)
UCAS codes:
- 2S98 - BA (Hons) International Relations with Arabic
- L2T2 - BA (Hons) International Relations with Chinese
- LRJ1 - BA (Hons) International Relations with Japanese
- LRS1 - BA (Hons) International Relations /Spanish
- LRF1 - BA (Hons) International Relations/French
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Law
LLB (Hons) Law
UCAS code M101 -
Psychology
BSc Psychology with Foundation Year
UCAS code C801
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School of Digital Arts
Foundation Year School of Digital Arts (SODA)
UCAS codes:
D368 - BA (Hons) Animation (with Foundation Year)
PW34 - BA (Hons) Filmmaking (with Foundation Year)
WFM2 - BA (Hons) Future Media Production (with Foundation Year)
WMS2 - MA (Hons) Music and Sound Design (with Foundation Year)
WGA2 - BA (Hons) Games Art (with Foundation Year)
WGD2 - BSc (Hons) Games Design (with Foundation Year)
W641 - BA (Hons) Photography (with Foundation Year)
WUE2 - BSc Web and User Experience Design (with Foundation Year)
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Social sciences
Sociology and Criminology degrees with a foundation year
UCAS codes:
L303 - BA (Hons) Sociology
L312 - BA (Hons) Criminology
LL31 - BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology
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Sport and Exercise Sciences
Science and Engineering degrees with a foundation year (Sport and Exercise Sciences route)
UCAS codes:
HES2 - BSc (Hons) Health and Exercise Science with a Foundation Year
C613 - BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with a Foundation Year
CC62 - BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching and Development with a Foundation Year
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Tourism, events and hospitality management
BA (Hons) Events Management
UCAS code N822BA (Hons) International Hospitality Business Management
UCAS code 122NBA (Hons) International Tourism Management
UCAS code 248N
The typical minimum entry requirements for a degree that includes a foundation year are 72-80 UCAS tariff points.
The points must come from full A-levels (not AS) or equivalent qualifications. For example, a BTEC Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma or a CACHE Level 3 Diploma. Other vocational qualifications at Level 3 may also be considered, such as NVQs.
You will also need to have at least a grade D or grade 3 (or an acceptable alternative) in GCSE English language. Many linked degrees also require a grade D or grade 3 in GCSE mathematics.
Some of the foundation year courses have higher entry requirements and you will need more than 72 points to apply for them. Additionally, certain courses may require that you have studied a specific subject at either GCSE or A2-level (or acceptable alternatives).
Check our online prospectus for course-specific entry requirements.
You’ll need to apply directly through UCAS.
Each degree with a foundation year has its own unique UCAS code – which you can then search for on the UCAS website.
International students
Visit the how to apply page on our international website for a step-by-step guide on how you can apply for a foundation year course.
I felt really supported in my foundation year. The 'Academic Practice' unit teaches you how to reference and understand the basics of what is expected from university coursework. At college I only did exams so I found this unit really helpful.
I felt really supported in my foundation year. The 'Academic Practice' unit teaches you how to reference and understand the basics of what is expected from university coursework. At college I only did exams so I found this unit really helpful.
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Your essential guide to funding
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International foundation courses
How to apply