University Foundation Programmes offer an alternative entry point to UK universities. It is designed to be a ‘bridging’ year between School and University. Primarily, it is aimed at international students who have completed school but are presented with qualifications which are not equivalent to the 3 A Levels required for direct entry onto a UK undergraduate degree.
This one year programme will give a student an opportunity to improve their English Language, academic writing and critical thinking skills.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Foundation Year?
An advantage is you have a better opportunity to get into top universities without A-Levels, whereas, a disadvantage could be the financial cost of doing an extra year. These depend on the foundation route you take. There are four main ways of accessing a Foundation Programme and each one has benefits and drawbacks. One of our senior HE consultants looks at the pros and cons of Foundation year.
International Foundation Programme (IFP)
These divide into two categories – ones that offer a very general year of study with a focus on English Language and study skills and those which offer specific pathways which align to certain degree paths. Kings College London, for example, offer 9 study options ranging from Maths and Physics to International Relations and Politics.
Advantage
Entry requirements to study here are a completed High School certificate and 2 years of transcripts with good grades in the subjects you wish to study.
Disadvantage
However, entry onto the Foundation Programme does not guarantee progressions to the degree programme. Student will be required to achieve a minimum grade to access this opportunity.
Commercial Providers
Some universities have outsourced their Foundation provision to external providers such as IntoUniversity. These programmes align with the specific University degree paths but they tend to be delivered in a location off campus.
Advantages
These Foundation Programmes can be an excellent way into some top universities. Applications for these courses are made to the provider and are mostly done online. They also accept applications quite late in the application cycle.
Disadvantage
The caveat is if you do not achieve the grades, you will not secure progression and the course may not be recognised by other universities as a valid entry qualification.
Integrated Foundation Programme
Some universities offer an integrated Foundation Programme as part of the degree, effectively making it a 4 year programme. University West of England in Bristol offer this route into their business programmes and Nottingham have integrated pathways in Science, Engineering and Humanities.
Advantages
Once you have been accepted onto the course you are guaranteed progression onto the main degree. Taking the route also means you are fully integrated into the university from day one, alongside all the other undergraduates. Applications for these courses can either be via UCAS or some offer a direct online entry, particularly for international students.
Disadvantage
The entry requirements for this are sometimes a bit higher than for the more “all purpose” International Foundation year.
Guaranteed Progression Pathways
For a guaranteed entry pathway some universities have grouped together, such as the NCUK partnership which includes 20+ universities ranging geographically and academically from Manchester to Bristol and Leeds Becket to Manchester Met. The University of London offers a similar option, again with study centres available globally. Their Foundation Programme feeds through to many of the London universities including, City University, Kings College, LSE, Royal Holloway, Goldsmiths, SOAS and UCL. It is also recognised by universities outside of this grouping, such as St Andrew’s, Loughborough, Oxford Brookes and many others.
Advantages
At the end of this one year programme, which is delivered via Colleges and study centres both in the UK and across the world, a student will be eligible to secure a place at one of the listed universities, depending on the grades they achieve. A top academic student can progress onto Birmingham, for example and for a student with a lower grade then there will be opportunities to study somewhere like Salford or Sheffield Hallam.
Disadvantages
However, once the programme is complete, it can be difficult to switch course of study or between different universities as students are expected to finish the degree they initially enrolled in.
Entry requirements for both of these programmes is a minimum of 5 GCSE’s of grade 4 and above which must include English and Maths, or the equivalent from a local curriculum such as the Tawjihiyya with an average mark of 60% or a US High School Diploma with a C’s achieved in all subjects.
Whichever route you choose to take, University Foundation Programmes are an excellent alternative entry point to UK universities for international students. For more information about specific programmes and to find the right one for you, get in touch today.
