Foundation year

A Foundation year is an additional year of study before the first year of your degree. It's designed to help you develop the academic knowledge, study skills, and confidence needed to succeed at university.

Starting university can feel like a big step, which is why you'll have access to a range of support throughout your Foundation year to help you succeed.

• Dedicated academic support from experienced lecturers, with regular feedback on your work.
• A personal tutor who'll guide and support you throughout your studies.
• Study skills development embedded into your modules, including academic writing, research and referencing.
• Workshops and resources to help you build confidence in time management, study planning and degree-level learning.
• Wellbeing and student support services offering practical advice and mental health support whenever you need it.

Visit our Student Support services for more information.

Yes! We embed employability into the majority of our undergraduate degrees. Once you've completed your Foundation year, you'll have the opportunity to study abroad/take part in placements as part of the full three-year degree. Find out more about our study abroad options and professional work placements here.

A Foundation Year is a full-time programme. The amount of scheduled teaching you receive will vary depending on the course, but you can expect a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials each week.

If you complete and pass the Foundation year, you'll automatically be enrolled onto the first year of your full degree. You do not have to apply separately for the full three-year degree.

You'll start your first year of the full degree, having already settled into university life. You'll already know the lecturers, campus layout, best social spots, and you'll have continuity with the academic support systems.

Entry requirements typically range from 48-64 UCAS tariff points. The entry requirements may drop in Clearing. Specificic entry requirements for the Foundation year programmes can be found on the relevant Foundation year courses page.

For September 2026 entry, our Foundation years are charged at either £5,760 or £9,790 depending on the subject. Please visit our courses page to find out more about fees for specific Foundation year programmes.

You can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of your Foundation year. Visit our Fees and finance page for more information.

You can apply to start this September 2026 via Clearing

To apply for a Foundation year, you’ll need to apply through UCAS for the degree with a Foundation year option. For example, if you want to study Accounting and Finance, apply for Accounting and Finance with Foundation year.

You do not need to apply separately for the three-year degree. Once you successfully complete the Foundation year, you’ll automatically progress onto the full degree programme.

We recognise the value of prior learning and relevant work experience. During the application process, we'll assess any previous study or professional experience and may be able to take this into account where appropriate.