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Integrated foundation years

Start your degree with a year developing the skills required to progress.

Discover a range of integrated foundation year degrees and find out more.

What is an integrated foundation year?

An integrated foundation year is an introductory year at the beginning of a full degree. If you don’t meet entry requirements for a particular course, the integrated foundation year route provides the opportunity for you to learn the skills and techniques that will enable you to progress to study the full degree.

Alongside an introduction to your chosen subject, you’ll develop valuable study skills and communication, teamwork and problem-solving techniques. These skills will help to build your confidence and prepare you for the rest of your course.

Is an integrated foundation year right for me?

An integrated foundation year is a great way of beginning your studies if you have qualifications that may not meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree. If you’re applying to study in the UK as an international student, an integrated foundation degree can support you to improve your English language skills alongside your studies.

Degrees with an integrated foundation year are designed with a variety of teaching styles – workshops, lectures, group discussions and tutorials to support you to progress to your chosen degree.

Integrated foundation year degrees

Take a look at the range of integrated foundation year degrees available to study here.

What are the entry requirements for integrated foundation year degrees?

​To be accepted onto a degree with an integrated foundation year you will need to have the following UCAS points and grades:

Tariff

48 UCAS points (normal UCAS tariff qualifications for eligibility – A levels/AS Levels/BTECs/T Levels/Access to HE/IB, etc).

GCSES

Grade C/4 in English Language and Mathematics, or equivalent (e.g. Functional Skills Level 2).

English Language requirement

International students need IELTS 6.0 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent qualification (for full details visit our international pages).​

What are the fees for an integrated foundation Year?

Tuition fees vary, as they do for honours degrees, and can be paid for with a student loan.

  • £9,250 for home students
  • £15,450 for international students

You will be eligible for an additional year of support to cover a repeat year if you need it, for example if you choose to study a three year degree with foundation year and a placement year (five years total), you would be eligible for financial support for up to six years.

Am I guaranteed progression onto the full degree course?

In order to continue your degree studies you will need to achieve marks that average 50% or more for all the modules during the foundation stage (120 credits at level 3) during your foundation stage and your tutor will support you to reach this goal so that you can continue with your degree.

If English is your second language, you will also need to show evidence of sufficient English language skills progression.

how to apply for an integrated foundation year degree

You must apply for your chosen degree ‘with foundation’ study option to be considered. You can’t apply for an integrated foundation year as a stand-alone choice on UCAS and it will have a separate course code from the main degree course. Please visit – UCAS.com to see the range of integrated foundation year degrees available and to make your selection. You will see the study options as shown below:

            BA (Hons) Animation

            BA (Hons) Animation (with foundation year)

Applications are made via UCAS and not directly to the University and must be submitted by 31 January to be considered for the 2024/25 cycle. However, if this date has passed, you can apply via Clearing, which opens in August, for entry for in September 2024.

If you would like to discuss how an integrated foundation year degree may work for you, our Admissions Team are available to chat on 03330 141414 or find out more about applying.