To answer the question of ‘what is a foundation year’, it helps to look at recent trends in higher education. In recent years, accessibility to university courses has increasingly taken centre stage in debates around diversity and inclusion in society. This has especially been the case in the context of Oxbridge and other prestigious institutions. With most universities in the UK offering some form of outreach programming targeting underrepresented groups, the question of how to continue to plug gaps and increase representation across university communities remains an important one.
Here’s where the foundation year comes in. The foundation year is designed to give an introduction to university study in a general field of study. Some programmes are course-specific, while others are based more on discipline (sciences, arts and humanities, etc.).
Someone might elect to do a foundation year due to not meeting the entry requirements for their chosen subject. This could be because of personal circumstances, or wanting to pursue a science degree having done A-levels in humanities.
What is a foundation year, then? It is a bridge to higher education for underrepresented groups. A tool for international students seeking more experience with academic English before starting university. Or even a route to switching courses when A-levels don’t cover the right subject areas. We will explore these various purposes in due course.
The Foundation Year Comes To Cambridge
In 2022, the University of Cambridge welcomed its first cohort of foundation year students – 47 in total. This was made up of promising students with sights set on subjects in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The Cambridge Foundation Year is open to home students whose ‘circumstances have prevented [them] from reaching [their] academic potential’.
Experience of the care system, homelessness, estrangement from family, health issues (mental or physical), bereavement, teen parenthood, Free School Meal eligibility – this is just part of an extensive list of circumstances that might provide you one of these free tickets to Cambridge.
Upon successful completion of the year, students can transition into full-time study on one of Cambridge’s undergraduate courses.
This is an incredible opportunity to gain a place at one of the top universities in the world. But, of course, every opportunity has its limitations.
It goes without saying the competition to secure one of these places remains steep. As with the standard UCAS application process, there are more eligible candidates than there are seats. Only 12 of the university’s constituent colleges currently host Foundation Year students. Notably, the more famous Trinity, St John’s and King’s colleges are among the 19 not on the list.
Cambridge hopefuls wishing to access courses in STEM or medicine cannot do so via the foundation year. Thus increasing accessibility to only a selection of the university’s course offerings. Foreign nationals are not eligible either.
It is important to note that the foundation year is not the same as a foundation degree, which is a qualification equivalent to two-thirds of a bachelor’s degree that mixes academic and work-related learning. These programmes tend to be two years long, with the possibility to extend and finish with a full bachelor’s degree.
What Can I Expect In A Foundation Year?
What exactly is the foundation year, and how is it different from a regular university course?
For starters, the foundation year is one year long, and successful participants will end with a Certificate of Higher Education. Successful completion of the programme usually guarantees a spot on a course at the host university. Although the programme is not subject-specific, it offers a rigorous multidisciplinary course meant to provide the foundations necessary for success in university. It also provides additional support tailored to the unique needs of the programme’s student profile.
Despite the cohort being separate from the undergraduate community, universities still ensure that participants experience normal university life.
At the University of Cambridge, for example, each Foundation Year participant is matriculated into one of its constituent colleges. This gives participants full access to all college facilities and privileges. Unlike the normal application procedure, which sees applicants applying directly to one college, applicants are allocated to a college by the programme. It is still possible for applicants to research and/or visit the participating colleges and state their college preference on their application.
Additionally, at the university level, participants will also have access to a robust network of student societies. These range from sports teams to special interest groups and academic clubs to help jumpstart their transition into university life. This is good news if you, a foundation year-qualified applicant and Cambridge hopeful, have always wanted to try your hand at rowing!
Participation in the foundation year is not a guarantee of success, though the nature of the programme certainly sets students up well. Of the 47 students in Cambridge’s first cohort, 39 (83%) successfully completed the programme. Of this group, 31 (79.5%) are now in their first year of undergraduate study at Cambridge, while the others have moved on to other top universities. Those from the first cohort who have remained in Cambridge have launched a new Foundation Year Society at the university, aimed at providing additional support and mentorship to the 2023 cohort – 48 students – and those cohorts to follow.
How Do Other Universities Present The Foundation Year?
This post has focused a lot on Cambridge. As has been mentioned, though, there are several other foundation year options available. Each with its own course offerings and entry requirements.
So, what is different (or, indeed, similar) at these other institutions? Are some of the limitations of the Cambridge programme addressed at other institutions across the country?
As already mentioned, some universities open Foundation Year programmes to international applicants, with a focus on those who speak English as Another Language. Some universities, like the University of York, offer degrees such as Engineering, Maths or Physics with a built-in foundation year. Home students on this course can apply for a bursary to waive the fees for that foundation year, as long as they meet certain means-tested requirements.
Looking at the UCL programme again, there are two pathways on offer: Humanities or Science and Engineering. While most programmes, like the one at Cambridge, target home students, others have foundation years specifically targeting non-native speakers of English from abroad. These include Warwick, SOAS and UCL. In fact, this has been a longer-standing offering at these institutions, with UCL’s programme first offered as far back as 1991.
Of course, one cannot speak of Cambridge without also looking at its close brother, Oxford. And, as the Cantab author regrets to write, Oxford’s Astrophoria Foundation Year programme has significantly more robust offerings than Cambridge, with four pathways available to up to 50 total participants per year. These include Chemistry, Engineering and Materials Science; Humanities (Classics, English, History or Theology); Law; and Philosophy, Politics and Economics. The programme was launched in 2019 and, while the numbers are on par with Cambridge, it boasts a much wider range of available academic subjects, despite only 10 of its 39 colleges participating.
In short: regardless of what subject you hope to study, there will be a programme available for you (though perhaps not at your dream institution).
I Want To Apply For A Foundation Year. What Next?
Does the foundation year sound like something you would benefit from? Overwhelmed by the sheer number of options on UCAS? Here are some important points to consider as you weigh up the pros and cons of each of your possible options:
- Think about what subject you want to study: if you want to do science, for example, Cambridge is probably not the place for you.
- Look at the entry requirements: while each programme will target a similar student profile, some might have more/less stringent requirements. Ensure you meet any minimum or biographical requirements before you make an application.
- Explore funding (and other support) options: while some, like Cambridge and Oxford, automatically fund the year for participants, other universities might require an extra application for financial support. Ensure you do any and all necessary paperwork to ensure you remain eligible for financial support if needed.
- Get a feel for the culture: Visit the town and university, if possible, and reach out to current students, programme participants or programme representatives. Think about whether or not it’s a place you would like to call home for at least one year (if not more).
Conclusion
The future of university education is bright, with universities more and more aware of the need to make programmes more accessible. The foundation year is one, though not the only, opportunity available. If the Foundation Year is not for you, keep looking; if it is, give it a go. Circumstances out of your control should not bar you from achieving your potential and dreams.
Here at Graduate Coach, we believe it’s never too early to think about post-university career goals. Have a look at The Student Book by our founder, Chris Davies, or our free How to Get a Graduate Job course. Both will help you start to think about how to best use your university years to prepare for the job market.
Written by Lauren Dooley
;)