Foundation year help

18

Original post by gglr

Hi! So I achieved BBD in sociology, maths and physics respectively and got offered an alternative offer of a foundation year at Sheffield but I’ve never really looked into foundation years to know if they’re worth it? I’m just looking for some advice on whether I should take it or attempt to retake my exams next year to avoid it, thank you!

Good morning @gglr :smile:

Congrats on your grades! I hope you're feeling proud of yourself today.

A foundation year can provide you with all the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen degree, and help you smoothly transition into uni life and academics. Maybe a foundation year could save you some time compared to retaking exams as you can progress directly onto your degree programme afterward, on the other hand retaking exams gives you that chance to improve your grades, could offer more flexibility in your course choice options if you're feeling a little unsure about what you'd like to do or whether you'd like to explore other universities.

Try gather detailed info about the foundation year programme, such as its content, structure etc. Could you consult with any academic advisors, teachers, career counsellors and get their perspective?

Both options have their merits, so you need to choose the path that best aligns with your goals and circumstances. Take your time to make an informed decision, I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you. Wish you the best of luck for your journey! :smile:

Becky

Reply 3

OP

Original post by CatusStarbright

Foundations years are fairly commonly offered when an applicant misses their offer. Whether you choose to do the foundation year or retake your A Levels will come down to whether you are happy to do another year of A Levels to improve your grades, or whether you would prefer to move on and go to uni next year.

Thank you! That was a great way to put it, I’ll keep it in mind :smile:

Original post by gglr

Thank you! That was a great way to put it, I’ll keep it in mind :smile:

You should be super proud of your results firstly!

If you want to learn a bit more about them you check out this thread.
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7375442

Reply 5

University of Winchester

With Foundation Year courses, you tend to study a set of modules from across your Faculty in your first year, which are designed to develop your academic and practical skills. This broader focus introduces you to studying at university level and provides you with a better understanding of your own degree pathway and related disciplines. You will experience a variety of teaching methods including lectures, discussion-based seminars and independent study. You will also receive support to boost your academic skills to prepare you for onward study. In Years 1-3, you specialise in your chosen subject area and can begin to choose optional modules to further tailor the course to your interests.

Huge congratulations @gglr - BBD is great #BeResultsProud. What subject are you hoping to study (Foundation or otherwise)? If your original uni will only accept you on a Foundation course, you could consider an alternative course or an alternative university...

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 6

totallyfine

If your aim is to get on the same course at the same Uni next year then I would do the Foundation course and secure it now.

You could alternatively see what other universities offer the course in Clearing.

Reply 7

Chronoscope

Volunteer Section Leader

21

Original post by gglr

Hi! So I achieved BBD in sociology, maths and physics respectively and got offered an alternative offer of a foundation year at Sheffield but I’ve never really looked into foundation years to know if they’re worth it? I’m just looking for some advice on whether I should take it or attempt to retake my exams next year to avoid it, thank you!

Well done on your grades + offer :hugs:

I think it depends on what you'd prefer :smile:

If you think you'd prefer a new environment or would enjoy the modules in the foundation year then it's worth it. I did a foundation year around 2 years ago and I found my university lecturers explained concepts very well and some of the things that didn't make sense in college made a lot more sense when we covered them in my foundation year :yep:

I did a Grow your Grades TSR blog during my time in my foundation year, so if you're curious feel free to read
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6673420

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 8

OP

Original post by totallyfine

If your aim is to get on the same course at the same Uni next year then I would do the Foundation course and secure it now.

You could alternatively see what other universities offer the course in Clearing.

Thank you! I asked one of my teachers to see the clearing options and since I got so low in physics there’s not many, so I’ve decided to secure it

Reply 9

totallyfine

Original post by gglr

Thank you! I asked one of my teachers to see the clearing options and since I got so low in physics there’s not many, so I’ve decided to secure it

That's really excellent! well done :smile:

Reply 10

OP

Original post by Chronoscope

Well done on your grades + offer :hugs:

I think it depends on what you'd prefer :smile:

If you think you'd prefer a new environment or would enjoy the modules in the foundation year then it's worth it. I did a foundation year around 2 years ago and I found my university lecturers explained concepts very well and some of the things that didn't make sense in college made a lot more sense when we covered them in my foundation year :yep:

I did a Grow your Grades TSR blog during my time in my foundation year, so if you're curious feel free to read
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6673420

Thank you for the advice! Would you say you got extra additional support during your foundation compared to first year or was it about the same?

Reply 11

OP

Original post by University of Bradford

Good morning @gglr :smile:

Congrats on your grades! I hope you're feeling proud of yourself today.

A foundation year can provide you with all the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen degree, and help you smoothly transition into uni life and academics. Maybe a foundation year could save you some time compared to retaking exams as you can progress directly onto your degree programme afterward, on the other hand retaking exams gives you that chance to improve your grades, could offer more flexibility in your course choice options if you're feeling a little unsure about what you'd like to do or whether you'd like to explore other universities.

Try gather detailed info about the foundation year programme, such as its content, structure etc. Could you consult with any academic advisors, teachers, career counsellors and get their perspective?

Both options have their merits, so you need to choose the path that best aligns with your goals and circumstances. Take your time to make an informed decision, I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you. Wish you the best of luck for your journey! :smile:

Becky

Thank you!! I was quite content with sheffield when I visited so I think it saves time and is much more reassuring knowing there’s a possibility of not getting better grades if I retook. I’ve contacted both sheffield and my teachers to ask and they said a similar thing, that the foundation is a much safer option and still reaches the same end goal.

Reply 12

OP

Original post by University of Winchester

With Foundation Year courses, you tend to study a set of modules from across your Faculty in your first year, which are designed to develop your academic and practical skills. This broader focus introduces you to studying at university level and provides you with a better understanding of your own degree pathway and related disciplines. You will experience a variety of teaching methods including lectures, discussion-based seminars and independent study. You will also receive support to boost your academic skills to prepare you for onward study. In Years 1-3, you specialise in your chosen subject area and can begin to choose optional modules to further tailor the course to your interests.

Huge congratulations @gglr - BBD is great #BeResultsProud. What subject are you hoping to study (Foundation or otherwise)? If your original uni will only accept you on a Foundation course, you could consider an alternative course or an alternative university...

Does that mean years 1-3 are the same as the original course just with a foundation year beforehand? And thank you! I’m hoping to study mechatronics/robotic engineering and I think sheffield is my best bet since out of the unis I visited that offered that course, it was my favourite

Reply 13

Chronoscope

Volunteer Section Leader

21

Original post by gglr

Thank you for the advice! Would you say you got extra additional support during your foundation compared to first year or was it about the same?

I think both were pretty close :smile:

My lecturers in my foundation year were so friendly and welcoming, as were my lecturers in my first year.

In regards to extra additional support, I think my lecturers were more likely to recognise me because the cohort was slightly smaller than my first year cohort, but they never minded explaining things. Also, during the foundation year they'll more likely be more understanding (I wouldn't say lenient) if you make mistakes because the foundation year is meant to help you prepare for starting your course :yes:

Reply 14

Chronoscope

Volunteer Section Leader

21

Original post by gglr

Does that mean years 1-3 are the same as the original course just with a foundation year beforehand? And thank you! I’m hoping to study mechatronics/robotic engineering and I think sheffield is my best bet since out of the unis I visited that offered that course, it was my favourite

In year 1 a lot of the topics had been covered in my foundation year, however, in the assessments, I did pretty well in the coursework and assessments before exams which meant I could focus on other stuff. It also meant I could focus on revision for exams sooner because I already understood it :smile:

Reply 15

University of Bradford

18

Original post by gglr

Thank you!! I was quite content with sheffield when I visited so I think it saves time and is much more reassuring knowing there’s a possibility of not getting better grades if I retook. I’ve contacted both sheffield and my teachers to ask and they said a similar thing, that the foundation is a much safer option and still reaches the same end goal.

No problem at all! :smile:

I'm glad you've contacted them and spoken to your teachers about it, it's always good to get another opinion when you are deciding between your options, but the decision is yours to make and only yours, but I'm sure you'll make the right one for you! Best of luck with your journey :smile:

What are you most looking forward to about the uni experience? Are you interested in joining clubs and societies? I never actually joined any when I was a student but there seemed to be so many fun ones :smile:

Have a lovely day and weekend! #BeResultsProud

Becky

Hi gglr

Congratulations on your results and i hope you are happy with what you have achieved.

I completed a foundation year for my course and found it one of the best decisions i could have made. It helped me boost my grades from starting foundation i was getting in the 50 but by the end of my course i was getting high 60s. The foundation year gave me the knowledge required to lear to reference in the correct style and the knowledge of the course seen i have never studied it before uni.

Best wishes with what ever decision you decide to choose and don’t feel ashamed about doing a foundation year as could boost grades leading to a better degree.

Emma
3rd year Accounting Student

Reply 17

UniversityOfSunderland