Foundation Year at Liverpool Hope Explained

Hi there!

Found yourself wondering what a foundation year is and whether you will need to do one or not? Rest assured, this post will give you a simple breakdown of what they are, why you might need to do one and how they work.

So, what exactly is a Foundation Year? A foundation year is an extra year of study at the start of a university course. Most (but not all) courses can be accessed via a foundation year. A foundation year is closely linked to the degree you will progress onto, it can be seen as an introduction to university.

In what situation would I need to enter into a Foundation Year? Foundation years are often seen as a stepping stone into the world of higher education. They can be useful for mature students who may have taken some time out of education and find the idea of getting back in the classroom quite daunting. They can also be helpful if you don’t quite have the qualifications to make it onto an undergraduate course.

How does a Foundation Year work in relation to my degree? Your foundation year will act as the key to the door for your degree. Overall, if your course was originally 3 years, with a foundation year it would be four. With regards to finance, students are currently entitled to four years of student finance - this would cover a foundation year (+ your 3 year degree).

It is worth noting that there is a difference between a foundation year and a foundation degree. A foundation year will provide you with access onto a degree course whereas a foundation degree is a standalone qualification which is the equivalent of 2 out of 3 years of a bachelor's degree.

We hope this cleared some things up for you- we hope to see you soon!