The Student Room Group

Foundation years and Accommodation

Hi!

I'm looking at applying to a science foundation degree as I don't have the right a-levels to move onto my desired degree right away. I'm perfectly fine with doing a foundation year, the only thing I'm confused about is accommodation. I know most universities treat you like a first year and you can get into halls. I was just wandering if anyone has experience as a foundation year student and what they did in years two and beyond when it comes to accommodation?
Btw I'm applying to University of Leeds, Aberystwyth Uni, University of York, University of Birmingham and University of Sussex if anyone has any experience from any of those :smile:)

Thank you!!
Original post
by James_ss
Hi!

I'm looking at applying to a science foundation degree as I don't have the right a-levels to move onto my desired degree right away. I'm perfectly fine with doing a foundation year, the only thing I'm confused about is accommodation. I know most universities treat you like a first year and you can get into halls. I was just wandering if anyone has experience as a foundation year student and what they did in years two and beyond when it comes to accommodation?
Btw I'm applying to University of Leeds, Aberystwyth Uni, University of York, University of Birmingham and University of Sussex if anyone has any experience from any of those :smile:)

Thank you!!

Heya, I'm not sure how helpful this will be since I didn't go to any of the uni's you mentioned but to give you the short version:

Foundation year: halls (moved back home after Christmas and went back to move my stuff out at Easter because of covid)
Year 1: Because of covid lockdowns etc, I got to know my first year flatmates pretty well so we signed a shared house for this year.
Year 2: uni halls
Year 3: private halls

My uni had 'early bird' bookings for halls which basically meant there was a limited number of rooms available for returning students/students who were under DSA, but you had to get in there quite quickly as there was a waiting list if you left it too late.

Reply 2

Original post
by Chronoscope
Heya, I'm not sure how helpful this will be since I didn't go to any of the uni's you mentioned but to give you the short version:
Foundation year: halls (moved back home after Christmas and went back to move my stuff out at Easter because of covid)
Year 1: Because of covid lockdowns etc, I got to know my first year flatmates pretty well so we signed a shared house for this year.
Year 2: uni halls
Year 3: private halls
My uni had 'early bird' bookings for halls which basically meant there was a limited number of rooms available for returning students/students who were under DSA, but you had to get in there quite quickly as there was a waiting list if you left it too late.

Hiya!

Thank you that is very helpful!
Original post
by James_ss
Hi!
I'm looking at applying to a science foundation degree as I don't have the right a-levels to move onto my desired degree right away. I'm perfectly fine with doing a foundation year, the only thing I'm confused about is accommodation. I know most universities treat you like a first year and you can get into halls. I was just wandering if anyone has experience as a foundation year student and what they did in years two and beyond when it comes to accommodation?
Btw I'm applying to University of Leeds, Aberystwyth Uni, University of York, University of Birmingham and University of Sussex if anyone has any experience from any of those :smile:)
Thank you!!

Hi there! It’s great that you’re considering a science foundation degree—it’s a smart step to achieve your goals. 😊
While I can’t speak for the specific universities you’ve listed, I can share some insight into how Coventry University supports foundation year students with accommodation. At Coventry, foundation year students are treated like first years, so you’ll have access to the same range of university-managed halls. These are a fantastic way to meet people and settle into university life.
For years two and beyond, many students either stay in private accommodations near the campus or continue in university-managed options, depending on their preferences. Coventry has a wide variety of affordable student accommodations close to the city center and campus, making it super convenient.
If you're exploring your options, I highly recommend checking out Coventry University—it’s well-known for its strong student support and diverse, welcoming community. Plus, the Science and Health departments have excellent facilities to help you thrive in your studies! You can look to a course Applied Biosciences with foundation the link for the same is attached here.
Good luck with your applications! 😊

Second year applied bio sciences student
Coventry University Student Ambassador.

Reply 4

Original post
by James_ss
Hi!
I'm looking at applying to a science foundation degree as I don't have the right a-levels to move onto my desired degree right away. I'm perfectly fine with doing a foundation year, the only thing I'm confused about is accommodation. I know most universities treat you like a first year and you can get into halls. I was just wandering if anyone has experience as a foundation year student and what they did in years two and beyond when it comes to accommodation?
Btw I'm applying to University of Leeds, Aberystwyth Uni, University of York, University of Birmingham and University of Sussex if anyone has any experience from any of those :smile:)
Thank you!!
Do not go to leeds uni for a science foundation year, very bad reviews and i did one in social sciences and it was the biggest waste of time ever

Reply 5

Original post
by telepathy
Do not go to leeds uni for a science foundation year, very bad reviews and i did one in social sciences and it was the biggest waste of time ever


Just wondering, why didn’t you enjoy it? I’ve just received an offer for a Leeds foundation year. Thanks

Reply 6

Original post
by James_ss
Hi!
I'm looking at applying to a science foundation degree as I don't have the right a-levels to move onto my desired degree right away. I'm perfectly fine with doing a foundation year, the only thing I'm confused about is accommodation. I know most universities treat you like a first year and you can get into halls. I was just wandering if anyone has experience as a foundation year student and what they did in years two and beyond when it comes to accommodation?
Btw I'm applying to University of Leeds, Aberystwyth Uni, University of York, University of Birmingham and University of Sussex if anyone has any experience from any of those :smile:)
Thank you!!

Hello,
It's lovely to hear that you've applied to York 🙂 There's no simple answer to your question because we have such a variety of accommodation types and every student's personal circumstances are slightly different. As such, I would recommend you contact our accommodation office and they will talk you through the different options you have. Their contact details are: [email protected] or 01904 322165

Good luck with your course, E.

Reply 7

Original post
by James_ss
Hi!
I'm looking at applying to a science foundation degree as I don't have the right a-levels to move onto my desired degree right away. I'm perfectly fine with doing a foundation year, the only thing I'm confused about is accommodation. I know most universities treat you like a first year and you can get into halls. I was just wandering if anyone has experience as a foundation year student and what they did in years two and beyond when it comes to accommodation?
Btw I'm applying to University of Leeds, Aberystwyth Uni, University of York, University of Birmingham and University of Sussex if anyone has any experience from any of those :smile:)
Thank you!!
I'm also doing a foundation year in computer science in sussex :smile:

For the accommodation - obviously for your first year, you get accommodation on camps. Then for the first year of your actual degree, they expect you to find somewhere else off campus. This was a fear of mine bc I haven't made any friends or even found somewhere suitable to live HOWEVER, around the end of November, they emailed everyone saying that if anyone wants to live on campus, due to some space available(any year it didn't matter) but it was on a first come first serve basis. I signed up straight away and now I have an accommodation for next year on campus. The process was extremely easy and I do love sussex even more for letting people still accommodate on campus no matter the year.

On top of this, sussex is also making a block of new flats called(West slope) which can accommodate more people(around 1900 beds or smt like that).

So year its important to check your emails and sign up for stuff straight away. I know some people that are going to live outside of campus for 1st year - its just up to you to bounce on these opportunities. But please also prepare yourself for the chance that you might not get a place, always overprepare when it comes to accomodation!
(edited 8 months ago)
Hey there,

I'm Mostafa - a current student and ambassador for Aberystwyth University!

At Aberystwyth University, foundation year students are treated just like first-year undergraduates when it comes to accommodation. This means you’ll be able to apply for a place in university-managed halls, which is a great way to meet people and settle into student life. Aberystwyth also has a guaranteed accommodation offer for all new students, including foundation year students, provided you apply before the deadline. There are a range of options to suit different budgets, from en-suite rooms to shared facilities, and all university halls are within walking distance of campus and the town.

Aberystwyth University accommodation is available to all students, regardless of whether or not they are new or returning students. Each year, our accommodation office sends out information on how to apply for accommodation for students who wish to do so. I personally found a group of friends who I met in my first year and we all booked into the same flat!

If you’re leaning towards Aberystwyth or have any specific questions about student life or accommodation here, feel free to ask - I’d be happy to help. Best of luck with your applications!

Reply 9

Original post
by telepathy
Do not go to leeds uni for a science foundation year, very bad reviews and i did one in social sciences and it was the biggest waste of time ever

Are you talking about the Social science BA foundation year? Omg wait, why do u say it was a waste of time?
I've been considering it💔💔
So did u not end up progressing to obe of the undergrad degrees from the same faculty?🙁

Reply 10

Original post
by Blueberry024
Are you talking about the Social science BA foundation year? Omg wait, why do u say it was a waste of time?
I've been considering it💔💔
So did u not end up progressing to obe of the undergrad degrees from the same faculty?🙁

Sorry for the late reply, yes that is the course. I dropped out 4 months in and did an access course, I am now at bristol uni doing law. The problem with the course is that the progression to law is very low and actually quite hard considering you need 70%. Depends on what you want to do though.

Reply 11

Hi! Just to add to what’s been mentioned—if the university allows you to stay in halls during your foundation year, it’s a good idea to check whether you’re still eligible for university-owned accommodation in the first year of your main degree. Some unis only guarantee halls for one year (either for the foundation year or the first degree year, but not both).

Some students choose private halls or houses during their foundation year and then apply for university halls for the first degree year, but the process can vary between universities.

Best of luck with your applications! 🙂

Megan (LJMU Rep)

Reply 12

Original post
by telepathy
Sorry for the late reply, yes that is the course. I dropped out 4 months in and did an access course, I am now at bristol uni doing law. The problem with the course is that the progression to law is very low and actually quite hard considering you need 70%. Depends on what you want to do though.


I thought it was 70 credits you needed, not 70%?

Reply 13

Original post
by a.aliii
I thought it was 70 credits you needed, not 70%?

No it’s 70% - or it was when I was there…

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