A Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification which combines academic study with practical hands-on experience. Designed jointly by universities, colleges and employers, they are intended to equip people of all ages with the knowledge and skills relevant to their employment.
They are university-level qualifications and are equivalent to the first two years of an honours degree. A typical full-time Foundation Degree takes two years to complete, and this can count directly towards an Honours degree for those who want to continue with further study. Part-time courses may take longer.
Foundation Degrees usually involve learning in the workplace as well as at university or college and are available to people already in work, those wishing to embark on a career change of those who have recently completed level three qualifications (e.g. A levels, Advanced Apprenticeships etc)
Foundation Degrees provide individuals with:
- Relevant learning that includes 'real life' scenarios for projects and case studies
- An opportunity to gain up-to-date skills, new ideas and share good practice
- Career development and progression
- A qualification which can be topped up with one further year of study to gain a full honours degree at university
- Work-based learning to develop higher level application as well as technical and practical skills
- A flexible way of studying which allows you to continue working while you learn
