Foundation programmes offer a well-established alternative route to the standard A-Levels and IB qualifications for entry to UK universities. Students can access over 90% of UK university bachelor degrees. They are particularly popular with international students coming to study in the UK.
Advantages of Foundation Programmes
Shorter being
1-year compared to the 2-year
A-Levels and IB programmes
Assessment is done internally at the centres, so students do not sit national exams
Continuous assessments therefore no surprises at the end of the course
More favourable entry grades conditions than the standard
A-Levels and IB
Who should consider doing a Foundation Programme?
Where can I do a Foundation programme?
There are mainly 2 choices of where to do a foundation programme:
pos
- Get familiar with the university and city where you are likely to do your bachelor degree
- Smooth progression to the university where you are doing the foundation programme
Cons
- Little support to apply to other universities if things didn’t go well
- Little or no flexibility in changing the university course
- Teaching not always equivalent to A-Levels and IB with great emphasis on language and study skills rather than on academic strength
Pros
- Freedom of choice to go to any university hence potentially achieving higher ranking university
- Better support to apply to other universities
- Flexibility to change your mind on the university major after starting the foundation programme
- Teachers with more experience at school level education therefore a learning outcome more equivalent to A-Level and IB
- More personalised academic support
Cons
- May not be recognised by the university the student is planning to join