Applying for a Foundation degree
The skills and knowledge you’ll gain by completing a Foundation degree will not only help your career prospect, they could also help build your employer’s business. Find out who can apply for foundation courses.
Who can apply
A foundation degree may suit you if you are:
- an employee and want to improve your skills and prospects in your current job, through part-time higher level study
- a school leaver who wants a higher education qualification that is relevant to your job aspirations
- someone who wants to reskill in a new occupation or profession, including those wishing to return to work after a break
Entry requirements for a Foundation degree will depend on the course and the college. They will normally be stated in terms of A Levels or vocational equivalents such as BTEC National Diplomas.
However, if you have no formal qualifications but can show you have relevant experience, skills and aptitudes, you may also be considered through a process known as Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Contact your local college and ask about entry to the foundation degree of your choice through APEL.
How much it costs
Tuition fees are payable for all Foundation degrees. They range between £500 to £1,100 per academic year for part-time courses and £1,400 to £2,500 per academic year for full-time courses. Your local College can tell you more about what tuition fees they charge for a particular Foundation degree course and what other financial support they might be able to offer.
Those studying Foundation degrees are entitled to the same financial student support as other higher education students. This support may include student loans, help with tuition fees, maintenance grants and bursaries.
You can also get more information on the financial support available to students at:
If you’re currently an employee, you might want to speak to your employer to see if they would be willing to help support you in completing a Foundation degree, whether through time off work to study or through financial support.
For more information on how employers can get involved with Foundation degrees and the potential benefits to their business, go to: