University of Plymouth courses with Foundation years

A Foundation year is an extra year of study at the start of a degree course
Charlie Eggs and students using new facilities in the Babbage Building.

Your future starts at university

Wherever your starting point, we provide you with the things you need to succeed, which is where our courses with Foundation years come in.
Foundation years act as a bridge, getting you from wherever you are now to being one of our University of Plymouth graduates.
Choose from 57 courses with a foundation year at Plymouth.

What is a Foundation year?

A Foundation year provides an additional entry-level year for you to gain further knowledge of a subject before starting a full degree course.
On completing the Foundation year successfully, you progress automatically onto the full degree course, which is usually three years. You don’t need to apply for a place on the full degree course.
At Plymouth, we have been running courses with foundation years for over 25 years with an outstanding record of success.

Foundation courses step-by-step

  • 6Step 1: Foundation year – gain the knowledge and skills you will need to complete your course

  • 6Step 2: Undergraduate course – join and complete the degree (normally 3+ years)

  • 6Step 3: Graduation – graduate with a full degree in your chosen subject

  • 6Step 4: Start your career or continue onto postgraduate studies

A course with a Foundation year is for you if…

  • You would like to build your confidence to study at university level
  • You want to gain the knowledge and skills needed to complete a full degree
  • Your qualifications don't meet entry requirements for a three-year degree
  • You want to study a new subject that your previous qualifications or experience haven’t prepared you for
  • You may have thought university wasn’t an available option for you
  • You want to join a university course that is needed for the career you’d like
Students using equipment in the STEAM laboratory, Babbage
 
 

Foundation year students’ support package

Student welfare is a top priority for our Foundation year students, so we provide a caring learning environment with mentors to help you feel fully supported.
Our tailored support package will help you build the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as you progress through the foundation year and on to the full degree course.
Your support package is in place for all years of your degree course.

Just being able to express my ideas in a safe environment without feeling judged or pressured or like I'm being laughed at has been absolutely incredible.

Kelly Hides, foundation year student
Study skills group
Dedicated time with our Learning Development team.
These are group sessions where we help you to develop key skills:
  • academic writing
  • completing assessments such as exams and practical activities
  • study skills to build knowledge and research your subject
  • critical thinking to evaluate, analyse, communicate your opinion, identify and solve problems.
There are six of these two-hour sessions each year.
Good practice group
Dedicated time to build good practice, with your fellow Foundation year students.
These are group sessions where two student leaders lead you through:
  • building your student network
  • helping each other
  • learning good practice.
There are a minimum of six sessions for two hours each year.
A groups of students discussing work or studying around a table in the library.
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash
A group of students sitting around a small table in front of a large window.
 
 
 

A part of our student community

As you study your Foundation year, you will gain first-hand experience of university life. You will be a University of Plymouth student with us and have full access to all the facilities you need, as well as being a part of our student community enjoying extracurricular and social opportunities from day one. You also have access to our student services and teams, and Students’ Union. Other teams here to support you, include:
The Writing Cafe
Improve as a writer working with our trained student writing mentors. As a University of Plymouth student you have access to the Writing Cafe every weekday during term time.
Peer-Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS)
You can join a PALS group where you are supported by other students to help you develop study skills and settle in quickly to university life.
Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellows
You have access to an experienced academic writing fellow to help with essay structure; how to write good introductions and conclusions; and how to write clearly and concisely.
Student Hub
Our dedicated advisers help you get the most out of your time at university. No issue is too big and no question is too small, and our team is here to support your wellbeing and your learning.
Foundation group
Even before you arrive, our student ambassadors support you to connect online with your peers, meeting others who are studying Foundation years, sharing ideas and hints and tips to help settle in.
 
 
 

Subjects you can study at Foundation year level

The best part of the foundation year for me was the confidence it gave me. It's changed me as a person. I thought getting into university wasn't something I'd ever be able to do. Now I feel more confident, happier – more myself than I was before.

Haralambos Pouliasis, foundation year student
 
Admission enquiries

Foundation programmes for international students

Taking a foundation year or pathway course may allow you to meet the University of Plymouth's entry requirements – you can apply to study these through University of Plymouth International College (UPIC).
UPIC offers a number of prestigious pathways with both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees available to international students. UPIC is located on the main University of Plymouth campus and you can join us in January, May or September.
Students outside the SU
If you've followed a link to this page from one of our adverts, you may have read that the cost of living in Plymouth is 48% cheaper than London and 25% cheaper than Bristol. This information can be found by using the International Cost of Living Calculator.