Foundation Year

Foundation years

You've got the potential, we've got the solution.

A foundation year is the missing ingredient that can change your life.

A foundation year is the stepping stone that takes you from not quite meeting our regular entry requirements to getting onto the degree that could change your life. It's your way in if you’re a few grades short.

If you earned your qualifications a long time ago - or if you want to change direction completely (like, say, going from an arts background into a more scientific sector) - the foundation year bridges these gaps by giving you the skills and knowledge to study your subject at degree level.

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What courses are available?

At the University of Hull, there’s a foundation year option on around half of our undergraduate courses, so there’s plenty of ways in. Have a look at our list to find your perfect opportunity.

Do health courses have foundation year options?

If you want to get onto a degree related to health, nursing or midwifery, there are a number of pathways you can choose that fit around you and your current circumstances. Have a look at each to find out more.

Foundation FAQs

What happens at the end of the foundation year?

If you’ve completed all your work and passed your assessments, congrats! You're ready to start your full degree. You’ll begin at the exact same point as the incoming students – except you'll have the advantage of already knowing some of your lecturers and scouted all the best spots on campus to get a coffee.

What’s the difference between a foundation year and a foundation degree?

A foundation year slots in before an undergraduate degree. A prequel, if you like. A foundation degree, is a stand-alone qualification, equal to about two-thirds of a standard degree.

Can I still do a year abroad if I do a foundation year?

Yes! If your chosen course has a year abroad, you’ll still get to do that once you’ve passed the foundation year and started the regular degree.

Can I still do a placement year if I do a foundation year?

Yep! Once you've completed the foundation year, you'll study for the degree in the same way as everyone else – placement year, the works.

Can I still do an integrated Masters if I do a foundation year?

Absolutely! After you’ve joined the main degree, you’ll be able to convert to a Masters qualification – as long as you hit the required academic levels in the first two years.

What qualifications do I need to get onto a foundation year?

It depends on your experience so far. If you've got qualifications in similar subjects to the degree you want to study – but you don’t have enough UCAS points to start the first year – we'd usually ask for at least 80 UCAS points from three A levels (or equivalent).

Or you might want a major change of subject. Let’s say you have three arts-based qualifications but want to study a science degree. You'd probably need to do the foundation year, even if you've got more than 80 points. If you've been out of education for a while or you aren’t sure which bits of this apply to you, contact our admissions team on 01482 466100 to discuss your options.

How much does a foundation year cost?

The standard tuition fee for a foundation year is £9,250 for students from the UK or the EU. International students pay £14,000 a year for arts courses and £16,600 a year for science-based courses. See your chosen course page or our money pages for more info.

Can I get a student loan?

Yes. If you’re from the UK, you could get a tuition fee loan and maintenance loan for the full duration of your studies (unless you’ve already done more than a year of a different degree). This includes foundation years and additional years such as placement years or studying abroad. If you’re from the EU, you can only get a tuition fee loan.

If I applied to Student Finance England for a three-year course, but I’m now doing a foundation year, do I have to apply again for funding?

Nope. If you've already got an account, just log on and change your course in the relevant section. Easy as that.

I come from a low-income household, can I get a studentship?

The University of Hull Studentship is a financial award of £1,000 for students with a household income lower than £25,000 a year. It's non-repayable, so you don't have to pay it back.

Unfortunately it's not available on the foundation year. But if you pass the foundation, you'll be eligible for the studentship at the start of the degree if your circumstances still meet the criteria.

If I’ve got enough UCAS points for a scholarship but I’m doing a foundation year because I want to change my subject, can I still get the scholarship?

Unfortunately not. The scholarships are only available if you're going straight into the first year of a degree.

Can foundation year students stay in accommodation?

Yes! Our accommodation is available for all our students. See our accommodation pages for more information about what’s on offer.

Want to talk about your options?

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