What's a Foundation Year?
The Integrated Foundation Year is an extra year built into your degree. It's designed to support your success and help you progress with confidence. You’ll build key academic skills such as writing, research, and critical thinking. You’ll also develop your subject knowledge to prepare for degree-level study.
Students who complete the Foundation Year say it helps them feel prepared, motivated, and ready to succeed.
The Integrated Foundation courses are subject to validation.
We're improving the Foundation Year to give you a stronger start. The updated modules will be more closely linked to your subject. They will help you build knowledge, confidence, and skills for your degree. We can’t wait to tell you more.
Who's a Foundation Year for?
If you have work or life experience but no formal qualifications, this route could be for you. It may also suit you if you are returning to education or want to change career direction. The Integrated Foundation Year offers a supportive way to start university.
If you have just missed the entry requirements for a three-year course, this is another way to begin your studies.
Please note, this route is not available to international students.
What are the benefits?
The Integrated Foundation Year offers a range of benefits. These include:
- Receiving support from academic staff to understand how university learning works. This includes learning about academic systems and expectations.
- You’ll explore different ways of studying. This helps you find methods that suit your learning style before moving on to your degree.
- You’ll build strong academic skills and develop your subject knowledge. You’ll also grow in confidence in a supportive learning environment.
- You can study at a pace that fits around your other commitments.
- You’ll learn in diverse groups, including parents, carers, and mature students. This helps you feel supported and connected.
- You’ll also feel part of the university community from the start. Many students say this improves their confidence, engagement, and sense of belonging.
"I’d always wanted to achieve more academically, but I never thought it was possible – I had a lot of misconceptions about university. Thanks to the Foundation Year, I was able to build my academic confidence and overcome my impostor syndrome." Vicky Giusti, BSc (Hons) Criminology with Integrated Foundation Year.
What are the entry requirements?
Entry requirements are provided for guidance only. We may offer you an entrance interview to help us determine your eligibility for your chosen degree.
Eligible entry qualifications include the following:
- You'll normally need at least three Level 2 qualifications, such as NVQs, GCSEs or equivalent. This must include maths and English at grade C/4 or above, or Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. You'll also need at least 40 UCAS Tariff points from Level 3 qualifications, such as A Levels, T Levels, BTEC, or an Access course.
- You may also be considered if you can show suitable knowledge and skills from at least three years of work experience after leaving school.
If you're unsure of whether you think you might be suitable for the course, please contact us: student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk.