Foundation Studies
Foundation Studies at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is designed to help a range of students realise their university ambitions. Successful completion of the foundation year enables you to progress on to your chosen course (or, where possible, another within the same stream). º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ's foundation courses are integrated programmes taught by highly qualified staff with significant experience in teaching students from a diverse range of backgrounds. We will provide the fundamental skills needed to progress on to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ degree courses. Completing a foundation year can provide a real boost to overall degree success and excellent preparation for the transition into university life.
Foundation studies at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ
Our range of Foundation courses enable entry on to a wide selection of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ degree courses for students that have not studied the correct subjects or studied at the wrong level, or not quite achieved the qualifications either due to adverse situations or required due to their sporting commitments, mature students returning to education or care leavers. From day one, students on a foundation course become members of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, giving them full access to all the facilities, support services, clubs, and societies on offer.
At º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, we take a "streamed" approach to Foundation Studies. Our streamed approach enables progression onto your chosen course, but transfers into other courses within the stream may be possible on request. We currently have the following streams: Engineering; Life Sciences; Business, Social Sciences & Humanities; Sport Science.
Our courses
Facilities
By studying a Foundation degree you will have access to all the incredible opportunities available to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ students. This includes the wide-ranging facilities and amenities on our campus, including lecture theatres, laboratories, our recently refurbished library, extensive IT network, the arts centre, two theatres, a conference centre, accommodation, restaurants, a bank, shops, a health centre and of course, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Students' Union.
Career opportunities
Our Foundation students have gone on to secure jobs in a range of national companies after graduation, including Ferrari, Boots, Johnson Matthey, Lloyds Banking Group, Jaguar Land Rover, Signalling Solutions Ltd, AML Technologies and Ford Motor Company.
Our students
Studying a Foundation degree settled me into university so well, gave me a network of students and lecturers to call on when I was stuck and covered the subjects I chose (Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Economics) to a high standard, better than any A level teaching I had. It also meant that I started my course in first year in a settled way which meant I had a great journey. Thanks to the foundation course I had the confidence to become a rep, then President, find a placement and ultimately come out with a First class degree.
The Foundation degree helped reinforce what I learned at A levels and bridged well into first year level. The overlap was really helpful and I got a very solid 1:1 grade at foundation. It gave me the foundation to move to bachelors with a sandwich year, then to masters and eventually finish with a 1st class degree.
Studying the Foundation programme gave me an in depth understanding on different areas that I never would have picked to study, such as mechanical engineering. It also gave me a head start on my first year as some of the fundamentals had already been covered in my foundation year so it allowed me more time to focus of the other areas of my degree that needed more attention. Having the extra year to settle in before starting the degree was really helpful as I didn’t have to spend time finding my way around or settle into the routine as much.
Elite Athlete pathway
We recognise that elite athletes can find their demanding training and competition schedules challenging to manage alongside their academic studies without the underpinning support to be able to achieve in both areas. Our foundation programme offers the opportunity for students performing at a very high standard, looking to join one of our sporting performance programmes (led by expert coaching staff), who wish to study at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, but do not have the required qualifications due to their sporting pathway.
In addition to the main Foundation Programme courses, elite athletes can also progress on to a range of degree courses we offer in the following subject areas:
Applications are treated on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on the applicant’s academic and sporting achievements.
If you think your sport profile qualifies you to be considered for the elite athletes programme, please contact performancesport@lboro.ac.uk before applying.