What are Foundation Degrees?

A foundation degree is a two-year award, which integrates academic and work-related learning. One of the key features of these awards is that they are designed in partnership with a university or further education college and an employer.

This partnership ensures that students gain the work skills that are required by industry, as well as assuring the academic standards demanded by educational institutions.

Foundation degrees aim to develop skills and knowledge that can be applied in the workplace; they allow for the accumulation and transfer of credit; and they support progression either within work and/or to an honours degree.

Foundation degrees can be full-time courses taking two years, or part-time, normally taking three to four years, although these programmes are designed to be delivered flexibly. Students need to accumulate 240 credits across their programme of study.

Those who are awarded Foundation degrees have the right to use the letters ‘FDA’ (for arts based subjects) or ‘FDSc’ (for science based subjects) after their names.

Who are Foundation Degrees for?

The flexibility of foundation degree programmes makes them suitable for people already in work, unemployed people, or those wanting to embark on a career change.

Useful links for further information on Foundation degrees:

fdf
www.fdf.ac.uk/

A full list of all validated & proposed Fds
http://www.fdf.ac.uk/courses/

QAA Foundation Degree benchmark statements http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/foundationdegree/benchmark/foundation_statement.asp
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/foundationDegree/benchmark/FDQB.pdf

Hefce Foundation degree information
http://www.hefce.ac.uk/learning/founddeg/
 
For further information or help with developing a foundation degree please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , our SELLLN Coordinator with responsibility for this area.