Foundation degrees

If you're not ready to commit to a full Bachelors degree but would benefit from the flexibility a combined academic and work-based study programme can provide, a foundation degree may be the ideal solution

What is a foundation degree?

Created through a partnership between universities, higher education (HE) colleges and employers, foundation courses focus on developing in-demand technical skills for a particular job or profession.

Foundation degrees provide a strong platform for candidates seeking employment, while also opening doors for those looking to study a full undergraduate qualification further down the line.

If you choose to study the qualification full time, it will typically take you two years to complete. The part-time route lasts around four years.

Similar to Bachelors degrees, foundation degree courses are classified according to subject area. For instance, FdSc and FdA awards relate to the sciences and arts respectively.

How does a foundation degree compare to other qualifications?

At Level 5 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), a foundation degree is the academic equivalent of:

• two-thirds of a Bachelors degree
• Higher National Diploma (HND)
• Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE).

For more information, see our guide to qualifications.

How are foundation degrees taught and assessed?

The teaching is typically delivered through a combination of:

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials
• workshops.

There's also a strong emphasis on independent study.

They are assessed via:

• coursework
• exams
• hands-on activities.

Foundation degrees are usually awarded according to the following grading bands, rather than the traditional system for Bachelors degrees:

• Pass - the minimum grade for a pass at 40-59%.
• Merit - a higher grade of 60-69%.
• Distinction - the top grade, awarded for those achieving 70% or higher.

What are the advantages of studying for a foundation degree?

• develops practical skills for specific careers, such as healthcare or sport
• enhances your employability with in-demand professional and technical skills
• allows you to achieve a foundation degree in less time than a full degree (by a year)
• provides a route to a full degree while giving you the opportunity to explore a career.

Is a foundation degree the right choice for me?

Foundation degrees are vocational qualifications that give you the flexibility of studying while you work, so they're ideal for those who aren't prepared to commit to three years of a full degree. Explore other alternatives to university.

Whichever course you decide to study, in addition to the role-specific skills you'll gain, it should also give you a range of sought-after qualities as an employee. See what skills do employers want?

However, it's important to pick a subject you'll enjoy, as studying for a foundation degree requires:

• motivation
• high levels of organisation
• the ability to adapt to different working environments.

What foundation degree subjects are available?

Popular foundation degree subjects according to HESA's Graduate Outcomes 2021/22 survey include:

• agriculture
• childhood and youth studies
• counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy
• education
• health sciences
• health studies
• music
• nursing
• sport and exercise sciences
• tourism, transport and travel.

Before settling on a subject and course, it's important to research the entry requirements for your chosen career. You can do this by exploring relevant job profiles.

Explore foundation degrees in the UK through the UCAS course search.

You should also consider university open days and events aimed at prospective foundation degree students.

What are the entry requirements?

There are no set entry requirements for foundation degrees, as having the relevant industrial or commercial workplace experience and skills in a particular sector is often more important than any formal qualifications. It's up to individual universities and colleges to stipulate their requirements, which you can find out via their websites.

For example, to embark on a two-year Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Animal Management at the Bedford College Group in 2025/26, you'll need 32-48 UCAS Tariff points from your Level 3 (A-level standard) qualifications, plus GCSEs in English language and maths at grade 4/C or above.

On the other hand, the two-year Foundation Degree in Children, Young People and their Services at Burnley College seeks 80 UCAS points, the GCSEs above and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Some colleges may consider your educational achievements and predicted grades, as well as any non-standard qualifications, such as relevant work or life experience. The main requirement is the ability to cope with degree-level study.

How do I apply for a foundation degree?

If you're looking to study a foundation degree on a full-time basis and the college or university is a UCAS course provider, you'll need to follow the guidelines for an undergraduate application - get the lowdown on how to apply for university.

For part-time degrees, you'll need to apply directly to the college or university providing the course.

Read more about how to apply for college in the UK.

How much does it cost to study a foundation degree?

The course fees for foundation degrees vary, ranging from £2,700 to £9,535 per year - the maximum annual cost of a Bachelors degree in 2025/26.

Here is a selection of annual tuition fees for foundation degrees:

• £2,700 - FdSc in Computing from Northern Regional College
• £6,355 - FdA Early Years Childhood Studies from the University of Bolton
• £6,165 - FdSc Nursing Associate at Edge Hill University
• £8,000 - FdSc Sports Coaching, Education and Development at Lincoln College
• £9,535 - FdA in Popular Music from Birmingham City University
• £9,535 - FdSc Agriculture and Farm Management at the Royal Agricultural University.

The cost of studying for international students can be much higher. For instance, the sports course at Lincoln College costs an additional £1,500, with fees set at £9,500 per year.

Am I eligible for funding with a foundation degree?

Foundation degree students of recognised UK institutions will qualify for government funding. Tuition fee loans from Student Finance are available, as long as this is your first undergraduate qualification.

You may be entitled to additional funding if you're a parent, carer or have a disability.

Universities also offer grants and bursaries to students with additional needs - see GOV.UK - Funding and finance for students.

Explore student loans and finance.

Can I 'top up' the qualification to a full degree?

Most candidates studying a full-time foundation degree choose to extend their studies to a full degree the following academic year.

Is there a time limit on topping up?

With no time limit on topping up a foundation degree, you don't have to do this immediately, as many students return to their studies at a later date.

Can I change subjects?

If you decide to change subjects for your full degree, you may need to complete more than a year's additional study to graduate with the right number of credits.

If this subject has little or no relevance to your foundation degree, you may not be allowed to transfer and will be expected to start a Bachelors degree from the first year.

This will depend on the modules you've studied and the credits you've gained. Alternatively, you may be able to enter the second year. Transferring to a programme within the institution that validated your foundation degree is the easiest way to make the switch.

What about funding for a top-up degree?

Funding for top-up degrees as part of your first degree is not unconditional, so check with Student Finance and your university to see what's on offer.

Student Finance does not cover postgraduate courses, as loans can only be used for full Masters courses and not to top up to a higher qualification. Consider your postgraduate funding options.

Candidates completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) can consider applying for funding from the Department for Education (DfE). Read about what's available to fund your teacher training.

What can I do with a foundation degree?

As you look for jobs, you'll find that many traditional graduate recruiters accept job applications from candidates who've studied qualifications other than a degree.

In addition, alternative routes into their structured training programmes are emerging. Unlike standard graduate schemes, which typically ask for a 2:1 Bachelors degree as a minimum requirement, they have more flexible entry criteria geared towards critical thinking tests, relative work experience and other merits.

For example, if you've studied a finance, consulting or technology-related foundation degree, major recruiters run a range of early careers programmes, including:

• Deloitte
• EY
• PwC

Read more about careers in the accountancy, banking and finance sector.

If you have a specific role in mind, discover those where your foundation degree will be accepted, as you search graduate jobs.

How can I do a Masters degree?

You won't be able to make the leap from a foundation degree to a postgraduate course. To enrol on a Level 7 Masters course in the UK, you'll need a full Bachelors degree (at Level 6).

Once you have achieved this, you can go straight into postgraduate study, and may even be eligible for some PhDs.

If you're aiming to become a primary or secondary school teacher, you'll need a Bachelors degree to be accepted onto the PGCE teacher training course. You can also find out more about how to become a teacher.

To discover your options after topping up to a Masters degree, search postgraduate courses.

What do other foundation degree graduates do?

Two-thirds (66.9%) of foundation degree graduates from 2021/22 were in some form of employment 15 months after graduation, while 5.3% were studying either full or part time. By including those studying while working, this figure increases to a fifth (21%).

Foundation degree graduates enter a variety of professions each year, including:

• medical and dental technicians
• educational support assistants
• paramedics
• teaching assistants
• health associate professionals
• primary education teaching professionals
• early education and childcare practitioners
• sales and retail assistants
• other registered nursing professionals
• nursing auxiliaries and assistants.

For ideas on what to do with your foundation degree, search what can I do with my degree?

Destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).