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The Complete Guide to Foundation Degrees Often by Studying a One-Year Top-Up Course

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The Complete Guide to Foundation Degrees Often by Studying a One-Year Top-Up Course The Complete Guide to Foundation Degrees often by studying a one-year top-up course. You may have to study a short Foundation degrees: bridging course after completing your foundation degree and before starting the basics your top-up year. Sometimes progression is into the third year of a bachelor’s degree Want a flexible qualification that combines - or in some cases the second year. Most universities provide a clear progression academic study with work-based learning? route within the same institution or at a A foundation degree may be for you partner college. Popular foundation degrees According to Prospects, the most A foundation degree (Fd) is a flexible What subjects can you study? How do foundation degrees fit into the popular foundation degrees qualification that combines academic Foundation degrees cover a wide range of National Qualifications Framework studied are: study with work-based learning and can be subjects. Key areas include: (NQF)? • Academic studies in education studied full time, part time or by distance • Animal management • Foundation degree – level 5 (for example, courses for early learning. • Art and design • Bachelor’s degree – level 6 years teachers or teaching • Business management • Master’s degree – level 7 assistants) There are two main types of • Computing • Subjects allied to medicine (for foundation degree: • Construction management What are the benefits and drawbacks of example, audiology, paramedic • Part-time courses designed for those • Counselling studying a foundation degree? science, healthcare science) already in work. These enable you to gain a • Countryside management Benefits include: • Business studies qualification that recognises the experience • Early years • Courses are designed in partnership with • Sport and exercise science and skills you already have and to help with • Education employers, so the skills you gain will be career progression. • Engineering what employers want. If you are already • Full-time courses designed for those who • Health and social care in work the course can boost your career wish to enter a specific area of work. • Hospitality management progression and promotion prospects. if you don’t initially have the entry A foundation degree usually takes two • Horticulture • Flexible study options, such as part- requirements for a full degree or don’t want years to complete full time. Part-time • Logistics time, block release and distance learning to commit at this stage to three years of courses may take longer and distance • Multimedia mean you can fit study round other study. At a later date you can then top-up to learning takes up to four years. • Public services commitments, such as work and caring for a degree. Some foundation degrees are designed • Retail management dependants. Possible drawbacks include: to address local, regional or national skills • Science • No standard entry requirements. • In order to enrol on some courses you needs, or are for a specific organisation or • Sport Some courses have formal qualification may need to be in relevant employment or people doing a specific job. So when you • Veterinary nursing requirements but may also accept evidence have access to a suitable workplace. study these courses, you can be confident of previous relevant work experience for • Courses are not usually taught on a main that you’re gaining skills that are desirable How do foundation degrees compare to entry, especially if you are aged over 21. university campus but at smaller further to employers. bachelor degrees? • A nationally recognised stand-alone education colleges or sixth–form centres For example, Network Rail in partnership A foundation degree is equivalent to two- qualification with clear study progression in partnership with a university, or even at with Sheffield Hallam University, has thirds of a bachelor’s degree and is worth routes. The credits gained from completing private training providers. However, the developed a Foundation Degree in Railway 240 credits. A full bachelor’s degree is worth a foundation degree can be used in the qualification you gain is usually awarded by Engineering for track design engineers. 360 credits. Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme the university. This includes placements in design There is a clear progression route from a (CATS). • You may need to top-up to a degree to be consultancies and Network Rail teams. foundation degree to a bachelor’s degree, • A route to gaining a bachelor’s degree eligible for employer graduate schemes. 2 3 Is a foundation Personal experience – why I chose a foundation degree degree right for me? Hannah Gamble is studying an early years foundation degree at Sheffield Hallam University. She explains why she chose to study a Whether you’re employed or want to get into a foundation degree: “I had been working in a school nursery for four years and felt that specific area of work, a wide range of flexible study if I knew more about early years as an academic subject I could put options make it easier to find the right course reasoning behind children’s behaviours and be more effective in helping them develop. Previously I had done a Level 3 Apprenticeship There are two main types of foundation three years. and enjoyed studying for a CACHE Diploma in Early Years Education degree: • You would like a course that includes and Care..” Courses that are aimed at those practical hands-on learning through work What benefits do you think this will have for your career? 1 already in work placements or work modules including If I am better trained I can provide a better service and most importantly For example – Foundation Degree (Fd) real-world projects. better outcomes for the children I work with. Currently the nursery in Health and Social Care (assistant doesn’t have a fully qualified early years teacher so I hope to continue practitioner) for those in support roles in How is a foundation degree structured? studying beyond foundation degree to gain Qualified Teacher Status. the NHS who want to train for the assistant There is no national syllabus, so courses What tips would you have for others applying for foundation degrees? practitioner role. will differ in content, delivery styles and Don’t hesitate – go for it! Initially I thought university study would be This might suit you if: assessment methods. There are a variety endless lectures but it is very different. I study one afternoon a week • You would like to have your knowledge of study patterns but all have some work- at university and much of my learning is done through working at the and skills recognised and accredited. based or work-related learning. nursery. I have met lots of new people and challenged myself with • You’d like to progress to a degree later. You may: many new experiences. It is rewarding to see yourself change and • You want a flexible qualification you can • Be employed and do much of your develop – I am now much more confident as a person. fit around existing work commitments or learning in the workplace with blocks of other personal circumstances - you may time at university. not be in a position to stop work in order • Be employed and complete course to study. modules by distance learning. The course may include academic skills, competencies you have achieved. As well • You want to develop your skills, gain • Be based full-time at university with work such as academic reading and writing, as exams and written work you can promotion, take on new responsibilities or placements each year. researching and referencing for those who expect assignments relevant to the boost your confidence in your abilities. • Be based full-time at university with haven’t studied for a while. workplace, such as reports for business- • You are considering a shift in career one or more work-based modules that related areas and posters or presentations direction within the company you work for. include real-world projects, relevant to the How will I be assessed? for health roles. workplace. Courses include a mix of practical and Courses that are aimed at those There are a wide range of ways to study: written assessments. In the workplace you 2 considering a specific area of work • Full time will be assessed to ensure you Top tip on finding the right For example – Foundation Degree (Fd) in • Part-time day or evening have the competencies needed for a foundation degree Business Management • Part-time day release from work specific area of work. This may include • The Ucas foundation degree search This might suit you if: • Part-time block release from work (often learning how to reflect on tasks in allows you to look for courses that offer the • You don’t have the formal entry periods of a few weeks) order to evaluate your own and other’s study style that suits you best. Visit: http:// requirements for a full degree. • Distance learning practice. You may have to keep a personal fd.ucas.com/CourseSearch/Default.aspx • You are not sure about studying for a full • Mixed mode development portfolio to document the 4 5 to your line manager first. You may have Finding a course, to use an internal company application process. • For some work-based schemes, such as applications and the Network Rail Star track scheme for track design engineers, and for higher apprenticeships that lead to a foundation funding degree, you apply through employer websites. Entry requirements vary widely and previous work experience may be just as important as formal qualifications Is funding available? website to find out more. Students on foundation degrees are Foundation degree students are eligible eligible for the same student funding for the same funding support as full What will I need to get on a to accredit your experience with foundation support as full degree students.
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