University of Plymouth courses with Foundation years - University of Plymouth
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Your future starts at university
Wherever your starting point, we provide you with the things you need to succeed, which is where our courses with Foundation years come in.
Foundation years act as a bridge, getting you from wherever you are now to being one of our University of Plymouth graduates.
Choose from 57 courses with a foundation year at Plymouth.
What is a Foundation year?
A Foundation year provides an additional entry-level year for you to gain further knowledge of a subject before starting a full degree course.
On completing the Foundation year successfully, you progress automatically onto the full degree course, which is usually three years. You don’t need to apply for a place on the full degree course.
At Plymouth, we have been running courses with foundation years for over 25 years with an outstanding record of success.
Foundation courses step-by-step
Step 1: Foundation year – gain the knowledge and skills you will need to complete your course
Step 2: Undergraduate course – join and complete the degree (normally 3+ years)
Step 3: Graduation – graduate with a full degree in your chosen subject
Step 4: Start your career or continue onto postgraduate studies
A course with a Foundation year is for you if…
You would like to build your confidence to study at university level
You want to gain the knowledge and skills needed to complete a full degree
Your qualifications don't meet entry requirements for a three-year degree
You want to study a new subject that your previous qualifications or experience haven’t prepared you for
You may have thought university wasn’t an available option for you
You want to join a university course that is needed for the career you’d like
Foundation year students’ support package
Student welfare is a top priority for our Foundation year students, so we provide a caring learning environment with mentors to help you feel fully supported.
Our tailored support package will help you build the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as you progress through the foundation year and on to the full degree course.
Your support package is in place for all years of your degree course.
Study skills group
Dedicated time with our Library and Learning Services team. These group sessions are designed to help you develop key skills such as:
academic writing
completing assessments such as exams and practical activities
study skills to build knowledge and research your subject
critical thinking to evaluate, analyse, communicate your opinion, identify and solve problems
information literacy and library skills
digital skills to improve the effectiveness of your study time.
Some of these sessions will be delivered as part of your course through timetabled sessions; others will be available as sessions that you can book.
I found the foundation year to be really beneficial to my studying because everything they teach you in your foundation year is directly applicable to your first year - and I didn't come from an academic background - so that really set me up for my degree.
Bethany, BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences graduate
BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BA (Hons) Anthropology with Foundation (Full-time)
BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation (Year 0) (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BA (Hons) Creative Media with Foundation (Full-time)
BA (Hons) Creative Writing with Foundation (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Criminology with Foundation (Full-time)
BDS Dental Surgery with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Dental Therapy and Hygiene with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Dietetics with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Foundation (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Economics with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing with Foundation (Full-time)
BA (Hons) English with Foundation (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Geography with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Geology with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Foundation (Full-time)
BA (Hons) History with Foundation (Full-time)
BA (Hons) Illustration with Foundation (Full-time)
BA (Hons) Interior Design with Foundation (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) International Relations with Foundation (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management with Foundation Year (Full-time)
LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Maritime Business with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Marketing with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult Health) with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Ocean Sciences with Foundation Year (Full-time)
MOptom (Hons) Optometry with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BA (Hons) Photography with Foundation (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Podiatry with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design with Foundation (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Integrated Foundation Year (Full-time)
BEng (Hons) Robotics with Foundation Year (Full-time)
BSc (Hons) Sociology with Foundation (Full-time)
A part of our student community
As you study your Foundation year, you will gain first-hand experience of university life. You will be a University of Plymouth student with us and have full access to all the facilities you need, as well as being a part of our student community enjoying extracurricular and social opportunities from day one. You also have access to our student services and teams, and Students’ Union. Other teams here to support you, include:
The Writing Cafe
Improve as a writer working with our trained student writing mentors. As a University of Plymouth student you have access to the Writing Cafe every weekday during term time.
Peer-Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS)
You can join a PALS group where you are supported by other students to help you develop study skills and settle in quickly to university life.
Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellows
You have access to an experienced academic writing fellow to help with essay structure; how to write good introductions and conclusions; and how to write clearly and concisely.
Student Hub
Our dedicated advisers help you get the most out of your time at university. No issue is too big and no question is too small, and our team is here to support your wellbeing and your learning.
Foundation group
Even before you arrive, our student ambassadors support you to connect online with your peers, meeting others who are studying Foundation years, sharing ideas and hints and tips to help settle in.
The best part of the foundation year for me was the confidence it gave me. It's changed me as a person. I thought getting into university wasn't something I'd ever be able to do. Now I feel more confident, happier – more myself than I was before.
Haralambos Pouliasis, foundation year student
Admission enquiries
admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
+44 1752 585858
Foundation programmes for international students
Taking a foundation year or pathway course may allow you to meet the University of Plymouth's entry requirements – you can apply to study these through University of Plymouth International College (UPIC).
UPIC offers a number of prestigious pathways with both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees available to international students. UPIC is located on the main University of Plymouth campus and you can join us in January, May or September.
Find out more about UPIC
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