When a house is going to be built, the masons start the work with the foundation, which is what will give all the support for the structure. A foundation year basically has the same function: it will help you with all the necessary foundation for you to do well in your graduation! In this text, we will explain in detail how this “zero year” course works, which is common mainly in the United Kingdom. Come on?
As you can see in the video, the foundation year is the “zero year” of undergraduate courses in the UK. They are designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge needed for college.
In most cases, foundation years are integrated into courses. However, unlike foundation degrees , where students can often jump to the second year of study, students who complete “year zero” must start at the beginning of their chosen course.
The foundation years play an important role in the adaptation of exchange students to the academic and cultural life in a different country. Studying abroad is exciting and can open up a world of opportunities, but it is also a challenging experience, even for the most adventurous.
The foundation years for international students still include language courses, thus offering the opportunity to improve their communication skills before starting college itself. It is also a great way to make friends, get to know the place where you will spend your next years and learn the cultural traditions of the new country, without the pressure that comes with starting an undergraduate course.
Why do a foundation year?
In short, in addition to the adaptation abroad itself, there are other reasons for you to do a foundation year:
- You may not have had enough advanced classes to follow the undergraduate course. If your high school was poor, a foundation year will help you to match other students and thus be able to do well in undergraduate classes.
- You may not have obtained the grades needed to go straight to the standard undergraduate course. In this case, the selection processes may be less competitive for courses with the foundation year.
- You may have a type of qualification that is not accepted for the course you wish to study. In that case, year zero will “level you up” with the British system.
Universities generally provide entry requirements for courses with and without the foundation year, so you can compare the two.
Where would I study in the foundation year?
It is usually taken at the university where you intend to graduate. Therefore, you will enroll directly in a course that includes this step. To illustrate, the course can be called “ Engineering with Foundation Year “. In some cases – for example, in an arts foundation year – you can study at a separate college and then apply for an undergraduate degree.
Foundation year entry requirements
The requirements and materials requested for the selection process vary from university to university. However, in the case of exchange students, it is usually requested:
- A score of 4.5 or equivalent on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- High school diploma and transcript
- Letter of recommendation from a high school teacher
- Personal statement
- Scanned copy of passport and student visa
Do I need to pay for the foundation year?
It depends. If he is part of the course, you will have to pay an additional 1 year of tuition, which will be included in the general payment. However, some universities charge lower fees for foundation years , while others even offer scholarships!
