Foundation year

A degree with a foundation year can offer an alternative route into higher education if you don’t meet the entry requirements for our undergraduate degree programmes, or if you are considering a new career path, but you don’t yet have the qualification you need to apply for your dream job.  

The foundation year itself is an additional year of study at the start of your course that is designed to prepare you with the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to progress onto degree-level study.

The foundation year is a supportive introduction to university life and the opportunity to examine and practice academic skills such as writing, research and project management, which are all applied from Level 4 onwards. You will also get the chance to explore professional skills and employability.

This year is intended to prepare you fully for the rigours of the full degree programme to ensure you move comfortably into the first year (Level 4).

Many of our undergraduate degree programmes are available with a foundation year. Visit our course list to find the right one for you.

You will study for a minimum of four years, which may increase to five if your course has a sandwich year as part of the degree. Once you have successfully passed your foundation year (Level 3), you will automatically progress onto the first year of your honours degree.

No, a foundation year is an additional year of study at the start of your course that is designed to provide access to degree-level study and prepare you for university life.

A foundation degree is a standalone qualification that is two years full time and is the equivalent to two years of a three-year degree programme.

No. Once you pass the foundation year, you will then progress onto the first year of your chosen honours degree.

No, you only need to apply for one or the other.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree programme, you may be eligible for your chosen degree with a foundation year. If you apply for a degree with a foundation year, but your grades are better than expected, we may be able to offer you a place on the full degree programme.

Learn more about how to apply for your chosen course.

Typical entry requirements for a degree with a foundation year are 72 to 96 UCAS Tariff points. Visit our course list to find out more about the entry requirements for your preferred course.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements, there may be an opportunity for you to apply through Clearing. The decision for that is at the discretion of the Admissions Office.

If you did not meet the conditions of your offer, we cannot offer you a place on the full degree programme.

Funding will be available for students who choose a degree with an integral foundation year. This will cover all years, including the foundation year. When applying for student finance, you should look for the 'Extended' version of the course when selecting your course of study.

Degrees with a foundation year allow for a seamless transition of funding for the full four or five years.

Yes. If you study a course at LJMU with an integral foundation year, you can have student funding for the full course duration. That funding includes the foundation year and a placement year (if this is an option). 

When you apply for your student finance, you should look for the ‘Extended with a placement’ version when selecting your course of study.

If you have attended a higher education course for more than a year, you should get advice before you start another course. This could affect your student finance entitlement.

As a general rule, you can have funding for the length of your new course plus an extra year, less any full or part years you have attended already. Therefore, if you have attended for a year or less you will receive funding for the full duration of your new course including any foundation years.

If you have studied for more than a year, please contact us for advice before you apply, so we can discuss your funding options. You can email us at: moneyadvice@ljmu.ac.uk.

LJMU bursaries are paid to eligible students who meet our criteria. If eligible, you can have a bursary for any year of your course that you pay full fees, including foundation years. 

Learn more about the LJMU bursary.

You can apply for a scholarship for a course with a foundation year. LJMU has a range of scholarships to reward success.

Learn more about LJMU scholarships.

Our degrees with a foundation year allow you to enjoy the benefits of being an LJMU student, while preparing for degree-level study.

You will have access to high-quality, city centre accommodation and world-class learning facilities. This includes paid work opportunities and dedicated student support.

Learn more about the student experience at LJMU.

If you have any further questions about our degrees with a foundation year, you can complete this form. Or, get in touch at: courses@ljmu.ac.uk or call us on: 0151 231 5090 or call us on: 0151231 5090

You can also speak to the team by visiting our course pages and selecting ‘Chat with the Courses Team’.

If you are a mature student and you have a query about our degrees with a foundation year, please contact the faculty admissions team.