Studying a foundation year at university

Have you ever considered a foundation year, as an entry into university education?

Our foundation courses are integrated with an honours degree, enabling you to spend a year developing the knowledge and skills needed before you start your degree with us. They are a great opportunity if you do not have the required A-levels or equivalent qualifications, are changing careers or returning to study.

In this blog, we will explore:

• What is an integrated foundation year?
• Foundation year course options in business and law
• Entry requirements
• Applying through clearing

What is an integrated foundation year?

A degree with an integrated foundation year is designed for students who do not have the entry requirements needed to start a degree with us. This could be because you don’t have the grades or subjects that we need, or you could be changing career or returning to study.

Essentially, this means that your course will take four years instead of three (or five with a placement year). It’s a great introduction to your chosen subject area, and allows you the opportunity to develop valuable study and self-management skills, communication, teamwork and problem-solving techniques which help to build your confidence and prepare you for the rest of your course. These are exactly the types of skills employers look for, alongside your qualifications.

“Studying at the Business School was one of the best things that ever happened to me… it was the place where I learnt and gained skills and techniques that continuously add value to my career development and help me achieve my goals”.

Dafnis Papadopoulos, Accounting and Finance BSc(Hons)

Courses with a foundation year in Business and Law

We offer three integrated foundation year courses at the School of Business and Law.

• Accounting, Finance and Economics BSc(Hons) with foundation year
• Business Management BSc(Hons) with integrated foundation year
• Law LLB(Hons) with integrated foundation year

If you successfully pass the foundation year, you can progress directly onto your choice of degree without having to reapply through UCAS. UK students can also apply for student funding for their whole course – foundation year plus a three-year or four-year degree with a placement year.

Entry requirements

The typical minimum entry requirements to study an integrated foundation year are as follows:

• UCAS tariff – 72 UCAS tariff points. Level 3 Key Skills and General Studies will count towards the tariff​
• A-levels – DDD​
• BTEC – MMP/DM​
• International Baccalaureate – 24 points​
• GCSE – maths at least grade 4 or grade C (accounting, finance and economics only)​
• GCSE – English at least grade 4 or grade C (law only)​

Other qualifications​
We will consider applicants who have completed an Access course or other type of level 3 qualification on an individual basis; relevant experience may also be taken into account.

Clearing 2024: Call now

We still have places available on all our integrated foundation year courses to start in September 2024.

We take a personal approach to your academic success. We accept a range of qualifications and care about all the achievements and experiences that set you apart, so get in touch with our friendly team – they’ll help you find the right course for you.

You can find full details about clearing on the University of Brighton website.
Call our clearing hotline on 01273 644000 to speak with our student ambassadors.