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Foundation Year Study

What is a foundation year?

A foundation year is an extra year of study at the start of a university course. It is a great way to build your skills, knowledge and confidence to prepare you for a degree course. On successful completion of a foundation year, you can progress to a wide range of our undergraduate courses.

There are many reasons a student may not be ready to embark on a full undergraduate degree right away, a foundation year gives students the time and support to develop and prepare before entering the full degree path of their choice.

Why study a foundation year?

  • You might have studied A-levels that don’t match your chosen degree path, if you want to study Film and TV production but didn’t study Media, or if you want to study engineering but didn’t study maths, a foundation year will allow you to develop missing skills and progress onto a degree.
  • If you haven’t met the entry requirements to your chosen degree, a foundation year will allow you to develop your academic skills and gain a place on the course.
  • During your foundation year, you will gain and develop skills that will prepare you for your first year, making the transition to University study easier.
  • If you are an international student they can help you meet the UK qualification levels required to enrol on your desired degree path.
  • A foundation year will give you a year of varied insight into the subject field you are interested in. Allowing you to get first-hand experiences in different areas helping you make the best choice in an undergraduate degree.
  • By completing a foundation year, you will earn a guaranteed place on your degree course of choice at Northumbria.
    (Some courses may require certain grades to be reached or require an interview or audition to progress)

Register Your Interest Here

Student Profiles / Foundation Year

Hear what it is really like to study on a foundation year from our current students.

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Benefits of a foundation year

An article by Rob, a previous foundation student

My foundation year not only gave me access to a better degree, but really helped me prepare for it.

University / What Northumbria can offer you

19 courses found

Drama Foundation Year

Undergraduate | Newcastle | 1 year full-time followed by a further 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Explore a broad range of creative art disciplines and become arts practitioner ready.

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Design Foundation Year

Undergraduate | Newcastle | 1 year full-time followed by a further 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

The Foundation Year in Design provides an opportunity for you to study across a broad range of creative design elements including Communication…

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Business and Management Foundation Year

Undergraduate | Newcastle | 1 year full-time followed by a further 3 years full-time study or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

The Foundation Year prepares you for entry onto a degree programme in a Business School in the top 1% of institutions around the world.

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Film and Media Foundation Year

Undergraduate | Newcastle | 1 year full-time followed by a further 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Do you have a passion for film and media? Discover the bigger picture with our Foundation Year and take the next step to writing your…

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Humanities Foundation Year

Undergraduate | Newcastle | 1 year full-time followed by a further 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

This foundation year will prepare you for degree level study in a range of disciplines across Humanities whilst emphasising the transferable…

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Law Foundation Year

Undergraduate | Newcastle | Foundation year followed by a further 3 or 4 years full-time study

The LLB with Foundation year is a new type of integrated foundation course. It is designed for those whose level 3 grades may not be…

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Music Foundation Year

Undergraduate | Newcastle | 1 year full-time followed by a further 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Do you have a passion for music? The Music Foundation Year is a fully integrated programme with the BA (Hons) Music course, and will…

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Psychology Foundation Year

Undergraduate | Newcastle | 1 year full-time followed by a further 3 or 4 years full-time

Interested in the workings of the human mind? Gain a developed understanding and knowledge of the fundamental principles of Psychology…

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Social Science Foundation Year

Undergraduate | Newcastle | 1 year full-time followed by a further 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

This foundation year will prepare you for degree level study in a range of social science subjects, introducing you to research theory…

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Applied Sciences Foundation Year

Undergraduate | Newcastle | 1 year full-time followed by a further 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

If you are fascinated by science, then this course offers a practical introduction to the sciences and will help you decide which degree…

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Sport Foundation Year

Undergraduate | Newcastle

The Sport Foundation Year will provide you with all the skills and knowledge you’ll need to take the next step into a Sport, Exercise…

1 year full-time followed by a further 3 years full-time study or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad / Sep start

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1 year full-time followed by a further 3 years full-time study or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad / Sep start

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Northumbria Open Days

Open Days are a great way for you to get a feel of the University, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the course(s) you are interested in.

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Virtual Tour

Get an insight into life at Northumbria at the click of a button! Come and explore our videos and 360 panoramas to immerse yourself in our campuses and get a feel for what it is like studying here using our interactive virtual tour.

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