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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Offer but with a Foundation Year.

57 replies

blaisealex · 08/07/2021 14:54

I've been offered a place at Uni.

I applied for the standard BA Honours Three Year Course but they have come back and offered it to me with a Foundation Year. I guess because I don't have any Level Three Qualifications or A Levels.

I really don't want to do the Foundation Year. I will if I have to obviously but I'd really rather not. Is there anything I can do or is this pretty much the final decision? I have accepted the offer. I'm also a mature student in my late twenties.

OP posts:
Talipesmum · 08/07/2021 14:59

Why don’t you want to do the foundation year? I guess it’s their way of saying they think you will need this learning, given what you have so far - but they like the look of you enough to want to give you a chance to do the course afterwards.

Original poster
blaisealex · 08/07/2021 15:03

@Talipesmum

Why don’t you want to do the foundation year? I guess it’s their way of saying they think you will need this learning, given what you have so far - but they like the look of you enough to want to give you a chance to do the course afterwards.
I guess it just makes me feel like I'm not capable, I suppose. Especially as a Mature Student and being aware that 18 year olds are being accepted onto the course but I've got to do the Foundation first. And I do feel confident that I could proceed straight on the course without the Foundation Year. I just want to crack straight on!
OP posts:
Original poster
blaisealex · 08/07/2021 15:05

Also, I'd quite like to do something else afterwards, perhaps a PGCE or an MA. So, total time is going to be 5 years instead of 4 because of the Foundation Year.

OP posts:
SometimesRavenSometimesParrot · 08/07/2021 15:07

If you don’t have any level 3 qualifications they have probably offered you the foundation year to make sure you start the three year course in a strong position to succeed. Look at it as an opportunity!
Contact hours are usually low so you could do work placements, take up a language alongside, volunteer etc. Things that can be difficult to slide in alongside study and assessment.

Original poster
blaisealex · 08/07/2021 15:11

I do have a job wich is ten hours per week and a three year old DC. But I was thinking about quitting the job for now so I can focus fully on studying and my DS.

OP posts:
captainpantbeard · 08/07/2021 15:18

Being a mature student doesn't automatically give you a free pass. I would try and speak to the course leader directly so that you can talk to them about any experience you have that might count in place of having the necessary qualifications.

I say this as an ex-mature student who had crap A-levels and now works in a University dept that runs a Foundation Year!

Original poster
blaisealex · 08/07/2021 15:30

@captainpantbeard

Being a mature student doesn't automatically give you a free pass. I would try and speak to the course leader directly so that you can talk to them about any experience you have that might count in place of having the necessary qualifications.

I say this as an ex-mature student who had crap A-levels and now works in a University dept that runs a Foundation Year!

I know it doesn't but I do feel perfectly capable of proceeding without the Foundation Year. I don't have any obvious experience. All my jobs, etc. have been unrelated to the course.
OP posts:
wooliewoo · 08/07/2021 15:34

Universities will usually want evidence that you can work at the required level. So that could be A levels, BTEC, HNC, access course. If you don't have any of those they are offering you the foundation year in place of these.

Friend of mine was in similar position (although she had done a professional qualification) and the Uni allowed her to do one module from the course part-time the term before as proof she could reach the required standard. She managed it fine and got in. Would this be an option?

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 08/07/2021 15:35

Why do you feel you’re capable to proceed without the foundation course? It seems you have no previous background in the subject such as relevant A-levels or work experience. I get that you are frustrated but it’s not surprising what they offered.
You can always ask their rationale behind the decision.

GiantToadstool · 08/07/2021 15:36

If you haven't done any level 3 qualifications then all you have presumably is gcse? You cant usually get into uni without some level 3 work. Some people choose an access course at a local college which is an alternative to a foundatuon year. Or you could look at some foundation level modules with OU. However you look at it you cant just start at uni without having got to that level!

GiantToadstool · 08/07/2021 15:37

18 years will just have had 2 years of intense study at a level you haven't had so will be at an advantage academically!

HollowTalk · 08/07/2021 15:47

The essays you'll be expected to write and the level you'll be expected to work at are not things you're used to though, OP. If you were put straight into Year 1 alongside students with really good A levels, you'd be at a big disadvantage. Just being older isn't enough sometimes. And I imagine there will be lots of other mature students there, so don't worry about only being in with 18 year olds.

captainpantbeard · 08/07/2021 15:49

I would still talk to the course leader. It's not so much about the subject, but you don't have the standard entry requirements and they have no way of knowing you are up to that level. But you may have transferable skills if you've had other experience in the last few years. And a general maturity helps - no slight on school leavers but if you've been out in the world for 10 years you do know a bit more about how things work and you've made a different kind of decision in being there. Speak to them about why you think you're capable of proceeding without the FY. You've nothing to lose! Good luck, it's great that you are going back into education.

Original poster
blaisealex · 08/07/2021 15:54

Perhaps, I'm too confident in my abilities then. I'm also incredibly excited and just want to get started. I can't help but feel disappointed at having to do the Foundation Year. I'm aware being older than 18 year olds doesn't mean anything particularly. It's just that I feel personally ready for the challenge.

OP posts:
Original poster
blaisealex · 08/07/2021 15:55

It's a Creative Writing degree, by the way. Just realised I didn't include the course in my OP.

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 08/07/2021 16:01

I think that's very different then, as none of them will have any expertise in that area. Could you speak to the person in charge of the course and ask whether you can go straight to Year 1? Did you have to show samples of your work?

GiantToadstool · 08/07/2021 16:05

Many will have English A level surely? And experience of writing A level grade essays etc.

StillSmallVoice · 08/07/2021 16:07

My DH is an admissions tutor in a different academic area. There's always a good reason for a foundation year offer, and you will be in a far better position in the long run if you do it.

You are also not the first potential student to be disappointed that they can't go straight into stage 1, but it's usually OK in the end.

GetTaeFuck · 08/07/2021 16:07

So you want to go straight onto a degree without any of the foundation required, whether that’s L3/A Levels/Foundation Year Confused

Utterly bizarre idea, regardless of the degree subject.

GiantToadstool · 08/07/2021 16:09

Have a look at the course hours too. You may well be able to keep ypur 10hour a week job as many students work alongside their work. For example birkbeck is 2 evenings a week and a saturday.. . Some unis will only require attendance certain days etc.

Original poster
blaisealex · 08/07/2021 16:13

I'm 20,000 words into a Novel. I write every day because I love it. I'm part of an online writing forum where I write with others from all around the world. I also consume vast amounts of fiction. So, I suppose, based on these things, I mistakenly believed, I really didn't need to do the Foundation Year.

OP posts:
Original poster
blaisealex · 08/07/2021 16:14

@HollowTalk

I think that's very different then, as none of them will have any expertise in that area. Could you speak to the person in charge of the course and ask whether you can go straight to Year 1? Did you have to show samples of your work?
No, we didn't have to show samples of our work. However, I did turn my PS into a short story. Just couldn't help myself!
OP posts:
Original poster
blaisealex · 08/07/2021 16:18

@GiantToadstool

Have a look at the course hours too. You may well be able to keep ypur 10hour a week job as many students work alongside their work. For example birkbeck is 2 evenings a week and a saturday.. . Some unis will only require attendance certain days etc.
Yes, it says the contact hours are between 9 and 12 hours per week but I won't find out my timetable until September. My job is currently Monday and Fridays, five hours each day.
OP posts:
motogogo · 08/07/2021 16:29

They need to see evidence you can work at that academic level - if not a levels do you have btec, professional exams? Otherwise you need to either pick she a couple of a levels min or foundation year

boobot1 · 08/07/2021 16:37

Try the Open University?