Annual Conference for Teachers and Advisers 2022

Entry qualifications for many degree programmes, especially those in STEM subjects, are not just indicators of general academic aptitude. They also represent the level of prerequisite knowledge and the skills needed for a student to be able to cope with and succeed on those programmes.

For a student who doesn’t meet first-year entry requirements (their grades may be too low, or they may not have the right qualifications or subject mix for their preferred choice) a Foundation Year can provide the ideal opportunity to bring their knowledge and skills up to the required level, whilst also supporting them and equipping them more generally to make the transition to higher education.

This session will look to explain the following key points:

• the potential benefits of a Foundation Year as a route onto a STEM degree
• the type of students for whom this is an appropriate option
• the key aspects of the Foundation programme that students (and advisers) should look for when considering this option