Starting your university journey is a very exciting time. However, for some, it can be a bit daunting or perhaps your well-made plans have gone a little askew. Don’t panic though, a Foundation Year might be just what you need to get you up and running.
Foundation Years are becoming a popular option among international students and more universities are offering them as a supportive way to get into Bachelor’s programmes.
Study in Europe: Find Bachelor’s degrees with Foundation Years
A Foundation Year is a programme that sets you up for success before you start a Bachelor’s degree. Foundation Years - or Pathway programmes - give students that extra boost in their knowledge, skills and confidence.
Most such preparatory courses are one year long; hence they are called “foundation year” or “preparatory year”. Students who successfully complete the courses often have an automatically secured place on their Bachelor’s degree.
Note: Don’t mix up Foundation Years with UK Foundation Degrees. A Foundation Degree is a British third-level qualification that combines academic learning with work-based skills. They are ideal for those who are looking to further their education alongside their existing career or for those who want to change career tracks. But they’re not what you’re looking for if you want to prepare yourself for admissions to a Bachelor’s programme.
There are also different types of Foundation Years:
Foundation Years are only for undergraduates. Some postgraduates also offer a similar structure, but they are usually called Pre-Masters. These are particularly useful if you are changing professions.
So why choose a Foundation Year? Why not just jump straight into a bachelor’s degree?
A Foundation Year is a great way to boost your academic experience, and there are many advantages to doing one.
It is becoming more common for universities to offer Foundation Years, so you will have many options.
Below, we have listed some of the top choices. If there is a specific university you really want to attend, don’t be afraid to contact them and ask for more information on Foundation Year options.
University | Location | Foundation Year Options |
---|---|---|
Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (AMU) | Prague | 8 |
Constructor University | Germany | 1 |
EU Business School | Spain, Switzerland, Germany | 2 |
Lancaster University Leipzig | Germany | 6 |
Luiss University | Italy | 1 |
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology | Online | 1 |
The University of Greenwich | United Kingdom | 29 |
University of Aberdeen | United Kingdom | 4 |
University of Kent | United Kingdom | 26 |
University of Twente | Netherlands | 1 |
Find universities offering degrees with Foundation Year
The eligibility criteria for a Foundation Year are usually lower than those that are needed for a bachelors - that’s how they’re designed. The purpose of the Foundation Year is to get you caught up and ready to start your Bachelor's.
The entry requirements will vary between universities, so be sure to check out the university website or ask the admissions team.
Usually you will need:
Some institutions will additionally ask for:
Tuition fees for a Foundation Year can range from €5,000 to €10,000 per year. In some UK universities and specialised business schools, the programmes can be more expensive, with fees going up to €20,000. It is very important to check the fees with the individual institutions, and to consider this cost on top of the Bachelor’s programme price.
Scholarships are mainly for full degrees, but some universities such as Lancaster University Leipzig have discounts specifically for Foundation Years.
There are, of course, other options such as student loans, just be sure to fully investigate the costs and interests you will be paying back.
After you successfully complete your Foundation Year, you will then transition onto the undergraduate programme. In some institutions, you will automatically roll into the first year of whichever undergraduate degree you choose (or is connected to the Foundation Year).
In other, you will need to actively apply for your place. Some programmes support students applying to other universities after their Foundation Year, but as always, we recommend that you check all these criteria before you apply and check all these criteria before you apply and accept your place on a course. Some foundation courses award ECTS credits for the modules you took during the year - and these can be relevant for your admission onto a Bachelors.
Be aware that you can also fail a Foundation Year, passing depends on your dedication and hard work. Many students underestimate the intensity, assuming it will be easier than a degree program. However, the coursework, deadlines, and assessments require consistent effort.
Study in Europe: Find Bachelor’s degrees with Foundation Years
162 Bachelors in Europe