Foundation

What Is Foundation Programme?

Foundation Programme is a preparatory course oriented by some universities in the United Kingdom toward the students with an average level of English skills or whose high-school cumulative grade point average is insufficient for direct entry. The students attend courses in the campus with other students and they accommodate in the same dormitory together.

Foundation Year should not be deemed as a preparatory year attended in Turkey. Instead of predominantly addressing grammar subjects in English courses, the students advance their academic writing, article reading skills by concentrating on current events. Average classroom capacity is 10-15 people for the students to derive maximum benefit from classes, which allows teachers to spare time for each student.

As for the most significant purpose of Foundation Programme, it is ensuring knowledge and experience accumulation to students while transitioning from Turkish to English Education System. The students are going to be equipped with the qualifications to guide them through referencing methods and creating content for academic writing studies. The students that satisfactorily complete this programme can uninterruptedly pass the first grade.

Why Should I Attend Foundation Programme?

The education system in the United Kingdom is way more different that the one in Turkey; grading system is mostly based on assignments and projects. Therefore, not only do new academic qualifications acquired in the Foundation Programme prepare students for the content of their first-cycle studies, but for the education system in the United Kingdom. The ones who have improved their relevant qualifications as a Foundation student are observed to be more successful throughout their education in the United Kingdom. Accordingly, this year could be defined as a stage for adapting to a new country and education system in addition to ameliorating English skills. The students who have obtained the required foundation and have been successful throughout the programme gain the right to begin their bachelor’s degree studies without delay.

Moreover, since the Foundation program is only for international students, they can also gain new perspectives by making friends with people from various nationalities during this year. A guiding teacher is assigned for each student, who bond with them to make sure the student is doing well both academically and psychologically, follow up their development, give pieces of advice and provide support for one year.

Education System Of The Foundation Programme

Students are attributed various assignments throughout the Foundation Year for their development to be observed well. Teachers provide detailed feedback to the students on these assignments. Especially in social science-based programmes, end-of-year mark is mostly affected by the points the students make from the assignments.

Furthermore, the students may also sit in mid-term exams. At the end of the year, each student sit in exams related to the courses that they have attended. The weighted average of assignment and exam scores are calculated to reckon the end-of-year mark.

After the Foundation Year, the students are qualified to commence their Bachelor’s degree studies at the same university, without making a brand-new application, which, however, stipulates the condition of achieving the required grade point average. It should be remembered that the purpose of this programme is to include as many students as possible, almost every student that submitted their assignments has been deemed eligible to begin their bachelor’s degree studies. Additionally, if a student decides to proceed with their education at a different university upon completion of their Foundation Programme, they are free to contact their academic counsellor and make a brand-new application to another institution within that year.

When Do Foundation Programmes Begin?

Foundation Programmes in the United Kingdom start in September or January. The one with the September start is complete in June and the students can commence their bachelor’s degree studies in the next September. The students whose Foundation Year started in January complete their studies in August and begin their first-cycle studies in September, without delay.

Application Documents Required By Foundation Programmes

The required documents for making an application to Foundation Programmes could be listed as below. Since those could differ based on the programme and university, your education counsellor will guide you in this matter upon creating your application list.

  • Statement of Purpose

  • Current High-school Transcript

  • Student Certificate

  • (If available) Passport

  • IELTS – not required during the application process

*As EDUKAS team, we provide service for Turkish-English translation of documents, statement of purpose and CV preparation as well as university applications entirely free of charge. Please feel free to contact us for being offered a place to study Foundation Programme at a university in the United Kingdom.

When Should I Apply For Foundation Programmes?

Even though there are no application deadlines for Foundation Programmes, the students are advised to submit an application at the earliest date possible considering the problems to encounter due to placement limit of the programme. The students can apply as many Foundation Programmes as they wish since there is no restriction. Our education counsellors carefully prepare the application lists personalized for each student considering the success rate of each selected university, as well as all opinions of students and their parents.

What Are The Entry Requirements Of Foundation Programmes?

One must have graduated from high-school with a cumulative grade point average at least above 60% to be offered a place in Foundation Programmes. The second requirement determined by the universities in the United Kingdom is English language proficiency. The students must have at least B1 (IELTS 4.5-5.0) Level of English skills to attend Foundation courses.

Foundation Programme Course Content

A student admitted to a Foundation Programme attend courses in two different fields:

  1. Academic Field Courses: The student attends academic classes related to the main focus of their Bachelor’s Degree. Not only do these classes help students build the proper fundament for their degree but also improve their academic writing skills.

  2. Academic English Courses: The students attend 10-15 hours of Academic English classes throughout this academic program.

Foundation Programmes are generally divided into subprogrammes based on the framework of the student’s major. The students select and attend the program that is the most appropriate for their prospective degree. For instance, a student who is willing to study Law, Business Administration, Architecture or Engineering attend the Foundation Programme corresponding to their expectations the most. Thereby, each student can get prepared for their field of interest in the most efficient way. Meanwhile the students have a chance to improve themselves more in Academic English Courses, they can also estimate the content of their future classes by acquiring major-related knowledge in Academic Field Courses.

Accommodating As A Foundation Student

The students are allowed to accommodate in the universities’ dormitories during the Foundation Year. In addition to various student lodging options, dorms are generally designed as single and en-suite (bathroom is included). There are usually six to seven rooms in one floor and the kitchen is a shared space, which allows students to socialise. Once your education counsellor is informed, you will be entirely supported with university application processes and instructed with the most suitable lodging option for you.

Foundation Programme Fee

Foundation Programme fees vary between £ 12.000 – £ 20.000 based on the university to apply for.