What is the Foundation Year?

The Foundation Year at Birmingham Newman University is the first year of a four year degree. It is designed for students who do not have the qualifications or experience for direct entry onto a three-year undergraduate programme.

If you’re thinking about returning to education after a break or if you’ve had some tough times in education before, the Foundation Year at Birmingham Newman University will support you and help you succeed.

 

Why should I study a Foundation Year?

Birmingham Newman’s Foundation Year will provide you with opportunities to:

  • Develop confidence in your skills and abilities
  • Develop an understanding of what is needed to be a successful undergraduate student
  • Gain knowledge of your academic discipline

 

What will I study during the Foundation Year?

The integrated foundation year focuses on helping you think critically and feel confident in your studies. It begins with an exploration of how you learn, and gives you the space to learn in your own way.

The goal of the Foundation Year is not just to get you ready for your next year of studies but to make sure you feel connected to your chosen subject and to the university community. You’ll explore interesting topics like identity, inequality, and think about what it means to be human in a digital world.

The combination of seminar discussions, active workshops, online activities and one-to-one support will enable you to develop the skills you’ll need to succeed in the rest of your degree.

View the Foundation Year course page for further details.

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Foundation year infograohic

Undergraduate Degrees with Foundation Year

Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year)

Business Management (with Foundation Year)

Computer Science (with Foundation Year)

Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing (with Foundation Year)

Counselling Studies and Working With Children Young People and Families (with Foundation Year) 

Criminology (with Foundation Year) 

Drama, Theatre and Applied Performance (with Foundation Year) 

Early Childhood Studies (with Foundation Year) 

Education and SEND (with Foundation Year)

English (with Foundation Year) 

Forensic Psychology (with Foundation Year)

Health and Social Care (with Foundation Year) 

History (with Foundation Year) 

Law (with Foundation Year)

Nursing (with Foundation Year)

Primary Education (3-11) with QTS (with Foundation Year) 

Professional Policing (with Foundation Year) 

Psychology (with Foundation Year) 

Psychology and Childhood Studies (with Foundation Year) 

Psychology and Counselling Studies (with Foundation Year) 

Psychology with Criminology (with Foundation Year)

Sport and Exercise Science (With Foundation Year)

Sport Coaching (with Foundation Year)

Studies in Primary Education (with Foundation Year) 

Theology and Philosophy (with Foundation Year) 

Working with Children Young People and Families (with Foundation Year) 

Youth and Community Work (with Foundation Year) 

Some degree with Foundation Year options have additional entry requirements at the beginning and / or on completion of the Foundation Year. Please see course pages for further information. If you require any clarification of the entry requirements, please contact our friendly, helpful Admissions department, who will be happy to help.

“The foundation year helped me realise my strengths. The staff and student mentors are amazing. I even recommended a friend to the foundation year who has recently started this academic year, she has said it was the best decision she's ever made, and I couldn't agree more.”
Foundation Year Student

foundation year students - FYI magazine

FYI: Foundation Year Investigates 

Want to know more about what you’ll study?

The Foundation Year publishes a staff-student magazine “FYI”, showcasing the work of our foundation year students and spotlighting the successes of our current and graduated students.

Student Testimonials

Hear From Our Students

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