University Foundation / Access Courses

University Foundation and Access Courses offer both international students and residents another route into studying at British universities. These courses are beneficial in many ways as they help to prepare you for university life and to give you essential skills that will be required at university too.

What is a University Foundation or Access Course?

Simply speaking, a university foundation or access course is designed to give students a way into university by bridging the gap between the education you already have and the level of education you need to be able to enrol on the university degree of your choice.

What is the Difference between Foundation and Access Courses?

Often these two terms – foundation and access – are used interchangeably, and hence you may find that either of these paths are suitable for you, depending on what it is you want to study and where you want to study it. Historically the major difference was that Access Courses were intended more for mature students who are from the UK. Foundation Courses were more intended as a pre-university entry course for international students who wished to study at an English university. However, this rule of thumb is not always true these days so you should check fully before signing up to a course.

How Does a University Foundation or Access Course Help Get You to University?

Not everybody is automatically entitled a place at university. Certain levels of education must have been reached in order to be allowed onto a course in case that course is too advanced for you. International students may have already studied a subject up to a level in their home country, but this education may not be recognised. By studying a Foundation or Access course you are proving that you are capable of education at this level, although there are also numerous other advantages to enrolling on a university foundation or access course too.

What are the Benefits of a University Foundation or Access Course?

As well as offering students a route into university, foundation and access courses are very beneficial in preparing you for university life. If you’re an international student you may want to make sure that the foundation course you are choosing does include extra English language training. The language development side of the course would usually work towards a recognised English language proficiency exam such as IELTS or TOEFL, as these will often be required by an English university before they will accept you onto a course.

In addition, a university foundation or access course prepares you culturally, if you are a language travel student, for life in a British university. This would include what to expect as a student, and help you in terms of teaching you research skills, computer skills, and study skills too.

Where Can You Study a University Foundation or Access Course?

Numerous colleges in the UK offer foundation and access courses, but so too do many language schools, so there are many choices available to you. Choose your preferred location first, then narrow down your choices to particular language schools and colleges. If you want to study a specific access or foundation course (rather than a general one, as these are available too), obviously make sure the school or college offers that one.

Some language schools and colleges are affiliated with a particular university. This can be beneficial in that you may be guaranteed a place at that university on completion of the course. If they are not affiliated you should check that the university you want to attend will accept you once you complete your foundation or access course.