Course overview
The foundation year entry route is for talented UK students who do not meet the usual criteria for our degrees (see personal circumstances). It is an opportunity for you to develop key skills before progressing to a choice of 22 courses. These skills include communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and digital capability.
Our dedicated foundation year tutors will support you throughout the year and help you develop as a learner. This ensures you have the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence before you start your chosen degree. Teaching sessions vary, including lectures, seminars and interactive digital media workshops. You will also meet tutors from your chosen degree.
You will be a full member of the University of Nottingham from the outset, with all the experiences and opportunities this offers.
Modules
The below modules are mandatory for all Arts and Humanities foundation courses:
- Important Thinkers Through History
- Critical Thinking and Reflective Learning
- Language and Culture
- Media, Communications and Society
- Narrative and Creativity
- The Project / Language Centre Modules
Skills
The programme concentrates on developing skills essential for successful degree-level study. These include:
- communication
- critical thinking
- teamwork
- digital ability
Foundation year courses
Personal circumstances
This course is part of the University’s commitment to widening participation. As well as meeting the academic entry requirements (BCC), you must have attended a UK state school/college and meet at least one of the following personal background criteria:
- you live in an area where people are less likely to go to university – check your postcode
- you are the first generation in your family to enter higher education
- you will be over 21 years old when you begin your course
- you have spent more than three months in local authority care (for this criterion you do not need to have attended a state school)
- you have refugee status from the Home Office
- you need to study in the East Midlands (for example for family, cultural or financial reasons)
- you provide long term care of a sick or disabled family member
Where relevant you should include reference to 5, 6 and 7 in your personal statement, or provide this information via artssupport@nottingham.ac.uk when you submit your UCAS application.
Alternative courses for EU/International students
This course is not available to EU/international students. Instead, you may consider the Business, Law and Social Sciences Foundation Certificate. This is offered through the University of Nottingham International College in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways.
Teaching and support
- Small groups allow you space to develop in a supportive environment.
- Varied teaching sessions from lectures, seminars, interactive multimedia labs to one-to-one module-based tutorials.
- At least 12 hours of scheduled contact time each week. The Foundation team will always make time to support you outside these contact hours depending on your needs.
- Award winning team - awarded a Lord Dearing Award 2021 for their "high levels of commitment to teaching and learning".
- Dedicated Foundation Year staff who know your needs and learning styles.
- Personal tutor to help with both academic and non-academic issues.
- Full access to all the university-wide support services.
The Foundation Year improved my essay-writing skills immensely. On arrival to university, having to write essays seemed quite daunting but the Critical Thinking and Reflective Learning module was key for my development.
 "img-profile")
Franklyn Ogosi
BA Theology and Religious Studies (with Foundation Year) Graduate
Day in the life
A day in the life of a Foundation Arts student
Sian shares her typical day...
Faculty of Arts
Your Foundation Arts staff
Meet the team and find out what some of our current students have to say.
Foundation degree
Calvin, past Foundation Arts student
Calvin talks about building his confidence and the support he received from the Foundation Arts team.
