Foundation Years

Focusing on your transition and preparedness for undergraduate study at the University of Chester.

What is a Foundation Year?

A Foundation Year offers a transition year entry point into university undergraduate studies for those who may not have the full entry requirements to start on a three-year degree. This includes mature students (over 21) who have no traditional qualifications but have a passion for learning and self-development, including aspirations to follow a particular career.

At Chester, we offer four-year undergraduate degrees that include a Foundation Year. For example, BA History (including a Foundation Year) or BSc Biomedical Science (including a Foundation Year). You are an undergraduate as soon as you enrol on your four-year degree, and are part of the University’s vibrant undergraduate community from day one.

For mature students, there is no minimum requirement. We review applications on a case-by-case basis and recruit through interview, primarily assessing individuals on their life experience and their commitment to study.

Our Foundation Years are also an excellent option for students under 21 who may not have the required UCAS points to start a three-year degree at the University of Chester. We require 72 UCAS points for our four-year degrees.

How much does a Foundation Year cost?

In November 2024, as part of the government’s Autumn Budget, it was confirmed that some foundation years from September 2025 will have a fee of £5,760 for the first foundation year of a four-year degree. This is mainly for degrees in the Humanities, Business, and Social Sciences disciplines. The following three years of these degrees will be the standard fee of £9,535 per annum.

Course 2025 Full-time Tuition Fee
Foundation Year
(Mainly Business, Humanities, Social Sciences. Check course page)		 £5,760
Foundation Year
(Creative and Performing Arts, Engineering, Medical subjects, Science)		 £9,535

Undergraduate Degree
(BA/BSc/BN/BEng/LLB/MEng/MBus)

£9,535 per annum

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Why Study a Foundation Year at Chester?

Gain Confidence

A Foundation Year at Chester provides you with subject-specific curriculum and will enable you to gain confidence in developing university-level skills, as well as understanding academic life and transitioning to the next level of your studies.

Computer study area in library

Why Study a Foundation Year at Chester?

Prepare for Degree-level Study

Our Foundation Years are designed with your next level of study in mind. We develop our curriculum to ensure there is alignment with the modules and topics that you will study after completing your Foundation Year. Our teaching, learning and assessment methods reflect those that you will experience throughout your degree. In addition, we work closely with University faculties to ensure a smooth transition from your Foundation Year to the next year.

Librarian with a student

Why Study a Foundation Year at Chester?

Get Real Support

Our teaching philosophy has student support at the heart of it. We are a dedicated team of academics who focus on a student’s transition to the university environment. We are experienced in supporting students from a wide range of backgrounds, especially mature students returning to education. We can give you the confidence to succeed at university, and we are proud of what our students achieve whilst they are with us.

Why study a foundation year at Chester?

Be Part of a Community


At Chester, you will benefit from being taught in a department with academics that solely teach on Foundation Years. This allows us to create a Foundation Year community that consists of students studying anything from engineering to the arts. You will get to know the academics extremely well because they are all based within the Centre for Foundation Studies building in Chester city centre.

Site Locations

Our Foundation Courses are located at various sites across the University of Chester.

Exton Park

Just a 10-minute walk from Chester city centre, Exton Park is where our story began and is home to a number of academic Schools, accommodation and a range of sport and recreational facilities.

Binks building on Exton Park in the summer

Wheeler

Wheeler offers specialist vocational courses with excellent facilities for health and medicine, and delivers law and policing courses right in the heart of Chester’s ‘legal quarter’.

Wheeler building main reception area

University Centre Warrington

Our University Centre specialising in delivering professional practice-based courses for those looking to pursue or progress a career in either education, health and social care.

A group of students exploring Warrington city centre

University Centre Birkenhead

Our dedicated University Centre for health and nursing offers a range of outstanding subject specific teaching and learning facilities, all on one site, only a short commute from the city of Liverpool.

Nursing student in uniform and apron taking part in a skills lab session

"We pride ourselves on being student focused and, as such, offer a highly supportive environment for all students whether they have recently left college or school or are returning to education to start their degree journey later in life. I am lucky to be working with a dedicated team of academics who teach exclusively on Foundation Years within our Centre; they are consistently commended by their students for their commitment to students’ success and the student experience."

Jan O'Driscoll
Dean of Students and Lifelong Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

A Foundation Year is a preparatory year of study at the start of a four-year undergraduate degree. It is designed to provide you with the academic skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed in your chosen full degree.

Foundation Years are suitable for a wide range of students:

  • Students under 21 who may not have the required 72 UCAS points for direct entry to a traditional three-year degree.
  • Mature students (over 21) who are returning to education without traditional qualifications but have relevant life experience and a passion for learning.

You apply directly for the four-year degree that includes the Foundation Year (e.g., BA History (including a Foundation Year)). The application process involves a review on a case-by-case basis. An interview may be required for mature students.

For students under 21, the requirement is 72 UCAS points. For mature students (over 21) without traditional qualifications, applications are assessed individually based on your life experience and commitment to study, rather than specific qualifications.

A Foundation Year provides several key benefits:

  • Confidence building: It helps you develop the skills and self-assurance needed for degree-level study.
  • Aligned curriculum: The content is specifically designed to prepare you for the topics you will cover in the rest of your degree.
  • Dedicated support: You will receive real support from a dedicated team of academics who specialise in Foundation Years.
  • Close-knit community: You will be part of a supportive and friendly learning environment with a community of students with similar goals.