Geography with a Foundation Year

This course is primarily for candidates who have not studied the prerequisite subjects needed for first year entry, or have not met their expected entrance requirements due to adverse situations, or because of their previous sport performance commitments, as well as mature students returning to education or care leavers.

Our Foundation Studies programme at Loughborough is designed to help a range of students realise their university ambitions. Our streamed approach enables you to progress on to one of multiple courses within your chosen stream – giving you further time to decide which course is right for you.

The foundation programme would suit:

• Students who have not studied the prerequisite subjects needed for first year entry on a preferred course;

• Students who did not meet the expected entrance requirements due to adverse situations (including illness or caring responsibilities);

• Mature students or care leavers;

• Students performing at elite athlete level who have the added challenge of combining study with high-level sporting competition.

As a student on the course, you will be a full member of the University, enjoying access to the Students’ Union, clubs, societies, sports facilities and support departments, and the outstanding student experience Loughborough University offers.

If you choose to take the BSc route, this course is placed in the Life Sciences stream. Foundation courses in this stream include:

• Biological Sciences with a Foundation Year

• Chemistry with a Foundation Year

• Geography with a Foundation Year

• Human Biology with a Foundation Year

If you choose to take the BA route, this course could be placed in either the Life Science stream (see above) or the Business, Social Sciences and Humanities stream. Foundation courses in the Business, Social Sciences and Humanities stream include:

Business with a Foundation Year (elite athlete only)
Economics with a foundation Year (elite athlete only)
Social Sciences and Humanities with a Foundation Year

Why complete a foundation year

• Completing a foundation year within the Life Sciences Stream (BSc and BA route) or Business, Social Sciences and Humanities Stream (BA route only) will enable you to progress onto the first year of our Geography or any course, provided the relevant progression criteria are met.

• Completing a foundation year can be a real attribute to your overall degree success. It not only opens doors to courses that may have previously looked closed, but also provides a sound base on which to establish a successful academic career. Many who have completed the foundation pathway have also said how beneficial it was to them in supporting their transition into university life.

• Our foundation course is taught in-house by university staff.

The Foundation Studies course also offers the opportunity for students performing at a very high standard in their chosen sport, looking to join one of our sporting performance programmes, who wish to study at Loughborough, but do not have the required qualifications. It is ideal for students who wish to combine their performance sports training with academic study. If you think your sport profile qualifies you to be considered for the elite athletes programme, please contact performancesport@lboro.ac.uk before applying.

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.

Foundation modules are assessed via written exams and/or coursework assignments.

Some modules are continually assessed throughout the year. Typical coursework assignments include: laboratory reports, essays, poster presentations, assessed tutorials, workshops and peer review (review fellow students’ performance). It is expected that for every hour you are in a structured class, you should spend two hours of your own time researching, writing up, learning work or doing set questions.