Foundation Pathway

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Our nine-month standalone Foundation Pathway courses are suitable for you if you are a) not yet sure which degree you wish to study or b) applying for a Foundation and degree that is not yet offered as an integrated programme.

Course outline

The Foundation Pathway allows you to prepare for undergraduate study in your chosen School at Buckingham:

• Business / Economics
• Humanities
• International Studies
• Law
• Psychology

You will take some core modules – such as Academic Writing Skills, Critical Thinking – plus specialist Pathways related to your future course of study.

Choose this course if you have successfully completed 12 years of schooling, have a good school leaving qualification and IELTS of 6.0 or above (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component). Or if you have just missed out on your grades after year 13.

Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students. Relevant work experience is considered instead of traditional qualifications. Each application is considered on its own merit. Prospective mature students are welcome to discuss their suitability with the Admissions Tutor either before making an application, or in an informal interview.

Successful completion of Foundation Pathway will allow you to progress on to undergraduate programmes in the Schools of Business, Psychology, Law or Humanities. Therefore most students can complete their foundation and degree programme in three calendar years.

Course Modules

Core modules

• Global Perspectives
• Critical Thinking
• Digital Skills
• Research Skills
• Advanced Academic Skills
• Key Academic Skills
• Academic Writing Skills

Specialist modules

• Business / Economics Pathway
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Introduction to Financial Studies
  • Understanding Business in a Global World
  • The Economic Environment of Business
  • Enterprise in Business
• Humanities/ International Studies and Security and Intelligence Pathways
  • Britain since 1945: Changing Roles
  • British Cinema
  • Political Communication
  • Reportage
  • International Studies
  • Foundations of International Human Rights
• Law Pathway
  • The English Legal System
  • Introduction to Criminal Law
  • Introduction to Legal Skills
  • Introduction to the Law of Contract and Tort
  • Foundations of International Human Rights Law
• Psychology Pathway
  • Classic Studies in Psychology
  • Psychology Specific Research Skills
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Psychology: From theory to practice
  • Foundations in Biological Psychology

On successful completion of this course, you will be awarded a Certificate in Foundation Pathway Studies.

Each application is considered on its own merit. Usually, applicants will have evidence of up to year 12. Mature students can apply with evidence of work experience.

You may be invited for an informal interview.

The standard entry requirements are DD at A-level, IB 20 or other equivalent alternative qualifications.

If your first language is not English, you will also need a UKVI IELTS certificate with a score of 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component. You might be invited for an informal interview.

If your English level falls below this, we will be able to offer you a pre-sessional English course.

Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students. Relevant work experience is considered instead of traditional qualifications. Each application is considered on its own merit. Prospective mature students are welcome to discuss their suitability with the Admissions Tutor either before making an application, or in an informal interview.

International students

We are happy to consider all international applications and if you are an international student, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country.

The University is a UKVI Student Sponsor.

Selection process

Each application is considered on its own merit. You may be invited for an informal interview. If you are an international student the informal interview will be held on Microsoft Teams.

Our Admissions Team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us on +44 (0)1280 820227 or get in touch via our contact form.

Student Contract for prospective students

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the student contract between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the student contract in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the student contract contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the Student Contract.

Quality teaching

We offer high quality, traditional Oxbridge-style teaching, which leads to our degrees being recognised around the world. The standards of degrees and awards are safeguarded by distinguished external examiners – senior academic staff from other universities in the UK – who approve and moderate assessed work.

High calibre staff

Most of our academic staff teach for three terms out of four, with the remaining term used for research. Because of this, we have no difficulty in attracting high calibre, highly respected lecturers, many of whom also have a background in business or industry and can offer networking opportunities for students.

Teaching methods

Teaching is carried out through a combination of lectures supported by seminars and tutorials by highly qualified teachers who are used to dealing with mixed nationalities and vary their teaching methods according to both the tasks and the students.

A key feature of the Buckingham teaching method is the use of small tutorial groups which provide the most effective means of ensuring that the students benefit from the academic expertise at their disposal. It is also the philosophy of Buckingham’s faculty to be available to students outside the scheduled tutorial times and to encourage good working relationships between staff and students.

Assessment methods

The assessment of individual modules within each course varies according to the subject. Assessment is usually by examination, assessed coursework, or a combination of the two. Please check module information for more details.

Successful completion of a Foundation Pathway programme can result in progression to an undergraduate degree programme within the Faculty of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences.

The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.

Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.

You may also find it useful to visit the following fee related information on our site:

• Estimated Living Costs
• Grants and Loans

On-campus accommodation

We guarantee on-campus accommodation to all new students for their first four terms of study, as long as it is booked and paid for in good time, so you’re assured of a safe and secure home from home when you arrive at the University. Most new students choose this option.

Living on campus enables you to become involved in University activities, make friends, and integrate with the University community. For some of you this will be your first time in the UK; for others it will be the first time living away from home – and independence brings its challenges as well as its excitements. Whatever your circumstances, we know how important it is for you to feel comfortable in your accommodation.

What’s included?

All our study bedrooms are fully furnished, centrally heated, and connected to the internet. With few exceptions they have a wash basin and small refrigerator. We have a large number of ensuite rooms, and are upgrading more rooms each year. There are shared kitchens for when you wish to cook for yourself.

Find out more

If you’d like to find out more, visit our Accommodation pages or get in touch with our Accommodation Team.

We recommend that all prospective students visit our campus if they are able to, at one of our open days or a Campus Tour, campus tours include a typical student room.

Apply directly

You can apply directly using our online application form – all you need to do is click the ‘apply’ button at the bottom of this page.