Foundation Pathway
The Foundation Pathway is a great way for you to prepare for undergraduate study in your chosen School at Buckingham.
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Course overview
About the Course
View All Course Modules
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Sep 2025 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Writing Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Advanced Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Digital Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Enterprise in Business | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Global Perspectives | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Financial Studies | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Quantitative Methods | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Key Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Research Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| The Economic Environment of Business | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Understanding Business in a Global World | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
Sep 2025 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Writing Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Advanced Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Britain Since 1945: Changing Roles | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Digital Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Foundations of International Human Rights Law | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Global Perspectives | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| International Studies | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Political Communication | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Key Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Research Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| The Economic Environment of Business | Optional | 10.00 | 3 |
| The English Legal System | Optional | 10.00 | 3 |
Sep 2025 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|
Sep 2025 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Writing Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Advanced Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Digital Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Foundations of International Human Rights Law | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Global Perspectives | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Criminal Law | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Legal Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to the Law of Contract and Tort | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Key Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Research Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| The English Legal System | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
Sep 2025 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Writing Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Advanced Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Classic Studies in Psychology | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Digital Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Foundations in Biological Psychology | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Global Perspectives | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Quantitative Methods | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Key Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Psychology Specific Research Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Psychology: From Theory to Practice | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Research Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
Jan 2026 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Writing Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Advanced Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Digital Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Enterprise in Business | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Global Perspectives | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Financial Studies | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Quantitative Methods | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Key Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Research Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| The Economic Environment of Business | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Understanding Business in a Global World | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
Jan 2026 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Writing Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Advanced Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Britain Since 1945: Changing Roles | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Digital Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Foundations of International Human Rights Law | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Global Perspectives | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| International Studies | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Political Communication | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Key Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Research Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| The Economic Environment of Business | Optional | 10.00 | 3 |
| The English Legal System | Optional | 10.00 | 3 |
Jan 2026 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Writing Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Advanced Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Britain Since 1945: Changing Roles | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Digital Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Foundations of International Human Rights Law | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Global Perspectives | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| International Studies | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Political Communication | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Key Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Research Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| The Economic Environment of Business | Optional | 10.00 | 3 |
| The English Legal System | Optional | 10.00 | 3 |
Jan 2026 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Writing Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Advanced Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Digital Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Foundations of International Human Rights Law | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Global Perspectives | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Criminal Law | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Legal Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to the Law of Contract and Tort | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Key Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Research Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| The English Legal System | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
Jan 2026 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Writing Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Advanced Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Classic Studies in Psychology | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Digital Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Foundations in Biological Psychology | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Global Perspectives | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Introduction to Quantitative Methods | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Key Academic Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Psychology Specific Research Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Psychology: From Theory to Practice | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
| Research Skills | Core | 10.00 | 3 |
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.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 4-9, including English and Maths, or their international equivalents. In addition, applicants must have one of the following qualifications or their international equivalents:
- A Levels with minimum grades of DD
- BTEC National Diploma with minimum grades of MPP
International Applicants: We welcome equivalent qualifications from around the world. However, you must also demonstrate your English language proficiency by achieving an IELTS score of 6 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component, or another approved language test.
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.
Mature students
The age range of our student body varies from those who have recently completed A-levels (or equivalent) to more mature students. Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students.
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.
Teaching & Assessment
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.
After Your Course
Successful completion of a Foundation Pathway programme can enable students to progress to an undergraduate degree programme in the same discipline, either at the Faculty of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences or the Faculty of Computing, Law and Psychology.
Accommodation
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.