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Foundation degrees

Foundation degrees are two-year higher education (HE) qualifications. They offer flexible and accessible ways of studying for degree-level skills that are in demand among employers.

We set up foundation degrees in partnership with the Government in 2001-02, and they now form a core part of our employer engagement programme.

Main features

The main features of foundation degrees are:

  • employer involvement and the application of skills in the workplace
  • credit accumulation and transfer and progression - within work and/or to an honours degree
  • attracting people from a broader range of backgrounds.

Foundation Degree Forward

Foundation Degree Forward was set up by the Government to encourage workforce development and partnerships between employers and higher education across all qualifications.

The organisation provides a range of services for employers, students and information providers about existing foundation degree courses, and the procedures for developing new courses. It also works with representative bodies, such as the Sector Skills Councils, regional development agencies, and public sector organisations to ensure courses meet the requirements of business and industry.

It was established as a national body by the 2003 higher education White Paper, 'The Future of Higher Education (Adobe PDF 611K)'.

The way forward

We are on track to meet a government target of 100,000 foundation degree headcounts by 2010-11. This target was originally set down by the 'Foundation Degree Task Force Report to Ministers' (Adobe PDF 344K) published in September 2004 by the then Department for Education and Skills.

Research report

We publish an annual research report on the key characteristics of foundation degrees and their students. These reports look at key statistics in the following areas:

  • trends in student numbers
  • the characteristics of programmes
  • attributes of students
  • students' feedback, progression and qualification rates
  • progression to further study and employment outcomes
  • and support from employers.

Foundation degrees: Key statistics 2001-02 to 2007-08

Further information

For further information contact Liz Franco, e-mail l.franco@hefce.ac.uk or Paul Hazell, e-mail p.hazell@hefce.ac.uk.

Last updated 6 July 2009