Foundation year programme structure

The foundation year is delivered at Level 0 over one or two years, depending on whether you are studying full time or part time.

The foundation year at the University of Sheffield

The foundation year

Throughout your foundation year you study alongside students progressing to a range of different degrees.

Our teaching is mostly in small groups, ranging across a varied multi-disciplinary curriculum, which means that we actively encourage you to explore and expand your subject interests whilst at the same time building networks of support which will last you throughout your time at the University.


Foundation year modules

You must take a selection of Level 0 modules worth at least 120 credits in total.

All foundation years include core modules in:

  • Academic Literacy and Communication Skills (20 credits)
  • Maths and Statistics (20 credits)
  • Extended Project (20 credits)

In addition, you must take one of four Introduction modules (20 credits), relevant to your chosen degree:

  • Introduction to the Humanities,
  • Introduction to the Social Sciences
  • Introduction to the Natural Sciences
  • Introduction to Health

Finally, you will study a further 40 credits (usually two modules) relevant to your chosen degree, from the following (please note that not all modules are available on all programmes):

  • Foundations of Biology
  • Foundations of Chemistry
  • Foundations of English
  • Foundations of Geography
  • Foundations of History
  • Foundations of Music
  • Foundations of Psychology
  • Foundations of Sociology
  • Culture, Language and Meaning
  • Languages modules from the Modern Languages Teaching Centre.

Progression from the foundation programme

We provide a number of opportunities during your foundation years for you to become involved in the life of your destination department, including tutorial support for your extended project module.

The programme as a whole is designed to ensure that you are introduced to all the learning and assessment methods you are most likely to encounter during your degree programme.

For students who do not achieve the average grade or better in their foundation year required to progress onto year one of the degree for which they are registered, we provide in-depth support, advice and guidance to help you pursue an alternative progression route, which could include our own Certificate of Higher Education, or degree level study at other universities.

The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it is up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research, funding changes, professional accreditation requirements, student or employer feedback, outcomes of reviews, and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

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