More than 150 students - one in seven of the new students who joined Buckinghamshire New University in 2018/9 - was on a Foundation Year course.
 

These included Eric Man who, having completed a Foundation Year in the subject is progressing to study BSc (Hons) Computing, and has praised what the year has equipped him with.
 

"The Foundation Year has been a good experience, and challenging in a good way,” said Eric. “If I could speak to someone about a Foundation Year I would say, go for it, it will really help you to succeed.”

 

Students on Foundation Years develop academic study abilities, build confidence, and grow the skills to progress to undergraduate degrees.
 

The University offers Foundation Years in areas including Art and Design; Aviation; Computing; Education and Early Years; Law; Media and Creative Industries; Operating Department Practice; Performance and Dance; and Security and Resilience.
 

Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education, Professor Julie McLeod, said it was ‘unique’ in offering this option, with a mixture of building skills and offering a strong curriculum.
 

“I'm very proud of all our students and the staff who've made so much effort to make it a successful year,” added Prof McLeod, who met many of the students at an end-of-year celebration event (pictured).
 

“The reasons I have heard from students are precisely the reasons why we introduced Foundation Years.
 

“All of the students should be very proud of their achievement and I look forward to welcoming them back in September for the next stage of their Bucks New University journey.

“The University’s Directorate of Student Success and course teams provided first-class support to prepare our students for successful progression to their first year.”
 

Students completing Foundation Years in 2018/19 cited reasons including returning to education when they were older; making up for a perceived shortfall in their educational knowledge; and as overseas students getting to grips with degree requirements and the English language.
 

Two such students were Leah Piercy and Anthony Colley, who both studied BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation Year, and are starting degrees in the subject in September.
 

Leah, who said she eventually hopes to enter a career as a psychotherapist, said: “I didn’t feel my skills were ready to go straight in to a degree. When I heard about the opportunity for a Foundation Year I was keen to take advantage of it and get a head start. It’s been one of the best things I’ve done.”
 

Anthony, 38, said: “I have returned to education and wanted to complete a Foundation Year to ensure I had the skills for a degree.
 

“I feel like I have been given all the skills I require to ensure I can start the degree confident that I can do what is required to succeed. Now I can’t wait to get started and I’m just going to wish away the summer until September!”
 

Find out about the subject options for studying a Degree with Foundation Year at Bucks New University at https://bucks.ac.uk/applying-to-bucks/foundation.