The recent pandemic has changed the way a lot of institutions work in the academic world. Schools and colleges have moved classes online, zoom meetings have replaced face-to-face interviews and students’ daily routine have drastically changed.

With education moving online, the opportunities for personal interaction with teachers and other classmates have reduced drastically. This has further increased the gap between the academic levels found in high school and university for a number of reasons, including reduced hours of contact time with teachers and decreased level of motivations amongst school learners.  

Foundation degrees can be a viable solution in narrowing this knowledge gap. With an increased emphasis on upskilling in college during the post-pandemic era, these degrees can help you enhance your academic standards.

But what are foundation degrees? And why should you consider pursuing one now?

Foundation degrees or foundation years have different connotations in different countries based on their education system.

A foundation degree is equivalent to two-thirds of an undergraduate degree in the UK and can count for 240 college credits. While it might not matter much as an individual qualification, it can help you acquire many of the skills and base knowledge needed to progress onto a bachelor’s degree.

On the other hand, a foundation year helps you to meet the academic requirements for an undergraduate programme. It can give you the foundational knowledge and English skills required to cope with university-level teaching.

Irrespective of their tenure, all foundation programmes bring many benefits to the table, which can be even more critical in present circumstances. Here are the three most important advantages of pursuing a foundation degree.

  • Foundation degrees can help you get a feel of university life

Education standards for university are radically different from what is expected of you at college. The expectation of having practised independent learning and the reduced contact hours with tutors can be daunting, especially in a different country.

Foundation programmes can help you get a taster of university life without the added pressure of a radically increased workload. They can help you get used to university-level learning even before your undergraduate degree.

Besides, pursuing a foundation year from the same university as your undergraduate degree can help you learn your way around campus! However, this can only be possible right now if the foundation year is being offered through blended learning.

  • These courses can upgrade your academic skills to university level

Apart from helping adjust to college life, foundation programmes also help you develop essential academic skills expected of college students. These can include independent research, project handling, academic writing and even time management. Armed with these skills, you will be much better prepared for your undergraduate level workload.

  • They help improve your English language skills

Since most university courses in the UK and the rest of the world teach in English, language proficiency is a must for college. Therefore, many foundation programmes in the UK help students develop the required English language skills to comprehend their university course curriculum.

This can be especially useful for international students who studied in a different language at school and might not be that fluent in English.

Want to see how foundation art and design courses can help your art career? The Foundation in Art and Design programme offered by the London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA) can help you out.

The programme offers a practical element that lets you experiment with different creative domains like fashion, graphics or even moving images. The practically oriented curriculum can also refine your abilities in a wide range of art techniques.

Finishing the art foundation degree will give a strong portfolio and the relevant skills to pursue the following accredited bachelor’s programmes at LCCA

Clickhere to learn how you can get entry into the foundation in design and creative business at LCCA.

Art and design foundation degrees

While foundation year routes can be found for many undergraduate programmes in business or social sciences, they are widespread in the art and design world.

Art and design foundation degrees can be excellent introductory programmes to bachelor’s degrees in design or fashion. Foundation courses familiarise students with the industry jargon and concepts frequently used in academics for undergraduate art programmes.

Historically, foundation courses in London were the conventional route for students in the UK looking to study art. With the rising awareness about their other benefits, art and design foundation degrees have also become popular with international students too.

These degrees also benefit BTEC students owing to their broad curriculum with enough focus on art specialisms like drawing, painting or printmaking.

High school graduates aside, foundation degrees can also help working people without a high school diploma pursue a college degree. Foundation year offered online or through a blended format can help you fit your studies around your existing work commitments. It can also help you pick up or boost transferable skills like conducting research or writing reports.

Invest in an art and design foundation programme with a reputed university today to get a head-start in your art career.