How can Foundation Courses be better explained to international families?

 The numbers of students entering Foundation programmes in the UK tripled between 2012/13 and 2017/18, from 10,430 to 30,030 (source: https://www.hepi.ac.uk/2019/08/05/the-value-of-foundation-years-in-higher-education/).

They offer a great ‘bridge’ between high school and University for many pupils.

However, as the range of the providers has grown and the number of course options increased, clarifying where these courses ‘sit’ within the UK Education system would certainly help prospective students and their families.

Explaining that entry to Foundation programmes can start in Year 12 (Age 16+) in the UK is helpful as many families assume that their children need to complete high school in their home countries before a Foundation programme can begin.

This then leads onto explaining the cost saving benefits of Foundation programmes. Brooke House College now has as many pupils studying their 1 year UFP (University Foundation Programme) as it does its 2 year A Level programme. As Principal Mike Oliver points out, for families considering paying international University fees for 3 or 4 years, post 18,  a Foundation programme can make excellent financial sense as it potentially saves 1 year’s school fees: Caroline Nixon, Director of BAISIS (British Association of Independent schools with International Students) adds; “as an alternative to the traditional two year A Level or IB course, Foundation courses will suit some students well.  Boarding schools are increasingly offering this option and their tradition of excellent pastoral care of young people is likely to be seen as an advantage.”

 But how to help families differentiate between different ‘types’ of Foundation programmes?

Looking at Foundation course selection from the point of view of the student (customer) is vital to answering this question.

There is a relatively clear distinction between programmes that offer a ‘bundle’ of Foundation & degree programme versus those Foundation programmes that are ‘stand alone’, allowing the student to decide on the University at which they wish to study for their degree either during or after they have completed their Foundation course.

There are clearly advantages and disadvantages to both options-but this is an important differentiator for ‘customers’ trying to understand the market.

For example, some students who are new to the UK might not wish to commit ‘up front’ to potentially 4 or 5 years in the same UK city, whilst others might value this continuity.

Also, changing subject ‘pathway’ can be harder under the ‘bundle’ approach, so this approach may better suit a student who is very clear on the subject of study at degree level.

Some ‘stand alone’ Foundation courses offer massive flexibility in terms of study options, which will definitely suit students that are more undecided what degree they want to study and where? For example; “at St Clare’s we have restructured the academic offerings so that students do not need to choose a particular combination or ‘stream’, and so can make up a programme of study – with our advice – which best prepares them for their preferred university outcome,” says, Paul Sinclair-Director of Studies, Academic Programmes at St Clare’s, Oxford.

This flexibility also allows students to not only ‘cast the net wide’ in terms of UK University options, but also allows them to look at University options beyond the UK.

In relation to the value of ‘location’, Ellesmere College is looking to meet the needs of students who may be reticent to travel in a Covid-19 world by considering offering their foundation course as an ongoing online option from Sept 21, with a short College residential period included in the delivery.

One thing is clear, in such a complex market,  the onus is on Agents to make sure they clearly understand what type of programme will suit a student before approaching any Foundation provider. Foundation providers, like Kings Education will provide a bespoke prospectus for each potential student, if the brief they receive from the Agent is clear.

The Agent’s initial assessment of the student’s needs should consider all important variables; academic and English competency, personal confidence, certainty about location and degree subject level. If the needs of each young person and family is fully assessed at the start of the process, many foundation options can be taken off the table, thus making a real difference to presenting only relevant options from day 1…

Full article published here-https://blog.thepienews.com/2021/02/foundation-courses-international-families/

Other articles hosted here-https://ukeducationguide.com/blog/