Foundation studies

About Foundation Studies

Loughborough University's Foundation Year programme helps a variety of students who want to study a degree at Loughborough, but who have arrived at this decision via an unconventional route. Our wide range of Foundation Studies courses enables entry on to Loughborough University courses for students that have not studied the correct subjects, or not quite achieved the qualifications required.

The foundation year gives you the fundamental skills needed to continue onto one of our degrees whilst becoming a fully-fledged Loughborough student. Indeed, completing a foundation year can be a real attribute to your overall degree success, providing a sound base on which to establish a successful academic career. Many who have completed the foundation year have also said how beneficial it was to them in supporting their transition into University life.

Study with us because

  • A leading UK university 
    • Top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2017-2023
    • Best University in the World for Sports-related Subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022)
    • University of the Year The Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2020
    • Awarded 7 Queen's Anniversary Prizes
  • A great location and a great place to study 

    Loughborough University boasts a superb 520 acre single-site campus, offering great facilities for every aspect of student life, with plenty of open space, gardens and sports areas. Our central location is easily accessible by road, rail and air.

  • Excellent employability 
    • Our Autumn Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair is one of the largest university careers fairs in the UK.
    • Our Careers Network office offers excellent support to students to help with their career planning and application writing.
  • A great university experience 

    The award-winning Loughborough Students' Union provides opportunities for fun and fund-raising and participation in over 55 sports clubs and 60 societies covering a range of hobbies and interests. Loughborough University is known for offering a life-changing student experience. In the Times Higher Education (THE) Student Experience Survey 2018, Loughborough came first in the country. Since the inception of the survey in 2006 Loughborough has topped the table eight times, and been in the top five no less than 11 times. Over the period of the survey Loughborough has enjoyed the best results in the country for student satisfaction.

Future prospects

Foundation students are guaranteed entry on to their chosen undergraduate course, provided that the relevant progression requirements set by their destination department are met. Previous foundation year students have secured jobs in a range of national companies after graduation, including Ferrari, Boots, Johnson Matthey, Lloyds Banking Group, Jaguar Land Rover, Signalling Solutions Ltd, AML Technologies and Ford Motor Company.

Foundation Studies was previously known as SEFS (Science and Engineering Foundation Studies). This course fed into the science and engineering programmes at Loughborough. Recent expansion has enabled the introduction of the elite sport foundation programme, and other subject pathways are currently being investigated.