Foundation Studies

Foundation Studies at Loughborough is designed to help a range of students realise their university ambitions. Successful completion of the foundation year enables you to progress on to your chosen course (or, where possible, another within the same stream). Loughborough's foundation courses are integrated programmes taught by highly qualified staff with significant experience in teaching students from a diverse range of backgrounds. We will provide the fundamental skills needed to progress on to Loughborough degree courses. Completing a foundation year can provide a real boost to overall degree success and excellent preparation for the transition into university life.

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Foundation studies at Loughborough

Our range of Foundation courses enable entry on to a wide selection of Loughborough University degree courses for students that have not studied the correct subjects or studied at the wrong level, or not quite achieved the qualifications either due to adverse situations or required due to their sporting commitments, mature students returning to education or care leavers. From day one, students on a foundation course become members of Loughborough University, giving them full access to all the facilities, support services, clubs, and societies on offer.

At Loughborough, we take a "streamed" approach to Foundation Studies. Our streamed approach enables progression onto your chosen course, but transfers into other courses within the stream may be possible on request. We currently have the following streams: Engineering; Life Sciences; Business, Social Sciences & Humanities; Sport Science.

Facilities

As a Loughborough University student, you’ll enjoy access to the wide-ranging facilities and amenities on our campus, including lecture theatres, laboratories, our recently refurbished library, extensive IT network, the arts centre, two theatres, a conference centre, accommodation, restaurants, a bank, shops, a health centre and of course, Loughborough Students' Union.

Career opportunities

Our Foundation students have gone on to secure 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.

Elite Athlete pathway

We recognise that elite athletes can find their demanding training and competition schedules challenging to manage alongside their academic studies without the underpinning support to be able to achieve in both areas. Our foundation programme offers the opportunity for students performing at a very high standard, looking to join one of our sporting performance programmes (led by expert coaching staff), who wish to study at Loughborough, but do not have the required qualifications due to their sporting pathway.

In addition to the main Foundation Programme courses, elite athletes can also progress on to a range of degree courses we offer in the following subject areas:

Applications are treated on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on the applicant’s academic and sporting achievements.

If you think your sport profile qualifies you to be considered for the elite athletes programme, please contact performancesport@lboro.ac.uk before applying.