I left school to join the army and as such had no A-Levels. As a mature student, it would have been very difficult for me to spend time completing A-Levels so when I learned about the Foundation programme, this was very attractive to me. It would enable me to gain the specific knowledge and skills needed for an undergraduate programme, reduce the time needed to qualify for an undergraduate degree course, and allow me to study in a university environment. Although this is not the path most students will take, the Foundation year was vital for me to leave my career in the army to go to university.

Having been out of education for 10 years, the initial months were a steep learning curve for me. The Foundation year lecturers were incredibly helpful in spending additional time outside of lectures to provide assistance. Loughborough also hosts a Maths Learning Support Centre where students can study or speak with one of the on-hand academics for additional assistance.

After spending a year getting to know Loughborough University, studying with fellow Foundation students who are on the same degree programme, and meeting several of lecturers, the transition between the Foundation year and the full degree programme felt seamless, almost as though moving between the first and second years of the full degree.