"Foundation Degrees"

cleanbluesky · 18 Oct 2006 at 18:15

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_degree

http://www.foundationdegree.org.uk

I learned about these today, apparently they are a new type of 'degree' with an emphasis on vocational learning... apart from the wikipedia page I can't find anythin about them, even the government website is scant...

I'm just wondering whether anyone can explain these to me, including what practical use they are and their background...

stigggeh · 18 Oct 2006 at 18:17

cleanbluesky said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_degree

http://www.foundationdegree.org.uk

I learned about these today, apparently they are a new type of 'degree' with an emphasis on vocational learning... apart from the wikipedia page I can't find anythin about them, even the government website is scant...

I'm just wondering whether anyone can explain these to me, including what practical use they are and their background...

No info to add except the local plod are doing these 'foundation' degrees now.

Link

to me it sounds like yet another way for the uni's to grab money, by offering more courses

KaHn · 18 Oct 2006 at 18:23

As far I kno, foundation degrees are for those who didn't get the recognised qualifications to do the full degree (BEng or MEng, etc), they give the basic learning like A levels to people who want to study a certian course.

KaHn

kitten_caboodle · 18 Oct 2006 at 18:27

KaHn said:
As far I kno, foundation degrees are for those who didn't get the recognised qualifications to do the full degree (BEng or MEng, etc), they give the basic learning like A levels to people who want to study a certian course.

KaHn

IIRC you're talking about a foundation or access course which is different to a foundation degree.

A foundation degree essentially allows people to build up their UCAS points on a full or part time basis over a number of years (usually between 2 & 4) so that they can then have a guaranteed place straight into the third year of a full time BA Hons degree course. It can help those who want to build up UCAS 'credits' but don't have the time to commit to being a full-time student.

A big part of it is done via work experience in the field in question, which counts for more than the theory modules in a normal degree. It's more about the practical than the theory, which is seen as a problem with regular degrees as some people come out of uni with letters after their name but no clue of life in the real world.

Good link here Linky

KaHn · 18 Oct 2006 at 18:33

Ah ok, I only know the term foundation degree as my Uni used it for those who didnt get the UCAS points to join fully, also for those who did an HNC and wanted to start a degree program instead of doing a HND.

KaHn

kitten_caboodle · 18 Oct 2006 at 18:34

KaHn said:
Ah ok, I only know the term foundation degree as my Uni used it for those who didnt get the UCAS points to join fully, also for those who did an HNC and wanted to start a degree program instead of doing a HND.

KaHn

yep, that's confusing a hell of a lot of people at the moment - god forbid they give it a totally different name to help people out

Glaucus · 18 Oct 2006 at 19:20

I've applied for a foundation degree. Its much more vocational than normal degrees.

If I should get on it. Every Wednesday is spent on "field trips" at a place of work. Both summers are a 4months project on the job and everyone who gets on has to have sponsorship from a relavent company(for the 4month work placement which is paid).

In other words they are far, far better than a normal degree and once you have done the "foundation" degree you can then do a 2year on the job top up, as far as I'm aware you can't just do a single full time top up.

That's if the format is the same for other "foundation" degrees.

It's been running 2 or 3 years now.

You look at any imparticular.

KaHn · 18 Oct 2006 at 19:40

AcidHell2 said:
snip.

Wow you bought that pretty quickly, how about my nigerian brother sells your some shares aswell?

KaHn

Glaucus · 18 Oct 2006 at 19:42

KaHn said:
Wow you bought that pretty quickly, how about my nigerian brother sells your some shares aswell?

KaHn

huh?

kitten_caboodle · 18 Oct 2006 at 19:56

you can do one year full time to get the full degree qualification, certainly for the FD I applied for. Maybe it depends on the subject.

KaHn · 18 Oct 2006 at 20:02

AcidHell2 said:
huh?

On certian universities offer foundation degrees, and trust me when I say, you could get a first from any of those unis and for some jobs unless you have the correct a-lvls they will not look at you.

KaHn

kitten_caboodle · 18 Oct 2006 at 20:04

KaHn said:
On certian universities offer foundation degrees, and trust me when I say, you could get a first from any of those unis and for some jobs unless you have the correct a-lvls they will not look at you.

KaHn

that's the whole point of these degrees though. Because they are more vocationally based companies are more willing to sponsor students to do them because they are actually getting something back out of it. It's hoped that companies will use them as a route to 'growing their own timber' if you like.

Glaucus · 18 Oct 2006 at 20:07

KaHn said:
On certian universities offer foundation degrees, and trust me when I say, you could get a first from any of those unis and for some jobs unless you have the correct a-lvls they will not look at you.

KaHn

well I don't no about others but certainly not the one I've applied for. Its backed by the industry, In fact it was set up by the industry, to over come the shortage of qualified engineers.

I got on the full time one and turned it down, to go for the part time one, as I already work within the industry. believe me A job is guaranteed and they rate it very, very highly. The part time is identical to the full time apart from its 3 instead of 2 years. The company WIll pay for hotels, travel, tuition fees and still pay you most of your salary whilst you do it and no there's no guarantee you'll pass.

As for the A-levels no they wont look at you, They still need to know you can study. Its not just vocational work. It's still like a usual degree. However instead of writing reports/essays on a scenario, you right reports/essays on a real live project. You even get given a laptop and dig camera to help your reports when on site.

KaHn · 18 Oct 2006 at 20:15

AcidHell2 said:
Snip.

Sorry your talking crap, if you work with in a company and you have the qaulifications to do a degree, they will fund you to do a degree and IF you are looking at a good university you can apply for the whitworth scolarship to help you, where as I agree experience is gold these days, no company will sacrifice a good degree for one with a bit of experience, your hoping for a lot if you do.

Big companies will normally give scolarships to those who work for them and go from there, I have seen the like of siemans pay for a student to go through uni because he worked for them, the over summer employ him at his normal wage+ of close to 2k per month doing his graduate training program there.

KaHn

Glaucus · 18 Oct 2006 at 20:21

KaHn said:
will sacrifice a good degree for one with a bit of experience,

They will if it's a good degree with excellent experiance. Afterall it was designed by the industry in the first place to meet there needs.
But as I said I don't know about other degrees, but there's only one university in the country which does it. There is no normal degree You can not do the bsc(hons) without doing the foundation degree first and you can't not do the foundation without first getting a sponsorship from an approved company first.

http://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/rail/index.html

Believe me this is highly regarded within the industry. As it teaches job specific engineering as well as general engineering.

KaHn · 18 Oct 2006 at 20:23

Sorry your telling me you cant do a Hons degree without doing a FD first, now I know your talking ****.

Sorry but find out what your on about first.

KaHn

/edit I would rather do engineering in iraq than shefield hallum

kitten_caboodle · 18 Oct 2006 at 20:24

KaHn said:
Sorry your talking crap, if you work with in a company and you have the qaulifications to do a degree, they will fund you to do a degree and IF you are looking at a good university you can apply for the whitworth scolarship to help you, where as I agree experience is gold these days, no company will sacrifice a good degree for one with a bit of experience, your hoping for a lot if you do.

Big companies will normally give scolarships to those who work for them and go from there, I have seen the like of siemans pay for a student to go through uni because he worked for them, the over summer employ him at his normal wage+ of close to 2k per month doing his graduate training program there.

KaHn

I think the major benefit here is that people can do a part time Foundation Degree while working in the industry already. The modules that they need to cover vocational work will be done for the company that they work for already, limiting the amount of time that is spent on 'college' work rather than the work that the company is paying you to carry out.

Then of course, you've only got one year of a full time degree, or 2 years of a part time to get an honours degree qualification out of it. I think that's the appeal - bringing people up to degree level while still working for the company that's sponsoring them, but not taking oodles of time out.

KaHn · 18 Oct 2006 at 20:25

Sorry kit, you can do a full degree part time at a good university, you dont need to big up something like this, from what I can tell this is just something else you pay for while you decide if you want to do a proper degree.

KaHn

Entry requirements

Normally you need one of the following qualifications from a relevant technical or science subject area.

• BTEC/SCOTVEC - National Certificate/Diploma pass

• Curriculum 2000 A levels - 60 points from at least one GCE/VCE level and study of mathematics at advanced level

• pre-2000 A levels - four points from at least one A level in relevant subjects

• Advanced GNVQ - pass

• pass from the preparatory year for the extended degree in engineering, dependent on subject performance

Applicants for the part-time course must be currently working within the rail industry in a role relevant to the area of study.

If you dont get the grade for uni you come here sorry.

Glaucus · 18 Oct 2006 at 20:28

KaHn said:
Sorry your telling me you cant do a Hons degree without doing a FD first, now I know your talking ****.

Sorry but find out what your on about first.

KaHn

/edit I would rather do engineering in iraq than shefield hallum

Think what ever you wont. I know what I'm doing. Have you even looked at the link? and no you can't do the bsc without doing the FD. It's all on the link. Maybe you should read up on what I'm posting about before you say I'm talking **** do you work in the industry, do you know anything about this particular course, or the way it's run.

I already have a degree you think I would be trying to get on it if it was worthless. especially as I know how its regarded within the industry.

kitten_caboodle · 18 Oct 2006 at 20:30

KaHn said:
Sorry kit, you can do a full degree part time at a good university, you dont need to big up something like this, from what I can tell this is just something else you pay for while you decide if you want to do a proper degree.

KaHn

i don't understand what you mean - it is a progression route to a 'proper' degree, just one that is undertaken while working in the industry already...it's the choice to do a vocational degree rather than one that focuses on the theory and class based work. A foundation degree is only worth anything if it is completed by the final year and made into a full degree - it's just another option for people who are already in full time work and want to get a qualification in their chosen industry, and for people who want to do a more experience based degree.

and according to http://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/rail/progressioncourse.html what acidhell2 is saying is right - the course can only be undertaken once the foundation degree has been completed... :confused: