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Social Sciences and Humanities with a Foundation Year at Loughborough University - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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Loughborough University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

This course is primarily for candidates who have not studied the prerequisite subjects needed for first year entry, or have not met their expected entrance requirements due to adverse situations, or because of their previous sport performance commitments, as well as mature students returning to education or care leavers. Our Foundation Studies programme at Loughborough is designed to help a range of students realise their university ambitions. Our streamed approach enables you to progress on to one of multiple courses within your chosen stream – giving you further time to decide which course is right for you. The foundation programme would suit: Students who have not studied the prerequisite subjects needed for first year entry on a preferred course;

  • Students who did not meet the expected entrance requirements due to adverse situations (including illness or caring responsibilities);
  • Mature students or care leavers;
  • Students performing at elite athlete level who have the added challenge of combining study with high-level sporting competition.
As a student on the course, you will be a full member of the University, enjoying access to the Students’ Union, clubs, societies, sports facilities and support departments, and the outstanding student experience Loughborough University offers. This course is placed within the Business, Social Sciences and Humanities stream which is one of our four Foundation streams. Foundation courses in this stream include:
  • Business with a Foundation Year (elite athlete only)
  • Economics with a foundation Year (elite athlete only)
  • Social Sciences and Humanities with a Foundation Year
Why complete a foundation year
  • Completing a foundation year within the Business, Social Sciences and Humanities Stream will enable you to progress onto the first year of our Social Sciences and Humanities or any course, provided the relevant progression criteria are met.
  • Completing a foundation year can be a real attribute to your overall degree success. It not only opens doors to courses that may have previously looked closed, but also provides a sound base on which to establish a successful academic career. Many who have completed the foundation pathway have also said how beneficial it was to them in supporting their transition into university life.
  • Our foundation course is taught in-house by university staff
The Foundation Studies course also offers the opportunity for students performing at a very high standard in their chosen sport, looking to join one of our sporting performance programmes, who wish to study at Loughborough, but do not have the required qualifications. It is ideal for students who wish to combine their performance sports training with academic study. If you think your sport profile qualifies you to be considered for the elite athletes programme, please contact [email protected] before applying

Modules

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.

Assessment method

Foundation modules are assessed via written exams and/ or coursework assignments. Some modules are continually assessed throughout the year. Typical coursework assignments include: laboratory reports, essays, poster presentations, assessed tutorials, workshops and peer review (review fellow students’ performance). It is expected that for every hour you are in a structured class, you should spend two hours of your own time researching, writing up, learning work or doing set questions etc.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
L3FY
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

International students: We are pleased to be working with ONCAMPUS Loughborough to deliver the Undergraduate Foundation Programme (UFP). International students can apply directly for the Undergraduate Foundation at https://www.oncampus.global/uk/campuses/oncampus-loughborough

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Loughborough accepts a wide range of qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/entrance-requirements/. This information details the general requirements and should be read in conjunction with the information given for each course. Loughborough also accepts a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/country/ Loughborough uses contextual data in the admissions process to provide insights into the context in which your academic qualifications have been achieved. This may influence the typical offers outlined in the information given for each course. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/contextual-data/

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Additional entry requirements

Other

This course enables entry into a selection of our Social Sciences courses for students that have not studied the correct subjects, or not quite achieved the qualifications required, perhaps due to illness, family issues or other commitments. Offers will not normally be made to those who apply simply because their A-level grades/predictions are below the requirements for direct entry to the degree course. Students who are eligible for this course include: Those wishing to study a degree without the appropriate background Students performing at a very high standard in a chosen sport, who wish to study at Loughborough, but do not have the required qualifications due to sporting commitments Mature students returning to education Those who did not meet their expected entrance requirements due to illness or other adverse situations Students with alternative backgrounds and qualifications Offers will not normally be made to those who apply simply because their A-level grades/predictions are below the requirements for direct entry to the degree course. Applications are treated on a case by case basis and a number of other personal situations may also be considered. Applicants are usually selected solely on the basis of their UCAS application, but in exceptional cases, an interview and/or maths test may be required. If applicants are made an offer of a place they will be invited to visit the department, meet staff and students, see facilities and get an insight into what it is like to be a student at Loughborough.

English language requirements

All applicants are required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate level of English language.

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
60%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
90%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £23000 Year 1
England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
International £23000 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

The fees stated above are for the 2024/25 academic year; fees for 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. We will update this information as soon as it is available. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. While the cost of your tuition covers lots of things, it doesn’t cover everything. For instance this course doesn’t cover the cost of any stationary, printing, books or re-assessments which you might need.
Social Sciences and Humanities with a Foundation Year at Loughborough University - UCAS