Overview

Studying a Foundation Year at Keele will give you the opportunity to gain the skills, attributes and confidence to study at degree level.

A Foundation Year could be for you if:
• you would benefit from a year to prepare for entry onto an honours degree
• have non-traditional qualifications
• want to change your subjects
• had a break from education
• want a change of career
• a university experience in a supportive environment

All of the teaching is delivered on the Keele campus by highly qualified academic and professional staff, complemented by an experienced student support team. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, and you will make use of state-of-the-art undergraduate teaching facilities and apparatus.

In additional to the University's support network, you will have a personal tutor who will guide and support you through your first year of university study.

Who can apply

UK or EU students from a broad range of backgrounds wishing to take a humanities degree at Keele.

For all international (non-EU) students please see Foundation Years for International Students.

Applications can be made through UCAS.

You should apply for a specific subject with a Foundation Year (see course routes). You can discuss options with a foundation year tutor before arriving at Keele and may be able to change your choice following discussions with foundation year staff.

Indicative modules

You will take a combination of modules to a total of 120 credits:

• core modules (30 credits)
• subject-specific modules relating to your intended degree programme after your Foundation Year
• and optional modules offering some free choice

Modules are worth 10, 15 or 20 credits.

Subject	Modules taken
Business Management and Media (Combined honours)	Business and Management The Employment Lifecycle Introduction to Media in America Sociology of Culture Basic Numerical and Computational Skills OR Intermediate Numerical and Computational Skills
Economics and History (Combined honours)	Business and Management Introductory Economics and Business Data The Age of the Tudors Anglo-Saxon England Basic Numerical and Computational Skills OR Intermediate Numerical and Computational Skills
Economics and Philosophy (Combined honours)	Business and Management Introductory Economics and Business Data Introduction to Philosophy Introduction to Ethics Basic Numerical and Computational Skills OR Intermediate Numerical and Computational Skills
English Literature (Combined honours)	Understanding Narrative Understanding Poetry
English Literature (Single honours)	Understanding Narrative Understanding Poetry Introduction to American Literature Introduction to Media in America
English and American Literature (Single honours)	Understanding Narrative Understanding Poetry Introduction to American Literature Introduction to Media in America
English Literature and Creative Writing (Single honours)	Understanding Narrative Understanding Poetry Introduction to American Literature Introduction to Media in America
Film Studies (Combined honours)	Understanding Narrative Sociology of Culture
Film Studies (Single honours)	Understanding Narrative Sociology of Culture Introduction to Media in America Introduction to American Literature
Film Studies and Creative Writing (Single honour	Introduction to Media in America Understanding Narrative Understanding Poetry Sociology of Culture
History (Combined honours)	The Age of the Tudors Anglo-Saxon England
History (Single honours)	The Age of the Tudors Anglo-Saxon England The US and the Cold War - 1945-1991 Critical Thinking
International Business and Media (Combined honours)	Business and Management Introduction to the Digital Business World Introduction to Media in America Sociology of Culture Basic Numerical and Computational Skills OR Intermediate Numerical and Computational Skills
Marketing and Media (Combined honours)	Business and Management Introduction to the Digital Business World Introduction to Media in America Sociology of Culture Basic Numerical and Computational Skills OR Intermediate Numerical and Computational Skills *(NOT Europe and the Modern World 1815-1918)
Media (Combined honours)	Introduction to Media in America Sociology of Culture
Media, Culture and Creative Practice (Single honours)	Introduction to Media in America Sociology of Culture Critical Thinking Understanding Narrative
Music (Combined honours)	Developing Musical Performance Foundation Music Theory
Music (Single honours)	Developing Musical Performance Foundation Music Theory Foundation Music Technology
Music Technology (Combined honours)	Foundation Music Theory Foundation Music Technology
Music Technology (Single honours)	Foundation Music Theory Foundation Music Technology The Sound of Music Critical Thinking
Philosophy (Combined honours)	Introduction to Philosophy Introduction to Ethics
Philosophy (Single honours)	Introduction to Philosophy Introduction to Ethics Critical Thinking Sociology of Culture

Entry requirements

For Humanities Foundation Year in 2019, please see our 2019 clearing entry requirements

For Humanities Foundation Year in 2020, you must have:

• at least 64 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification, or
• relevant work experience

AND

• GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or
• IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

UCAS codes

UCAS programmes with a Humanities Foundation Year

Course	UCAS Code
English Literature	Q3VA
English and American Literature	Q3V0
English Literature and Creative Writing	Q3W9
Film Studies	P3V0
Film Studies and Creative Writing	PW39
History	VV10
Media, Communication and Creative Practice	P9V0
Music	W300
Music Technology	J930
Philosophy	V5V0

If you are applying for a combined honours programme with a Foundation Year, you will study two subjects when you progress to degree level. You can choose a second subject once your place is confirmed.

Please note that after completion of the foundation year in your chosen subject, you will progress to a Bachelor's degree in that subject, with the addition of a second subject as part of the combined honours degree.

How to apply

UCAS Applications

Visit UCAS for applications for 2020/21 courses.

From 5 July to 23 October 2019, you can apply for 2019/20 courses using UCAS Clearing.

Direct Entry

If you are a UK or EU student, already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please the Admissions Office directly.

Telephone: +44 (0)1782 734010 
Email: [email protected]

International Entry

For International Students, please see Foundation Year for International Students

Telephone: +44 (0)1782 733501
Fax: +44 (0)1782 734238
Email: [email protected]

For further information on the Humanities Foundation Year, please : 

Jill Griffiths
Foundation Year Admissions Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1782 733763
Email: [email protected]

Teaching and assessment

The programme will be delivered through a mixture of classes which may include lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and placements; some students will also have computer classes and computer exercises. In addition, you are expected to undertake a large amount of independent study and revision.

Students are assessed through a variety of assessment types including:

• Unseen closed and open book examinations
  • Examinations may consist of essays, short answer and/or multiple choice questions, and paper comprehension
• Essays and reports
• Class tests taken either conventionally or online
• Treatment projects
• Oral and poster presentations
• Portfolios
• Peer assessment
• Course work assignments consist of short written pieces completed in your own time
• Participation – in some modules, marks are awarded for participation in group discussions.

Contacts and further information

For further information on the Humanities Foundation Year, please :

Jill Griffiths
Foundation Year Admissions Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1782 733763
Email: [email protected]

Progression

Taking a Humanities Foundation Year will enable you to progress to a Single or Combined Honours degree at Keele.

Additional costs

As to be expected there will be additional costs for textbooks and other course books, an approved calculator for scientific and mathematical modules, inter-library loans, potential overdue library fines and printing.

We do not anticipate any further additional costs for this Foundation Year programme except in the case of you taking a science or mathematics module as an option, or the social science module Education in Practice which involves a placement in a school and you will be expected to fund your own travel in that regard. Students working in the chemistry and biology laboratories will be required to wear protective equipment; these can be purchased from the University for a total cost of about £15. Students taking the module ‘Exploiting the Earth’ will be required to provide a £10 deposit with regard to the field trip, returnable on attendance. Most mathematics or science modules require the use of an approved calculator.

What our student say

"I’d just like to email all of you to express my gratitude for what you have done for me this past semester. Be this through lectures, tutorials or simply replying to my emails, your efforts have allowed me to push myself and achieve more than I believed I would; meaning I only wish to push myself more next year."

PJ Leahy: Humanities Foundation Year 2016-7, studying Economics and Film Studies