Degree vs Foundation Degree...

bestpud

I'm wondering what the difference is between a Degree and a Foundation Degree, apart from the obvious, of course!

I know the FD is more vocational but what does that actually mean in terms of assessments?

I presume there is still essays...?

Can anyone explain in a nutshell, please?

Indie_Kid

You have to remember that all degrees (FD or degree) are assessed differently.

bestpud

sh1305 wrote: »

You have to remember that all degrees (FD or degree) are assessed differently.

Yes, good point!

But there must be something different about a FD, as compared to a 'normal' degree, or they wouldn't exist iyswim?

Are they assessed at a lower level, or are they the same level but just different in some way?

Indie_Kid

Foundation degree is generally 2 years and a degree is 3 years. (unless done with placement - 4 years in total) You can do something called "top up" where you do an extra year to get a degree, if you've done a foundation degree.

edsks

A foundation degree is likely to be a two year course - which is equivalent to 240 credit points (normally 120 credit points at academic level 4 and 120 credit points at academic level 5). It is likely to include a vocational flavour and thus include aspects such as professional placement/work experience. Assessments are likely to be varied and will probably include course work and assignments/projects linked to the vocation, but may include examinations.
A "normal" degree is likely to be a three year course, normally equivalent to 360 credit points (normally 120 credit points at academic level 4 and 120 credit points at academic level 5 and 120 credit points at academic 6 if it is an honours degree). It might be a vocational/professional degree (e.g. nursing) or a more "pure" degree (e.g. English Lit). and depending on the requirements of any professional bodies and the nature of the degree then assessments might be varied - they may be very similar to what you might do in a foundation degree or might include more exams (e.g. optometry) or no exams at all. Even if it is a "pure degree" there still might be opportunities for you to do some kind of work placement under the universities employability policy.
You really need to read the course information provided by the college/university to get a flavour of the nature of the curriculum content, the learning experience and the assessment strategy of the course. If you gain a foundation degree there should be opportunities for you to top this up into a "full" degree.

Oldernotwiser

Foundation Degrees have largely replaced the old HNDs and are roughly equivalent to 2 years of university study,needing to be topped up by another year to a full degree.

bestpud

Thanks for the replies - I know now what is confusing me!

I know a FD is basically, or can be, the first two years of a full degree.

But unis could surely just allow students to do two years of a full degree and then decide whether or not to complete the third year, instead of having FDs?

Most students can gain a smaller award if they drop out anyway - HNC for the first year, or HND for the second at my uni.

So there must be more to it than that iyswim?

I've looked at the course content and it looks no different to any other vocational degree, which is why I ask...

And it can't be any different if people can still do one more year and achieve a full degree.

So what is the point of them?

Mrs_Money

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Foundation Degrees have largely replaced the old HNDs and are roughly equivalent to 2 years of university study,needing to be topped up by another year to a full degree.

Be wary of the assumption that a Foundation degree only needs I year extra at uni to top up to a full degree - both my sons were told this and, when the time came for them to do this "top up", it actually transpired that they needed to do another 2 years at uni to make a full degree (plus one of them was told that there was actually nothing he could do subject-wise to make his into a full degree - and it was computing). I work in a Further Education College that offers Foundation degrees and the tutors involved often perpetuate this myth - without any official offers from the universities. Do your research and get a "study plan" in writing if at all possible - or contact your target university and ask them about top-up courses.

Also - my husband works at a uni that considers Foundation degrees to equal the first 2 years of a degree and they consider an FD to be a way in for those students who may not have A levels and need more support as they study (at least at first).
Foundation degrees are not always vocational and they do mostly include essays and assignments.

Oldernotwiser

bestpud wrote: »

Thanks for the replies - I know now what is confusing me!

I know a FD is basically, or can be, the first two years of a full degree.

But unis could surely just allow students to do two years of a full degree and then decide whether or not to complete the third year, instead of having FDs?

Most students can gain a smaller award if they drop out anyway - HNC for the first year, or HND for the second at my uni.

So there must be more to it than that iyswim?

I've looked at the course content and it looks no different to any other vocational degree, which is why I ask...

And it can't be any different if people can still do one more year and achieve a full degree.

So what is the point of them?

Being cynical I would say that the reason for revamping HNC/D is to get the magic word "degree" into the qualification title, rather like talking about modern apprenticeships and student apprenticeships which have little to do with traditional apprenticeships but gain validity with the use of the word!

Mrs M; you're absolutely right. I said "roughly equivalent to 2 years of university study" and should have then followed up with "around" another year.

bestpud

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Being cynical I would say that the reason for revamping HNC/D is to get the magic word "degree" into the qualification title, rather like talking about modern apprenticeships and student apprenticeships which have little to do with traditional apprenticeships but gain validity with the use of the word!

Mrs M; you're absolutely right. I said "roughly equivalent to 2 years of university study" and should have then followed up with "around" another year.

Thanks; that makes sense, but then I'm cynical too!

mum2one

I'm studiying with Open Uni, the great plan is to get a BA Hons Business

How mine works

Level 1 - 120 points (I did a 60 point law, 30 point business, 30 point money)
they were all assisgnment based no exams, there are some Level 1 courses that do have an exam

Qualification wise - Certificate in Law, Certificate in Business

Level 2 - 120 points 2 x business couses 60 points each, both assisgnments and 3hr exams
(passed 1 course - doing the 2nd)

Qulaification wise - Foundation Degree in Business

level 3 - 60 point business course - (assisgnments and exam)

Qualification - Degree in Business

to get the BA HONS - need a 2nd 60 point business course (assisgnments and exam)