foundation degree

taurusgb

Our son is 2 years into a 4 year apprenticeship. He has been doing day release at an apprentice training school but for the next academic year needs to find a new college place as the training school have taken him as far as they can. The college he has applied to for an HNC is no longer offerring this course as there is not a high enough take up and have suggested he takes a foundation degree course for 2 years as day release to complete his apprenticeship, then a third year to comlpete it to degree.

The thing is, a normal degree course takes three years, and we have seen how hard our daughter worked full time studying for hers, so how can he be expected to obtain a degree in the same time frame but on day release when he also works full time the other 4 days of the week? Am I missing something here? Is a foundation degree materially different in someway ?

I would be exceedingly grateful for any input or information anyone could offer.

lika_86

This may answer some of your questions http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_degree

maman

I'm sure others who are currently involved will give you more information.


My understanding is that a foundation degree is like a starter/introductory course. It's of a good standard and could lead to the sort of full time degree your DD has done.


At the moment it would just provide theoretical knowledge to back up his apprenticeship and be perfectly possible alongside this day job.


Some of his knowledge will be learned 'on the job' so not all while he's attending college.


It might be tough going but perfectly doable if he's prepared to put in the effort and he could end up far more equipped for the job market (degree plus practical experience) than your average graduate.


I'd encourage him.

missbiggles1

A Foundation Degree is roughly equivalent to an HND but very much more employment based, so that what he's doing at work should feed directly into the course. It's quite common it to take two years of part time study but naturally he'll need to put in far more hours than just the day release his company is giving him.

Many students on full time academic degree courses work long hours in their part time jobs, some even putting in full time hours, so it may be challenging for him but certainly doable.

taurusgb

thanks so much for your swift and very helpful replies. He is a very hard worker and puts in a lot of time and effort to his studies and his job. He was voted Advanced Apprentice of the year, AND Apprentices Apprentice of the year at the Apprentice training college and we know his employer thinks very highly of him, so we are anxious that he takes the right route. My husband is only familiar with the HNC/HND route he took himself so it's difficult to advise him.

I know he is prepared to work hard but there is a lot of travel involved (rural area), and his working day can be long, as he is not a clock watcher-he believes the days work is done when the job is finished not when the clock says 5pm. But he is only human and will have a breaking point. I am just anxious it doesn't get too unbalanced if a foundation degree is too tough to fit in, though from what you say it does look doable.

Thanks again :beer: