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What is a Online Foundation Degree

An Online Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification which combines academic study with work place learning, to equip people with the relevant knowledge and skills for business. Established in 2001 by the Government to help meet current and future business and skills needs, Online Foundation Degrees provide a very flexible way of learning which includes e-learning, on the job training and studying at home. Relevant prior experience can be taken into account in admissions to a Foundation Degree, not just formal qualifications. An Online Foundation Degree is equal to the first two years of an Honours Degree and is a dedicated higher education qualification. However, it is also possible, with further study, to convert a Foundation Degree into an Honours Degree. Studying for an Online Foundation Degree can offer the learning and work-place experience to help kick-start or enhance your career, whilst fitting around your schedule and commitments.

To find out more about Four Online Foundation Degrees, visit the Department for Education and Skills' Foundation Degree website http://www.foundationdegree.org.uk/

Career Progression

A recent Destination of Leavers of Higher Education (DLHE) survey found that 12,645 graduates completed HNDs or Foundation Degrees in 2005, and 10,370 of them replied to the DLHE survey.

For the first time, substantial numbers of Foundation Degree graduates were recorded, with 5,090 graduates polled and 4,165 being included in this survey.

Overall, the most popular outcome for these graduates was to continue onwards to an honours degree - 36.2% followed this route, and with 30.8% working in the UK and 20.9% combining work and study, foundation and HND graduates had an unemployment rate of 3.7%, far lower than the average for first degree graduates and comparable with those first degree subjects which have the lowest unemployment rates.

Source: Survey entitled "What do Graduates Do 2007?" published by Graduate Prospects, a subsidiary of the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU).