Education with a Foundation Year, BA (Hons)

Course Overview

Education is a fast-growing area of study that draws on the disciplines of psychology, philosophy, history, and the social sciences, focusing on understanding how people learn and how structures of education operate to foster life-long learning and personal development.

The Foundation Year gives students an exciting introduction to Higher Education, setting them up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that they'll need to be successful on their undergraduate degree. It's ideal if students need a little more support after Further Education or are returning to education after a gap.

Why Education with a Foundation Year at Swansea?

Based on the stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, students will have the opportunity to:

• Explore educational practice in a digital age, studying the digital learning technologies which are at the forefront of education trends
• Study policy and politics in education and learn leadership and management skills
• Gain an understanding of education in other countries, diversity and wellbeing in education, child development, and educational neuroscience
• Learn from exceptionally qualified lecturers who will help students use a variety of learning approaches and emphasize the development of practical skills in observation, interpretation, information processing, and presentation, all of which will be valued by employers

Course Details

• UCAS Code: X202
• Mode of Study: Campus Based
• Typical Offer: CDD-DDD
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Start Date: September 2026
• Tuition Fees: £5,760 (UK), £19,950 (International)

Modules

The course includes a range of modules, such as:

• Academic Writing and Skills Development
• Introduction to Being Human
• Introduction to Research
• Critical Reflection and Problem Solving
• Research Essay
• Social Science
• Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
• Digital Education: Pedagogy and Practice
• Curriculum Studies
• Protecting and Promoting Wellbeing in Education
• Research methods in Education and Early Childhood Studies
• Changing Narratives in Education: Race, Gender & Sexuality
• Dissertation
• Equity, Equality and Diversity in Education
• Education Policy and Values
• Employability skills and work placement
• Working in Partnership and Leading Others
• The Social and Cultural Context of Childhood
• Children, animals and education: theory, practice, and possibility

Entry Requirements

• A level (or equivalent) typical offer: CDD-DDD
• BTEC: MMP
• T Levels: Pass
• Mixed Qualifications: 80 UCAS tariff points from 3 highest qualifications
• International Baccalaureate: 26 points

How You're Taught

At Swansea, students will benefit from a high-quality, research-informed education that combines a range of effective and inclusive teaching methods, carefully tailored to suit the needs of the course. Most courses are taught in person, on campus, giving students the opportunity to actively engage with other students, academic staff, and the wider university community.

Welsh Provision

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study some elements of this course through the medium of Welsh, but there is not yet enough provision to reach 40 credits in each year. Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually.

Meet Your Lecturers

The degrees are taught by experts who have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to students.

Tuition Fees

• UK: £5,760
• International: £19,950

Funding and Scholarships

Students may be eligible for funding to help support their study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries, and other funding opportunities that are available, visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to a digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during students' time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in accommodation will also be essential to allow students to fully engage with their programme.

Careers and Employability

The Careers and Employability Team will support students at each stage of their career journey, helping them build a bright future.

Academic Support

As well as subject-specific support by college teaching staff and personal tutors, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops, and one-to-one support in areas such as academic writing, maths and statistics, critical thinking, time management, digital skills, presentation skills, note-taking, revision, memory, and exam techniques.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

All students have the option of studying abroad. The 4-year programmes offer a full-year abroad, and there is also a semester abroad for 3-year degrees, during the second year from January to May in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the USA. The semester abroad is an exchange programme, so students will pay UK tuition fees and be responsible for accommodation and living costs at the semester partner institution.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1920 as University College of Swansea
• Received its Royal Charter in 1948, becoming Swansea University
• Consistently ranked among the top 30 universities in the UK
• Home to over 20,000 students from over 140 countries
• Notable achievements include:
  • 2019 Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its work in developing and delivering innovative teaching methods
  • 2018 Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
  • 2017 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results showed that 90% of Swansea University's research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent

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Student Life:

• Over 150 student clubs and societies
• Sports teams in a variety of disciplines, including rugby, football, and basketball
• Student support services include:
  • Counseling and mental health support
  • Disability support
  • Financial advice
  • International student support
• Campus facilities include:
  • Bay Campus: Modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities, including a library, sports center, and student union
  • Singleton Campus: Historic campus with a mix of traditional and modern buildings, including the iconic Singleton Abbey
  • Tycoch Campus: Home to the College of Engineering and the School of Management

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Academics:

• Academic resources include:
  • Over 400 undergraduate and postgraduate programs
  • World-class research facilities
  • Extensive library resources
• Faculty:
  • Over 1,000 academic staff, including internationally renowned researchers and industry experts
• Teaching methodologies:
  • Focus on student-centered learning
  • Use of innovative teaching methods, such as problem-based learning and flipped classrooms
• Academic support services:
  • Academic skills workshops
  • Writing center
  • Math and statistics support
• Unique academic programs or initiatives:
  • Swansea Employability Academy: Provides students with opportunities to develop employability skills
  • Swansea University Global: Offers international study and research opportunities

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Top 30 UK university
• Excellent teaching and research
• World-class facilities
• Strong industry connections
• Vibrant student life
• Notable alumni include:
  • Michael Sheen, actor
  • Catherine Zeta-Jones, actress
  • Sir Terry Matthews, entrepreneur

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center
• Housing services
• Library resources:
  • Over 1 million books and journals
  • Access to online databases and e-resources
• Technology support:
  • Free Wi-Fi across campus
  • Computer labs and printing facilities
• Career development services:
  • Career counseling
  • Job search assistance
  • Employer networking events