Philosophy with Foundation

Program Overview

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Philosophy with Foundation

Course Details

The Foundation Programme is designed for students from under-represented groups in higher education, who have the potential to achieve the standard for admission to Durham, but who, because of educational disadvantage or disruption, do not have the level of attainment or access to qualifications required for entry to a Durham University course. The Foundation Programme is delivered by a dedicated team of academic tutors from Durham’s Centre for Academic Development (DCAD). Each year it provides places for 100 students and supports them to progress to Level 1 study in over 33 academic subjects from every academic department in the university.

The Foundation Programme supports students to develop the skills and subject knowledge required for successful study at degree level. The content focuses on developing epistemological maturity, metacognitive skills, and independent learning, becoming increasingly specialised as the course progresses. On successful completion of the Foundation Year, students will progress to the first year of their degree V500 - Philosophy.

The Foundation Programme provides 120 academic credits divided into modules, with 20 hours of taught content and 10 hours of tutorial or small group seminar support for every 15 credits. We also expect our students to engage in a further 100 hours of self-directed study (including assignments and tests) for every 15 credits they study. This is broadly in-line with the majority of academic departments across Durham University, although individual variation does exist between departments.

Course Structure

Year 1 Modules

• Core modules:
  • Concepts, Methods & Theories in Arts & Humanities
  • Scholarship in Higher Education (Extended)
  • Advanced Scholarship in Higher Education for Arts, Business and Social Sciences

Learning

This programme provides high-quality teaching and learning in a supportive and productive environment which encourages self-awareness, reflective practice, and cross-discipline awareness. The course is delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials/workshops, and practical classes.

Typically, lectures provide key information on a particular area and this is consolidated through tutorials and/or workshops and practical classes where appropriate, particularly for laboratory skills. The course provides up to 16 contact hours per week, but further consolidation takes place through independent study and/or voluntary workshops provided outside the course’s formal contact hours. Emphasis is placed on developing confidence and classes are generally small, to ensure individual learning needs can be met.

Students who require additional writing and academic support are normally provided with additional contact time and opportunities to take part in small group and individual tutorials.

Assessment

Towards the end of the year, greater emphasis is placed on independent study, not just in preparation for classes and reading around the subjects, but also with students completing an individual project related to their progression route.

Throughout the course, all students also have access to an academic adviser who will provide them with academic support and guidance. Students will normally meet weekly with their adviser. However, in addition, academic advisors and teaching staff are normally available to meet with students by appointment.

After the initial year, you should refer to the teaching and learning information for your chosen degree subject.

Entry Requirements

• GCSE requirement –
  • Specific Eligibility Criteria
    • Recommended Criteria for Mature Applicants (over 21 years) Applicants over 21 have probably achieved GCSE grade 4 in English Language or be able to clearly demonstrate their potential in this subject.
    • Essential Criteria for Younger Applicants (under 21 years) Applicants under 21 must have achieved a GCSE grade 4 or higher in English Language.
    • Recommended Criteria for All Applicants Successful applicants for this route are likely to have achieved GCSE grade 5 or higher in English Language or be able to clearly demonstrate their potential in this subject.
• General Eligibility and Academic Criteria
  • All applicants need to meet criteria to be considered: Foundation Programme: Student Eligibility for study.
  • Please be aware that Foundation Programme places are in high demand (we usually receive 10 applications for each place we can offer) and all eligible on-time applications are considered in open competition to identify those judged to have the greatest potential to give and receive benefit from a Durham University degree course.
  • Applicants are normally required to provide evidence in support of their applications and to participate in mandatory pre-offer assessment activities as part of the application process; these usually take place between October and March.
• Application Deadlines
  • UCAS Deadline for Equal Consideration – 29th January 2025 (18:00 UK time).
• Alternative qualifications
  • Other UK qualifications
  • EU qualifications
  • International qualifications
• International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.
• Home students who do not meet our direct entry requirements, may be eligible for our Foundation Programme which offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes.
• English language requirements
  • Country specific information

Fees and Funding

• Home students | £5,760 per year
• Island students | £5,760 per year

The fees above are for the Foundation Year only. Fees for subsequent years will be charged as per the degree programme progressed to.

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase expected to rise throughout the programme of study.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities.

Career Opportunities

• Foundation
  • We have impressive graduate prospects, and strongly emphasise employability and career development. Many Durham graduates secure positions in top companies across various industries, reflecting our strong reputation among employers. Additionally, Durham’s global alumni network offers valuable connections and opportunities for recent graduates.
• Of those students who graduated in:
  • 87% in work or further study.
  • Of those in employment:
    • 92% in high and medium skilled employment
    • £30,000 is the average salary.

Department Information

• Foundation
  • Our Foundation Programme has been delivering high-quality academic preparation for undergraduate study since 1992.
  • Our staff, from the Durham Centre for Academic Development (DCAD), are experts in teaching foundation level courses and are engaged in a wide range of scholarship activities, adding to the body of knowledge within their respective discipline areas and in the field of learning and teaching.
• In your Foundation Year (Year 0), you will study modules that add up to 120 ‘credits’, learning both core general academic skills and subject-specific content that will enable you to enter and thrive in Year 1 of your degree subject.
• Our courses are fully integrated elements of Durham University degree programmes and students are full members of the University, which means you become a member of a college and enjoy full access to the extensive extracurricular opportunities at the University from day one.
• If you successfully reach the progression standard by the end of your Year 0 you will automatically gain entry to Year 1 of your registered degree course without the need for a further UCAS application.
• We are committed to making our degrees accessible and inclusive. Our programme is designed to support UK students (including those with Settled Status in the UK) from some under-represented groups in Higher Education to access and succeed in studying an undergraduate degree at our University.
• If you are a talented individual, who has not been able to achieve your academic potential and is therefore unable to meet the standard direct entry offer, and you meet our entry criteria, we welcome an application from you.

Rankings

• 90% of Durham courses are in the UK Top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2025.
• 65th in the world for employer reputation in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Facilities

Durham University’s departments and services are spread across the historic city. As a Foundation student, you will have access to a wide range of facilities across the University.

Similar Courses

• Philosophy - BA
  • UCAS Code: V500
  • Start: September 2025

Program Outline

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Philosophy with Foundation V501 - Durham University:

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Degree Overview:

This one-year foundation program prepares students from under-represented groups for successful undergraduate study in Philosophy at Durham University.

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Objectives:

• Develop the academic skills and knowledge needed for university-level study.
• Foster critical thinking, independent learning, and self-awareness.
• Bridge the gap between prior educational experiences and the demands of a rigorous academic program.
• Prepare students for successful progression to the Philosophy BA (V500) at Durham University.

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Description:

The program focuses on building epistemological maturity, metacognitive skills, and independent learning. It provides a strong foundation in critical thinking, problem-solving, and written and oral communication. The curriculum is tailored to expose students to key concepts, theories, and methods in Philosophy while progressively specializing towards the chosen degree field.

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Outline:

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Course Content:

• Concepts, Methods & Theories in Arts & Humanities
• Scholarship in Higher Education (Extended)
• Advanced Scholarship in Higher Education for Arts, Business and Social Sciences
• Subject-specific modules related to your chosen degree field (e.g., Philosophy)

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Structure:

• 120 academic credits divided into modules.
• 20 hours of taught content and 10 hours of tutorial/seminar support per 15 credits.
• Approximately 100 hours of self-directed study per 15 credits.
• Mixture of lectures, tutorials, workshops, and practical classes.

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Individual Modules:

• Concepts, Methods & Theories in Arts & Humanities: Introduces core concepts and methods relevant to the study of Arts and Humanities.
• Scholarship in Higher Education (Extended): Develops academic skills for critical analysis, research, and written communication within the university context.
• Advanced Scholarship in Higher Education for Arts, Business and Social Sciences: Furthers academic skills and knowledge, with specific focus on the chosen subject area.
• Subject-specific modules: Vary depending on the chosen degree field (e.g., Philosophy).

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• Written assignments, essays, and research papers.
• Examinations (depending on specific modules).
• Presentations and seminars.
• Individual and group projects.

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Assessment Criteria:

• Understanding of key concepts, theories, and methods.
• Critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving abilities.
• Written and oral communication skills.
• Research and independent learning capacity.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Lectures
• Tutorials/workshops
• Practical classes
• Independent study
• Subject-specific experts from the Philosophy department.

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Unique Approaches:

• Focus on developing self-awareness, reflective practice, and cross-discipline awareness.
• Small class sizes for personalized attention and support.
• Access to individualized academic advising and mentoring.

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Academic research and teaching in Philosophy or related fields.
• Further postgraduate study in Philosophy or related subjects.
• Careers in education, media, publishing, research, and policy.

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Other:

• Learning Environment: Supportive and productive environment that encourages collaboration and independent learning.
• Additional Support: Additional writing and academic support provided to students who require it.
• Entry Requirements: Designed for students from under-represented groups with potential but unable to achieve full academic potential due to educational disadvantage or disruption.

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The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved. The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government. The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).