Program Overview

Course Information

Course Overview

The Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year BA Hons is a four-year full-time course designed for UK students who are interested in arts and humanities subjects but may not meet the usual entry requirements due to personal circumstances.

Alternative Courses for EU/International Students

This course is not available to EU/international students. Instead, they may consider the Business, Law and Social Sciences Foundation Certificate, offered through the University of Nottingham International College in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways.

Entry Requirements

Qualification

BA Hons

Entry Requirements

• BCC
• 24 Points overall or 544 in 3 Higher Level Certificates
• English grade 4 (C)
• Progression to certain UG degree programmes within the Faculty of Arts is dependent on student holding additional specific qualifications

A Level

Some of our progression courses require you to have certain qualifications as well as the foundation qualification:

• BA French Studies: Required subjects: Grade C in French at A Level
• BA Modern Languages: Required subjects: Grade C in at least one of French, German, Russian or Spanish at A level
• BA Modern Languages with Translation: Required subjects: Grade C in one of French, German, Russian or Spanish at A Level
• BA Music: Required subjects: Grade C in A Level Music. Grade 5 Theory ABRSM, LCM, Trinity or Rockschool may be accepted in place of A level Music.

IB Score

• 24 Points overall or 544 in 3 Higher Level Certificates
• Progression to certain UG degree programmes within the Faculty of Arts is dependent on student holding additional specific qualifications:
  • BA French Studies: Required subjects: Higher Level 4 in French.
  • BA Modern Languages: Required subjects: Higher Level 4 in one of French, German, Russian or Spanish.
  • BA Modern Languages with Translation: Required subjects: Higher Level 4 in one of French, German, Russian or Spanish.
  • BA Music: Required subjects: Higher Level 4 in Music.

Alternative Qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education. We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis. We gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications, including:

• Access to HE Diploma
• Advanced Diploma
• BTEC HND/HNC
• BTEC Extended Diploma

Tuition Fees

Tuition Fees 2025/26

The UK Government has confirmed that the maximum tuition fee for UK undergraduate students studying some foundation year courses will increase to £5,760 for the 2025/26 academic year. The university will charge the maximum approved fee, so students studying the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year will pay £5,760 for the first (foundation) year of your degree. Then from your second year onwards, you will pay the latest fee applicable to UK undergraduates studying in England, which is subject to confirmation.

Additional Costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. Essential course materials are supplied.

• Books: You'll be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to buy your own copies of core texts. A limited number of modules may have compulsory texts which you are required to buy. We recommend that you budget £100 per year for books, but this figure will vary according to which modules you take.
• Volunteering and placements: For volunteering and placements, such as work experience and teaching in schools, you will need to pay for transport and refreshments.
• Scholarships and bursaries: Faculty of Arts Alumni Scholarships provide support with essential living costs to eligible students. The University of Nottingham also offers a wide range of funds that can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help.

Course Overview

Your Arts and Humanities Foundation Year will help prepare you for undergraduate study at Nottingham. Through a range of engaging modules spanning the arts and humanities, you will develop key skills such as communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and digital capability.

Teaching and Learning

How You Will Learn

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Workshops

How You Will Be Assessed

Your six foundation year modules are assessed using a wide variety of methods. Each module has two assessment points. For example, our Critical Thinking and Reflective Learning module is assessed by an essay (50% of the module mark) and a reflective learning portfolio (50% of the module mark).

• Essay
• Poster
• Presentation
• Portfolio (written/digital)
• Creative piece
• Workbook
• Exam
• Oral exam

Careers

Careers Overview

Evidence shows that students commencing their university study at foundation level achieve the same levels of undergraduate degree as their fellow direct-route students, which in turn leads to the same wide range of career options.

Job Prospects

• Average starting salary and career progression: 78.8% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Arts secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £23,974.

Careers Advice

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Related Courses

• Liberal Arts BA Hons
• History BA Hons
• English BA Hons
• Philosophy BA Hons
• Ancient History BA Hons