Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year BA

Course overview

This course is for UK students only. International students should apply for the International Foundation Year.

This extended four-year course supports progression onto a wide range of degree courses in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures or BA Geography in the Faculty of Environment.

The first year of the course is primarily taught by expert academics from the Lifelong Learning Centre (home to the University’s specialist teaching and support for mature, part-time and foundation year students). As a foundation year student you'll be part of the University from day one with all the experiences and opportunities that this offers.

You can explore your current and developing interests as part of an introduction to study in the arts and humanities. The course has an interdisciplinary focus on developing skills for study, alongside integrated opportunities to begin transition to a degree.

We support your development as an interdisciplinary learner and make connections to your chosen degree subject specialism as part of your journey. All learners undertake a discovery module at Level 1 in a subject relevant to their future degree. You can also tailor your Level 0 module choices to align with your personal subject interests.

You’ll build your critical thinking skills and confidence for future study and be introduced to key academic ideas in the arts and humanities. The course features degree-level topics to immerse you in an undergraduate experience that is enquiring, creative and focused on the world around us. You'll investigate historical, contemporary, social and cultural issues to develop your skills as a researcher and use critical analysis to debate topics relevant to your future study.

This course is for UK students from a widening participation background (who meet our additional entry criteria) and who don’t currently meet the typical entry requirements for direct entry to a degree. This course does not accept students with previous higher education experience, including other foundation years or international students.

Entry requirements

A-level: CDD excluding Critical Thinking and General Studies. T Levels will be considered on a case by case basis.

GCSE: English and maths grade C/4 or above, or equivalent. Level 2 Functional Skills Maths and English at a Pass are accepted as equivalent to GCSE grade 4 or C. Courses requiring a higher grade in GCSE maths or English may not accept Level 2 Functional Skills in its place. Please check with the course admissions team before applying. We welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Other course specific tests:

Additional entry criteria

As well as the academic requirements above, you must live permanently in the UK and meet at least one of the following:

• your permanent address is in a neighbourhood with low progression to higher education.

• you attended a school that achieved less than the national average five A*-C / 9-4 passes (including English and Maths) at GCSE or attainment 8 score at GCSE in a state school. We use the All England State-funded attainment 8 score, excluding applicants from selective and/or independent schools

• you grew up in public care

Applicants interested in progressing onto Fine Art or Design degrees will need to prepare a portfolio for inspection as part of the admissions process.

We actively encourage applications from mature students. Further consideration will be given to the life experience of mature applicants and the circumstances in which they gained prior qualifications.

International Baccalaureate

Career opportunities

On successful completion of the foundation year, and subject to meeting the requirements for progression, you’ll continue to Year 1 of your chosen degree course.

There are a wide variety of options for progression in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures at the University of Leeds. This includes options to progress to degrees from all our schools:

• School of Design
• School of English
• School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies
• School of History
• School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
• School of Media and Communications
• School of Music
• School of Performance and Cultural Industries
• School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science

Recent students have studied for degrees in subjects such as journalism, English and comparative literature, liberal arts, philosophy and history.

If you've chosen a pathway in the School of Geography, you'll gain skills for a wide range of careers.

A qualification from the University of Leeds counts; our graduates are highly valued by employers. When you complete your degree course, you'll also become part of a network of highly employable graduates.

A degree in an arts, humanities, and cultures subject allows you to enhance your critical thinking and develop a global and cultural awareness relevant to a range of careers.