Analytic Quality Glossary
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Citation reference: Harvey, L., 2004–11, Analytic Quality Glossary, Quality Research International, http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/glossary/
This is a dynamic glossary and the author would welcome any e-mail suggestions for amendments or additions.
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Foundation programme
A foundation programme provides an
introduction to degree-level study.
explanatory
context
Foundation programmes are sometimes
referred to as Ôyear-zeroÕ programmes implying that they precede the first year
of a degree programme.
Foundation programmes are distinct in
intention from access
courses,
which prepare potential students for higher education. Access courses may,
incidentally, provide some foundation for study.
Foundation programmes as a concept are sometimes taken to include certificated
awards in their own right as well as being a vehicle for progression to a
degree programme, for example associate degrees (US) and foundation degrees (UK). However, this is not the usual designation for foundation programme.
analytical
review
HEFCE (2010) defines a foundation courses as:
A
recognised HE course designed to prepare students who have qualifications which
are acceptable for entry in general, but are not appropriate to a specific
course of study. Foundation courses are also used as Year 0 of a degree course
to enable students with non-traditional qualifications to participate in HE by
using Year 0 as a preparatory year for a full degree programme.
This is distinct from, but related to, the new development
of foundation
degrees in the UK.
related terms
See also
sources
Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE ), 2010, About us: Glossary, available at http://www.hefce.ac.uk/aboutus/glossary/glossary.htm, updated 8 November 2010, accessed 27 January 2011.