Durham University

							                                   Durham University

                                  FOUNDATION CENTRE

                                    Admissions Policy

Scope:
         The Foundation Programme Admissions Policy applies to the admission of
         students to both Direct Progression Programmes and to the International
         Foundation Year.

Principles:
        The Foundation Centre supports both the University’s Strategic Plan (2010 -
        2020) and the Undergraduate Admissions Strategy, particularly with regard
        to Fair Access and to increasing international student numbers. The
        admissions team, in the interests of the quality of the student experience,
        strives to recruit larger numbers of ‘Home’ students than ‘International’
        students.

Information, Advice and Guidance
      Information, advice and guidance are provided by the admissions team and
      applicants may be invited to participate in informal discussions in person, or
      by telephone/VOIP, to discuss their personal circumstances and study
      options. Information, advice and guidance discussions may be used to inform
      decisions on applications.

Selection Policy: Direct Progression Programmes
       The majority of students selected for the Direct Progression Programmes will
       be local, home, full-time students over the age of 21 who do not have the
       requirements for immediate entry to their chosen degree. Each applicant will
       be assessed as an individual.

         Normally no formal qualifications are required for UK students, but
         applicants are expected to possess functional numeracy and literacy skills.
         Applicants are also expected to successfully complete any courses currently
         being studied, which are relevant to their application. Formal qualifications
         are normally required for EU and Overseas applicants. Details of overseas
         qualification requirements are available from the International Office
         (www.dur.ac.uk/international). Some progression routes have essential
         and/or desirable entry criteria. A full list of these criteria can be found on the
         Foundation Centre website (www.durham.ac.uk/foundation.centre). For
         some progression routes, interviews with the progressing department are
         required before offers are made. Some progressing departments may also
         request admissions tests (e.g. UKCAT for Medicine; LNAT for Law). Applicants
         who have studied to an appropriate level, in appropriate subjects for direct
         entry to a Durham University undergraduate degree (i.e. A’ Levels or
         equivalent in appropriate subjects, but at lower than required grades) within
          the last three years, will not normally be considered suitable, unless they
          have serious mitigating circumstances that were not appropriately mitigated
          by their previous academic provider. Every effort is made to identify merit
          and potential in each applicant.

          Students who do not have English as a first language are required to
          demonstrate English Language ability. Direct Progression programmes
          normally require a minimum IELTS (or University approved equivalent)
          overall score of 6.0, with no element below 5.5. However, some Direct
          Progression programmes may require a higher IELTS. Students with an IELTS
          overall score of 0.5 below the required level may be considered, but would
          normally be required to successfully complete an appropriate pre-sessional
          English course at Durham University’s English Language Centre. A full list of
          IELTS requirements can be found on the Foundation Centre website
          (www.durham.ac.uk/foundation.centre).

          The suitability of applicants will be considered based on a combination of
          application, reference, personal statement, informal discussion, and/or
          interview (as permitted by the University Undergraduate Admissions Policy1).

          There will be a small number of students studying Direct Progression
          Programmes on a part-time basis, either over two years, or over one year as
          a complement to some other qualification.

          There will be a small number of traditional students with good ‘A’ level (or
          equivalent) results who may use the programme to convert to a different
          academic route.

          The Foundation Centre will follow the University Policy on Diversity &
          Equality.

Selection Policy: International Foundation Year
       This programme is suitable for overseas applicants who do not have the
       requirements for direct entry to their chosen degree. Each applicant will be
       assessed as an individual.

          The suitability of applicants will be considered based on a combination of
          application, reference, personal statement, and/or interview (as permitted by
          the University Undergraduate Admissions Policy). Applicants who have
          studied to an appropriate level, in appropriate subjects for direct entry to a
          Durham University undergraduate degree (i.e. A’ Levels or equivalent in
          appropriate subjects, but at lower than required grades) within the last three
          years, will not normally be considered suitable, unless they have serious
          mitigating circumstances that were not appropriately mitigated by their



1
    www.dur.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/policy
       previous academic provider. Every effort is made to identify merit and
       potential in each applicant.

       Students who do not have English as a first language are expected to have an
       overall IELTS score of at least 5.5 (with no component lower than 5.0) or
       university approved equivalent. Students with an overall IELTS score of 5.0
       (with no component lower than 5.0) may be considered, but would normally
       be required to successfully complete an appropriate pre-sessional English
       course at Durham University’s English Language Centre.

       Applicants who are under 17 years of age at the start of their Foundation
       Centre programme will be referred to Durham University’s Student
       Recruitment and Admissions Office for assessment of their suitability by
       panel.

       Applicants who have already studied at Foundation level are not normally
       considered for a place on the International Foundation Year.

       The Foundation Centre will follow the University Policy on Diversity &
       Equality.

Progression Routes:
       The Foundation Centre liaises with receiving departments regarding student
       progression. There are different levels of input from progressing
       departments. Some departments require no input into admissions decisions;
       some have moderate input; others are involved at every stage of the
       admissions process. A representative from each receiving department is
       invited onto the Foundation Centre Management Committee.

       Progression routes change depending on University Policy and student
       demand: it is University policy to develop progression routes to all
       departments.

Admissions Procedure:
      All full-time applications are made through the UCAS system. Part-time
      applications are made via the University Application Form. Normally all
      applicants are invited to participate in an information, advice and guidance
      session. This may take place before or after the UCAS application.
      Information, advice and guidance discussions may be used to inform
      decisions on applications. Other supporting information may be required.

       Recruitment and selection of international students is conducted by the
       International Office and agents of the University in consultation with the
       Foundation Centre.