Overall, the cost of delivering a foundation year is broadly similar to the cost of delivering first year of an undergraduate degree in the same subject area.
Indeed, where providers offer additional support, extended contact hours, or smaller classes the costs of running a foundation year may be higher than the costs associated with the first year of an undergraduate degree.
That, at least, is the inconvenient key finding of an independent research project commissioned from IFF consulting by the government.
Most consultation respondents saw challenges rather than opportunities in the proposal, suggesting that “reducing foundation year fee and loan limits would risk the viability and quality of much foundation year provision.” And in the research report we find that “foundation years are generally seen to help students achieve good outcomes, specifically increasing knowledge and skills, overall confidence, and the ability to settle into HE life.”
