Guidance for students studying a foundation year
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-22)

This article contains information about what a foundation year is and the amount of Tuition Fee Loan available for the type of foundation year you're studying.

What is a foundation year?

A foundation year is an additional year added to the start of an undergraduate course.

Foundation years are designed to give students the additional skills and knowledge needed to progress further in their undergraduate course. It must be passed before a student can continue to the next year of their course.

Tuition Fee Loan entitlement for a foundation year

Depending on the type of foundation year you’re studying, the amount of Tuition Fee Loan you’ll be charged and be eligible for varies.

Full-time students studying in England

If you’re studying an eligible foundation year in a classroom-based subject, like business, social science or humanities, you can get a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £5,760. Find out more about what classroom-based subjects qualify. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuition-fees-and-student-support-2025-to-2026-academic-year/tuition-fees-and-loans-for-foundation-years-2025-to-2026-academic-year)

If you’re studying an eligible foundation year in science, engineering, subjects allied to medicine and creative and performing arts, you can get a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,535.

If you’re still unsure about how much tuition fee you’ll be charged on your foundation year, you should check with your university or college.

Studying in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales

If you’re studying a foundation year at a university or college in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £5,760.

If you’re studying a foundation year in a classroom-based subject at a university or college in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, they may still charge up to £9,535 and you may be required to self-fund the difference.

If you’re unsure about how much you’ll be charged, you can check with your university or college to confirm.

Part-time students studying in England

If you’re studying an eligible foundation year in a classroom-based subject, like business, social science or humanities you can get a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £4,315. Find out more about what classroom-based subjects qualify. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuition-fees-and-student-support-2025-to-2026-academic-year/tuition-fees-and-loans-for-foundation-years-2025-to-2026-academic-year)

If you’re studying an eligible foundation year in science, engineering, subjects allied to medicine and creative and performing arts, you can get a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £7,145.

If you’re still unsure about how much tuition fee you’ll be charged on your foundation year, you should check with your university or college.

Notification of Entitlement

Your first notification of entitlement may display a higher Tuition Fee Loan when you first apply for a business, social science or humanities course.

Your university or college will submit a change of circumstances to update how much fees they are charging you. You’ll then receive an updated notification of entitlement with corrected fees.

Part-time students studying in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

If you’re studying an eligible foundation year in a classroom-based subject, like business, social science or humanities can get a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £4,315.

If you’re studying a foundation year in a classroom-based subject at a university or college in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, they may still charge you up to £7,145 and you may be required to self-fund the difference.

If you’re studying an eligible foundation year in science, engineering, subjects allied to medicine and creative and performing arts, you can get a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan of up to £7,145.

If you’re unsure about how much tuition fee you’ll be charged on your foundation year, you should check with your university or college.

Notification of Entitlement

Your first notification of entitlement may display a higher Tuition Fee Loan. The quickest way to change your tuition fee amount is by logging into your online account and adjusting the fees yourself.

How to adjust your fees online
- Log into your online account
- Navigate to the section for updating your course details
- Enter the correct tuition fee amount
- Save and submit the changes
If you’re unable to change your Tuition Fee Loan amount in your online account, your university or college can submit a change of circumstances for you.