Undergraduate Course
Liberal Arts Foundation Year
Explore topics from the the past, present and future, as you question the nature of humanity and society from a local and international perspective.
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Study diverse subjects from across humanities, social sciences, language and linguistics on this Liberal Arts foundation year. This course will give you both the skills you need to succeed in your degree, and an opportunity to go beyond your chosen subject and explore other specialisms.
York campus
- Duration – 1 year full time, then a 3 year full time or 6 year part time degree
- Start date – September 2024, September 2025
- School – School of Humanities
Minimum entry requirements
48 UCAS Tariff points
GCSE at grade C/4 (or equivalent) in English Language. Geography courses also require grade C/4 in Maths.
Tuition fees
UK 2024 entry £9,250 per year full time
International 2024 entry £14,000 per year full time
Discover Liberal Arts
Dr Alice Brumby, Lecturer in Liberal Arts, introduces us to Liberal Arts at York St John University.
Course overview
Through this interdisciplinary foundation year you can to develop skills and knowledge both within and beyond the degree you will progress onto. The course allows you to explore different aspects of your own subject area, as well as a wider framework of contexts, approaches and crossovers with other subjects.
The foundation year provides a welcoming and encouraging environment in which you can first encounter those key questions and challenges that will later inform your undergraduate study. This is the course for you if are excited about getting into higher education but don't want to dive straight into an undergraduate degree. This might be because you have been out of education for a while, you do not yet have the entry requirements for the course you want to do, or you just do not feel ready yet.
As well as building your academic skills, this course is designed to build your confidence and welcome you to the diverse and inclusive community at York St John University. We will make sure that you are fully aware of the resources and opportunities available to you both during the foundation year and throughout the rest of your studies, whilst also introducing you to York, a city steeped in history and culture.
Humanities courses available with foundation year:
American Studies and Film Studies with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: TP8H
American Studies and War Studies with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: L2K7
Creative Writing with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: 3S4S
Creative Writing and English Literature with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: WQ9H
Creative Writing and Media with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: WP84
English Literature with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: Q301
English Literature and Film Studies with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: QP4H
English Literature and History with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: QF31
English Literature and Religion with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: Q401
Film studies and Media with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: P393
Media and English Literature with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: PQH4
Environmental Geography with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: FF82
Film Studies with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: P304
Geography with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: L700
History with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: V101
History and American Studies with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: VT18
History and Religion with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: V201
War Studies and History with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: L2K5
Human Geography with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: 8B13
Media and Communication with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: P306
Politics with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: L201
Politics and History with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: L2V2
Politics and International Relations with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: L221
Religion, Philosophy and Ethics with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: VV66
Religion and Theology with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: V602
Languages and Linguistics courses available with foundation year
English Language and Linguistics with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: Q102
English Language, Linguistics and TESOL with Foundation Year
UCAS Code: QX32
Course structure
Year 1
Our academic year is split into 2 semesters. You will study:
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 1
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 2.
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module we will introduce you to some of the various academic subjects involved in the foundation year. We will introduce you to York from a variety of different perspectives, exploring aspects such as culture, literature, history and geography. You will also become familiar with our research resources and university level academic skills, and learn to respond to primary and secondary sources. Your learning may also incorporate visits to sites of interest in York such as York Explore Archive or The York Castle Museum.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
This module explores the key political and philosophical concepts that both govern our social lives . It will provide a foundation for your undergraduate level study, whichever subject you have chosen. We will consider what is meant by free will, government, and being. You will question how we understand ourselves in terms of race, sex and gender, and the extent to which this is governed by outside forces.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will question and explore some of our assumptions about the nature of knowledge and truth. By drawing on research from across different subjects, we will introduce you to concepts and concerns that underpin any of the degree courses you could progress onto. We will use interdisciplinary perspectives to explore questions about:
- How we understand knowledge and belief
- The relationship between power, culture, and truth
- What is considered to be authentic and real
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
This module is an exploration of the concepts of freedom and justice. We consider, among other topics:
- The evolution of human rights and civil rights
- Different political conceptions of freedom
- Changing ideas of justice through history
- What constitutes a ‘fair’ society
These discussions will draw on various different theorists, points of view and academic disciplines, from creative writing to history and politics. We will take a global perspective, evaluating the values of the West and the nature of democracy.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
This module prompts you to explore and apply your knowledge in speculative discussions about the future. We will introduce you to concepts and ideas from across various academic subjects, including studies of apocalypse, media representations, binary oppositions between good and bad futures, utopia and dystopia. Our discussion will consider both real and virtual environments, and our role within society and its future.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will bring together all the skills and knowledge you have built throughout your foundation year by completing a longer project. This is an opportunity to focus in depth on a topic related to the subject you will be progressing onto when you complete the course, and to refine the academic and research skills which will be essential for your future study. You will be allocated a supervisor from the course team to support you in your project.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
You will be taught through a range of different learning activities, including:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Group work
- Workshops
- Online learning
You will be taught alongside other students who will be going onto different subjects across humanities, social sciences and languages and linguistics. We make sure that the content is relevant to all of the available degree routes, but you will also benefit from learning more broadly outside of your chosen subject.
You will be assigned an academic tutor who will support you throughout your foundation year. You will also have an academic contact from the subject you will progress onto, helping to support you through the transition.
Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.
Assessment
In each module you will be assessed through a portfolio of work. These will include various tasks which will demonstrate your learning progress and prepare you for the different sorts of assessments you may experience on your degree.
Progression onto degree course
Passing this foundation year guarantees your progression onto the full degree course that you choose when you apply to us. Your grades from this year will not be carried forward and will not count towards your final degree results.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
48 UCAS Tariff points
GCSE at grade C/4 (or equivalent) in English Language. Geography courses also require grade C/4 in Maths.
Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
International students
If you're an international student, you will need to show that your qualifications are equivalent to those above.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.
If your first language is not English you must show evidence of English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.
Mature Learners Entry Scheme
If you have been out of education for 3 years or more and have a grade C GCSE in English Language or equivalent, you are eligible for our entry scheme for mature learners. It's a scheme that recognises non-traditional entry qualifications and experience for entry onto this course. Information on how to apply can be found on our dedicated page.
Terms and conditions
Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.
Fees and funding
To study a Foundation Year with us, you will need to pay tuition fees for your course. How much you pay depends on whether you live inside the UK, or internationally (outside the UK). Tuition fees may be subject to inflation in future years.
UK 2024 entry
The tuition fee for 2024 entry onto this Foundation Year course is:
- £9,250 for your Foundation Year
- Then £9,250 per year of your undergraduate degree
This price applies to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.
You can apply for the Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan for the full duration of your course, including the Foundation Year and then your undergraduate degree.
You can find out more about funding your degree by visiting our funding opportunities page.
Tuition fees
UK 2024 entry £9,250 per year full time
International 2024 entry £14,000 per year full time
International 2024 entry
As an international student, the fee you pay for your foundation year will depend on the degree course you progress onto afterwards. £14,000 is the maximum amount you could pay. The international fee listed on your specific degree course is the fee you will pay for all 4 years.
This price applies to all students living outside the UK.
Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a Student Visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.
Find out more about funding your degree.
Additional costs and financial support
There may also be some additional costs to take into account throughout your studies, including the cost of accommodation.
Course-related costs
While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
Study Abroad
For more information on tuition fee reductions and additional costs for studying abroad, please visit our study abroad pages.
Accommodation and living costs
View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.
Financial help and support
Our Funding Advice team are here to help you with your finances throughout your degree. They offer a personal service that can help you with funding your studies and budgeting for living expenses.
For advice on everything from applying for scholarships to finding additional financial support email fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.
Course highlights
Keep your options open
This foundation year can lead to a degree in any of our humanities subjects, as well as some of our language and linguistics courses.
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Add more to your degree
Spend an extra year experiencing university life and getting to know the great city we call home.
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Go beyond your subject
Question what it means to be human and engage with some of the big issues which will inform your degree study.
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Erin English Literature with Foundation Year
I will be studying English Literature next year, but having the opportunity to dabble in History and other subjects encompassed by the Foundation Year is one of the reasons I'm really enjoying the course. For example, studying the module Eboracum: York, Space and Place included a self-guided tour through Roman York, a session about how geography can be used to map the city's history, a talk about women's history in the city and a walking tour focusing on Jewish York with a Theology and Religious Studies lecturer. All of this alongside our sessions on assessments, critical thinking and how to write well means that this course is really well rounded and a great stepping stone into degree-level study.
More to explore
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Join us in 2024
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Open Days
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