Education, Children and Counselling Foundation Year

A foundation year is an ideal option if you do not yet meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree, you have been out of education for a while, or you do not feel ready to start studying at degree level. You will study alongside other students who will go onto different degree courses within Education, Children and Counselling. 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 specialism. We focus on key concepts that are central to all of these courses, and which will give you valuable background knowledge when you move onto the next level of your study.

You will have the opportunity to build your professional experience by carrying out work experience in a setting suited to your career aspirations. Completing an extended independent project relevant to your course will help you feel more prepared for the increasingly independent study that will be required through your degree.

Studying on this foundation year will help you to refine the academic skills needed for your degree. It is also an opportunity to build your confidence, settle into higher education, and be sure about the direction you will take your study next. You may find that your focus changes and you choose to progress onto a different route. The foundation year gives you the flexibility and broad understanding to be confident in your next steps.

Education, Childhood and Counselling degrees available with Foundation Year

This course gives you an alternative route to undergraduate study. Upon successful completion of this course you will progress onto one of our undergraduate degree courses. To progress onto a Primary Education degree you will need to meet further requirements. Further details are listed under entry requirements.

Education, SEN and Mental Health Foundation Year BA (Hons)

UCAS Code: X301

Early Years Education and Care (with Graduate Practitioner Competencies) with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

UCAS Code: 2M9L

Children, Young People and Society with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

UCAS Code: L542

Counselling and Mental Health with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

UCAS Code: BX92

Primary Education 3-7 Years with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

UCAS Code: X311

Primary Education 5-11 Years with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

UCAS Code: X321

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

Modules

Teaching and learning

Throughout the course you will experience a range of different learning activities, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Individual tutorials

For your Placement module, you will carry out between 20 and 60 hours of work experience, supported by a smaller number of taught sessions. An academic tutor will support you throughout your foundation year.

Outside of taught sessions, you will need to independently engage in further reading. This independent study includes preparation for taught sessions, either individually or in groups, following materials and activities that are provided on Moodle. You will also spend time completing coursework and preparing for your assessments.

You will have access to resources that extend beyond textbooks and journal articles to include voices that are marginalised in the traditional academic literature.

Assessment

Assessment types vary across modules, and may include:

• Essays
• Presentations
• Creative artefacts
• Portfolios

There are no exams on this course.

Qualifications

Calculate your UCAS Tariff points

Please also see the specific requirements for Primary Education listed below.

International students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.

International entry requirements

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.

Mature entry offer scheme

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.

Progression onto degree course

Passing this foundation year guarantees your progression onto:

• Education, SEN and Mental Health BA (Hons)
• Children, Young People and Society BA (Hons)
• Early Years Education and Care (with Graduate Practitioner Competencies) BA (Hons)
• Counselling and Mental Health BA (Hons)

If you are applying for:

• Primary Education 3-7 Years BA (Hons)
• Primary Education 5-11 Years BA (Hons)

You will need to meet the following criteria by the end of your foundation year to progress on to the full degree course:

• A satisfactory medical report and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check
• 5 GCSEs at grade C/4/Level 4 or above (or equivalent) including English, Mathematics and Science. We do not accept IELTs in lieu of the GCSE in English.
• Successful interview with the Primary Education team

If you do not meet these criteria, you will have the option to transfer onto one of the other BA (Hons) courses listed above instead.

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 are reviewed annually and may be increased in line with inflation, prior to the start of each academic year, and subject to the fee cap set by the UK government. Such increases to fees will be at the Retail Price Index (RPI) forecast rate, as advised by the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Office for Students. The only exception to this would be where government legislation deems otherwise.

If a rise in the tuition fee becomes necessary, we will endeavour to inform you as soon as possible and we will explain the reason(s) for the increase. Any tuition fee increase will only be applied from the start of the next academic year and will not be applied 'in year'.

UK 2025 entry

The tuition fee for 2025 entry onto this Foundation Year course is:

• £5,760 for your Foundation Year
• Then £9,535 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.

Funding Opportunities

Tuition fees

International 2025 entry

As an international student, the fee you pay for your foundation year will depend on the degree course you progress onto afterwards. £14,700 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.

International Fees and Funding

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.