Foundation Year in Social Sciences

Why choose this course?

The Foundation year in Social Sciences takes place the year before your degree. It will provide you with a solid grounding of knowledge and study skills in preparation for your degree.

This foundation year is taught at the University, giving you a taste of academic life in a supportive environment. You'll be introduced to professional skills, research and critical thinking skills, numerical skills, and critical reflections on global issues in the social world. Lectures, labs and tutorials will give you a broad understanding across subjects including economics, criminology, sociology and psychology.

You will study four-year-long modules that cover all subject areas that make up the social and behavioural sciences. The subjects covered in this course are criminology, sociology, psychology and economics. You will develop a foundation knowledge of these subjects and begin to explore the boundaries and overlap between these interrelated disciplines.

You will cultivate a range of study skills that will support your transition onto your chosen BA/BSc, these include academic reading, developing arguments, understanding assessment strategies and giving presentations. You will also learn how to carry out research and conduct statistical analysis.

Upon successful completion of this foundation year, you will progress to Year 1 of your chosen degree programme. This foundation year is available with these courses:

Choose your pathway

• Business Economics BSc (Hons)
  UCAS code L101
• Business Psychology BSc (Hons)
  UCAS code C814
• Criminology and Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons)
  UCAS code LF82
• Criminology and Sociology BSc (Hons)
  UCAS code L6L3
• Criminology BSc (Hons)
  UCAS code L312
• Economics BSc (Hons)
  UCAS code L102
• Financial Economics BSc (Hons)
  UCAS code L11A
• Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons)
  UCAS code C816
• Psychology BSc (Hons)
  UCAS code C801
• Psychology with Criminology BSc (Hons)
  UCAS code CM98
• Psychology with Sociology BSc (Hons)
  UCAS code CL38
• Sociology BSc (Hons)
  UCAS code L301

Reasons to choose Kingston University

• A stepping-stone onto your chosen BA/BSc degree course
• Prepares you with a foundation of knowledge in social sciences disciplines whilst developing key academic skills
• You'll gain all of the benefits of being a Kingston University student before your start your degree

Why take a foundation year?

If you would like to study a social sciences degree at Kingston University but are not yet ready to join the first year of a BA/BSc course then you may want to consider studying with a foundation year. It may be that you:

• are expecting to meet the entry requirements needed for the foundation year
• or may not have received the grades required for direct entry onto the first year of your chosen BA/BSc programme
• or you have been away from education for a period of time and would like an introduction back into study prior to taking your degree.

Whatever the reason, this option will prepare you for the transition onto your chosen degree programme.