foundation

although similar in name, foundation degrees are not the same as the foundation year that can be taken at the beginning of an undergraduate degree.
foundation years are taken at the beginning of some undergraduate degree courses to provide an appropriate academic background for degree-level entry, whereas foundation degrees are university-level qualifications designed to equip students for a particular area of work. this is often done with the support of employers from that sector, combining academic study with work-place learning. foundation degrees can be studied full-time or part-time over two years, or longer.
upon graduation some students choose employment or progress to further professional qualifications, while others take the opportunity to undertake further study (usually around a year) to progress to a full honours degree.
full-time foundation degrees taken at a university or college in the ucas scheme have to be applied for via ucas; for institutions not in the ucas scheme or for part-time study, you should apply direct to the college offering the course.