Your future starts here: Explore Foundation Year options at Bradford

Prospective students have been encouraged to enrol on a Foundation Year programme at the University of Bradford from this September.  

The Foundation Year, available through Clearing, is a pre-degree access programme which provides people with a basis for future full-time undergraduate study at the University of Bradford. This one-year course is designed for students who do not have the necessary academic qualifications for registration directly onto a degree course. 

The University of Bradford runs Foundation Year programmes in Engineering and Digital Technologies, Health and Life Sciences and Management, Law and Social Sciences, for courses including BA (Hons) Criminology, LLB (Hons) Law and BSc (Hons) Marketing.  

Dr Aicha Bahij, who co-leads the University of Bradford’s Foundation Year Programme with Douglas Schultz, said: “The Foundation Year provides students with a supportive and structured environment to develop key academic skills, including research, essay writing and critical thinking.  

“It also allows students to explore their interests before committing to a specific degree pathway, boosts confidence in independent learning, and helps students make a smooth transition into university life. 

“Students consistently highlight the supportive and inclusive environment as a key strength of the programme.” 

Why choose Bradford? 

Choosing to study a Foundation Year at Bradford means joining a welcoming and inclusive community. Students benefit from personalised guidance, small class sizes, and a supportive learning environment that encourages exploration and growth.  

Boost for adult learners  

The University of Bradford has removed an entry requirement for prospective adult learners (students aged 21 and over) to make studying for a degree through a Foundation Year route more accessible to them. 

Adult learners who apply for the Foundation Year route from September 2025 entry will need to complete a personal statement and an interview with a University academic for their desired degree programme. 

Go to the foundation year progression routes webpage to find out the courses you could study at the University of Bradford on successful completion of a one-year foundation programme and the GCSE requirements needed for those courses. 

The University of Bradford continues to welcome students from all backgrounds, offering flexible and inclusive pathways into higher education through its Foundation Year Programme. 

Clearing call    

Clearing 2025 runs until October 20, offering prospective students the chance to secure a place at University. Prospective students may include those taking all Level 3 qualifications (this year or last), or mature students who want to return to education. 

The University of Bradford is offering a range of services this year, including its Clearing Community Pass, which includes webinars, a dedicated phone line and SMS and email updates.   

Its call-lines – 08081 969129 – and self-apply form are open now. The self-apply link is also available on the Clearing website 

You can use Clearing if you have changed your mind about what or where you want to study, received higher or lower grades than you expected or haven’t yet applied to study at University for September 2025.   

Undergraduate Bursary Scheme 

The University of Bradford is committed to helping students from all backgrounds access higher education. 

In the 2025/2026 academic year, the University will be offering a cash bursary to all home undergraduate students whose family incomes are under £40,000 a year. 

The University will automatically identify eligible students using information from the Student Loans Company, there is no need for prospective students to apply to the University directly. 

Students who are studying for a second degree are not eligible, unless the course is health-based and eligible for additional student finance funding.

Go to bradford.ac.uk/scholarships/undergraduate-bursary-scheme-2025-26 for more information.