Adult returner journeys through HE to STEM careers > Video case studies > Foundation Year Case Studies 1

Video case studies > Foundation Year Case Studies 1

What is a Foundation Year /Year Zero?

Some universities, including Plymouth University and the University of the West of England, provide the opportunity for anyone without the usual A level or equivalent qualifications to study for a degree in science or a science-related subject by completing a Foundation Year Programme (sometimes referred to as a Year Zero). The University of Bristol offers a Foundation Year in both physics and chemistry.

The Foundation Year is integrated with the intended science degree, so following satisfactory completion of the Foundation Year, students progress directly to year 1 of a specified BSc (Hons) course.

As Foundation Year programmes are usually taught at the same institution as the full degree programme, one advantage is that students gain experience of using the University's library and laboratory facilities.

In the video case studies below, you can hear from adults who have progressed into science-related careers via Plymouth University's Extended Science Programme which involves a Foundation Year Programme leading onto year 1 of any degree offered by the Faculty of Science.

Kellie, from mum to biology degree

Kellie left school at 14 with no qualifications. She spent her teens being a mum to two small boys before deciding at 21 to go back to education – so her boys didn’t see her “just sitting around feeling sorry for herself”.
It was her first experience in a biology lab that lit her passion for science. For Kellie, studying biology just made everything fall into place. With the support of her partner and a desire to be seen to be a hard worker by her boys and not rely on benefits she has juggled her family and home with studying. Kellie did AS levels but when the college didn’t offer the second year of A level was forced to look at alternative options. She entered Plymouth University's Foundation Year programme which filled her skills gaps and enabled her to start on a degree programme at Plymouth.
Kellie now has a degree in biological sciences and is part way through her teaching qualification (Postgraduate Certificate in Education). She is driven to help others in similar situations and aims to teach at the college and enable others to see that just because they didn’t make it first time round in education that you don’t have to be written off and “consigned to the rubbish heap like I was”. Longer term Kellie thinks she might think about getting into research.

You can download this video case study at https://vimeo.com/39531174

Ross, from tax administrator to composite materials specialist

At 27 Ross Pomeroy’s life changed sat with his feet on his desk reading a surf magazine one lunchtime in 1999. Wanting more than an administrative role with HM Customs and Excise but not knowing how to get it, an article on Plymouth University’s BSc (Hons) Surf Science and Technology course caught his attention. Using the number provided in the article he picked up the phone to speak to the University’s admissions.

A visit to the university and a couple of interviews later saw Ross first on the Extended Science course at Plymouth University which is a Foundation Year, replacing his non-existent A-levels with study across a range of subjects including chemistry, biology, physics, geosciences, maths and statistics.

Then progressing through and achieving a first in the BSc (Hons) Surf Science and Technology degree, composite materials engineering became his focus and led him onto a PhD in that field. Ross started lecturing during that time, achieving a permanent lecturing role at the University at the end of the funded period of his PhD. He is currently on secondment to a senior manager position as a Subject Forum Chair, where his remit is the quality assurance and academic development of science and technology programmes delivered across the University’s partnership network of further education colleges and private providers. His young family have been inordinately proud of his achievements.

You can download this video case study at https://vimeo.com/40238991

Angela, from insurance to research scientist

Angie left school at 16 and, not knowing what she wanted to do went to work for one of the three local employers in insurance. After nine years she realized she couldn’t face spending the rest of her life in a similar role. She and a friend took sixteen months out and went travelling.
During her travels Angie undertook extensive research into possible careers – interrogating everyone she met about their job. At last her interest and imagination were fired by an environmental scientist!
Angie returned home and set about exploring how she could transfer her new found passion into a career with absolutely no knowledge of science. She confesses that at school chemistry horrified her. During her research into courses and qualifications she discovered Plymouth University’s Extended Science course which is a Foundation Year course.
The selling point for Angie was that successful completion of Foundation Year guaranteed her entry to the degree programme, but importantly the extensive support offered to students for assignments and pastoral issues helped her to learn how to study. It was during Foundation Year that Angie’s passion for chemistry was ignited and fuelled.
Eight years later Angie has a degree and a PhD and is now employed as a research scientist looking into trace metals in the environment. Her research involves scientific research cruises to the Antarctic, encounters with penguins and 100 strong pods of dolphins which adds to the magic of helping to understand the earth’s system and global warming.
Angie describes her work as a dream and being a living part of one of David Attenborough’s amazing programmes!

You can download this video case study at https://vimeo.com/39531175

Jayne, from nanny to chemistry

Jayne missed out on education moving school seven times finding it difficult to settle. At sixteen she found a job as a Nanny that brought travel and appreciation from the ex-pat community in Hong Kong through her brother’s friends. She returned to the UK and studied for a BTEC as she quite liked computers but found the idea of going to university as “laughable”. A single parent, she moved to join a friend setting up a computer business in Plymouth which floundered. Her friend then suggested she explored the idea of university but found there was little support to help her work out how.

Jayne stumbled across the Extended Science course, a Foundation Year at Plymouth University, in the prospectus and arranged a meeting. On the course she found camaraderie, lots of support and encouragement for her darkest moments. She also found that her learning problems were down to discalcula. Chemistry clicked for Jayne and she moved onto enjoy studying for a degree, sharing childcare with other mature students and building a wide network of friends before working in industry. Jayne is now back at Plymouth University working in the widening participation office, supporting and encouraging others to take the leap.

You can download this video case study at https://vimeo.com/41476047

Staff involved

Prof David Harwood
Project lead, Plymouth University

Jan Peters
Project coordinator, Katalytik

Betsy Bowerman
University of Bristol

Carol Rothwell
Katalytik

Deborah Mcallister
University of the West of England

Dr Ruth Williams
The Open University

Dr Tracey Sweet
South Devon College

Gary Ayles
Devon and Somerset Training Provider Network

Heather Campbell
STEMNET

Julie Kirkby
The Open University

Karen Dickens
Katalytik

Rob Martin
University of Bath

Stephanie Hulford
Open College Network South West Region

Sue Lewis
University of Bath

Tom Staniford
Major Minor Media