Adult returner journeys through HE to STEM careers > Video case studies > Foundation Year Case Studies 2

Video case studies > Foundation Year Case Studies 2

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.

Natasha, from performing arts to chemistry

Natasha wasn’t good at education and at sixteen she knew what she wanted to do and wouldn’t be told any different. She describes herself at 16 as headstrong and left her mum and home to study for a BTEC in the performing arts. She then went to work in the civil service in an administration role. As she matured she knew that she wanted more from life and that something major was lacking. She thought that returning to education was the answer and looked at her local university in Plymouth for the answer. She had always had an interest in science – being a regular reader of New Scientist - and with trepidation went for an interview on the Extended Science course which is a Foundation Year programme.
She found support and encouragement and now is in the final year of her chemistry degree and having lost close friends to cancer is determined to put her knowledge to good use by working on chemotherapy drugs. She loves big equipment and analytical chemistry and hopes to be able to contribute to using science to do good. Natasha is confident that she is a better student for waiting to do her degree until she was 28 and while she still loves to have a good time and party she is now able to balance that with her studies.

You can download this video case study at https://vimeo.com/41651408

Pippa, from YTS to educator

For Pippa Waller school was “boring and a massive inconvenience”. She describes her interests as boys and make-up and in contrast to her high achieving sister she left school with 2 GCSEs in English and Drama. She started on a government youth training scheme and eventually went to evening classes managing to obtain an A level in psychology. Her grade wasn’t good and she didn’t manage to get into higher education.

Following a big rethink and inspired by her mother, who returned to education in her mid forties, she knew there were options for mature students whether 20 or 40. Pippa plucked up the courage to do the Foundation Year Extended Science course at Plymouth University and was stunned to find that she both enjoyed it and found it exciting. She was thrilled to find “that no-one mocked me when I didn’t get it”. Pippa’s partner was supportive and helped her study – but she says you soon get used to not having any money.

On graduation from her Chemistry degree Pippa was inspired to help others who like her had not ‘made it’ to higher education at 18 and took up employment with the University in the widening participation office where she can use her knowledge and experience to inspire and support others.

You can download this video case study at https://vimeo.com/42090078

Amy, from diver to marine biology

Amy went to a small rural secondary school and did well before transferring to a huge sixth form college where she found the difference just too much. She dropped out after gaining AS levels in English, psychology and biology. A variety of menial jobs followed in warehouses and call centres before she left to go travelling where she tried diving in Corsica. Learning to dive was life changing and led her to qualify as a dive master and then spend several years traveling and diving, returning to the UK to earn more money to fund more dive trips.

It was while in Thailand that she started to explore returning to education and break the dive – menial job cycle. Online searching connected her with Plymouth University’s Extended Science course which includes a Foundation Year that enabled her to consolidate her AS level in biology and prepare her for a science degree. She found the tutors and her peers wonderfully supportive, helping her through the maths and chemistry elements. She now hopes to start on a marine biology and oceanography degree programme. Her future holds a career balancing her new academic qualifications and confidence with diving, maybe in a research role.

You can download this video case study at https://vimeo.com/42969520

Marcelle, from army to dentistry student

Marcelle was a good student, achieving straight A's at GCSE, but was severely affected by her parents divorce at the start of her A Levels. As a result, she didn’t have the grades for University or the financial backing of two parents and decided to take sometime out. Her career to date has been a journey of discovery to find out what she really wants to do.
It was clear from her observations in the working world that the ticket to success (at that time) was a degree. Swayed by the jobs she had during her three years of employment, Marcelle decided to go to University and study a marketing and advertising degree in London. Towards the end of her degree she found that the jobs and the career on offer didn’t inspire her and that to meet with her job aspirations that something would be challenging, had responsibility, was physically active and above all was something to take pride in. Marcelle decided that after her time in the Officer Training Corps (OTC), the Army was the place for her and so subjected herself to the challenging interview and selection process and successfully gained a place at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Commissioning in 2006, Marcelle was deployed all over the world in a variety of roles for over five years, gaining a PGCE for use as her role as an education officer. Despite its highs, there were many lows and Marcelle felt that she had more to offer than the Army wanted to take.
Reflecting on what made her happy, Marcelle revisited her strengths and realised that she wanted to work in a small team, work with people and above all feel like she was making a difference. Influenced by the Dentists she had met in the Army, she started applying for dentistry courses but found it to be extremely competitive and that while she had the drive and ambition she didn’t necessarily have the right qualifications. She was rejected from all six Universities on her first application. Unfazed, she says she hassled the admissions tutors who finally pointed her at the Foundation year courses which would give her the strong grounding in the sciences that would be required for the full dental course.
After successfully completing the foundation year, Marcelle is now on the full dentistry course at the University of Bristol and while many aspects of the course are challenging, she has never regretted leaving and pursuing a different path and would encourage anyone else to do the same. Financially, a six year degree is a big challenge, however as a former OTC cadet herself, Marcelle joined the Territorial Army and works with the University Officer Training Corps (OTC) passing on her knowledge and skills.

You can download this video case study at https://vimeo.com/41496480

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