Sir Ron Dearing's National Committee of Enquiry into Higher Education (1997) brought to light a steady decline in those attaining intermediate level qualifications (especially those of a vocational nature) which led to a number of concerns about skill shortages and continuing non-participation in education and training within significant sectors. In the interests of widening participation and keeping up-to-date with our global counterparts, Dearing led the way for the development of the Foundation Degree, recommending future expansion of HE in this mode of study.

The government's commitment to the development of a new intermediate qualification was evident by the launch of The Foundation degree by David Blunkett in 2000, with two major aims:

• Widening participation for social inclusion
• Increasing participation for economic competitiveness

What is the Foundation Degree?

Foundation degrees have been described as 'new, intermediate level, vocational higher education qualifications which combine academic and work-based learning through close collaboration between employers and universities.'

By offering part-time, full-time, modular, distance and e-based modes of study across a variety of locations (higher and further education colleges, universities and employer premises) foundation degrees help reduce the barriers to learning and a provide a new route into and through higher education for a diverse range of students. They can also offer recognition of relevant prior learning and experience.

Work based learning is a major part of any foundation degree but higher level knowledge and understanding reinforces and supports the development of vocational skills.

Studying for a foundation degree currently takes the equivalent of two academic years full-time study, but actual duration depends on mode of study and course design. Students may credit their FD award towards honours degree studies at a later stage if they wish. Where appropriate, they may also progress towards professional qualifications and licences to practice.

The Employer Skills Survey of 2002 highlighted large skills shortages in many associate professional occupations - including those supporting health, education, legal, technical. Universities, higher and further education colleges have been responding to the needs of the employment market, and the development of Foundation degrees aims to make sure there is a steady supply of highly skilled people to meet the needs of the economy.

'Realising our nations' potential to be a competitive, productive economy requires an ever growing proportion of highly skilled, well qualified people. The government has set out the pathways for vocational and academic training needed to meet those skill needs at all levels, from basic skills, through to intermediate and higher skills.' (Alan Johnson, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education)

Appeal for students:

• A Higher Education qualification after 2 years of full-time study
• Flexible delivery methods
• Opportunity to undertake HE while in work
• A close relationship with employers
• Development of employability and personal and professional development
• An emphasis on work-based learning and work-related learning including work experience
• Opportunities to progress to honours degree level and beyond where appropriate
 

DfES is dicussing with key agencies a programme of work to remove barriers to progression. The Learning Skills Council (LSC) is already working with nine Sector bodies to define and create where necessary new progression pathways for Advanced Modern Apprentices entering into Higher Education.

Foundation Degree Forward (FDF)
As a result of the government's White Paper 'The future of higher education' (2003) a new national body, Foundation Degree Forward (FDF) was established to support and promote the development of Foundation Degrees.

The FDF work closely with a government Task Force to articulate its policy objectives in practice. FDF will provide:

• A Centre of Expertise that will support FEC's, HEI's and other or organisations in the development of high quality Foundation Degrees
• A collaborative partnership with the SSDA and SSC's
• A high quality validation and quality assurance support service for Foundation Degrees for those institutions and organisations without degree awarding powers.

Foundation Degree Taskforce Report to Ministers
The Foundation Degree Taskforce released its report to Ministers 2nd Sept 2004. The report sets out over 30 recommendations which are designed to help Foundation Degrees become embedded as an integral part of the higher education system.

Foundation degrees: Meeting the need for higher level skills (2003) (progress report)
This publication reports on progress made so far, plans for the expansion of Foundation degrees throughout England. It also includes a number of case studies and links to other useful sites for further information.

Links with other government initiatives

Foundation degrees are a part of a range of initiatives introduced to support individuals, employers and institutions including:

• 14-19: Opportunity and Excellence - The development of foundation degrees fits with one of the aims of the 14-19 curriculum reform, which is to transform the learning experience for young people, so that by the age of 16 they are committed to continuing learning, whether in school, college or the workplace.
• The Future of Higher Education - The Higher Education White Paper made a commitment that new growth in HE during the current spending review period would be concentrated on Foundation Degrees. Its sets out a challenging agenda for reform in areas including research; exchanging and developing knowledge and skills between HE and business; teaching and learning; expansion; fair access, and funding.
• The Skills Strategy - In July 2003, the Government launched the National Skills strategy '21st Century Skills - Realising our Potential' . One of the key aims of the strategy is to introduce a more flexible and relevant qualifications framework allowing people to build more precisely the skills they need. 

Review and evaluation of FDs

Foundation Degree Reviews
Report of a survey to follow up Foundation Degree reviews carried out in 2002-03 - in 2004-05, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) requested the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) carry out a survey to find out how 34 Foundation Degrees (FDs) have developed since they were reviewed in 2002-03. This recently published report discusses the findings of the survey.

The QAA Review
The QAA carries out reviews of Foundation Degrees in England and Northern Ireland. The handbook for the review of Foundation Degrees in England 2004-05 includes details on how the process works, guidelines for producing self-evaluations and details about the judgements.

Other QAA publications
Report of a Survey - The Provision of the Pilot Programme of Foundation Degrees in Seven Colleges of Further and Higher Education Completed jointly by the Education and Training Inspectorate (Northern Ireland) and QAA - January - May 2003.

Overview report on Foundation Degree reviews: Findings from the reviews of Foundation Degrees in England conducted during 2003.

QAA benchmarks
The QAA developed and published a Foundation Degree qualification framework in 2004 . The benchmark describes the distinctive features of a Foundation Degree in terms of its purpose, general characteristics and generic outcomes.

Additional information including surveys and publications can be accessed on the QAA website .

Formative Evaluation
In Nov 2002, HEFCE commissioned Professors Mantz York and David Robertson to conduct a formative evaluation of the Foundation Degree initiative. The project aimed to examine whether the set objectives had been met; the additional benefits for providers, stakeholders and students, and its credibility as a higher level qualification.
More information will soon be available in the final report on the HEFCE website.

Publications

Foundation Degree prospectus (2000)

Types of Foundation Degree: a case study approach
This report was produced to capture the learning from the first year of the foundation degree (FD) initiative. The first FD programmes began in 2001-02 to give people intermediate-level technical and professional skills that are in demand from employers, as well as making HE more affordable and accessible to a wider range of students.

The FDF journal 'Forward' provides news, policy updates, case studies and made more up to date articles relating to foundation degrees.
10 editions have been published to date:
Issue 1

Issue 2
Issue 3
Issue 4
Issue 5
Issue 6
Issue 7
Issue 8
Issue 9
Issue 10

Foundation Degree guide
Part 1: An introduction to the FD which provides background information and is of interest to anyone who wants to know more about the characteristics of FDs, how they are being supported and promoted and how long it takes to obtain the qualification.
Part 2: A detailed guide to developing and implementing a FD. This is of interest to those employers and employer organisation who want to see Foundation Degrees designed to develop their current and future workforce, and to those in colleges and universities who want to work with employers to get a Foundation Degree programme up and running.

Edexcel has launched its suite of BTEC Foundation Degree programmes in partnership with validating University partners. These programmes are nationally-recognised and allow students to progress to degree courses around the country. They also drive career change and development for those already at work.