BSc in Archaeology with Foundation

at Durham University

The Foundation Programme provides 120 academic credits divided into modules, with 20 hours of taught content and 10 hours of tutorial or small group seminar support for every 15 credits. We also expect our students to engage in a further 100 hours of self-directed study (including assignments and tests) for every 15 credits they study. This is broadly in-line with the majority of academic departments across Durham University, although individual variation does exist between departments.

Modules of study
 

• Concepts, Methods & Theories in Arts & Humanities

• Scholarship in Higher Education

• Advanced Scholarship in Higher Education

The Foundation Programme is designed to support UK students (including students with Settled Status) from under-represented groups in Higher Education, who have been unable to achieve their academic potential, to access and succeed in studying an undergraduate degree at Durham University. There are both specific and general eligibility criteria.

Specific Eligibility Criteria

Essential Criteria for Mature Applicants (over 21 years)

Applicants over 21 are required to demonstrate potential for successful study.

Essential Criteria for younger applicants (under 21 years)

None

Recommended Criteria for all applicants

Successful applicants for this route are likely to have achieved GCSE grades 4 or higher in Maths and English (language or literature), or be able to clearly demonstrate their potential in these subjects.

General Eligibility Criteria

Only applicants from under-represented groups in Higher Education, who have not been able to achieve their academic potential, are eligible to study with the Foundation Programme. Evidence of eligibility and academic potential must be provided. Additional Academic criteria may apply, depending on the subject to be studied.

To help us identify eligible applicants we use the Office for Students (OfS) definition of under-represented groups:

Our main priority groups are students from Low Participation Neighbourhoods, Low Income or Low Socioeconomic groups, and from the Northeast Region of England.

Low Participation Neighbourhoods

We prioritise applicants from Polar 4 category 1 or 2 postcodes. The Polar 4 classification uses the home postcode provided in your application to measure the proportion of people from the area where you live who attend Higher Education. Categories 1 and 2 denote that fewer people in your postcode area attend higher education.

Low household income or low socioeconomic status

We prioritise applicants who are entitled to Free School Meals (FSM), Pupil Premium funding and/or discretionary school/college payments, which are directly linked to financial hardship and/or from ACORN category 4 or 5. The ACORN classification is based on the home postcode provided in your application and is a measure of the socio-economic status of the area you live in. 

Northeast

We prioritise applicants who are from the Northeast of England. This includes the following postcodes areas: DH; DL; NE; SR; TS.

Overall, applications are considered in the following priority order:
 

• Applicants from areas of low participation in higher education (LPN based on Polar 4 data) from the Northeast of England.

• Applicants from areas of low participation in higher education (LPN based on Polar 4 data) from all other areas of the UK

• Applicants with low household income or low socioeconomic status (based on Acorn and FSM data) from the Northeast of England.

• Applicants with low household income or low socioeconomic status (based on Acorn and FSM data) from all other areas of the UK

• Applicants from mature students (over 21 years of age at the start of the course) from the Northeast of England

• Applicants from mature students (over 21 years of age at the start of the course) from all other areas of the UK.

• Applications from other under-represented groups within higher education.

If you come from one or more of these groups, you must tell us in your UCAS personal statement. Please note: You may submit a substitute Personal Statement for your application to study.

The cost of studying at Durham University varies largely depending on the type of university and the degree chosen. More often than not, humanities, arts, and education courses are less expensive than degrees in medical, engineering, or management. Furthermore, students who choose to study at the postgraduate level typically pay higher tuition fees, which again vary depending on the programme chosen. Most universities provide scholarships or financial aid to students in order to help them offset their tuition costs. Students should be aware that additional course fees and incidental expenses may not be included in tuition.The tuition fees for this program is To Be Confirmed.

Students successfully completing a Foundation Year course will progress directly to their chosen degree programme at Durham University. Our graduates enter a wide range of occupational areas both in the public and private sector, including science, teaching, business and finance. Durham has an excellent graduate employment record, and the skills acquired during study serve as a valuable preparation for life after university.

We have been expanding the range of progression routes to other Durham degrees for Foundation Year students and provide routes into all Durham University departments.