What are Foundation Degrees and NVQs?
In the UK, Foundation Degrees and NVQs have been specifically designed to respond to the national skills agenda. They have been developed in partnership with employers and usually require employers to provide varying levels of support to employees studying for these vocational qualifications.
Foundation Degrees
A Foundation Degree (FD) is a relatively new, nationally recognised qualification designed to benefit both employees and employers. An FD is the equivalent of two thirds of an honours degree but with much more emphasis on learning through and at work.
Foundation Degrees revolve around a particular job or profession. They’re designed in collaboration with employers to boost the intermediate technical and professional skills of the staff in their organisations.
Which OU Foundation Degree interests you?
Business and management
Foundation Degree in Business (G07)
Foundation Degree in Financial Services (G16)
Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management (G08)
Information, Technology and Computing
Foundation Degree in Business Information Technology (G13)
Foundation Degree in Computing and its Practice (G06)
Foundation Degree in Information and Communication Technologies (G04)
Education
Foundation Degree in Early Years (G01)
Foundation Degree in Working with Young People (G03)
Health and Social Care
Foundation Degree in Early Years (G01)
Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care (G05)
Foundation Degree in Health Sciences (G12)
Foundation Degree in Operating Department Practice (G19)
Foundation Degree in Paramedic Sciences (G11)
Foundation Degree in Sport, Fitness and Health (G10)
Foundation Degree in Working with Young People (G03)
Foundation Degree in Youth Justice (England and Wales) (G09)
Psychology
Foundation Degree in Counselling (G14)
Social Science
Foundation Degree in Financial Services (G16)
Science
Foundation Degree in Analytical Sciences (G15)
Foundation Degree in Health Sciences (G12)
Foundation Degree in Operating Department Practice (G19)
Foundation Degree in Paramedic Sciences (G11)
What’s in it for you?
OU Foundation Degrees are more flexible and accessible than normal undergraduate degrees and can be a stepping stone to an honours degree. There are a lot of advantages:
- Better career prospects — your ambition will be recognised and your employer will value your new skills and experience
- You’ll be bang up-to-date — every OU Foundation Degree is developed by experts at the top of their profession
- Earn while you learn — enjoy financial independence while you work towards getting ‘FD’ after your name
- You won’t be left on your own — OU tutors provide all the support and encouragment you’ll need to achieve your goal
- Fits your lifestyle — the beauty of an OU Foundation Degree is its flexibility
- You pace yourself — it’s up to you how long you take to complete the course
- You can afford it — our fees are highly competitive compared with similar degrees at conventional universities, plus there’s a choice of ways to pay and financial help if you are on a low income
- It’s a great beginning — you’ll enjoy the course, feel a sense of achievement and then get the chance to go on towards a full honours degree and ultimately, depending on the FD you take, professional accreditation
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
National Vocational Qualifications are based on standards developed across UK industry setting out the skills and knowledge expected of people working at different levels across a range of occupations..
NVQs focus on skills, knowledge and attitudes that can be directly applied and assessed within your workplace. The emphasis is on maximising your day-to-day abilities and achievements rather than, as with some other qualifications, expecting you to recall large amounts of information and pass exams.
Not only do we offer a range of NVQs for individuals to study, we also provide a service which helps organisations become assessment centres in their own right.
Visit www.open.ac.uk/nvq to see the NVQs available from the OU.
Visit www.open.ac.uk/ouab if your organisation has ambitions to become an NVQ assessment centre.