News

Promoting Degree Foundation course in the town centre

(8 June 2005)

It’s never too late to think about going to University and embarking on a degree course. That’s the message to anyone who thinks that lack of traditional entry qualifications is a barrier to a University education.

Durham University is mounting a promotional event in a marquee in Captain Cook Square, Middlesbrough between 9 am and 4 pm on Saturday 11th June.

Anyone thinking about studying for a degree is welcome to come along and find out about the range of courses available at the Durham and Stockton Campuses. Staff and students will be on hand to discuss everything from course content, entry requirements and finances to accommodation.

The University is especially keen to encourage local adults to come along and find out about the Foundation Programme - a course specifically designed to provide a gateway to Durham University Degrees for people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

Run at Queen’s Campus, Stockton the Foundation Programme is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course requiring no A’ levels or other formal qualifications for entry. It can also offer direct progression to many Durham degree courses. The Foundation programme counts as year zero of a four year degree programme and students are therefore eligible for full student status including access to financial support from Local Education Authorities and Student Loans. Although the majority of Foundation students tend to be local and mature, an increasing number of national and international students are now enrolling.

The Programme offers two discipline strands (social science and science) building optional Science and Social Science modules around a core of Maths/English, study skills and IT. Successful completion offers direct progression to degrees at Queen's Campus. The degree courses are : Applied Psychology, Biomedical Science. Business Finance, Business, Business Accounting, Biological Anthropology, Medical Anthropology, Human Sciences, Sport, Sociology, Sociology & Community

In addition, the Foundation Programme is a possible route into teaching and medicine, and past students have also moved on to a number of other degrees based at both Durham and Queen's Campus. The Foundation Programme is also a suitable route for international students whose national qualifications do not meet University of Durham matriculation requirements. It can be combined with a pre-sessional English course which will prepare for studying at an English university.

The University holds regular information sessions at Queen’s Campus, Stockton, on the third Tuesday of each month in the Holliday Building between 1-2 pm and 5-7pm. Staff will also available for a chat at the Stockton Learning Shop, High Street, Stockton, between 12-2pm on the second and third Thursday of each month. To find out more about the University of Durham’s Foundation Programme contact : Tracy on 0191 3340163, Zoe on 0191 3340172 or Carole on 0191 3340168.

Media enquiries to : Tom Fennelly, Public Relations Office, University of Durham Tel 0191 334 6078 or e-mail :t.p.fennelly@durham.ac.uk