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Durham Centre for Academic Development

Foundation Programme: Student Eligibility for study

The Foundation Programme is designed to support UK students (including those with Settled Status in the UK) from under-represented groups in Higher Education to access and succeed in studying an undergraduate degree at Durham University. Only applicants, who have not been able to achieve their academic potential and therefore unable to meet direct entry requirements, 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: “Groups of students who share… particular characteristics where data shows gaps in equality of opportunity in relation to access, success or progression”.

Priority is given to:

  1. Applicants from areas of low participation in higher education (LPN based on Polar 4 data) 
  2. Applicants with low household income or low socioeconomic status (based on Acorn and FSM data) 
  3. Applicants from mature students (over 21 years of age at the start of the course) 
  4. Applications from other under-represented groups within higher education.
Low participation

We will consider applicants from Polar 4 quintiles 1 or 2 postcodes as a priority. This classification is based on the home postcode provided in your application. 

Low household income or low socioeconomic status

To meet this criteria applicants will need to be in receipt of, or entitled to, Free School Meals, which are directly linked to financial hardship, and/or from an 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. 

Mature students

To meet this criteria you will need to be 21 years of age or over at the start of your Foundation course.

Other under-represented groups in HE

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.