Illustration students in busy studio at desks drawing.

Integrated Foundation Year BA/BSc(Hons)

Develop your skills by entering the creative industries on an Integrated Foundation Year degree.

Key details
Location
Falmouth Campus
Course duration
4 years
Attendance
Full-time
Subject to validation during this academic year
Yes

Course overview

If you’re interested in taking on a new subject that you’ve not had the opportunity to study in depth before, or have been out of education for a while, then our Integrated Foundation Year courses might be for you. These four-year courses include an introductory year to help you build the core skills needed for specialist degree-level study.

This is a chance for you to let your imagination run wild and explore your creativity, expand your professional skills and develop enhanced subject knowledge in the domain you want to study. We’ll help nurture your expertise in problem solving, risk-taking, designing and making as you develop your abilities through five core modules.

After your foundation year, you’ll have a deeper knowledge of your subject, a clear understanding of your strengths, a developed practical and technical skill set and the confidence to excel in your chosen degree subject when you join other students for the rest of your course.

You will:

  • Develop technical, design thinking and production skills in your chosen specialism
  • Learn teamwork, leadership and project management skills through a variety of learning environments
  • Develop critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills through the development of unique and innovative projects
  • Complete your chosen degree over a four-year period

Course details

In your foundation year, you'll study five core modules: three short modules in the first study block and two in the second (one short, one long). These are all designed to help you explore the foundational elements of both creative practice and your chosen specialism. You'll gain relevant technical skills, learn to experiment and take risks, develop an understanding of professional practice, have opportunities to work across disciplines and collaborate with other students on live project briefs.

After your foundation year, you'll have a deeper knowledge of your subject, a clear understanding of your strengths, a developed practical and technical skillset and the confidence to excel in your chosen degree subject when you join other students for the rest of your course.

Modules (foundation year)

You'll begin your foundation year by working collaboratively with others to explore themes of the future. You'll take risks, experiment through play and be supported to break through barriers.

You'll take subject-specific workshops and develop essential technical and practical skills in your area of study. You'll also enhance your analytical and organisational abilities.

You'll work with your peer group to think beyond discipline by addressing a societal or global issue. You'll then showcase your work to your peers and deliver and accompanying evaluation of your process.

 

You'll enhance your creative and practical skills in your subject specialism by responding to typical industry briefs, underpinned by focused research and experiments. You'll also gain industry insights through guest lectures and workshops.

 

You'll develop your unique identity in your specialism through the production of a self-initiated body of work. Your final project will be the bridge to your next year, fully supported by evaluative reviews and critical analysis of the work you have created.

As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.

From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details on each specialism course page.

Choosing your specialism

When you choose to study an Integrated Foundation Year degree, you'll need to choose the subject you wish to specialise in before applying. For instance, you might want to study Computing for Games BSc(Hons), and you'll be able to choose the Integrated Foundation Year route.

You can view all the courses that offer an Integrated Foundation Year option, below.

Integrated Foundation Year specialisms

Seagull hitting hammerhead with a hammer animation
Seagull Hammerhead Animation - Sydney Murphy

Animation BA(Hons)

Bring your ideas to life through the world of animation. We’ll support you in developing original,...

Animation BA(Hons)
A model wearing gold sitting in a black car
Commercial Photography - Hannah Mittelstaedt model in car

Work by Hannah Mittelstaedt

Commercial Photography BA(Hons)

From creating photographs and films for high-end advertising and marketing campaigns to producing vi...

Commercial Photography BA(Hons)
Computer code
Computer code

Computer Science BSc(Hons)

New immersive realities, data-rich interactions, automations and ever-more ubiquitous systems are sh...

Computer Science BSc(Hons)
Falmouth University student wearing a VR headset in front of a pink screen
VR Virtual Reality student

Computing for Games BSc(Hons)

Learn how to shape the games of the future by studying game development through the lens of computer...

Computing for Games BSc(Hons)
Group of costume designing students
Costume Design for Film and Television 2024

Costume Design for Film & Television BA(Hons)

On this dynamic course, you’ll cultivate the practical, creative and theoretical skills needed to ...

Costume Design for Film & Television BA(Hons)
Advertising students work displayed on wall
Bea Shakeshaft and Cameron Russell

Creative Advertising BA(Hons)

Turn your ideas into powerful advertising campaigns with impact.

Creative Advertising BA(Hons)
Model lying on records with hair spread out over them
Ellie Hope photography

Documentary & Editorial Photography BA(Hons)

On this fast-paced degree, you’ll learn to use the power of photography to communicate with a glob...

Documentary & Editorial Photography BA(Hons)
A fold out book of drawings on a shelf
Drawing - 2023

Drawing BA(Hons)

Become a rigorous and innovative critical thinker and practitioner. Build your skills, expertise and...

Drawing BA(Hons)
Students working on mulitple screens
Esports

Esports & Livestreaming BA(Hons)

Immerse yourself in Esports culture on this degree, which offers a unique opportunity to be at the f...

Esports & Livestreaming BA(Hons)
Drawing of three men wearing netted clothing with a newsprint background
Fashion Design 2023 lead resize

Fashion Design BA(Hons)

Turn heads and change minds as you steer the fashion industry toward a more sustainable future. Work...

Fashion Design BA(Hons)
Design presentation for sustainable beauty app
Kiera Sylvester Fashion Marketing

Fashion Marketing BA(Hons)

Blend your flair for communication and eye for fashion into a successful career as a fashion markete...

Fashion Marketing BA(Hons)
Alice Marple Horvat blue alien looking over shoulder at camera
Alice Marple Horvat - Fashion Photography

Work by Alice Marple Horvat

Fashion Photography BA(Hons)

Develop your unique artistic voice and springboard into the industry as an innovative fashion photog...

Fashion Photography BA(Hons)
Students styling fashion shoot on rooftop
Fashion styling and art direction

Fashion Styling & Art Direction BA(Hons)

Influence the shape of fashion as you take on the world of fashion styling. On this future-focused c...

Fashion Styling & Art Direction BA(Hons)
film-ba-course-page

Film BA(Hons)

Immerse yourself in the world of film, where time, space, form and creative ideas translate into mea...

Film BA(Hons)
Elinor Hain Fine Art work
Elinor Hain Fine Art work

Student work by: Elinor Hain

Fine Art BA(Hons)

This highly-respected course aims to support the development of your practice as it evolves over the...

Fine Art BA(Hons)
A person sat at two screens working on game animations
Game Animation 2024

Game Animation BA(Hons)

Gain experience of working to a real-time animation pipeline and graduate with a rich portfolio of w...

Game Animation BA(Hons)
A flying ship in computer graphics above a desert
Game Art 2024

Game Art BA(Hons)

Work in multi-skilled collaborative teams and graduate as a confident, industry-ready game artist. ...

Game Art BA(Hons)
Games student working on digital game artwork on a screen.
Games Academy Slideshow 03

Game Development BA(Hons)

Join a community of people who have a passion for games. From day one, you’ll work as you would wi...

Game Development BA(Hons)
Work by Graphic Design Graduate Blythe Walker Sibthorp (2023)
Graduate Blythe Walker Sibthorp 1 (2023)

Graphic Design BA(Hons)

Graphic Design is one of the most versatile visual disciplines, embracing words and pictures, form a...

Graphic Design BA(Hons)
Colourful illustration of carnivorous plants
Georgia Mason Illustration

Illustration BA(Hons)

Become adept at problem solving and creating your visual language on this Illustration degree, renow...

Illustration BA(Hons)
Photography of a penguin against blue sky
Marine & Natural History Photography 2024

Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons)

Harness your passion for photography and filmmaking to inspire audiences about nature and the enviro...

Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons)
People standing by board with ideas pinned to it
Marketing Communications 2024

Marketing Communications BA(Hons)

In a world where technology is transforming how we live, work and play, marketers must be fast, flex...

Marketing Communications BA(Hons)
Photography student work by Lizzie Blackie
Photography student work by Lizzie Blackie

Photography BA(Hons)

On this dynamic course, you’ll explore the world of contemporary photography and develop a unique ...

Photography BA(Hons)
Student working on multiple screens
PP Student working on screens

Post Production & Visual Effects BA(Hons)

Take your first steps in building a career on this industry-focused course, which covers all aspects...

Post Production & Visual Effects BA(Hons)
Two software engineering students in discussing with large screen of the world on the wall
Software engineering students talking

Software Engineering BSc(Hons)

Use your talents for creative problem solving and lateral thinking to excel on this BSc Software Eng...

Software Engineering BSc(Hons)
Student with film camera on beach at sunrise
Television - 2023

Television & Film Production BA(Hons)

Discover how to create everything from high-end dramas with full scale crews through to fast moving ...

Television & Film Production BA(Hons)
Students chatting in textiles studio
Textile studio

Textile Design BA(Hons)

On our textile design degree, you’ll be part of a vibrant, supportive community of multidisciplina...

Textile Design BA(Hons)
Group of Fashion and Textiles students
FTI studios group of students

How you'll learn

Our Integrated Foundation Year degrees are designed to equip you with the skills you need to thrive in the creative industries. At Falmouth, we use a 'digitally enhanced learning & teaching' approach. Your experience will always be predominantly in-person, including seminars, tutorials and studio teaching, with some, more targeted elements, being online either live (synchronous) or pre-recorded (asynchronous). You can read more here.

  • Foundation year assessments are 100% coursework based

Assessment will take place at the end of each module, and you'll get feedback and evaluation throughout the year. You'll be assessed through visual, verbal and written assignments, including your portfolio and a reflective journal. In your foundation year all assessments are pass/fail to encourage students to take risks and engage with the feedback provided.

Students studying on courses with an Integrated Foundation Year must successfully complete and pass all foundation modules before they can progress to the next stage of their course.

Facilities

Our industry-standard facilities, spread across two campuses, are carefully designed and developed to ensure you're more than equipped to succeed in your chosen specialism. Explore all our facilities.

Staff

Specialist staff from your course discipline will contribute to the learning and teaching on your Integrated Foundation Year degree. Our lecturers are often practising professionals and academic researchers who can give you first-hand knowledge of the creative industries. Depending on your course, you may be taught by the following staff members.

Duncan Cameron

Duncan Cameron

Senior Lecturer & Course Leader for the Falmouth Integrated Foundation Year

I have been an art lecturer since joining the then new art Foundation Programme at Strode College in...

Duncan Cameron
Adam Blackmore profile picture

Adam Blackmore

Lecturer, Game Art & Animation (Integrated Foundation Year)

I teach Game Art & Animation on the IFY Course here at Falmouth. Prior to this I have been invol...

Adam Blackmore
An image of Gina Burney

Gina Burney

Lecturer: Illustration & Graphic Design (Integrated Foundation Year)

Gina Burney is an illustrator/graphic artist, workshop facilitator and lecturer. She graduated with ...

Gina Burney
Kate Lowe staff profile picture

Kate Lowe

Lecturer Photography Integrated Foundation Year Degree

I am a photography educator and joined the IFY team in June 2023. Back in 2011, I began my career as...

Kate Lowe
Roger Troup profile picture

Roger Troup

Lecturer Integrated Foundation Year Film and Television

I teach on the Integrated Foundation Year Course in Film and Television. Although I began my care...

Roger Troup
Cassie Henderson

Cassie Henderson

Fashion and Textiles IFY Lecturer and Module Leader

Fashion and Textiles Foundation Year Lecturer and Module Leader, specialising in Knitted Textile Des...

Cassie Henderson
Lucy Stent

Lucy Stent

Game Programming and Game Development Foundation Lecturer

Lucy has been at Falmouth University since 2016. during her years here she has won many scholarships...

Lucy Stent

Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.

Careers

From exhibitions to award wins, positions in leading creative businesses to launching their own ventures, our graduates are blazing a trail. Read about our graduates from across the course specialisms.

Gihan

More Rookies recognition for animation alumni

30 August 2024

Graduate Gihan Fernando has received some of the highest accolades at the Rookie Awards 2024.

More Rookies recognition for animation alumni
A man sat at a desk with some material samples
Charlie Clarke

From Sustainable Product Design student to inspiring sustainability leader

22 July 2024

Charlie Clarke is a rising star in the world of sustainability. Since graduating from Falmouth’s S...

From Sustainable Product Design student to inspiring sustainability leader
kit rose headshot

Sustainable Product Design student bags multiple industry awards

09 July 2024

Sustainable Product Design BA student Kit Rose has picked up two coveted awards at The Manufacturer ...

Sustainable Product Design student bags multiple industry awards
Games Academy alumni release their latest game on Nintendo Switch

Games Academy alumni release their latest game on Nintendo Switch

07 June 2024

Studio 316, a Cornwall-based games studio which comprises of five former Falmouth University Games A...

Games Academy alumni release their latest game on Nintendo Switch
A book cover showing a pink boat on the sea
The Dog and the Sailor

From a BA and MA to LGBTQ+ fairytales and a PhD: meet Pete Jordi Wood

16 May 2024

Pete Jordi Wood’s creative career has well and truly blossomed since graduating from Animation BA ...

From a BA and MA to LGBTQ+ fairytales and a PhD: meet Pete Jordi Wood
Bulletproof
Bulletproof

Falmouth graduate’s vodka brand design wins Bulletproof 100%Proof competition

09 August 2023

Graphic Design BA(Hons) graduate Murray Harden has won this year’s Bulletproof 100%Proof competiti...

Falmouth graduate’s vodka brand design wins Bulletproof 100%Proof competition
Montana Cooke and Alex Wilson holding their magazine entitled Bleach
Bleach Magazine 3

Monty and Alex at the Bleach Magazine launch at Cornish Bank in Falmouth.

Falmouth duo launch dynamic new publication BLEACH Magazine

27 July 2023

With the first issue selling out in less than a month, BLEACH Magazine is clearly onto something. Co...

Falmouth duo launch dynamic new publication BLEACH Magazine
Montana Cooke and Alex Wilson holding their magazine entitled Bleach
Bleach Magazine 3

Monty and Alex at the Bleach Magazine launch at Cornish Bank in Falmouth.

Falmouth duo launch dynamic new publication BLEACH Magazine

27 July 2023

With the first issue selling out in less than a month, BLEACH Magazine is clearly onto something. Co...

Falmouth duo launch dynamic new publication BLEACH Magazine
A woman in front of a door wearing a purple shirt
Charlie Taylor headshot

Textile Design graduate launches collection with Oasis

06 January 2023

Charlie Taylor tells us about her exclusive collection with fashion brand, Oasis.

Textile Design graduate launches collection with Oasis
A woman sat in front of a loom
Alice Moore Hook, Line and Ginger

Alice Moore on starting her own handwoven textile business

14 December 2022

Textile Design graduate starts her own handwoven textile business.

Alice Moore on starting her own handwoven textile business
Photo of a student with shoulder length dark hair wearing round gold-framed glasses and a black t-shirt.
Fern Khaoroptham 2

Graduate shares her experience as an international student at Falmouth University

30 November 2022

Fern Khaoroptham shares her experience of moving from Thailand to Falmouth to study Game Development...

Graduate shares her experience as an international student at Falmouth University
Painted portrait of a woman gazing to the left
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye- Cream Taste

Falmouth alumna exhibiting at Tate Britain

15 November 2022

Falmouth Fine Art alumna Lynette Yiadom-Boakye is exhibiting at the Tate Britain in November 2022.

Falmouth alumna exhibiting at Tate Britain
Neve Clarke in the studio
Neve Clarke

Graduate spotlight: Cornwall-based printmaker highlights the importance of resilience

05 October 2022

Since graduating from Fine Art BA(Hons) in 2021, Neve Clarke has worked hard to pursue a career in p...

Graduate spotlight: Cornwall-based printmaker highlights the importance of resilience
Susannah Douglas award entry
Susannah Douglas award entry

Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2022: Susannah Douglas' entry

Falmouth alumni shortlisted for the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2022

27 September 2022

Three Falmouth graduates have been shortlisted for this year’s Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize an...

Falmouth alumni shortlisted for the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2022
SeaCo sustainable product design project
SeaCo

Falmouth graduate longlisted for Dezeen Design Awards 2022

23 September 2022

Sustainable Product Design graduate Libby Challoner has been longlisted for the Dezeen Design Awards...

Falmouth graduate longlisted for Dezeen Design Awards 2022
Figure covered in flowers and gold chains with just eyes showing through.
Hew Locke, detail of a Congo Man

Alumnus Hew Locke is selected for The Met's Facade Commission

03 May 2022

Esteemed Falmouth alumnus Hew Locke has been announced as an artist for The Met Museum’s 2022 Faca...

Alumnus Hew Locke is selected for The Met's Facade Commission
Megan Leech designing
Megan Leech

Textiles graduate lands role at cutting-edge fabrics company

11 January 2022

BA(Hons) Textile Design graduate Megan Leech has landed a job as a Development Engineer with renowne...

Textiles graduate lands role at cutting-edge fabrics company
Rosie photographs her winning design
Rosie Southerden New

Textile Design graduate wins Oppo Lens of Inspiration Challenge

23 December 2021

BA(Hons) Textile Design graduate Rosie Southerden has won the Oppo Lens of Inspiration challenge. Th...

Textile Design graduate wins Oppo Lens of Inspiration Challenge
Portrait of Hana Omori, Tanya Cruz and Isabel Ramos
Keiken Image

Fine Art graduates awarded €100,000 prize from Chanel

16 December 2021

Artist collective Keiken, made up of three Fine Art graduates, has been awarded the Chanel Next Priz...

Fine Art graduates awarded €100,000 prize from Chanel
Max's shoe is held up by a robot arm
Robot Shoe 1

Innovative graduate creates robotically recycled footwear

09 December 2021

Sustainable Product Design BA(Hons) graduate Max Ashwell has created a pair of shoes that ...

Innovative graduate creates robotically recycled footwear

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

Ready to join us? You can apply for September 2023 via UCAS. You'll need to reference the course and University code (F33).

You can find your Integrated Foundation Year course code on the individual course page. You can see a list of courses available for entry in 2023 below. Select your course to retrieve your course code and read more about what you'll study in the remaining three years of your degree after your Integrated Foundation Year.

  • University code: F33

Applying as an international student?

International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the University. Ensure you retrieve your Integrated Foundation Year degree course code from the relevant course page listed below.

Then go to our International applications page for more information about how to apply as an international student.

We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you've specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.

Integrated Foundation Year BA/BSc(Hons) four year degree: 80 – 120 UCAS Tariff points

Check how many points your qualifications are worth

For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent. 

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard, which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.  

If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you may need to take a recognised language test. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.

For starting your studies in 2025

UK applications: 29 January 2025 (for equal consideration)

Applications after the 31 January will be considered on a first-come, first-served as long as there are places available. Apply for this course now.

International fee payers

International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees

Annual tuition fee Student
£9,250 per year Full-time UK
£17,950 per year Full-time EU/international
Annual tuition fee Student
£9,250 per year Full-time UK
£17,950 per year Full-time EU/international

Tuition fees for September 2026 will be confirmed in summer 2025.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. 

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs

Additional typical course costs for Integrated Foundation Year pathway

  • £250 for materials
  • A laptop/desktop computer
  • Adobe Creative Suite

To engage in the digital learning activity, although you will be able to access IT suites on campus, you will benefit from a laptop to access the platforms and tools we use. Depending on your subject, you may need a specific type of computer. If you're unsure about what you might need, please contact our course advisors.

Ask a student

What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students?

From course details and academic support, to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Open Days and events

From visiting campus to online application advice, get all the information you need about joining our creative community.

Find an event
Parents smiling with daughter at an Open Day at Falmouth University