Foundation Year
Gain a solid understanding of key business concepts and build essential academic skills with our Business, Law and Accounting undergraduate foundation year opportunities.
The first step towards your future
Thinking about university, but not sure you're ready for the jump? Want to improve your academic skills and abilities before embarking on your chosen degree? Or perhaps you didn't get the grades you wanted or expected?
Our Business, Law and Accounting undergraduate foundation years are designed to bridge the gap between your current qualifications and the demands of a university degree. By completing a foundation year programme, you'll gain a solid understanding of key business concepts, develop essential skills and build confidence in your academic abilities.
"Studying the Foundation Year was the best choice I made when joining university. It gave me an insight into what university life is like and helped me prepare for first year. The support from staff was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone planning to start university."
- Kaidon Heaton, Business Management
Discover more about our foundation year offer and how we can help you achieve your goals at an Undergraduate Open Day. Attending an Open Day will give you a real sense of what studying at the University of Salford is like. You'll get to explore the campus, take part in a course talk, meet our Business School staff and students, and more.
Who is the foundation year for?
At Salford Business School, we understand that not every student follows a traditional path to higher education. Whether you want to better prepare for academic life, didn't get the grades you needed or you've taken a break from studying, the foundation year is designed to prepare you for future studies, so everyone is welcome.
Did you know?
All of our undergraduate BSc programmes are available with a foundation year and additional placement or study abroad year options, so you can choose the best programme to suit your study goals.
See all of our undergraduate business, finance and law programmes, or learn more about placements and internships.
Why choose a foundation year?
Build the academic skills you'll require for success in higher education
Benefit from a gradual introduction to university-level study
Build your confidence and settle into university life with a smooth transition
Take a direct path to your chosen degree programme, even if you didn't meet the requirements
Connect with your tutors and peers and build a network that will be invaluable throughout your further studies
Enjoy a variety of modules and get a better understanding of the course that is right for you
Core modules
All Foundation Year programmes will include the Academic and Personal Skills and Employability for Life modules.
Academic and Personal Skills
This module is delivered with your future in mind. It will help you to get to grips with the technology you need to succeed, as well as using the library, how to reference and how to produce the different styles of academic writing. It also helps you to develop yourself; you will create a CV, learn how to write a cover letter and find out what your learning style is.
The module has guest speakers who share their expert knowledge and experience with you. All the skills covered in this module will help you to succeed in your chosen degree.
Employability for Life
The Employability for Life module aims to help you acquire and develop an understanding of the employability skills required to succeed in your chosen industry. This is a practical module which will help you create and develop a professional CV and will develop your understanding of the recruitment and selection process. You will learn essential life-long skills to help you succeed in job applications, whether they are for part-time work whilst you are a student or for your future graduate career.
Business modules
Foundations of Business
As part of the Foundations of Business module, you will learn the key concepts of business and management, looking at what business is (and isn’t). You will be encouraged to draw on real-life examples found in the businesses you use in your every day life. You will develop an understanding of the key functions used within contemporary businesses and learn about the tools and techniques used in business for analysis and planning.
Sustainable Business Development
This module looks at what’s involved in starting a sustainable business. You will discover what is needed for long term business success. We’ll look at financing and funding, business formation, planning, business ethics and sustainability, along with other core aspects of start-ups. You will work closely with industry partners to gain insight into the world of start-ups. If you are interested in starting a business, this module will really help you to discover what is involved. You also gain key knowledge which your degree will build upon.
Digital Business
The Digital Business module will explain the importance and key elements of digital business. You will explore how digital business ideas drive technology choices and how those technologies support the development of the business.
Business Project
This module is studied in term 2 of the foundation year and brings together everything that you have learnt so far. It is your opportunity to put your knowledge into practice. You will work as part of a team to develop a business idea, working through the process of setting up the business. As a team, you will pitch your idea to a panel to gain investment in your start-up. You will then start the business and create an event, with the profits donated to a local charity of your choice. Whatever your chosen business discipline, this module will give you the opportunity to demonstrate and develop your skills.
Law modules
Introduction to English Law
This module will introduce you to the core areas of law studied on the LLB Law programme and the basic skills needed to advance to level 4. You will explore the essence of foundation legal principles, together with basic systems of law and sources of law.
English Legal Systems
This introduction to the English legal system covers the functions of the law in society and the court system within England and Wales. You will also explore the manner in which law is made in England and Wales and the individuals working within the legal profession.
Further Legal Knowledge
In Further Legal Knowledge, you will gain an introduction to further areas of legal knowledge, beyond the core modules on the law degree. This module will cover cyber law, family law, medical law, human rights law and public international law.
Introduction to Legal Skills and Attributes
This module introduces you to core academic and legal skills. We will help you to demonstrate the core legal research skills introduced in the first term of the law foundation year. This will support you in becoming practised at reading and analysing primary and secondary sources of law and applying these to solve legal problems. You will learn to plan and produce a well-referenced and argued legal essay. In addition, this module introduces you to activities involving oral discourse, legal arguments, professional presentation skills and the use of technology to solve legal problems.
Accounting and Finance modules
Foundations of Business
As part of the Foundations of Business module, you will learn the key concepts of business and management, looking at what business is (and isn’t). You will be encouraged to draw on real-life examples found in the businesses you use in your every day life. You will develop an understanding of the key functions used within contemporary businesses and learn about the tools and techniques used in business for analysis and planning.
IT for Accountants
In IT for Accountants, you will learn about the importance of IT systems in accounting and develop your skills in spreadsheet software.
Financial Accounting for Business
Cost and Management Accounting for Business
Frequently asked questions
Does a foundation year count towards your degree?
The foundation year doesn't count towards your final credits, but will help you become more prepared and confident in your three year degree. When you pass the foundation year with the right grade, you will automatically progress on to one of our undergraduate degrees.
What is the purpose of a foundation year?
A foundation year provides you with the chance to get familiar with academic life and prepare for your undergraduate degree. You may not have met your entry requirements, or perhaps aren't ready to go straight into your three year programme. The foundation year will develop presenting and communication skills, study skills such as note-taking, researching and referencing, your written English skills for academic and much more.
Do you get UCAS points for a foundation year?
No, you won't gain UCAS Tariff points following the completion of your foundation year, but you will progress onto your undergraduate programme given you have successfully passed the year.
What do our students say?
Get in touch
If you’re looking for a pathway into higher education that prepares you academically, personally and professionally, our foundation year options are the ideal choice.
For more information, join us at an undergraduate open day or contact our dedicated enquiries team.