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Foundation

Found a course that you'd like to apply for? Here are the next steps:

Apply for Foundation

Our Foundation Diploma course offers an excellent transition between A-Level (or equivalent) and more specialised degree courses by allowing you to explore a wide range of disciplines.

We've broken down the steps to applying below.

How to apply

Applications for September 2025 are open. We recommend that you apply by 31 March 2025 for Foundation. We'll consider applications received after this date, but places may be limited.

Before starting your application, make sure to read through our Portfolio Guidelines, English Language requirements and entry requirements.

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Apply directly to Foundation

If you're looking to study Foundation Diploma, you can apply to us directly online

Apply via an Educational Agent

We have Educational Agents all over the world to help guide you through the application process

Entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications. The requirements for entry in 2025 are outlined below.

Entry Qualifications

Entry to a Foundation course usually follows two years of sixth form study, but we also consider relevant and equivalent Level 3 qualifications.

You’ll need to achieve a Level 3 qualifications as listed here:

  • A minimum of two GCE A Level passes at Grade C or above. One of these will normally be in a relevant creative subject.
  • Two BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/BTEC Extended Certificate at Merit, or a combination of BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/BTEC Extended Certificate and A Level qualifications.
  • An IB (International Baccalaureate) scores equivalent to 64 UCAS points from your Higher Level and Standard Level subjects. We’ll accept the equivalent in relevant individual IB certificates.
  • A UAL Extended Diploma Pass.
  • A BTEC/OCR (Tech) Extended Diploma at Merit, Pass.
  • A Pass from a VTCT or City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up
  • A minimum of 64 UCAS points from other Level 3 qualifications.

Due to government funding rules, home fee paying applicants who are under 19 when the course starts must hold GCSE/IGCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths to be able to enrol onto this course.

If a student doesn't have GCSE/IGCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above and they're under 19, then we'll not receive funding. We're unable to enrol applicants who don't hold these qualifications or an acceptable equivalent. We're unable to accept Functional Skills, Key Skills or ALAN (Adult Literacy and Numeracy) tests in place of Maths or English from applicants who'll be under 19 when the course starts.

If you're a home fee paying applicant from the EU, you must also hold equivalent Level 2 qualifications in Maths, as assessed by NARIC, and an appropriate English Language qualification.

Please note that AUB doesn't request information about criminal records from our applicants.

Have a question?

We understand that applying to university can be a confusing time. We've answered a few of our frequently asked question below but if you have any unanswered questions about any stage of the application process, including the AUB applicant portal, you can contact our Admissions team on admissions@aub.ac.uk.

You can also call us on 01202 363225 or 01202 363228.

Explore more

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Overview

Whether you're applying for a Foundation, Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree, we're here to help

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Undergraduate

Here's everything you need to know to apply to one of our Undergraduate courses

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Postgraduate

Here's everything you need to know to apply to one of AUB's postgraduate courses

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Portfolio guidelines

Portfolios should show examples of your work – both finished and work in progress – that demonstrate your interests and skills

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Short courses

If you’ve found a short course that you’d like to study, you can find out how to apply here.

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Apply to Year 2 and 3

Here's everything you need to know about applying to transfer onto to one of AUB's BA (Hons) courses...