2024 entry (view 2023 entry)
Cert Foundation in Arts and Social Sciences
Course overview

Course duration
1 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: Apply direct to the University
Fees
£5,670 per year, home students
Fees quoted are for 2023 entry only. Fees for 2024 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2023.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
The Foundation in Arts and Social Sciences (CertHE) is a one-year introductory course that is designed to prepare you for an undergraduate degree in either the arts, social sciences, or economics and finance. You do not need to have any prior qualifications to apply, and you will be introduced to a range of study skills that are essential for studying these subjects at undergraduate level.
On successful completion of the course, you can progress to a degree in an arts, social sciences or economics and finance subject at Bristol, providing you meet any additional course-specific entry requirements.
The foundation year has three ‘pathways’, which each lead to a different group of degree programmes:
- Arts and Humanities pathway;
- Social Sciences pathway;
- Economics and Finance pathway.
On the Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences pathways, by examining specifically what it means to be human, now and in the past, you will explore how the society we inhabit and the culture we share have been shaped by ideas, historical events, political and social movements, and works of art.
The Economics and Finance pathway will introduce you to the analytical and quantitative tools that economists use to study some of the biggest problems faced by society today, including inequality, poverty, healthcare, and climate change. By learning how to analyse the choices made by individuals, policies made by governments, and strategies implemented by businesses, you can begin to better understand how to change the world we live in.
Students on all pathways complete an Individual Project – a piece of research on any subject, often related to the degree subject you would like to study. Students on the Social Sciences and Economics and Finance pathways also work together on a collaborative research project for the unit Global Bristol.
You do not have to commit to a pathway when you fill out the application form, but during the application process, you will be asked to indicate which pathway you prefer. You can include more than one pathway in your application if you are undecided. All the pathways share some units in common.
Applications are made directly to the University. You can find information about making an application on our how to apply page and advice about fees and funding from our Student Funding Office. If you have questions about the foundation year or the application process, please contact choosebristol-ug@bristol.ac.uk.
Course structure
Arts and Humanities pathway
You will take four or five compulsory units and choose one optional unit. From this pathway, you can progress to an Arts, Humanities or Modern Languages degree in the Faculty of Arts.
br>Economics and Finance pathway
You will take two mathematics units that will enable you to develop knowledge and skills equivalent to A-Level in the areas of mathematics most often used in the Social Sciences. You will also take an economics unit which runs across the whole programme, and introduces you to key concepts, topics and methods. From this pathway, you can progress to a degree in the Faculty of Social Sciences in the following subject areas: Education, Policy Studies, Sociology, Politics and International Studies, Law School, Economics, or the Business School.
br>Social Sciences pathway
You will take four or five compulsory units and choose one optional unit. From this pathway, you can progress to a degree in: Education, Policy Studies, Sociology, Politics and International Studies, Law, or Management.
br>Please visit the Foundation in Arts and Social Sciences webpages for further information about each pathway.
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
Qualifications
There are no formal entry requirements for this course. Each application will be judged on its own merits. We are looking for applicants who are highly motivated to study on the Foundation in Arts and Social Sciences course and who have the potential to succeed in university study and beyond.
If we receive a high number of applications, priority may be given to applicants without prior experience of higher education and/or who do not hold a qualification at QCA-level 3 (eg A-levels or an Access to HE Diploma) and/or to applicants from one or more of the University's widening participation categories.
Applicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills
- GCSE English Language grade C or 4
- An alternative English Language Profile E qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
Selection process
- We select successful candidates based on the application form, their written work and an interview.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- The admissions statement above relates to 2023 entry. The statement for 2024 entry will be available in summer 2023.
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: