Embarking on a university journey can feel like standing at the edge of an expansive new world, full of promise, yet daunting in its scale. Liverpool Hope University offers a Foundation Year study that acts as a prominent connection between your ambition and achievement, giving students a pathway into higher education. Designed for those who may not meet standard entry requirements or are returning to study after time away, this year-long program nurtures essential academic skills, instils confidence, and lays a firm groundwork for undergraduate success. Liverpool Hope University’s foundation programme is offered across a wide range of disciplines, including Education, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business, Health Science, Sport, and Creative and Performing Arts.​

‘The Foundation Year opens doors to a higher study scope that was once thought unreachable’

Liverpool Hope University stands proudly among UK institutions, ranked 83rd in the 2025 Complete University Guide and recognised for its outstanding student satisfaction. In fact, the 2024 National Student Survey placed it first in the North West across key areas like academic support and mental wellbeing services. These accolades reflect the university's commitment to providing a supportive and enriching academic environment.

Defining Foundation Year

A foundation year is simply a preparation course that builds your basic knowledge on specific subjects, helping you in developing core university skills such as academic writing, independent learning, structuring academic work, critical thinking, time management, note taking and lastly, the most important part is to improve language proficiency or communication skills for you to smoothly adjust to foreign university curriculum. At Liverpool Hope University, the foundation programme includes lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, trips and individual learning materials over 24 weeks of the year. Successful completion of a Foundation Year programme will enable you to progress into the first year of your preferred honours degree, and most top universities in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand accept this preparatory degree. In recent years, foundation programmes have become very popular, as the course helps progressive students to get entry into top-ranked universities in a shorter time as compared to traditional advanced-level studies.

Why choose LHU for foundation studies?

Considering a degree with a foundation at Liverpool Hope University can benefit international students in many ways. Firstly, we need to know why students should consider doing a foundation course at Liverpool Hope University. The foundation programme at LHU is for those kind of students who has the ability and willingness to study for a degree. But unable to enrol because his/her academic result does not meet the qualifications required to enter directly onto our department programmes. Or for students who want to just experience the curriculum and study life similar to university before selecting a degree. Their foundation programme also applies to individuals who have a study gap and want to kickstart their preparation for a university standard.

What kind of courses are available?

Liverpool Hope University offers a foundation with degree studies. It's a year-long foundation study programme that students need to complete before starting their undergraduate study. An Undergraduate Degree with a Foundation Year is a great opportunity for students who do not directly meet the igher degree entry requirements. Here is the list of subjects that are taught to develop core foundation knowledge for a student planning to attend higher education.

Programme tuition and living expenses:

The tuition fees for doing a foundation at Liverpool Hope University increase every year. And

*On top, you also need to consider living cost, travelling cost and daily pocket money. This cost may vary depending on your living standard and how you save while doing your international degree. After successfully completing a foundation year as an international student, you become eligible to obtain undergraduate scholarships such as Liverpool Hope Sanctuary scholarship, Care Leavers Bursary, Performance Scholarship, Music Scholarships, Student Futures Internships, Summer Research Scholarships, ICAEW Foundation Bursary and more. Giving you up to £3,000 scholarships for bachelors at Liverpool Hope University.

Student life at Liverpool Hope

The university is situated in the central part of Liverpool City, England. There are 4 separate campus buildings, among them, Hope Park and Creative Campus are 2 of the academic buildings. For on-campus accommodation, there is the Aigburth Park residential-only campus, and there is an outdoor education centre based in Snowdonia, North Wales.

‘Liverpool city is also a top choice for international students, alongside London and Manchester.’

The city has been voted as the third most friendly city in the UK by many critics and university ranking agencies, and this part of the region is home to 50,000 students every year. So it is not difficult to clearly see that the city is student-oriented, with cheaper accommodation and travel costs compared to other big UK cities. Liverpool has world-class theatre, museums, sporting teams, sporting facilities and a wide number of shopping malls and grocery markets with the availability of continental and asian foods. The place is also home to Liverpool Football Club and actively promotes outdoor sports. The university and Liverpool city offer a rich and diverse music and nightlife. Numerous events and festivals re organised by the university and the council every year, giving students a unique experience and a lively nightlife, with student nightclubs for that weekend refreshment and social boost. The accommodation is cheaper with the availability of on-campus living and cheaper travel costs compared to other big UK cities. Students living here experience one of their best student lives that they cherish for life. Liverpool Hope University can provide all the necessary facilities that meet standards for being an international academic institution. There is a huge library campus that provides access to a large number of offline and online resources, with modern computers and study spaces for group study. There is a dedicated student support team that helps students with academic or career advice and guidance throughout their student life journey with Liverpool Hope.

Where else is a foundation year available?

When it comes to the International Foundation Year, NCUK is a top pathway provider. Operating in 40+ countries with more than 110 study centres and links to over 60 leading universities. International students looking to begin their academic journey should strongly consider doing their foundation preparation with NCUK. Studying the IFY abroad can cost around £15,000 or more per year, and on top you also need to consider other fees, such as living costs, travel costs, food and daily needs costs, whereas completing it at a local study centre drastically reduces the expense. NCUK has study centres all over the world, and their study centres maintain strict standards laid out by partner universities. And for students in Bangladesh, MIE Pathways is the only accredited NCUK-affiliated centre.

Student estimony:

“My name is Leah McDonald, and I am from the small town of Strabane in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. I studied three A-levels at Holy Cross College in Strabane before coming to Liverpool Hope in September 2018 to study the Degree with Foundation Year course. I had always planned to go to University, and I also knew I wanted to move away from home to study. I chose Liverpool Hope because it is a friendly and welcoming University. It has really lived up to my expectations, and I have made many friends here already.  Everyone says it, but the thing that makes Liverpool Hope special is the support you receive from your tutors. They are friendly and approachable, and you know you can go to them with any issue, no matter how small. I chose to study the Foundation Year because I felt I wasn’t quite ready to move straight into a first-year degree. The Foundation Year eases you into University life without it being overwhelming. This course is giving me the academic skills I will need to carry me through to a full BA honours degree. I am working hard at my studies I am experiencing different styles of learning on the course. I am really enjoying the debates that we have in class and the topics we discuss within our groups. I like this way of learning as everyone gets involved and it is fun. The biggest challenge for me so far during my studies has been academic referencing as I had no previous experience of this. Upon studying the Foundation Year, I now have experience with referencing and have the confidence to carry this through into my first-year studies. I am working hard and planning for a career in Social Work when I graduate.”

• Leah McDonald, Student at Foundation year with BA Hons degree

  
  

In short, completing a foundation course is not just about qualifying for a degree, but it is about building your confidence, sharpening your skills, and making an effective entry into the life that you’ve long dreamt about. The Foundation Year at Liverpool Hope University could be your perfect chance to start your career journey in 2026. It is the place where your potential will be recognised and your goals evenly supported.

FAQ

Q. Where is Liverpool Hope University located?

Liverpool Hope University has campuses in Liverpool, England. The main campus, Hope Park, is situated in Childwall, a leafy suburb of Liverpool, UK.

Q. Is Liverpool an expensive city to live in?

 Liverpool is relatively affordable compared to other major UK cities. The average cost of living is lower than in cities like London, making it a popular choice for students.

Q. What are the benefits of studying a Foundation Year at Liverpool Hope University?

 Benefits include personalised academic support, a chance to build confidence in higher education, and access to excellent facilities. It also provides a pathway to undergraduate degrees.

Q. What unique facilities does Liverpool Hope University offer?

 The university boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including the i3 Learning Resource Centre, sports complexes, and creative spaces like the Capstone Theatre.

Q. What support is available for Foundation Year students?

 Students receive academic guidance, access to learning resources, and pastoral support to ensure a smooth transition into higher education.

Q. Does the Foundation Year guarantee progression to other universities?

 While the Foundation Year is primarily designed to lead into Liverpool Hope University's undergraduate programs, progression to other universities may depend on individual agreements and qualifications.