Foundation Certificates

1.1

A Foundation Certificate may be awarded in recognition of the successful completion of an approved programme of study designed to enable candidates to:

• develop thinking and analytical skills applied to a range of issues;
• demonstrate an ability to communicate clearly and accurately in a concise, logical and relevant way;
• demonstrate a breadth and depth of knowledge in a subject or subjects and an ability to transfer skills and make connections.

2.1

Foundation Certificate programmes shall be offered on the basis of one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent).

2.2

Full-time candidates shall normally be required to pursue the equivalent of 120 credits at Level 3 in one academic year.

2.3

Part-time candidates shall normally be required to pursue the equivalent of 60 credits at Level 3 in one academic year. Part-time candidates shall not normally be permitted to pursue more than 90 credits or less than 30 credits in one academic year.

2.4

Candidates pursuing part-time Foundation Certificate programmes offered by the Department of Adult Continuing Education shall be permitted to pursue a minimum of 20 credits in one academic year.

2.5

Candidates shall be required to comply with supplementary regulations which Faculties/Schools are expected to produce, which identify the structure of the programme, clearly indicating core and compulsory modules and whether elective modules are permissible.

3.1

A candidate must pursue a minimum of 90 credits at Swansea University or at a partner institution under its control through a formal collaborative arrangement to be eligible for a Foundation Certificate. 

4.1

The maximum period of candidature for students pursuing a Foundation Certificate shall be as follows:  

• Full-time mode: not more than two years from the start of the programme        
• Part-time mode: not less than two years and not more than three years from the start of the programme.

4.2

The overall time limit may be extended in accordance with the regulations outlined in Regulation 27 of the General Regulations. 

4.3

The above time limit may be reduced pro rata at the outset of the candidature by the Faculty/School concerned where a candidate has been admitted to study with transferable credit, as described in regulation 3.

5.1

The progress of a candidate shall normally be assessed either during the course of a module and/or in the period immediately following its completion.

5.2

All candidates shall be monitored by the appropriate Faculty/School and Regulations, Quality and Standards Board and the award shall be determined by the University Progression and Awards Board.

5.3

Candidates shall be required to complete the certificate programme of study in accordance with the regulations for awarding credit as outlined in the Undergraduate Assessment Regulations.

5.4

The pass mark for a module shall be 40%.

6.1

A candidate who is admitted to a certificate programme of study but is subsequently unable, or is not permitted, to progress to completion shall not be eligible for an exit qualification.  

7.1

In order to be eligible for consideration for an award of Swansea University, candidates shall have:

• pursued an approved programme of study for the period prescribed by the University;
• pursued a minimum of 120 credits at Level 3 (or above) except as provided by Section 3 above;
• fulfilled any further condition(s) required by the Faculty/School or University.

7.2

A candidate successfully completing a Foundation Certificate shall be eligible for the award of Distinction where they have attained an overall mark of 70% or above (or the equivalent grade-point) for the award in question.

8.1 

The award of a Foundation Certificate shall be conferred upon candidates at a Swansea University awards ceremony.