What is the Astrophoria Foundation Year?
The University of Oxford's Astrophoria Foundation Year is a one-year fully-funded programme for UK state school students with significant academic potential, who have experienced severe personal disadvantage and/or disrupted education which has resulted in them being unable to apply directly for an undergraduate degree at Oxford University.
The Foundation Year programme enables motivated students to reach their academic potential through a supportive and challenging academic course aimed at developing their skills, self-belief and academic confidence.
The Astrophoria Foundation Year programme offers the only Foundation Year courses at the University of Oxford.
Key information
- Duration: One academic year
- Funding: Fully funded, including tuition fees, college accommodation and a bursary for living costs
- Applications: Submitted through UCAS by the January equal consideration deadline
- Admissions tests: Some courses require applicants to sit an admissions test as part of the application process
- Teaching: Small-group teaching, independent study and academic skills development
- Qualification: Students who complete the programme are awarded a Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE)
- Progression: Students who achieve the required standard, and would like to stay at the university, automatically progress to their chosen undergraduate degree at Oxford
- Colleges: Students are full members of an undergraduate Oxford college
Choosing your Foundation Year course
| Foundation Year pathway | Undergraduate degree courses |
|---|---|
| Chemistry, Engineering and Materials Science (CEMS) | Chemistry, Engineering Science, Materials Science |
| Humanities | Classics, English Literature, History, Theology and Religion (including joint schools) |
| Law | Law |
| Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) | Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) |
When you apply, you will apply for your chosen undergraduate degree course with a Foundation Year.
The undergraduate subject areas accepting Foundation Year applications for 2027 entry are:
Chemistry, Classics, Engineering Science, English Literature, History, Law, Materials Science, Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) and Theology and Religion.
During the Foundation Year, students study one of four Foundation Year pathways. Each pathway prepares students for progression into their chosen undergraduate course.
All Foundation Year students take the Preparation for Undergraduate Studies course alongside their subject.
Students who achieve the required standard, and would like to stay at the university, automatically progress to their chosen undergraduate degree at Oxford.
The Astrophoria Foundation Year is part of the Oxford University Department for Continuing Education. This department provides learning opportunities for people from a wide variety of backgrounds to benefit from the University's rich and unique resources. It is an ambitious and forward-thinking department, with a strong sense of identity and community. Embedded in an 800-year-old world-class university, courses are offered each year across a broad spectrum of subjects, and many provide the opportunity to earn certification, sometimes leading to a degree.