Inclusion by Degrees
In 2007, fdf commissioned aresearch projectthat examined the experience of disabled students on Foundation degrees.
Summary of research findings (PDF, 351KB)
Features of apprenticeship programmes that support progression to higher education
This project was carried out in 2008 by the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC)for fdf.It aimed to identify features of apprenticeshipprogrammes that facilitate progression to higher education.
Summary of research findings (PDF, 351KB)
The impact of Foundation degrees on the workplace and students
In 2007, fdf commissioned two major research projects that would provide evidence of:
· the impact of Foundation degree on the workplace from the employer perspective; and
· the impact of Foundation degrees on students and the student experience
Summary of research findings (PDF, 182KB)
The Centre for Higher Education Research and Information (CHERI) and the Learning and Skills Network (LSN) were jointly commissioned to explore the impact of Foundation degrees from both the employer and student perspective.
CHERI/LSN report (PDF, 1.8MB)
Foundation Direct was commissioned to undertake complementary quantitative research focussing on the student experience.
Foundation Direct report (PDF, 1MB)
Demand-led Foundation degrees in construction management
This report summarises the findings of a project that examined thedevelopment of four Foundation degrees inconstruction management.
Overview report (Word, 804KB)
Attachment 2 (PDF, 51KB)
Attachment 3 (PDF, 49KB)
The impact of the introduction of Assistant Practitioner roles
In 2007, fdf and NHS North West commissioned the University of Central Lancashire to explore the implications and impact of the introduction of new Assistant Practitioner roles, for which Foundation degrees provided the workforce development vehicle.
Evaluation of the introduction of Assistant Practitioner roles (PDF, 480KB)
Employers' Engagement with Foundation Degrees
fdf providedfunding tothe Colleges - University of Leicester Network (CULN) to carry out a study of the experiences of ten employers involved with Foundation degrees.
The reports associated with this work were published by CULN in March 2009.
Paper 1: Employers' Engagement with Foundation Degrees (report on the study of the experiences of ten employers) (PDF,663KB)
Paper 2: Dos and Don'ts for Working with Employers and Developing Successful Foundation Degrees and other Work-related, Accredited Higher Education Programmes (PDF, 531KB)
Perceptions of Foundation degrees – Research report
In 2007, fdf commissioned HEIST to undertake research that examined the level of awareness and understandingof Foundation degrees within key target groups prior to amajor communications and marketing campaign.
To see a copy of this report, click here.
Foundation degree literature
In 2007,fdf commissionedDr Diane Burns and Professor Gareth Parry of the University of Sheffield, tosearch and review the breadth of literature about Foundation degrees. The findings have been catalogued to form a purposely-designed database with the aim of enabling all those with an interest in the subject to elicit the latest evidence and understanding.
Although not exhaustive, the contents of the database have resulted from a wide range of searches for published, unpublished and ‘grey’ literature. Theintroduction (see below)details the methodology developed to undertake the literature searches and the development of a framework designed to aid the cataloguing of the results.
The contents of the database are available in three formats. A catalogue ofthe literature covered by the search is available as a Word file.The complete database is available as an Endnote file. However,to enable accessfor those withoutEndnote software, the databasecontentshave also been imported intoan Excel spreadsheet.
View the catalogue of Foundation degree literature (Word, 588KB)
View the database of Foundation degree literature (Endnote, 104KB)
View the database of Foundation degree literature (Excel, 134KB)