Step Up to Higher Education University Foundation Certificate

Duration

10 Weeks

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Gain the skills and confidence to progress onto degree-level work through our free 10-week programme.

Step Up to Higher Education (HE) is ideal for mature students (those aged 21 and over) who want to return to education and may not have taken a traditional academic route. Whether you’re looking to retrain for a new career, pursue a passion or explore your personal development, we’ll help you achieve success.

You’ll learn the crucial skills needed for access to university study, including attending and preparing for lectures and seminars, note-taking, gathering research and using library resources. We also break down each assignment into manageable chunks.

Throughout the course, you will have a personal tutor and lots of other support such as mentoring and coaching. You’ll be able to try taster sessions in various subjects, and our staff will provide guidance on your next steps.

The specialist course team have extensive experience in helping adult learners reach their potential. As a Step Up to HE student, you can play a full part in university life too.

Once you complete the programme, you’ll gain a qualification and will have the chance to go on to take one of our foundation or degree-level courses.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: University Foundation Certificate Step Up to Higher Education

Part-time study

The course is studied part-time, eight hours a week for 10 weeks.

Course content

This course is taught by subject-specialist academic staff, study skills tutors, library and IT specialists, ensuring you develop the key skills needed for HE. Within your first week, you’ll be assigned a personal tutor who will nurture you and provide feedback.

You will have timetabled assignment support sessions, where you will get one-to-one support and feedback. We will also help you to find your feet and offer advice and guidance on future study routes that may be open to you.

You will complete two modules designed to introduce you to a variety of skills and provide a firm academic foundation to build on through future study.

Module 1: Skills Know-How: Review and Development

You will be introduced to carrying out research, reading and referencing. The overarching ethos is to help you understand yourself more as a learner and reflect on your experiences. You will apply theoretical concepts to your own personal and professional practice.

You will be supported in producing a 1,500-word reflective assessment, which will hone your writing skills. You will also be guided on the effective use of IT.

Module 2: Research and Evaluation

You will be encouraged to think critically and will be guided on how to research, read analytically and reference using reliable, evidence-based information. You’ll take part in workshops, seminars and tutorials on the development of grammar, essay planning, structure and presentation, and academic and critical writing.

As the weeks progress, your level of autonomy as a student will grow, so you gain confidence in tackling objective and research-based writing.

You will guided on writing a 1,000-word critical assessment, as well as preparing for a 10-minute reflective verbal discussion. You will also be expected to write a 500-word reflective diary as supporting evidence for your learning journey.

Academic year

We have course intakes taking place on the following dates:

  • Monday 23 September 2024 - Tuesday 3 December 2024
  • Monday 13 January 2025 - Tuesday 25 March 2025
  • Monday 28 April 2025 - Tuesday 1 July 2025
  • Monday 22 September 2025 - Tuesday 2 December 2025
  • Monday 12 January 2026 - Tuesday 24 March 2026
  • Monday 20 April 2026 - Tuesday 30 June 2026

Attendance is required on a Monday and Tuesday, 10am-2pm.

James Moore - Step up to HE

James Moore - Step up to HE

Video

With the help of Step Up, James was able to leave his job and get through his degree in almost half the time.

Sorry, this video requires the use of functional cookies which you have not consented to use. Change your cookie settings or watch the video on the provider's website

Entry requirements

Applicants must be able to demonstrate written English equivalent to ESOL Level 2.

Applications for Step Up to HE are contextually considered in order to secure attainable academic progression and future transition into degree level study. We also value your experience as well as formal qualifications, so our entrance requirements are flexible. You may have qualifications including CSEs, O Levels and GCSEs – or you may have a range of work-based, or other skills and achievements.

We particularly value life experience and anyone who is interested in progressing on to the course is invited to enquire and contact us at stepup@staffs.ac.uk.

Step Up to Higher Education at Staffordshire University

Step Up to Higher Education at Staffordshire University

Video

Advice on support available to prospective students

Sorry, this video requires the use of functional cookies which you have not consented to use. Change your cookie settings or watch the video on the provider's website

Facilities

Libraries

We have Libraries and service desks at both sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our experienced and friendly staff can answer your IT queries, help you to access resources, show you how to research for your assignments and help with referencing.

Off-campus library services

Distance learners benefit from a range of services including access to e-books, postal loans of physical books, online support from subject librarians and more. Read more

Library services and learning resources

We offer an extensive range of library services to our off-campus students and help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our comprehensive online catalogue of eResources are available for you to search for and access material such as eBooks, journals and databases. Our team of librarians can help you find your way around the electronic resources and library catalogues, or if there’s something specific you need, they can help you to source it.

Our LibGuides provide information and advice on using our online resources, with specific pages for each subject area, and can help you search for quality-assured websites. 

Find out more: Library Resources

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content. It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Digital Kiln

A modern social space for students based in Mellor Building. It's ideal for group work, creative ideas sessions and relaxation.

Careers

This programme is very successful in supporting individuals to achieve their future goals. Many learners who have successfully completed the Step Up to HE Certificate move onto a wide range of degree courses at University of Staffordshire. Examples of the subject areas now being studied by Step Up to HE learners include photography, history, law and business.

Step Up to Higher Education Blog

Blog

Information, advice and inspirational stories for mature learners

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Teaching approaches can include formal lectures, group work, tutorials/practical sessions, seminars, workshops, directed and self-managed study, and research projects. Each of these will be used on your modules so you get the chance to learn as effectively as possible.

Assessment

There are two types of assessments: practice (also called formative) or formal (also called summative).

Practice assessments do not count towards your final mark. These are your chance to test your understanding and learn how to improve for the real thing.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Staff

You will be taught by an expert teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. 

Ashley Cotton

Step Up Programme Manager

Ashley's area of expertise at Staffordshire is working positively with a range of harder-to-reach learners in order to develop the core academic and learning skills-set to be successful within a university level environment.

Ashley's profile

Kay Dawson

Academic Tutor - Step Up To He

I am an Academic Tutor on the Step Up to Higher Education. In my career I have been involved with teaching, coordinating Foundation Degrees, working closely with local businesses, looking at opportunities & skills gaps.

Kay's profile

Daniel Tapley

Academic Tutor - Step Up To He

Academic Tutor - Step Up to Higher Education (HE) - MSc, BSc (Hons), FHEA

Daniel's profile

Fees

The course is free of charge for students progressing on to study at University of Staffordshire and our associated partner colleges. Tailored and individualised guidance on Student Finance is available during the course to support students progressing onto undergraduate programmes at University of Staffordshire.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus University Foundation Certificate Part-time 28 April 2025 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021