2012
Southampton Solent University offers a foundation year in several popular courses, which can help boost your knowledge and start your journey in higher education. One of the most popular foundations courses is Sport and Tourism. After completing this initial base year to your full potential you are able to go on to study at undergraduate level, often with a head start on some of your peers. Past foundation year students have commented on how beneficial the course was in preparing them for their undergraduate year.
Dani, Dan, Sam and Ben are four students who have just completed their foundation year and have gone on to study in their chosen subjects. Each of them want to go into different fields of sport and tourism and are thankful for the opportunity the foundation level has given them. “I had a really great time doing the foundation year” says Ben, who has aspirations to become a teacher “I’ve met some really interesting people and made some great friends.” Sam left school and decided she wanted to become a sailing instructor before deciding she could broaden her horizons by coming to university: “I feel like I’m learning loads more then I would ever have at A Level” she says.
In addition to offering units to benefit you in your undergraduate study, the foundation year also teaches a number of study skills to enhance your understanding of higher education, encompassing numerous issues ranging from IT training to referencing skills. “These units really do prepare you for your first year” says Dani. Ben agrees “The tutors offer loads of support and are always willing to help you out”.
Southampton Solent University has state of the art sport facilities and equipment, and the tourism department boasts links with major companies operating within Southampton’s world-renowned port and tourist trade. It’s a bustling friendly city with a large student population, as Ben enthuses; “Living in Southampton is great. You make loads of friends at the university. Plus, the town centre, halls and university campus are all really close to one another.”
Each of these students has varying aspirations as to what they wish to achieve after graduating from Southampton Solent University and are confident that their courses will bring them success. Dani and Sam both harbour entrepreneurial dreams and hope to set up their own businesses. Dan hopes of using his time on the foundation year to launch himself into a career helping others: “I want to promote sport in disadvantaged areas.” Ben is philosophical in his aspirations: “I want to go into PE teaching” he reveals “I really hope that if I can get just one kid into sport, then I know I have changed someone’s life.” By launching their academic career via the foundation degree, they are well on their way.