Step Up to Higher Education University Foundation Certificate

Progress onto a range of degrees at University of Staffordshire 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 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.

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.

Most courses require IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent approved English language qualification. Some courses have higher entry criteria, so check the course-specific entry requirements.

UK students: Free

UK/Home: Free

January 2027 April 2027 September 2027 April 2028

See central undergraduate application guidance: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply

• Stoke-on-Trent campus, United Kingdom