基礎課程是另一種等同於 A-Level 的英國大學入學資格準備課程 (也稱做入學先修班)。 基礎課程為期一年，內容為學術英文及針對特定科目所設計的學習課程，例如商科、法律、傳播或藝術設計。

由於台灣與英國的教育體系不同，台灣高中生無法直接進入 英國大學 (不過在蘇格蘭卻可以)。 如果學生的英語程度不足以應付嚴格的 A-Level 課程，他們通常選擇參加基礎課程。 當然對學生較有利的是，基礎課程為期一年，但 A-Level 課程卻需要兩年間。

有許多教育機構都有提供基礎課程例如：大學，學院等等。 這些私立學校專門協助再深造的國際學生準備。 公立的學院提供廣泛的課程給英國學生及國際學生，範圍包括職業與學術課程。

通常學生會認為，比起基礎課程，選讀 A-Level 課程比較有機會進入較好的大學，但這只有在學生的 A-Level 成績很好的時候才成立。 A-Level 的課程非常嚴格，所要求的英文程度很高。 如果英語程度不夠卻選讀 A-Level 課程， 所得的分數會偏低；但是基礎課程卻包含很多英文輔助學習。

捷先留學中心有各類的基礎課程資訊提供學生做參考，並有經驗豐富的顧問協助學生選擇適合的課程。

基礎課程入學條件:

• 高中畢業證書與成績單
• IELTS - 從 4.5分到 5.5分，標準因學校而異。
• 一封學校老師的推薦函
• 讀書計畫
• 藝術科系的學生需提供作品集，通常是呈現申請者十項作品的投影片或是光碟。

Foundation courses (sometimes known as access or bridging courses) are an alternative to A-levels, the qualifications needed to gain entry into a UK university. They are one year courses that combine academic study in a variety of areas such as business, law and communications and academic English. There are also foundation courses available in Art and Design.

Taiwan senior high school graduates cannot enter a UK university direct because the Taiwan and UK education systems are different. (This can be possible in Scotland though) They will normally join a foundation course if they don't have the necessary level of English to cope with the rigorous study of A-levels. Of course there is the added advantage of studying for just one year on a foundation course opposed to the two years required for the A-level courses.

A variety of institutions offer foundation courses. These can be the universities themselves, Tutorial Colleges, which are small private institutions specializing in preparing international students for university study and Further Education Colleges. These colleges are government maintained and offer a wide range of courses both vocational and academic to UK student though they usually have a number of international students as well.

Although it is often thought that students taking A-levels will gain entry to better universities than those taking a foundation course this is only true if high grades are obtained. A-level courses are very strenuous and require a high level of English. Attempting A-levels without the necessary level of English will result in lower grades but on a foundation course there is a lot of language support provided as part of the course.

The GetSet Library has information on a wide variety of foundation courses available in the UK and our experienced counselors will be able to assist you in finding the one most suitable for you.

Foundation Course Entrance requirements

• Senior High School Diploma and transcript
• IELTS -This can range between 4.5 and 5.5 depending on the Institution
• One Academic reference
• Personal Statement.
• Art & Design applicants will need a portfolio of their work, normally ten pieces in either slide or CD-ROM format