Business, Economics, Hospitality and Tourism Management Foundation Year

This page gives an overview of our Business, Economics, Hospitality and Tourism Management Foundation Year programme.

What you will study

Undergraduate mathematics students in lecture

This one-year, full-time foundation year programme will provide you with knowledge of business, hospitality, tourism, and economics concepts, theories, ideas and tools to make it easier to get started at university.

It is an extra year of study at the start of your course that leads to one of our full degree programmes.

You will also carry out a research project where you can explore in detail a topic of your choice, using either quantitative or qualitative research methods (or a mix of both).

Taking the foundation year has worked wonders for my confidence. I discovered I was really smart with the business side of things. Now that I’m in my first year of the degree, I like being able to know how to operate SurreyLearn, navigate my way around the campus, where the best places to eat are and where to go for a good night out – it’s put me at such an advantage over first years just starting out. Charlotte Pearson

Teaching and learning

You will be taught by a multidisciplinary team of lecturers who are subject specialists and experts in shaping their teaching approaches to each student.

Your teachers will equip you with academic skills that will form the bedrock of your studies, e.g. referencing, lab reports, data analysis. They will share their enthusiasm for their subject whilst giving you a road-map so you can succeed in your assignments.

The Business, Economics, Hospitality and Tourism Management Foundation Year teaching team is:

Erivan White (Foundation Year Programme lead)
Zainab Atta
Gerald Dampier
Nick Edwards
Dr Ioannis Lazopoulos
Dr Sanna Nurmikko-Metsola
Dr Peter Sims.

All Foundation students are assigned a personal tutor to support you while you study.

Day-to-day learning

We focus on active learning, encouraging you to take the initiative in finding answers to your questions, and on developing your skills for research, presentation or self-reflection.

Our foundation academics apply effective and innovative teaching methods through interactive learning, direct observation and simulation games.

You’ll benefit from group seminars, small group tutorials, projects and workshops, as well as lectures and external visits. We find that our students learn most effectively in this environment, and teamwork projects during the year will contribute to the development of your personal skills in leadership, effective communication and analytical ability.

We conduct skills-based assessment centres and emphasise the significance of employability:

Team-building through group work
Personal brand through vlogging and blogging
Leadership and innovation with high profile industry guest speakers
Students develop and run their own business in Semester 2.

These features sit alongside many other activities that seek to foster and develop employability in an uncertain and demanding employment market.

Assessment

The assessment methods on the course have been designed to assist you to develop and adapt your skills for further study and employment. They include vlogs, blogs, group presentations, business plans and independent research to name a few.

In some cases, you will have an opportunity to submit a formative piece of work for feedback and comment before you submit the finished article. In every case you will have the opportunity to seek guidance and advice from experienced lecturers who are there to support you to succeed in your ambitions.

A foundation year... was the perfect opportunity to ease into university life and try all the aspects of being at university Varshitha Vanka