They were trialled in 2000, at which point the government expected 80% of the future expansion in higher education to come from foundation degrees.
[6] Foundation degrees expanded initially, particularly taking market share from other sub-degree qualifications such as Higher National Diplomas, but overall enrollments have declined since 2009.
Although the number of students studying foundation degrees at colleges has continued to increase, this has not been sufficient to offset the fall in university courses.
[8] They are intended to give comprehensive knowledge in a subject to enable the holder to go on to employment or further study in that field.
[8] They are at the same level as the older Higher National Diploma (HND) and Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE);[11] however, they have a different emphasis and can only be awarded by institutions that have received research, taught or foundation degree awarding powers from the Privy Council.