Foundation degrees are considered a great way of acquiring the skills required to function at a workplace and gain a degree (undergraduate/graduate) at the same time. These courses focus on developing in-demand professional skills among students, which are highly valued by employers worldwide. Additionally, students who are unable to commit to a full-time bachelors course or full-time masters course, get the opportunity to enhance their professional value with online foundation courses.

Foundational degrees are regarded as an excellent option to acquire skills needed at a workplace and obtain a higher education qualification without committing to a full-time degree. It provides a strong platform for those who are seeking business employment opportunities, simultaneously opening doors for pursuing full-time academic programmes. This vocational degree will not only allow you to make a switch in your current career path, but also give you the flexibility of studying while you are working. These courses are usually created in partnership between universities, higher education colleges and employers from multinational organizations.

Here are some of the professional skills that can be obtained through foundational degree courses:

Analytical skills – Analytical skills refer to the ability to extract information from a database and perform multiple analysis to detect any malware and chart out an outcome. It prepares students to collect, organize, draw logical conclusions and find solutions to issues by utilizing the data available. The ability to analyze information correctly involves a set of skills, which are:

• Research;
• Forecasting;
• Problem-solving;
• Data mining;
• Data and metrics interpreting;
• Diagnostics;
• Troubleshooting;
• Theorizing;

Communication skills – Most employees tend to look for effective communication skills while hiring their employees. It is considered a major aspect of building a healthy relationship among co-workers. Communication skills can be of three types: verbal, non-verbal and written. Effective communication skills for a workplace is considered as the fundamental skill to enhance your employability. It includes:

• Understanding the information presented;
• Communicating in a manner that can be easily understood;
• Engaging in and showing interest in other people’s point of view;
• Clarifying your thoughts and ideas based on relevant knowledge;
• Listening to others while they are communicating;
• Asking questions during conversations for better understanding.

Interpersonal skills – It is referred to as the ability of an individual to interact with other people. Possessing interpersonal skills is an integral aspect of both your personal and professional life. It encompasses people management skills, soft skills, emotional intelligence as well as employability skills. Strong interpersonal skills are the key factor for creating collaboration within a workspace. Good interpersonal skills can allow you to:

• Adjust to a variety of situations;
• Resolve workplace conflicts;
• Gain the trust and respect of your coworkers;
• Enhance your ability to work under pressure.

Critical thinking skills – Critical thinking ability is referred to as the organized and rational manner of thinking that is required to understand the connection between ideas and facts. It helps develop and improve your decision-making and problem-solving skills. Demonstrating critical thinking abilities during an interview can increase your chances of obtaining a job role at a higher position. It prepares you to question your reasoning ability and identify better solutions to problems. It includes the following skill sets:

• Interpretation;
• Inference;
• Evaluation;
• Explanation;
• Self-regulation;
• Open-mindedness.

Foundation degrees provide you with a strong platform to obtain a career of your choice. Furthermore, it also opens doors for you to take up higher educational qualifications further down the line. Enrol yourself into a foundation course to explore the opportunities that can enhance your professional career.