From Foundation to future: kick‑start your career
Discover how a Business, Finance and Accounting Foundation Year prepares you for a career in the world of business and finance and find out where our Foundation Year students have gone on to work after graduation from Surrey.
The CREATE module was invaluable for my academic and personal development. The first-hand experience of creating a successful business was something I can look back on and be proud of. When asked what my biggest achievement was during interviews, I often drew back on the CREATE module, as it demonstrates initiative and shows employers I could take an idea from concept to execution.
Business, Finance and Accounting Foundation Year studentOur Foundation Year doesn’t just prepare you for university – it prepares you for the real world.
Rather than relying solely on traditional teaching, the programme embeds employability through structured, high-engagement activities. You’ll get to interview real-world leaders, such as Sadiq Khan (the Mayor of London), Andrew Bailey (Governor of the Bank of England), Philippe Schaillee (Global CEO of Costa Coffee) and Baroness Karren Brady. Whilst this might push you beyond your comfort zone, it’ll develop your communication, initiative and professional confidence.
On our CREATE ['Creativity, Resourcefulness, Enterprise and Task Evaluation'] module, you’ll also design and run your own small businesses, investing your own money and – best of all – keeping any profits! This develops your accountability, decision-making and resilience in a way that classroom-based learning simply can’t replicate.
Overall, our approach recognises that employability at this Foundation Year-level is not just about skills delivery, but about behaviour change, confidence-building and sustained engagement. The result is our students don’t just progress – they stand out with tangible experiences, commercial awareness and the confidence to succeed.
Nick Edwards, Director, Business, Finance and Accounting Foundation YearAlongside this, mock assessment centres, CV development and AI-driven practice will expose you early to recruitment expectations. We use video-based assessments (vlogs) to build confidence, improve self-presentation and address common gaps in communication skills.
Surrey's track record in employability
We have a proven track record in developing and equipping highly employable graduates. Ninety-three per cent of our Foundation Year students are in employment or further study after they graduate from the University of Surrey, 81.6% of whom are in graduate-level roles (Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA).
How Surrey sets you above the crowd in the jobs market
Whilst you’re at Surrey we’ll support you in navigating your way to your chosen career path.
Our outstanding placement programme, accreditation from many professional examining bodies, and an impressive track record of employability is why we’re ranked in the UK’s top 20 and the world's top 100 for business and economics (THE World University Subject Rankings 2026).
Discover more about our Business, Finance and Accounting Foundation Year programme, our award-winning Professional Training placement scheme and student life at Surrey.