To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of university courses for which foundation degrees are not accepted as a basis for entry. (214169)

Universities are increasingly accepting foundation degrees as a suitable entry qualification for honours degrees. Over half (54 per cent.) of the students who qualified with a foundation degree in 2004-05 immediately progressed to an honours degree in 2005-06 and other foundation degree graduates may progress to a honours degree later in their careers.

As well as providing a progression route to honours degrees, foundation degrees are a valuable qualification in their own right and offer flexible work-focused qualifications designed with employers to meet their skill needs at that level.