The need for intermediate higher education qualifications that combined vocational and academic elements was recognised in the Choosing to Change report on 1994 and by the Dearing Report in 1997, while the 1999 Delivering Skills for All report recommended the establishment of two year vocational associate degrees.
While foundation degrees expanded initially, particularly taking merit share off other sub-degree qualifications such as Higher National Diplomas, overall enrollments have declined since 2009.