Our Science Foundation Year is designed to provide you with a route to a science degree if you do not have the traditional entry qualifications. This programme may suit you if you are studying for A levels in subjects different from those normally required for these degrees. It may also interest you if you are a mature applicant, with skills and experience from employment and can show recent study, or if you come from a part of the world where the education system is different from the British A level system.
Introducing your
course
The Science Foundation Year aims to give you the knowledge to meet the challenges of our science degree courses. The year provides a rapid introduction to biology, chemistry and mathematics, which will prepare you for your chosen undergraduate degree.
Programme Overview
What course can I progress to?
Courses available with the Foundation Year
Successful completion of our Foundation Year will guarantee you a place on one of our science programmes. The courses available with the Science Foundation Year are listed below, along with their UCAS codes. Applications for the Science Foundation Year should be made via UCAS using the code relevant to your chosen course.
To apply for the Science Foundation Year you will need to chose the course that you wish to combine it with and then apply through UCAS. The UCAS codes for the courses available with the Science Foundation Year are listed below.
CB71 BSc Biochemistry/Biomedical Sciences/Pharmacology/Neuroscience with Foundation Year
C108 BSc Biology/Zoology with Foundation Year
F108 BSc/MChem Chemistry with Foundation Year
F903 BSc/MEnvSci Environmental Sciences with Foundation Year
F602 BSc Geology with Foundation Year
F705 BSc Marine Biology with Foundation Year
F701 BSc Oceanography with Foundation Year
Key Facts
Other Foundation Years
Looking for a Foundation Year for a different subject?
If you want to be challenged to work hard, encouraged to do what you want to do, and celebrated for what you have achieved, Southampton is where you want to be.
Entry Requirements
Typical entry requirements
A Levels:
Typical A Levels entry requirements for Foundation Year Science
Qualification
Grade
GCE A-level
If you have not taken two science subjects at A-Level as normally required for direct entry, then you will usually need a Foundation Year. Our offer for students who have studied A-Levels is typically BBB. You will need an aptitude for science, which may be demonstrated by recent study (along with good GCSE grades in science and maths).
IB:
Typical IB entry requirements for Foundation Year Science
Qualification
Grade
International Baccalaureate
A typical offer if you are taking science subjects at standard level and/or maths at standard level might be 30 points overall with a minimum of 5 in science/maths.
BTEC
Our offer for students who have studied a BTEC is typically DDD with distinctions in all modules.
Other applicants
Mature applicants are especially welcome. We will be looking either for some recent study (e.g. an AS or A-Level, completed OU modules) and for work experience relevant to your preferred subject area. You will need to show an aptitude for mathematics, which may be best demonstrated by our own maths test.
If you have qualifications that are not listed above, your application will be considered on an individual basis.
International students
If you can show a proven ability in science and maths, but you come from a region or country where an A-Level equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University is not available, you may be considered for the Foundation Year.
English language
If English is not your first language, we ask you to obtain a recognised language qualification. If you can demonstrate that you have achieved IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each band, or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University, you will be able to join the course without the need for additional English language classes.
If you have achieved IELTS 5.5 with at least 5.5 in each band, or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University, you can take the Language Pathway option. This gives you the specialist extra language tuition to help you succeed in your degree.
If you have not yet reached IELTS 5.5 but plan to be based in Southampton, you could consider taking a separate preparatory language course.
Selection process:
Each application is considered individually. However, whether you are coming directly from full-time education, or from a different background, you need to demonstrate an aptitude for maths and science. This could be through recent qualifications (for example, as a mature student you may have already completed Open University modules), relevant work experience or both.
Whatever degree course you are aiming for, you will take all the modules listed below. All modules are studied for the whole year and are assessed through both coursework and examination. The coursework module integrates elements from the different disciplinary modules and is assessed by a range of approaches. The examinations held in January carry 40% of the marks and those held in June carry 60% of the marks for each disciplinary module.
Students with an IELTS of 5.5 or 6.0 who already have the Mathematics required for their destination degree programme, will be required to follow the Language Pathway and will take GENG0016 English for Engineers and Scientists.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the
programme and the learning outcomes that a typical
student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage
of the learning opportunities that are provided.
More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide
or website).
Fees & funding
Tuition fees
Course fees are paid annually. There is a standard fee for the Science Foundation Year and then students pay the annual tuition fee for the course that they progress to. All fees can be found on our course fees table.
List of tuition fees for this course and it's variations
There may be funding available for the course you progress to after the Science Foundation Year. Funding opportunities can be found on the relevant course pages.
There are no additional costs for the Science Foundation Year. Any additional costs for the course you progress to can be found on the relevant course pages.
Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such
essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the
academic requirements for each programme of study.
In some cases you'll be able to choose modules (which may have different costs associated
with that module) which will change the overall cost of a programme to you. Please also
ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and
Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.
Learning & Assessment
Teaching and learning
Our students acquire knowledge and understanding through a combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratory experiments, coursework and individual and group assignments. You will develop the transferable skills for degree success.
Ground-breaking research
The University has an excellent reputation for research in engineering and science. When you progress on to your degree programme, you will be taught by staff at the cutting edge of their research fields in an environment that promotes and values independent enquiry and helps you to develop these skills for yourselves.
Assessment and examinations
You will be assessed through unseen written exams, short tests, assessed coursework in the form of laboratory log books and reports, problems and other set assignments.
Study Locations
Biological Sciences Building, Highfield Campus
The Life Sciences building is a £50 million state-of-the-art laborator...Find out more
