Science Foundation Year

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

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.

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).

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.

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.

Modules

GSCI0008 Fundamentals of Biology

GSCI0009 Fundamentals of Chemistry

GSCI0011 Laboratories and Coursework

GSCI0010 Mathematics for Scientists

GENG0014 Routes to Success

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.

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.