Science Foundation Year

The Science Foundation Year is designed to prepare candidates for a successful transfer to a wide range of degree courses leading to BSc degrees in science. Students study modules in mathematics, generic physical science and engineering, and core skills largely in common with the Engineering Foundation Programme, but then select to study options in biology, chemistry, or computing subjects.  The modules have been designed for students from a wide range of backgrounds, so please ask us if your current knowledge and skills will allow us to offer you a place on this course.

Students who complete the course successfully may proceed to BSc programmes within the School of Engineering and Applied Science.  These include: BSc Chemistry, BSc Biological Chemistry and BSc Computing Science.

What you will study

The compulsory modules give you the opportunity to study mathematics and physics to A-level standard, to gain experience of an IT-based environment, and to develop reporting and presentation skills.  Hands-on laboratory practice forms an important part of this experience.  You select options which concentrate on elements of biology, chemistry, computing, or web-site development.  The focus is to provide you with experience of those scientific and mathematical concepts that are required for success on the undergraduate courses in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry. We don’t expect you to have advanced science qualifications, but a desire to learn within a scientific environment is essential.

You will be invited to choose which scientific discipline you wish to study during the summer term and on successful completion of this preparatory year you will join stage 1 (the ‘first’ year) of your chosen BSc course.