Biological Science with Foundation Year

The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

Featuring a reduced tuition fee in the first year, our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

• Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.

• Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

• At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2026 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2026*.

• Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).

• You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

The Northampton Employment Promise

In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.

✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information
✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information

Stage 1a
• Professional and Academic Skills for University Study (compulsory)
• Applied Learning Project (compulsory)
• Foundations in Science (compulsory)

Stage 1b

• Biochemistry and Cell Biology (Compulsory)

• Introduction to Ecology (Compulsory)

• Lab and Field Skills (Compulsory)

• Genetics and Molecular Biology (Compulsory)

• Introduction to Microbiology (Compulsory)

• Diversity of Life: Form and Function (Compulsory)

Stage 2

• Techniques in Molecular Biology (Compulsory)

• Data Technologies (Compulsory)

• Fieldwork Module (Compulsory)

• Biogeography (Designated)

• Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems (Designated)

• Adaptations to Life on Land, in Water and Air (Designated)

• Genes and Genomics (Designated)

• Infectious Disease (Designated)

Optional Placement Year

• Life Sciences at Work (Designated)

Stage 3

• Biological Science Dissertation (Compulsory)

• Contemporary Issues in Biology (Compulsory)

• Biodiversity and Conservation (Designated)

• Health, Risk and Environment (Designated)

• Applied and Environmental Microbiology (Designated)

• Gene Regulation (Designated)

• Monitoring The Earth's Surface (Designated)

• Integrated Medical Genetics (Designated)

Module information is quoted for 2026 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.