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Biological Sciences with Foundation Year

  • 2 Study options
  • Undergraduate
Stag Hill
More about University of Surrey

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2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Why choose this course

  • Access our £12.5 million Innovation for Health Learning Laboratory to acquire practical lab experience that is essential for a research career and valued by employers.

  • Focus your studies on animal biology and ecology, cellular and molecular sciences, or infection and immunity as you progress through the course, or explore wider interests through a variety of optional modules.

  • Develop your understanding of sustainability and how this underpins biological sciences, including the importance of biodiversity and how humans have impacted the environment.

  • Take the opportunity to get industry-ready with our award-winning Professional Training placements, with a wide range of employers to choose from.

We’re preparing you for the future by integrating AI into every course, building digital skills, confidence and creativity that employers value in tomorrow’s workplace.

What you will study
In the first year of our Biological Sciences course, you’ll study topics that are fundamental to biosciences, ensuring you have a solid foundation upon which to build the rest of your degree.

During your second year, you’ll have the option to focus your studies on either animal biology and ecology, cellular and molecular sciences, or infection and immunity. Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of broader modules including analytical biochemistry, cellular microbiology, and neuroscience.

In your third year, you’ll further your knowledge of your chosen specialism or broader study by exploring topics such as advanced pharmacology, genetics, and the impact of humans on the environment. You’ll also complete a research project, bringing together all the practical, analytical and presentation skills you’ve developed.

Foundation courses
A foundation year can develop your skills and make it easier to get started at university. It is an extra year of study at the start of your course that leads in to a full degree programme. Foundation courses are a great option if:

  • You don’t have the grades for a full degree course.

  • You have non-traditional qualifications or experience.

  • You’re starting university after some time away from education.

  • You’re looking for more support during the transition into university study.

Life as a foundation year student
During a foundation year, you’ll learn about your chosen subject, develop your study skills and get used to university life. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree course.

As a foundation year student, you’ll be a full student of the University and part of our community. You’ll have access to all our campus facilities and support.

Modules

Course Modules

To see the full range of modules for this course please visit our website – the link is under the Course contact details. You will also find full details of the programme, including programme structure, assessment methods, contact hours and Graduate prospects.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Stag Hill

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • Integrated foundation year • 5 Years
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Integrated foundation year • 4 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
S85

University of Surrey has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
S85

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

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Discover what it's like to study Biological Sciences with Foundation Year at University of Surrey: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.

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Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
CCC

Overall:
CCC

We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking in our offers.

Required subjects:
A science subject.
Applicants taking the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass.

T Level
P

Overall:
Pass overall, with minimum D in the Core Component.

Required subjects:
Science.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C). Applicants must have achieved these GCSE grades at the time of making their application.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
BBBCC

Overall:
BBBCC

Required subjects:
A science subject.

GCSE or Equivalent:
Scottish National 5: English Language and Mathematics grade C. Applicants must have achieved the Scottish national grades at the time of making their application.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 21 Merit: 3 Pass: 21

Overall:
QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 21 at Distinction, 3 at Merit and and 21 at Pass

Required subjects:
modules must be in relevant subjects.

GCSE or Equivalent:
Inclusion of GCSE English and Mathematics equivalent within Access programme

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English and Mathematics grade C (4) (or equivalents may be considered). Applicants must have achieved these GCSE grades at the time of making their application.

Scottish Advanced Higher
CCC

Overall:
CCC

Required subjects:
A science subject.

GCSE or Equivalent:
Scottish National 5: English Language and Mathematics grade C. Applicants must have achieved the Scottish national grades at the time of making their application.

Extended Project
A

Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer for this programme, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.

Applicants can only receive one grade reduction from the published grades, an EPQ grade reduction can’t be applied in addition to other grade reductions made through other schemes such as Contextual Admissions or In2Surrey.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 29

Overall:
29

Required subjects:
a science subject HL4/SL6.

GCSE or Equivalent:
English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6 and Mathematics (either course) HL4/SL4. Applicants must have achieved these grades at the time of making their application.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Overall:
Pass overall with CCC from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels.

Required subjects:
an A-level in a science subject.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C). Applicants must have achieved these GCSE grades at the time of making their application.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
MMM

Overall:
MMM in Applied Science

Required subjects:
Please contact us to discuss suitability.

Applications are considered on an individual basis, taking into account qualifications achieved, predicted grades, personal statement and academic reference. Conditional offers are specified in terms of required grades; we do not make offers in terms of overall UCAS tariff.

We understand that predicted grades are an estimate and will consider applicants who have predicted grades that are a little lower than our published requirement. Any offers we make will align with the grades shown above unless a grade reduction can be offered under our Contextual Admissions policy or our In2Surrey scheme. Details can be found here: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/schools-colleges/contextual-admissions-policy

Applicants with a mixed qualification profile (e.g. those taking A-levels and BTEC qualifications) are encouraged to contact admissions@surrey.ac.uk for guidance on the grades accepted.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.56.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/apply/international/english-language-requirements

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

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Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern IrelandTBC

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please see our website for up-to-date information on our fees for 2027/28:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/undergraduate-2027-entry

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries 1

The University of Surrey offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support our students, please visit https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries for more details.

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