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Science with Foundation Year (Integrated Honours Programme)

Course details
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
University Park Campus

Course summary

This course is now accepting applicants with the correct A level subjects.

Want to study a science degree, but you took the wrong A levels, or you took the correct A levels but have not met the grades for your desired subject? This course is designed to develop your skills, knowledge and understanding that you will need to progress onto one of our science undergraduate courses.

Our one-year foundation course prepares you for undergraduate study, giving you the subject-specific knowledge and skills you need to progress on to one of our science undergraduate courses.

After successfully meeting the progression criteria of the foundation year you will be guaranteed progression on to your chosen undergraduate degree.*

You will benefit from having the opportunity to develop key scientific skills alongside the fundamental scientific concepts needed to succeed in your chosen undergraduate degree.

* Some courses require you to pass an additional interview.

Please note: this course does not accept international/EU applications.


Is this course for me?

The foundation year is ideal if you:

  • have A level grades, or equivalent, but not the right subjects for direct entry to a science degree

  • have A level grades, or equivalent, but not the right grades in specific science subjects for direct entry to a science degree

  • meet the university's conditions for contextual admissions and have a grade lower than our entry requirements in the same subject or are an elite athlete

  • will be a mature student returning to education and have evidence of recent study 

    What will I study?

Biology and chemistry are the two main components of foundation science. You'll also study maths and science skills which are applied directly to biology and chemistry topics. We also provide human biology for students keen on the biomedical sciences.

Fundamental to our courses is a significant amount of laboratory work which will allow you to develop the analytical, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that have set our foundation science students apart from direct applicants and gives them a head start in their undergraduate studies. 

Why choose this course?

Course highlights

  • Build a strong foundation helping you progress onto one of our science undergraduate courses.

  • Develop practical experience and key scientific skills with laboratory work.

  • Learn from academics who are active in world-leading science research.

    Proven results

  • We’re a top 20 UK and top 100 world university (QS World University Rankings 2026).

  • More than 90% of our research is classed as “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

Modules

Course Modules

For detailed information about the modules you will study, please visit the course page

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Science-with-Foundation-Year-BSc-Hons.html

Assessment method

For detailed information about the course assessment methods please visit the course page: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Science-with-Foundation-Year-BSc-Hons.html

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
CGF0
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
BBB

Applicants must not have qualifications that would normally permit entry to a science degree.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
BBBBB

This qualification is only acceptable when combined with Advanced Higher grades BB.

Applicants must not have qualifications that would normally permit entry to a science degree.

Access to HE Diploma

Students with a science based Access course that does not meet the subject/content requirements for direct entry to the degree they wish to progress to, will be considered. Please contact the School for further information.

Scottish Advanced Higher
BB

Advanced Higher grades BB plus Higher grades BBBBB.

Applicants must not have qualifications that would normally permit entry to a science degree.

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

Students with a science based BTEC course that does not meet the subject/content requirements of the degree they wish to progress to, will be considered. Please contact the School for further information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 28

or 555 in 3 HL certificates

Applicants must not have qualifications that would normally permit entry to a science degree.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Can be accepted when combined with appropriate A Level subjects - please contact School for further information.

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

Students with a science based BTEC course that does not meet the subject/content requirements of the degree they wish to progress to, will be considered. Please contact the School for further information.

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

Students with a science based BTEC course that does not meet the subject/content requirements of the degree they wish to progress to, will be considered. Please contact the School for further information.

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

Students with a science based BTEC course that does not meet the subject/content requirements of the degree they wish to progress to, will be considered. Please contact the School for further information.

GCSE requirements - Five GCSE's at grade 5 (B)or above, including Maths plus Biology and Chemistry or Science (double) or Science and Additional Science or Core and Applied Science, plus English Language grade 4 (C)* or above.

  • GCSE requirements vary for progression on to specific science degrees taught at Nottingham:
    Psychology and Pharmacy require 5 (B) in English

Pharmacy and Biochemistry require 6 (B) in Maths

Applicants to this course may be eligible for our Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme. If you achieve a grade A in an EPQ, Core Maths*, IB Extended Essay or additional AS level qualification* then you will receive a one grade reduced offer for this course.

Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer or receive an alternative offer based on taking four A levels, your additional qualification will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

  • Additional eligibility requirements apply. View further details on this scheme.

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/applying/entry-requirements.html

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham website

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.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU & InternationalTBC
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202627/index.aspx

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