Science Foundation Year
- Duration of study
- 1 + 3 or 4 years
- Funding
- Student loan available, subject to eligibility.
Summary
The Science Foundation Year provides a scientific background customised to your needs, helping you to progress to the subsequent years of a degree programme at Keele. An extensive choice of modules is available from the life, physical, geographical and environmental sciences; mathematics; computing and psychology.
Overview
Modules for 2019/2020 entrants are yet to be confirmed. Details of the modules that ran for entrants in 2018 are shown below. These can be used as an indication of the modules you will study. Once modules for 2019/20 are confirmed they will be published here.
For all international (non-EU) students please see Keele International Foundation Year/Degree Programme.
You will take a combination of modules to a total of 120 credits: core modules (30 credits, or 40 for mathematics), those related to your intended degree programme after your Foundation Year and some free choice. Modules are worth 10, 15 or 20 credits.
Core modules
The core modules include:
- Communication Skills for Scientists (10 credits)
- One of
- Basic Numerical and Computational Skills, (10 credits) for students with GCSE mathematics at at least grade
- Intermediate Numerical and Computational Skills, (10 credits) for students who can demonstrate proficiency in mathematics significantly above GCSE grade C
- Elementary Mathematical Methods I, (20 credits) for students enrolled on single honours or dual honours Mathematics with Science Foundation Year
- One of
- Academic Development (10 credits)
- A Guide to Success for International Students (15 credits), for students deemed to require English language training during the Foundation Year
Subject-specific modules
Modules related to particular subjects, some of which can also be taken as options are shown in the Indicative Modules tab.
Option modules
Additional modules will be taken where necessary to bring the total module credit value to 120. These can be in any subject available at Foundation level and modern foreign languages, subject to timetabling constraints and room capacity.
Next Steps
Who can apply
UK or EU students from a broad range of backgrounds wishing to take a science degree at Keele. Overseas applicants should see the International Degree Programme.
Next Steps
Indicative modules
Subject |
Modules taken |
Astrophysics (Combined honours) |
The Newtonian World |
Biochemistry (Combined honours) |
General and Organic Chemistry |
Biochemistry (Single honours) |
General and Organic Chemistry |
Biology (Combined honours) |
Chemistry Matters |
Biology (Single honours) |
Chemistry Matters |
Biomedical Science (Single honours) |
Chemistry Matters |
Chemistry (Combined honours) |
General and Organic Chemistry |
Chemistry (Single honours) |
General and Organic Chemistry |
Computer Science (Combined honours) |
Computational Thinking |
Computer Science (Single honours) |
Computational Thinking |
Environment and Sustainability (Single honours ) |
Chemistry Matters |
Environmental Science (Combined honours) |
Chemistry Matters |
Environmental Science (Single honours) |
Chemistry Matters |
Forensic and Analytical Investigation (Single honours) |
General and Organic Chemistry |
Forensic Science (Combined honours) |
General and Organic Chemistry |
Forensic Science (Single honours) |
General and Organic Chemistry |
Geography (Combined honours) |
The Making of Landscape |
Geography (Single honours) |
The Making of Landscape |
Geology (Combined honours) |
The Earth's Changing Surface |
Human Biology (Combined honours) |
Chemistry Matters |
Mathematics (Combined honours) |
Elementary Mathematical Methods I |
Mathematics (Single honours) |
Elementary Mathematical Methods I |
Medicinal Chemistry (Combined honours) |
General and Organic Chemistry |
Neuroscience (Combined honours) |
Chemistry Matters |
Neuroscience (Single honours) |
Chemistry Matters |
Physical Geography (Combined honours) |
The Earth's Changing Surface |
Physical Geography (Single honours) |
The Earth's Changing Surface |
Physics (Combined honours) |
The Newtonian World |
Psychology (Combined honours) |
First Steps in Counselling Skills for Health Professionals |
Psychology (Single honours) |
First Steps in Counselling Skills for Health Professionals |
Psychology with Counselling (Single honours) |
First Steps in Counselling Skills for Health Professionals |
Accounting and Astrophysics (Combined honours) |
Business and Management |
Accounting and Mathematics (Combined honours) |
Business and Management |
Accounting and Physics (Combined honours) |
Business and Management |
Business Management and Computer Science (Combined honours) |
Business and Management |
Business Management and Geography (Combined honours) |
Business and Management |
Business Management and Mathematics (Combined honours) |
Business and Management |
Business Management and Psychology (Combined honours) |
Business and Management |
Economics and Mathematics (Combined honours) |
Business and Management |
Human Resource Management and Psychology (Combined honours) |
Business and Management |
Marketing and Psychology (Combined honours) |
Business and Management |
Next Steps
Entry requirements
To enter the Science Foundation Year in 2019, you must normally have:
- At least 64 UCAS points or
- The equivalent in other qualifications or
- Relevant work experience
AND
- GCSE English Language at grade C, or
- IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)
AND
- GCSE Mathematics at grade C or above
Next Steps
Course routes
Degree courses available with a Science Foundation Year:
- Astrophysics
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biomedical Sciences
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Environmental Science
- Environment & Sustainability
- Forensic and Analytical Investigation
- Forensic Science
- Geography
- Geology
- Human Biology
- Mathematics
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Natural Sciences
- Neuroscience
- Physical Geography
- Physics
- Psychology
- Psychology with Counselling
Next Steps
How to apply
All applications must be made through .
You should apply for a specific subject with a Foundation Year. You can discuss options with a foundation year tutor before arriving at Keele and may be able to change your choice following discussions with foundation year staff.
Please see below the UCAS codes for single honours and combined honours programmes with a Foundation Year.
UCAS single honours programmes with a Science Foundation Year
C703 Biochemistry
C103 Biology
C933 Biomedical Science
F103 Chemistry
G401 Computer Science
F913 Environmental Science
F750 Environment and Sustainability
F413 Forensic and Analytical Investigation
F4L7 Forensic Science and Criminology
F800 Geography
G101 Mathematics
B143 Neuroscience
B232 Pharmaceutical Science, Technology and Business
F303 Physics
F307 Physics with Astrophysics
F803 Physical Geography
C802 Psychology
C8BF Psychology with Counselling
B902 Rehabilitation Science
UCAS combined honours programmes with a Science Foundation Year
F513 Astrophysics
C703 Biochemistry
C103 Biology
F103 Chemistry
G401 Computer Science
F913 Environmental Science
F410 Forensic Science
F603 Geology
CF10 Human Biology
G101 Mathematics
C723 Medicinal Chemistry
B143 Neuroscience
F803 Physical Geography
F306 Physics
C802 Psychology
If you are applying for a combined honours programme with a Foundation Year, you will be intending to study two subjects at degree level. You will need to specify a second subject at the time of applying. Please note that after the foundation year in the subject you will progress to a Bachelor's degree in that subject, a second subject for combined honours.
Next Steps
Teaching and assessment
The programme will be delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, computer classes, laboratory classes and field trips. In addition, you are expected to undertake a large amount of independent study and revision.
Lectures are normally 50 minutes long and consist of a member of staff talking to the whole class with the aid of PowerPoint presentations, whiteboards and other visual aids. Many lectures involve only teaching by the lecturer, although there is usually opportunity to ask questions. However, some lectures are more interactive and may involve activities for you to undertake.
Tutorials and seminars are small group sessions with a member of staff. Usually there is much more participation by students than in lectures. There is often opportunity for you to suggest the topics to be discussed, to ask questions and even to lead part of the session. Tutorials and seminars usually support the material delivered in the lectures; seminars often allow you and/or staff to introduce supplementary material.
Workshops are small group sessions based around an activity. These may be individual or group activities. A member of staff facilitates the session but the learning comes largely through the undertaking of the activity. Some workshops will complement the material delivered in the lectures rather than build on it directly.
Laboratory classes provide opportunity for you to perform experiments and other practical work under supervision.
Field trips allow you to carry out supervised investigations outside the class room.
In computer classes you complete tasks using a wide variety of computer applications. Members of staff are available to provide guidance.
Independent study includes revision, wider reading around the subject, preparation and writing of assignments, preparatory reading, preparation for seminars and tutorials, and developing skills to complement the material delivered in class. Reading lists are provided to help you direct your reading.
Assessment - The following list is representative of the variety of assessment methods used within the Science Foundation Year:
- Unseen closed and open book examinations in different formats test your knowledge and understanding of the subject. Examinations may consist of essay, short answer and/or multiple choice questions, and paper comprehension
- Essays and reports allow you to demonstrate your ability to articulate ideas clearly, using argument and reasoning skills and with close reference to the contexts and critical concepts covered in the modules. Essays also develop and demonstrate research and presentation skills (including appropriate scholarly referencing)
- Class tests taken either conventionally or online via the Keele Learning Environment (KLE) assess your subject knowledge and often your ability to apply it in a more structured and focused way
- Treatment projects test your knowledge of different research methodologies and the limits and provisional nature of knowledge. They also enable you to demonstrate your ability to formulate research questions and to answer them using appropriate methods
- Oral and poster presentations and reports assess your individual subject knowledge and understanding. They may also test your ability to work effectively as members of a team, to communicate what you know orally and visually, and to reflect on these processes as part of your own personal development
- Portfolios may consist of a range of different pieces of work but routinely include a requirement that you provide some evidence of critical reflection on the development of your own learning
- Peer assessment: In some cases you will be involved in peer evaluation of other students’ work, particularly in group work. This helps you to take responsibility, improve your performance, and reflect on both your own work and that of others
- Course work assignments consist of short written pieces completed in your own time and provide the opportunity to test a range of deeper learning concepts; you are expected to make use of a variety of source material, as well as your lecture notes and text books etc., to complete these assignments
- Laboratory reports – structured pro formas and full laboratory reports are formal summaries of work carried out in the laboratory. They test your understanding of the practical aspects of the programme and develop the skills necessary to enable you to present and analyse your results, as well as explain the rationale behind an experiment, describe an associated replicable methodology and draw valid conclusions.
Next Steps
Contacts and further information
For further information, please :
Jil Griffiths
Admissions Officer
Foundation Year Centre
Recru it networ
Staffordshire,
Tel: 01782 733763
Email: [email protected]
Next Steps
Progression
All students will be required to obtain an average of 55% across 120 credits during the Foundation Year. In addition, the following marks must be obtained in the certain modules to progress to the specified degree subjects.
Subject |
Module requirements |
Combined honours Astrophysics |
55% in all Physics and Maths modules taken |
Single honours Biochemistry |
65% in General and Organic Chemistry |
Biomedical Science |
Average of 65% overall |
Single honours Chemistry |
70% in General and Organic Chemistry |
Combined honours Chemistry |
70% in General and Organic Chemistry |
Single honours Forensic Science |
Average of 60% overall and |
Combined honours Forensic Science |
Average of 60% overall and |
Single honours Forensic and Analytical Investigation |
Average of 60% overall and |
Single honours Mathematics |
70% in Elementary Mathematical Methods I |
Combined honours Mathematics |
60% in Elementary Mathematical Methods I |
Combined honours Medicinal Chemistry |
70% in General and Organic Chemistry |
Single honours Neuroscience |
Average of 65% overall |
Single honours Physics |
Average of 60% overall and |
Single honours Physics with Astrophysics |
Average of 60% overall and |
Combined honours Physics |
55% in all Physics and Maths modules taken |
Single honours Psychology |
70% in Introduction to Psychology |
Single honours Psychology with Counselling |
70% in Introduction to Psychology |
Next Steps
Additional costs
As to be expected there will be additional costs for textbooks and other course books, an approved calculator, inter-library loans, potential overdue library fines and printing.
Students taking the social science module 'Education in Practice', which involves a placement in a school, will be expected to fund their own travel in that regard.
Students working in the chemistry and biology laboratories will be required to wear protective equipment. These can be purchased from the University for a total cost of about £15.
Students taking the module ‘Exploiting the Earth’ will be required to provide a £10 deposit with regard to the field trip, returnable on attendance.