Science Foundation Year
- Duration of study
- 1 + 3 or 4 years
- Funding
- Student loan available, subject to eligibility.
Summary
The Science Foundation Year is an excellent introduction to studying a science subject at university. The programme is ideal for those who do not quite meet the requirements for a three-year honours degree. The Science Programme gives you access to any of the degrees within the Faculty of Natural Sciences. You'll be fully integrated into university life and the student community from day one.
Overview
The Science Foundation Year will strengthen your scientific knowledge, and if completed with the relevant grades required to progress, guarantees you a place on a Science undergraduate course at Keele.
The programme enables you to study areas of science that are of interest to you. There are a large number of modules available to choose from, the modules you study will be related to the three year degree programme you wish to progress on to. In addition, you will study modules relevant to all of the sciences including communication, numerical and computational skills.
Studying a Foundation Year at Keele will give you the opportunity to gain the skills, attributes and confidence to study at degree level.
A Foundation Year could be for you if:
• you would benefit from a year to prepare for entry onto an honours degree
• have non-traditional qualifications
• want to change your subjects
• had a break from education
• want a change of career
• a university experience in a supportive environment
All of the teaching is delivered on the Keele campus by highly qualified academic and professional staff, complemented by an experienced student support team. Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory classes, seminars, workshops and tutorials, and you will make use of state-of-the-art undergraduate teaching facilities and apparatus.
In additional to the University's support network, you will have a personal tutor who will guide and support you through your first year of university study.
Next Steps
Who can apply
UK or EU students from a broad range of backgrounds wishing to take a science degree at Keele.
If you are an international (non-EU) student, please see Keele International Foundation Year/Degree Programme.
Applications can be made through UCAS.
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.
Next Steps
Indicative modules
You will take a combination of modules to a total of 120 credits:
- core modules (30 credits, or 40 for mathematics)
- subject-specific modules relating to your intended degree programme after your Foundation Year
- and optional modules offering some free choice
Modules are worth 10, 15 or 20 credits.
Core modules
The core modules for 2019/20 include:
- Academic Development (10 credits)
- Communication Skills for Scientists (10 credits)
- One of
- Basic Numerical and Computational Skills, (10 credits) for students with GCSE mathematics at at least grade 4 (C)
- Intermediate Numerical and Computational Skills, (10 credits) for students who can demonstrate proficiency in mathematics significantly above GCSE grade 4 (C)
- Elementary Mathematical Methods I, (20 credits) for students enrolled on single honours or combined honours Mathematics with Science Foundation Year
Subject-specific modules
Modules related to particular subjects, some of which can also be taken as options are shown below:
|
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 |
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
Entry requirements
For Science Foundation Year in 2019, please see our 2019 clearing entry requirements
For Science Foundation Year in 2020, you must normally have:
- at least 64 UCAS points or from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
- relevant work experience
AND
- GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or
- IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)
AND
- GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above
Next Steps
UCAS codes
UCAS programmes with a Science Foundation Year
| Course | UCAS Code |
|---|---|
| Astrophysics | F513 |
| Biochemistry | C703 |
| Biology | C103 |
| Biomedical Science | C933 |
| Chemistry | F103 |
| Computer Science | G401 |
| Environmental Science | F913 |
| Environment and Sustainability | F750 |
| Forensic and Analytical Investigation | F413 |
| Forensic Science | F410 |
| Forensic Science and Criminology | F4L7 |
| Geography | F800 |
| Geology | F603 |
| Human Biology | CF10 |
| Mathematics | G101 |
| Medicinal Chemistry | C723 |
| Natural Sciences | CFG1 |
| Neuroscience | B143 |
| Physics | F306 |
| Physics with Astrophysics | F307 |
| Physical Geography | F803 |
| Psychology | C802 |
| Psychology and Education | CX84 |
| Psychology with Counselling | C8BF |
If you are applying for a combined honours programme with a Foundation Year, you will study two subjects when you progress to degree level. You can choose a second subject once your place is confirmed.
Please note that after completion of the foundation year in your chosen subject, you will progress to a Bachelor's degree in that subject, with the addition of a second subject as part of the combined honours degree.
Next Steps
How to apply
UCAS Applications
Visit UCAS for applications for 2020/21 courses.
From 5 July to 23 October 2019, you can apply for 2019/20 courses using UCAS Clearing.
Direct Entry
If you are a UK or EU student, already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please the Admissions Office directly.
Telephone: +44 (0)1782 734010
Email: [email protected]
International Entry
All applications for the International Foundation Year and International Degree Programme can be made through UCAS using the codes below.
UCAS Course Codes
Y002 - International Foundation Year (IFY)
Y008 - International Degree Programme (IDP)
Alternatively, applications can be made directly to the University using the IFY/IDP Application Form or by ing International Recruitment.
Telephone: +44 (0)1782 733501
Fax: +44 (0)1782 734238
Email: [email protected]
For further information on Science Foundation Year, please :
Telephone: +44 (0)1782 733507
Email: [email protected]
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 to group sessions, you are expected to undertake a large amount of independent study and revision.
Students are assessed through a variety of assessment types including:
- Unseen closed and open book examinations
- Examinations may consist of essays, short answer and/or multiple choice questions, and paper comprehension
- Essays and reports
- Class tests taken either conventionally or online
- Treatment projects
- Oral and poster presentations
- Portfolios
- Peer assessment
- Course work assignments consist of short written pieces completed in your own time
- Laboratory reports – structured pro formas and full laboratory reports
Next Steps
Contacts and further information
For further information on Science Foundation Year, please :
Telephone: +44 (0)1782 733507
Email: [email protected]
Next Steps
Progression
Progression onto a Keele science degree will provide the numerical and analytical thinking skills valued by many employers looking for talented graduates.
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 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.
Next Steps
Our Course Information Documents (CIDs) are designed to give you all of the details you need to make an informed decision about what and where to study