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What makes our Biological Sciences with Foundation Year programmes special?

We offer a range of programmes which combine a foundation year with a Biological Sciences degree over a four-year course.

These courses are perfect if you: 

  • studied non-science subjects but now want to pursue a career in science
  • are returning to education after some time away
  • don't currently meet the requirements for direct entry onto our degree courses

At Worcester, our science courses have a strong practical emphasis, designed to prepare you for an exciting career in the Biological Sciences - from Medical and Healthcare Sciences to Forensics.

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • A friendly supportive learning environment with an open-door policy and support from a personal academic tutor
  • Carefully designed courses to help you make sure you have the right mix of skills and knowledge to progress
  • A strong emphasis on practical and laboratory work
  • Modern laboratories, specialist equipment and an inspiring environment for you to gain practical skills and develop your interests
  • Excellent teaching staff who are committed to helping students achieve their goals

Register your interest

Enter your details below and we will keep you up to date with useful information about studying at the University of Worcester.


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We're in the top 20 for student experience in the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.

Programmes we offer

You can choose from a range of four-year programmes within the Biological Sciences.

We offer:

  • Biology (with Foundation Year)
  • Biomedical Science (with Foundation Year)
  • Environmental Management & Sustainability (with Foundation Year)
  • Forensic & Applied Biology (with Foundation Year)
  • Medical Sciences (with Foundation Year)
Entry requirements

What qualifications will you need?

Entry requirements

You should be at least 18 years old and have GCSE English Language at grade C/4 or above, or the equivalent.

We welcome mature students without the usual formal qualifications. Your application will be considered based your skills, experience and how prepared you are to complete the course.

Other information

The University will consider each application on its individual merits and will recognise a range of qualifications not currently included in the tariff, including BTEC, access courses, European Baccalaureate and pre-2002 qualification such as GNVQ. Non-standard entry via the exploratory essay route is also available.

If your qualifications are not listed, please contact the admissions office for advice on 01905 855 111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk for advice.

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Course content

What will you study?

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative. 

Foundation Year (Year 0)

Modules

  • The Chemistry of life
  • Earth, Life and Diversity
  • Essential Skills for Scientists
  • Science in Practice

Degree level (Years 1, 2 and 3)

After successfully completing the Foundation Year you will progress onto modules from the specific subject you have chosen.

Many students discover a particular passion for areas of science that they were previously unaware of, so on successful completion of your Foundation Year, you may choose to transfer to another of our science degrees if you wish.

Biology BSc

Lewis Bond

"I came to do the foundation year with the initial thought that I was a year behind everyone else and that I wasn't good enough, but I was taught the exact opposite. I developed a plethora of skills that have benefitted me throughout the duration of my studies.

The content of the Foundation Year was a helpful reworking of my previous years in education and gave a fresh feel to learning that I thought I'd lost, whilst also introducing new topics and theories to expand my knowledge."

Teaching and assessment

How will you be taught?

You will learn through a wide range of activities including:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Group projects
  • Laboratory practicals
  • Computer-based activities
  • Field trips and visits

Our highly experienced lecturers and laboratory staff will be there to help you at every step throughout the course.

 

For more details about teaching and assessment in years 1, 2 and 3 see the degree course pages for Biology (Biological Science), Biology (Animal Biology), Biology (Human Biology) and Biology (Biochemistry), Biomedical Science, Environmental Management & Sustainability, Forensic and Applied Biology, and Medical Sciences.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Meet the team

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.

Here are a few members of the department who currently teach on this course:

CW Photo 13th sept 19

Christianne Wakeham

Course Leader and Admissions Tutor for the Foundation Year for Biological Sciences

As a mature student, Christianne completed a Foundation Year herself before going on to complete a degree in Applied Physics. Postgraduate study allowed her to move into the Biological Sciences and a whole new field of exciting opportunities.

With a wide range of interest areas, Christianne’s current main area of research is into CRGV, a rare but fatal disease affecting dogs in the UK.

Christianne has given many public talks about various aspects of science and is a particular lover of science fiction conventions.

 

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Dr Emma Edwards

Dr Emma Edwards is a lecturer and admissions tutor for Biomedical Science.  She has an interest in virology and immunology, but also teaches extensively on the foundation year for biological science.  She has significant experience in community engagement, she has spoken at many public events about viruses and their impact and co-authored a book about the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic.

Chris Brown is standing next to a car holding a cup of tea

Dr Chris Brown

Chris studied at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Following completion of his Honours degree, he joined the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology where he worked on their sub-Antarctic programme for several years, which included over two years carrying out research on the energetics and ecology of penguins, albatrosses and petrels on Marion Island in the sub-Antarctic.





Careers

Where could it take you?

Employability

Biological Sciences graduates go on to have careers in a very wide range of fields. These include:

  • Working in high high-tech research laboratories in academia and the bioscience industries
  • Teaching and lecturing
  • Postgraduate study
  • A variety of roles within the NHS
  • Healthcare and veterinary services
  • Science writing
  • Medical sales
  • Environmental modelling and policymaking
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Careers and Employability

Our Graduates pursue exciting and diverse careers in a wide variety of employment sectors.

Find out how we can support you to achieve your potential.
Costs

How much will it cost?

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2022/23 academic year is £9,250 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2022/23 academic year is £13,400 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students registering on this course in the academic year 2022/23 are £1,156 per 15-credit module, £1,542 per 20-credit module, £2,312 per 30-credit module, £3,083 per 40-credit module, £3,469 per 45-credit module and £4,625 per 60 credit module.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses.

If your course offers a placement opportunity, you may need to pay for a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Hall' at £111 per week to 'En-suite Premium' at £189 per week (2022/23 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.
How to apply

How do you apply?

Apply through UCAS

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

You can apply for our individual programmes via UCAS:

Biology (with Foundation Year) - C150 Biomedical Science (with Foundation Year) - B955 Environmental Management & Sustainability (with Foundation Year) - F851 Forensic & Applied Biology (with Foundation Year) - FC50 Medical Sciences (with Foundation Year) - B191

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Admissions office

admissions@worc.ac.uk
01905 855111

Christianne Wakeham

Course Leader, Foundation Year for Biological Sciences
c.wakeham@worc.ac.uk
01905 542374

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