Course overview
The Science Foundation Programme is designed for both United Kingdom and international students whose school leaving qualifications do not meet the current admissions requirements for direct entry to undergraduate programmes in science. Applications from mature students or students holding 'non-standard' qualifications and/or relevant experience are positively encouraged.
When you enroll on the Science Foundation Programme at Nottingham you will become a full member of the undergraduate community at the University on its beautiful parkland campus. As an undergraduate student on year zero of your chosen degree programme, you will have full access to all the opportunities and facilities that the University has to offer. In fact, unlike many foundation programmes, the Nottingham foundation programme is delivered on the main University campus by academic staff from within the Science and Engineering Faculties. This ensures that the foundation course is fully integrated into your degree programme, and that the topics you cover during the foundation stage are perfectly matched to subsequent stages of your course. For this reason the success rate for students progressing from the Nottingham Foundation Programme is very high.
Students who successfully complete the Foundation Programme will be guaranteed progression onto one of a number of undergraduate degrees in the following departments:
The route you take depends on the modules you select during the Science Foundation programme. Progression is subject to you having taken the correct pre-requisite modules and passed to the appropriate level during the Science Foundation programme. Please note: for Master of Nutrition course, progression to the first year is subject to a successful interview.
* 1. Neuroscience B140/B141
2. Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine C741
3. Biochemistry and Genetics CC47/CC4R
Foundation stage
You will study a range of topics including science and mathematics subjects, which are appropriate for your chosen pathway. This will provide you with the best possible background to enter the first year of your chosen degree programme.
Students benefit from a wide range of teaching and learning styles, from traditional seminars, practicals and lab activities, lectures and tutorials to state-of-the-art multimedia and world wideweb systems. All teaching is carried out on University Park campus by the same academic staff who teach on the main degree programmes; this helps to ensure the high standards that you would expect from The University of Nottingham.
All students receive tutorial support and international students also have the opportunity to improve their written and spoken English skills at the University's Centre for Language Education (CELE).
Entry requirements
A levels: BBB, including any A level (or equivalent) subjects but in addition you should hold a GCSE in maths and a relevant science at grade B plus GCSE English at grade C
English language requirements
IELTS 5.5 (no less than 5.0 in any element)
TOEFL iBT 71 (no less than 17 in any element)
Flexible admissions policy
We may make some applicants an offer lower than advertised, depending on their personal and educational circumstances.
Notes for applicants
If you are a UK or EU applicant, you will need to apply via UCAS in accordance with deadlines set by UCAS. Please contact us for the deadlines if you are applying for the January start on the engineering pathway.
Modules
The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules we offer.
Typical year-one modules
Typical optional modules
Please contact the School for more information.