Health Sciences with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

Course overview

Our Health Sciences with a Foundation Year BSc course provides an alternative route to our degree if you do not meet the entry requirements for an undergraduate healthcare degree. This one-year foundation programme will help you develop your academic reading, writing, critical thinking, communication and scientific skills with modules in biosciences, body systems, digestion and nutrition to prepare you for the next level of study.

After successfully completing the foundation year, you'll receive a Foundation Certificate in Health Sciences (FCert). This will support your application to study healthcare at degree level, at the University of Nottingham or elsewhere. We offer courses in the fields of midwifery, nursing, sport rehabilitation, physiotherapy and health promotion and public health.

Please note: If you meet the entry requirements for our undergraduate courses, you are not eligible to apply for this foundation course.

How you will learn

Teaching is delivered through an equal mix of in-person and online methods.

How you will be assessed

A range of assessments will be used to assess your learning throughout the year. Assessments could include MCQ exams, presentations and essays.

Contact time and study hours

40 hours contact time and 40 hours online learning for each module.

Modules

6 modules

Foundations in Biosciences

This module will provide the opportunity for students to explore important aspects biosciences that form the foundation to a range of undergraduate healthcare courses. In the context of healthcare the biosciences consists of anatomy, physiology, genetics, microbiology and biochemistry.

This module will introduce these subject areas and provide a background to enable students to enter a range of degree programmes within the School of Health Sciences.

Laboratory and project work forms a vital component of the module, allowing students to develop analytical, team working and problem solving skills. This module will form the foundation to other biosciences modules within the programme.

Biological Communications, Digestion and Nutrition

This module is designed to provide a baseline level of biosciences knowledge and understanding to support the transition from foundation level to a degree in health sciences. This module builds on the knowledge gained from the foundation to biosciences module.

The module considers:

The structure and gross anatomy of the nervous and endocrine systems
Compares the role of nerves and hormones in the body
The importance of homeostatic control and negative feedback loops within the body
The structure and function of the digestive system
The process of excretion
The importance of nutrition and diet in relation to health

Body Systems, Energy and Metabolism

The module considers:

The structure, gross anatomy and function of body systems; including muscular, skeletal, reproductive and immune systems
The impact of disease, disorders and genetic conditions on health
Energy and metabolism in the body
The impact of exercise on the cardiovascular, respiratory and skeletal systems

Professional and Personal Development

This module will consider Learning theory and how learners learn. It will support students in developing academic writing, study and presentation skills. It will consider the interpersonal skills, values, resilience and reflection required for professionalism in healthcare. The multi-faceted role of the healthcare professional within community organisations and how to support the multi-cultural and ethnically diverse healthcare user.

Foundations in Health Psychology

This module is designed to provide a baseline level of Health Psychology knowledge and understanding to support the transition from foundation level to a degree in health sciences.

The module considers:

Context and Perspectives in Health Psychology including the Biopsychosocial model of Health
Chronic Conditions
Promoting Health, Wellbeing and Health Related Quality of Life
Understanding, Predicting and changing Health Behaviours

Health Science Project

This module is designed to introduce you to the evidence base in health and the importance of evidence based professional practice. It will allow you to develop the ability to search and understand relevant research. It will enhance independent learning, group collaboration, communication and presentation skills.

This module is available in the autumn and spring semesters.

Language study as part of this degree

Our Language Centre offers many languages, and you may start as a beginner or at a more advanced level and you may be able to choose to study a language as part of this degree.

Learning another language can open career opportunities around the globe and enriches your CV. It could also help you in your studies by being able to access learning materials in other languages. If you are planning to travel or work abroad it will help you to broaden your cultural understanding.

Find out more about learning a language as part of your degree.

Quick glance

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements listed apply to 2026 entry. This course is open to home applicants only.

A levels

BCC

24 points overall

A level and GCSE requirements

Excluded subjects

General studies, citizenship studies, critical thinking.

GCSEs

English and maths at grade 4 (C) or above (or equivalent level 2 qualification).

We do not accept Functional Skills English and Functional Skills Maths.

IB requirements

IB score

24 points overall or 5,4,4 in three HL certificates

Alternative qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:

Access to HE Diploma
Advanced Diploma
BTEC HND/HNC
BTEC Extended Diploma

This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.

Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 15 Level 3 grades credits at Distinction and 18 at Merit and 12 at Pass
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma at DMM
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma at DM plus one A level at C
RQF Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma at M plus A levels at BC or D plus A levels at CC
National Foundation Dip: Sport and Exercise/Health and Social Care: D plus CC or M plus BC
RQF Level 3 National Extended Certificate at Merit plus two A levels at BC
Level 3 qualification to include one of biology, chemistry, physics, health and social care, or sport

Contextual offers

This course is suitable for:

students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement at school or college
students who have studied subjects which do not allow direct entry to a degree programme
students whose predicted grades are below those needed for direct entry to a degree programme
mature students choosing to return to higher education

If you have studied alternative qualifications (for example, BTEC and Access courses), we will consider this on an individual basis. Please contact us to make an enquiry.

Foundation progression options

The foundation course is excellent preparation for:

After successfully completing your foundation year to the required level, you will progress onto your chosen BSc pathway course. We will contact you to confirm your chosen pathway course. For the following pathways you will also be required to attend an interview to assess suitablilty for progression:

BSc Midwifery
BSc Nursing (Adult)
BSc Physiotherapy

There are a limited number of places available to progress on to midwifery and physiotherapy.

Full grade requirements for health sciences progression at the University of Nottingham.

Mature students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Tuition fees

2026/27 (UK undergraduate students)

This is the UK undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 25/26. It may increase for the academic year 26/27 and we will update our information once we have received confirmation of the fee from the UK Government.

For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.

Careers overview

Our Foundation Certificate in Health Sciences prepares students for degree-level study at the University of Nottingham. The pathway is designed to allow progression to your desired undergraduate degree within the School of Health Sciences:

Job prospects

Average starting salary and career progression

94% of health sciences undergraduates secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £28,324 (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2021/22-2022/23).

Careers advice

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain's leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top 10 in The Graduate Market in 2013-2024, High Fliers Research).

Welcome to your campus

Located at Queen’s Medical Centre, one of the UK's largest and busiest hospitals, the Medical School offers an exceptional learning environment. You’ll have access to cutting-edge facilities and learn from leading clinicians and researchers, enjoying easy access to University Park for a full campus experience.

Health Sciences with Foundation Year - U6UHESCIF

Course overview

Teaching and learning

Modules

Core modules

6 modules

Foundations in Biosciences

Biological Communications, Digestion and Nutrition

Body Systems, Energy and Metabolism

Professional and Personal Development

Foundations in Health Psychology

Health Science Project

Language study as part of this degree

Entry requirements

4 years full-time

£9,535 per year

Careers

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