Triangle

Course overview

Highlights of Foundation Health Science at Nottingham

  • You will be taught as part of a single foundation year group, by a team of dedicated health professions lecturers based in the School of Health Sciences
  • Our foundation is fully integrated with your chosen undergraduate health professions programme
  • There is positive collaboration with our International foundation partners UNIC
  • This programme is designed to allow progression onto one of our undergraduate health professions degrees*
  • Be part of the University’s student community from day one, studying on the same beautiful campus with access to all the student facilities

*please note that progression onto a degree programme is subject to successful completion of the Foundation degree and successful interview

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2020 entry.

UK entry requirements
A level BCC

Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.
Required subjects

GCSE English language/literature at 4 (C), GCSE Maths at 4 (C), GCSE Science at 4 (C)

We do not consider graduate students or international applicants for this programme.
IB score 24

This course is suitable for:

  • students who have studied subjects which do not allow direct entry to a degree programme
  • students where their predicted grades are below those needed for direct entry to their chosen degree programme
  • Mature students choosing to return to higher education


A Levels

BCC

GCSEs

  • GCSE English Language at Grade 4 (C)
  • GCSE Maths at Grade 4 (C)
  • GCSE Science at Grade 4 (C)

Students with other qualifications including BTEC and Access courses will be considered on an individual basis.

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.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

How you will be assessed

The Foundation Certificate will be delivered over the full academic year. We adopt a blended learning approach using a variety of teaching and learning strategies.

You will benefit from a range of teaching and learning styles, including:

  • Keynote lectures
  • E-learning
  • Case study seminars and group discussion
  • Laboratory activities

To support this approach a range of optional tutorials and adaptive study support has been developed.

Assessment methods include:

  • Presentations (Group/Individual/Poster)
  • Vivas
  • Essays
  • Group Projects
  • Online multiple choice exams
Study Abroad and the Year in Industry are subject to students meeting minimum academic requirements. Opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update information as quickly as possible should a change occur.

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

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, 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 Portfolio

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.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Monday 24 August 2020.

Fees and funding

UK students

£9250
Per year

International students

To be confirmed in 2022*
Keep checking back for more information

*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.

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.

Careers

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 within the School of Health Sciences:

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 ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

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Important information

This online prospectus has been drafted in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content) are likely to occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for the course where there has been an interval between you reading this website and applying.