Start date:
Course information
Typical offer CCC
UCAS code C199
International fee £24,500
Institute code L34
Taught by Biological Sciences
Course description
Course description
This Foundation Year programme is aimed at students who wish to study Biological Sciences or Medical Sciences in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Leicester, whose A-level subjects don’t match our entry criteria or who don’t have the necessary entry requirements
Completion of the integrated Foundation Year at the level required will enable you to progress onto the first year of the BSc in Biological Sciences, from where you will be able to transfer, if you wish, onto one of our other, more specialised Biological Sciences or Medical Sciences degrees.
You will be taught by expert academic staff from across a number of departments in the College of Life Sciences, studying alongside other students in the School of Biological Sciences, School of Medicine and School of Psychology.
The course strongly emphasises the development of the study skills that will be necessary for success in your undergraduate studies and beyond. These study skills will be integrated within the course material and take advantage of innovative learning technologies.
During your Foundation Year you will join our student community and be able to enjoy all aspects of the University of Leicester student experience. You will be able to join the Students’ Union, use our academic and leisure facilities, live in our accommodation and access all of our support services.
You will have a personal tutor to support you, and our excellent staff/student ratio means that you will get all the help you need throughout your studies.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- GCSEs: At least Grade 4/C in both English Language and Maths (if not held at A2/AS-level).
- A-levels: CCC to include one science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology.
- BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma with DDM, plus five GCSEs at BBBCC/55544 including two relevant science subjects at B/5. Core science accepted. Healthcare related subjects considered on a case-by-case basis.
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 26 points to include grade 4 in at least two relevant HL science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology. Must include a minimum of grade 4 in SL Maths or 3 at HL and grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B if minimum of grade 4/C not held in English Language and Maths at GCSE.
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with 45 credits at level three, including 15 at distinction and 15 at merit. Core science accepted. Healthcare related subjects considered on a case-by-case basis.
- T Levels: Merit in Science (with an Occupational Specialism in Laboratory technician).
Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.
If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.
Contextual offers
The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
Fees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2025
Tuition fees for 2025/26 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2024/25 were:
- £9,250 in your first year. The tuition fee you pay may increase annually in line with inflation and is subject to government regulations.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Additional costs for the BSc in Biological Science
- The third year option module Microbial Biotechnology includes a field trip. The cost of this field trip is included in your tuition fee.
- The third year option module Suptropical Physiology and Ecology includes an optional field trip. The cost of this field trip is £1,500 and is not included in your tuition fee.
- The third year option module Behavioural Ecology includes an optional field trip. The cost of this field trip is £450 and is not included in your tuition fee.
International Students
Starting in 2025
- £24,500 per year
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Additional costs
- The third year option module Microbial Biotechnology includes a field trip. The cost of this field trip is included in your tuition fee.
- You will be travelling between the University and hospitals in Leicester. The cost of a Hospital Hopper bus card is included in your tuition fee.
- The third year option module Subtropical Physiology and Ecology includes an optional field trip. The cost of this field trip is £1,500 and is not included in your tuition fee.
- The third year option module Behavioural Ecology includes an optional field trip. The cost of this field trip is £450 and is not included in your tuition fee.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Our 'Careers After Biological Sciences' series of lectures features Leicester graduates giving insights into their career experiences and good advice for finding jobs.
In the summer vacation between Years 2 and 3, a range of internal research placements are available in research labs, giving you the chance to develop your scientific skills.
We run bespoke bioscience careers events in the summer term each year, based on what our students tell us about their career intentions.
As a student in the School of Biological Sciences, you are welcome to attend seminars in any department, presented by national and international experts in the biosciences. This allows you to enhance your knowledge and get useful insights into current topics.
Graduate destinations
Graduates from our Biological Sciences courses have gone on to jobs in:
- Future Science Group
- Illumina
- Cambridge LTD
- Ebury
- Allied Healthcare
- Kings College Hospital
- Lonza Biologics
- RBS
Careers and Employability Service
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 3: Health and well-being
- Goal 13: Climate action
- Goal 14: Life below water
- Goal 15: Life on land
Course structure
Foundation Year
Foundation Year
Modules
- Foundations of Biological Sciences
- Introduction to Medical Sciences
- Brain and Behaviour
- Biological Sciences: Molecules to Systems
You will also develop the core study skills necessary for successful university level study, including problem solving, team working, research techniques, report writing skills, presentation skills, information handling and IT skills.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 1
Year 1
In your first year of study, you'll take classes with students from different subjects within Biological Sciences. You'll study modules that cover a wide range of topics, including biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, physiology and zoology. This knowledge will introduce the fundamental principles of Biology, which will help you find the area you’re interested in, so you can focus on it in your second year.
Modules
- The Molecules of Life: An Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (double module)
- The Cell: An Introduction to Cell Biology and Microbiology (double module)
- From Individuals to Populations: An Introduction to Genetics
- Multicellular Organisation: An Introduction to Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience (double module)
- Biodiversity and Behaviour
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 2
Year 2
When you move into Year Two, you will have one mandatory module, Research Topic, which will provide you with a solid introduction to the process of research in Biological Sciences. You will then have a choice of seven module pathways, which are listed below.
Core module
Option modules
Choose three option modules from:
- Genomes
- Physiology and Pharmacology
- Physiology of Excitable Cells
- Principles of Microbiology
- Molecular Cell Biology
- Global Change Biology and Conservation
- Introduction to Python programming for Bioscientists
- Medical Microbiology
Then choose three option modules from:
- Contemporary Techniques in Biological Data Analysis
- Exercise Physiology and Pharmacology
- Genes, Development and Inheritance
- Immunology and Eukaryotic Microbiology
- Immunology and Eukaryotic Microbiology (with science enterprise trip)
- Bioinformatics
- Behavioural Neurobiology
- Neurobiology and Animal Behaviour
- A Field Guide to Evolution
- From Genes to Proteins
- Protein Control in Cellular Regulation
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)
Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)
If you want to, you can spend the third year of the BSc - which will be your fourth year at Leicester - studying abroad at one of our partner institutions or working in an industrial placement. Alternatively, you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in four years.
Year Abroad
We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.
For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.
Please note
- A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
- You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
- Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
- Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.
Year in Industry
An industrial placement is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of laboratory work - and will normally be a paid position, more than offsetting the additional cost of the extra year.
Industrial placements are limited and are awarded through a competitive selection process, based on your performance in your first year. Previous students have worked for pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca, Oxford Biomedica and GlaxoSmithKline, and in research institutions such as the Animal Health Institute and Kew Gardens.
A year in industry still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 3
Year 3
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Evolutionary Genetics
- Gene Expression: Molecular Basis and Medical Relevance
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology
- Human Genetics
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology
- Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
- Comparative Neurobiology
- Microbial Biotechnology
- Structural Biology
- Subtropical Physiology and Ecology
- Biodiversity in Practice
- Introduction to Astrobiology and the Origins of Life
- Sustainability Enterprise Partnership Project
Then choose one pair of option modules from:
- Experimental Research Project A plus Experimental Research Project B (double module)
- Education Research Project A plus Education Research Project B (double module)
- Analytical Research Project (double module) plus one additional option module from the list below
Finally choose three option modules from:
- Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology
- Microbial Pathogenesis and Genomics
- Human and Environmental Microbiology
- Neuroscience Futures
- Physiology, Pharmacology and Behaviour
- Cellular Physiology of the Cardiovascular System
- Conservation and Ecological Genetics
- Behavioural Ecology
- Sustainability Enterprise Partnership Project
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Our history of genetic achievements include the invention of DNA fingerprinting and the genetic identification of the remains of King Richard III. More recently, we have brand-new cryo-EM facilities and have leading research into antibiotic resistance.
With a high staff to student ratio, we ensure that every student gets the support and encouragement needed to achieve their best work.
Our standard of teaching and support is reflected in our NSS 2024 results. We scored 90% and above in subjects aligned to Biological Sciences for questions regarding teaching, approachability of staff and introducing new subjects (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data). View the NSS questions all students were asked for individual themes.
Teaching and learning
Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of practicals, tutorials and lectures. All of our Biological Sciences courses are practical degrees with strong emphasis on lab work and fieldwork.
Your exams in the Foundation Year will involve multiple choice and short answer questions. The coursework will allow you to develop your study skills. At the end of the first semester in the Foundation Year you will be able to review your overall performance, enabling you to closely monitor your progress and, if necessary, adjust your work pattern.
Your first year exams will mostly be multiple choice or short answer papers, with longer essay-style questions in your second and final year exams. Coursework will include practical lab work, a lab write-up or report, a practical skills test, essays, online multiple choice assessments, a data handling exercise, solo or group presentations or critical evaluation of a scientific paper. At the end of each semester in Years 1 and 2 you will be able to judge your overall performance and review exam and coursework results, enabling you to closely monitor your progress and, if necessary, adjust your work pattern..
A significant part of your final year will be spent on an individual research study which will form the basis of your dissertation.
You will have regular meetings with your personal tutor to discuss progress in your studies. Your personal tutor will also provide a sympathetic ear for all matters of personal concern, whether they are academic, financial, housing, career or social issues.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Academic support
Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:
- study and exam skills
- academic writing
- presentations
- dissertations
- numerical data skills
- referencing sources
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Biological Sciences with Foundation Year | Qualification BSc | UCAS Code C199 | Availability How to apply |
