Biological Sciences International Foundation Year
4 years
The Biological Sciences International Foundation Year is for international students who do not meet the criteria for direct entry to undergraduate study in the field of Biological Sciences. Successful completion will allow you to progress onto the first year of the Biological Sciences BSc.
25th in the UK, Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.
Top 15 in the UK for student satisfaction in the 2025 National Student Survey, according to analysis by The Times.
Course description
Course description
The Biological Sciences International Foundation Year gives you the essential knowledge and academic skills you need for successful university study. The course also places a strong emphasis on the development of essential professional and interpersonal skills to support you in your studies and beyond.
Biology is the science of life. From the simplest to the most complex organisms, from the molecular level to the evolutionary development of species, the living world is endlessly complex and fascinating. The Foundation Year gives you the background you need to succeed in your further studies. You will be taught by our expert academic staff from the School of Biological Sciences, who also teach in the later years of our programmes. On successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto the first year of the Biological Sciences BSc, from where you will be able to transfer, if you wish, onto one of our other, more specialised Biological Sciences or Medical Biosciences degrees. Biological Science covers major aspects of biology and molecular science across a wide range of organisms from bacteria and fungi to humans and plants, while Medical Bioscience allows you to select specialist modules that focus more closely on the application of biological principles to medicine.
You will also develop your English language and academic skills for successful study, and benefit from the support of a dedicated personal tutor to guide you through your studies. From the day you arrive, you will be part of our student community and able to enjoy all aspects of the University of Leicester student experience.
Our Biological Sciences International Foundation Year sets you on the path to degree success and provides the first step towards a rewarding career in your chosen field.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
See qualifications needed to study the course by your region:
- China
- Ghana
- India
- Kuwait
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
- United Kingdom:
- GCSE: Grades 9-4 in five subjects, including Maths, and grade B/5 in one of: Combined Science, Biology, or Chemistry
- A-levels: Evidence of A-level study or equivalent
- Vietnam
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.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 5.5 or equivalent, with minimum 5.5 in each skill. 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.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries ListFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
This programme is only available to international students.
International Students
Starting in 2026
- Foundation Year: £20,750
The fee listed above applies to the foundation year only. Tuition fees for subsequent years of the degree will be charged at the standard international undergraduate rate for the course, based on the year the student first started their foundation year. Therefore, students who begin their foundation year in 2026/27 and progress to their undergraduate degree in 2027/28 will pay £25,100 per year for the remainder of their course.
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.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Our degrees prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities.
You will get excellent training in analytical thinking, data-analysis, problem-solving, the communication of complex concepts, and in how to apply scientific methodology to projects.
This unique transferable skills set means that University of Leicester Biological Sciences graduates are highly desirable to employers.
Bespoke careers support
The School of Biological Sciences offers a wide range of bespoke careers support tailored to your year or study to help you on your employability journey from day one.
This includes:
- Timetabled “careers hours” given by school staff with specialist technical knowledge, employers (such as AstraZeneca, GSK, the NHS, and MERCK) and the Careers and Employability Team. Sessions run twice a month and are designed to give you practical advice, support and insider knowledge to get you into the career, or further study pathway, that you want.
- Our 'careers after Biological Sciences' series of lectures features Leicester graduates giving insights and tips based on their career experiences with the exact degree that you will gain.
- In the summer vacation between years 2 and 3, support to find research placements in laboratories, giving you the chance to develop your scientific skills.
- Support in finding and obtaining “year out” opportunities such as a Year in Industry (for example current students are based in research institutes, the NHS, and the pharmaceutical industry) or to Study Abroad (for example in Europe, Japan, and the United States).
- 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.
- A tailored weekly bulletin of all biosciences-relevant careers opportunities.
- Named points of contact in the University’s Careers and Employability Team with specific biosciences expertise.
Hear from Drew, a Medical Biochemistry student who completed her Year in Industry at GSK and has now secured a role in Marketing at Roche.
Graduate destinations
Many of our graduates follow further training for research careers in biology, often through our MSc or PhD programmes at Leicester.
Others gain positions in the NHS, in medical or pharmaceutical laboratories, in environmental management, in teaching, or in skilled professions outside of biology.
A few examples of pathways that our graduates have successfully taken include:
- Graduate medicine
- Postgraduate research (MSc or PhD)
- Laboratory Research Scientist
- The NHS Scientist Training Programme
- NHS Clinical Scientist (physiologist, genetic counsellor, mental health support)
- Clinical trials coordination
- Teaching
- Science communication
- Wildlife protection
- Financial Auditor
The Royal Society of Biology
This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. This means that for the duration of your studies, you will receive free membership of the Royal Society of Biology. This will open up networks for you, which can be important when applying for jobs.
The Royal Society of Biology is the leading professional body for the biological sciences in the United Kingdom. It represents over 17,500 biologists from all areas of the life sciences, as well as almost 100 organisations which make up the diverse landscape of biology in the UK and overseas. The Royal Society of Biology offers members unique opportunities to engage with the life sciences and share their passion for biology. Whichever area of biology you wish to gain a career in, membership will help you:
- Stay up to date with what is happening across the life sciences
- Gain additional recognition for your skills and experience
- Develop your professional network
- Demonstrate your support for the future of biology
In accrediting our degrees, the Royal Society of Biology, highlighted our “timetabled, bespoke, and structured employability support sessions” as an area of good practice that makes our Biological Sciences degrees stand out from the crowd.
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.
Course structure
Semester 1
Semester 1
- Fundamental Topics in Biological Sciences
- Introduction to Medical Sciences
- Academic English Language and Skills for Biological Sciences 1
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Semester 2
Semester 2
- Fundamental Topics in Human Biology and Behaviour
- Biological Sciences: Molecules to Systems
- Academic English Language and Skills for Biological Sciences 2
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Why Leicester?
At Leicester you will be part of a truly global community of staff and students from over 150 countries. This course is an integral component of the University's offering, taught on-campus by our academics.
Dedicated academic and pastoral support (e.g. personal tutoring) from our staff in the Centre for International Training and Education (CITE).
All our programmes are underpinned by our research excellence. 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.
Teaching and learning
The academic year is divided into two 12-week semesters spread over three terms. You are assessed on your performance through exams at the end of each semester and coursework during the semester.
You will be assigned your own personal tutor who can provide advice about not just academic matters but also all matters of personal concern, whether they are academic, financial, housing, career or social issues. You can see your personal tutor at any time by appointment or during office hours.
All our courses are linked to Blackboard – a virtual learning environment that gives you access to lecture notes, self-test exercises, supplementary information and background literature about the course.
In the foundation programme you’ll also have modules that cover your academic English language and skills to support you through the year.
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.
Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.
Academic support
AccessAbility 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.
Apply now
| Course | Duration | Attendance | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Biological Sciences International Foundation Year | Duration 4 years | Attendance Full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
