Biological Sciences with Foundation Year

University of Salford

United Kingdom, Salford

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Home/United Kingdom/Salford /University of Salford/Biological Sciences with Foundation Year

University of Salford

United Kingdom , Salford

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

Course ID C204

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Next Intake September-2026

Biological Sciences with Foundation Year

About

Introduction

In a nutshell

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights how much there is still to learn about how humans interact with and influence the natural environment. Gain an international understanding of ourselves and the world around us with our BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences with Foundation Year degree.

This pathway is recommended if you want to study the full honours degree, but don’t meet the direct entry requirements. Once you successfully complete and pass the foundation year, you will automatically progress onto our full BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences honours degree.

This course will develop your appreciation of the diversity of living organisms and your understanding of biological principles. You will benefit from hands-on experience in the labs as well as fieldwork opportunities. Practical training in our advanced Bodmer Laboratories, will equip you with many of the subject-specific, personal and practical skills that you will need for your future career.

Start your study journey

Register for our next Open Day to learn more about studying biological sciences, explore our facilities and meet the course team

You will:

Get a strong foundation in biology to prepare you for more advanced study
Benefit from hands-on experience in the labs and fieldwork opportunities
Be taught by internationally-leading researchers in parasitology, biomedical science and molecular biology

Placement

options available

Course accreditations

Build practical biology skills in our Bodmer labs

Learn biological sciences in a supportive environment

Work with other biological science students

Use our professional laboratory facilities

Get support from our experienced tutors

Gain practical experience for your career

This is for you if...

You have a non-scientific background and would like to pursue a career in science

You are returning to education or seeking to develop your career in a new direction

You did not obtain the entry requirements for the BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences degree

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Requirements

What you need to know

International students

This course is not suitable for international students.

If you are an international student, and interested in a foundation year study pathway, please consider our International Foundation Year.

Applicant profile

Along with a passion for science, we are looking for applicants with a keen interest in the living world and a desire to develop their skills and career aspirations through laboratory work and in the field.

English language requirements

All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, and we also accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

Read more about our English language requirements, including information about pathways that can help you gain entry on to our degree courses.

Standard entry requirements

UCAS tariff points

64 points

A level

64 points

BTEC National Diploma

MPP

T Level

If applying for this course, you will need a Pass grade in T Level Science.

Access to Higher Education

64 points from QAA approved course

GCSE

English language and mathematics at grade C or 4 or above. Equivalents are accepted.

You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.

Scottish Highers

64 points from Higher Level

Irish Leaving Certificate

64 points from Higher Level

European Baccalaureate

Completion of two full years study and an awarded qualification

International Baccalaureate

26 points

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

English Program Requirements

Equivalent qualifications

English language requirements are shown on individual course pages. Generally, this is shown as an IELTS grade, however we accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

As a general guide:

For undergraduate courses we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For postgraduate courses, we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For the International Foundation Year, we require IELTS 4.5 (with a minimum 4.0 in each component) in UKVI IELTS for UKVI (Academic)

The approved equivalent qualifications list includes the following:

Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)

University of Salford English language courses

Regional-based qualifications

Majority English Speaking Countries as deemed by UKVI

Medium of English Institutions

Applicants who require a Student Route visa to study in the UK may require evidence of a Secure English Language test rather than an examination or qualification due to visa requirements, as deemed by the UK Government Home Office, Visa and Immigration (UKVI).

Career

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

Employment

The course is designed to help you to develop a range of personal and professional skills which will make you highly-employable. These include laboratory, field work, report writing and presentation skills, data interpretation and IT skills, and team work and project management skills.

There is growing demand for professionals with biology knowledge and laboratory skills. The global COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates how vulnerable we all are to the emergence of infectious diseases. With a world brought closer together, we can no longer respond in isolation. Collectively, we need more scientists to help fight these pandemics, develop treatments and better understand global health challenges.

A Biological Sciences degree provides an excellent basis for careers in a wide range of areas including biomedicine, biotechnology, conservation, the pharmaceutical or food industries, research or teaching. Prospective employers include pharmaceutical companies, environment agencies, hospitals, forensic laboratories, clinical trials companies, medical writing companies, scientific sales and general management jobs.

Further study

You might find you want to learn more about biosciences. Building on our scientific expertise, we offer a range of postgraduate courses that can take your interests and career opportunities further. Salford graduates and alumni also receive a generous fees discount.

Biological Sciences graduates can also choose to follow a research programme with our Biomedical Research Centre or our Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre to further their knowledge in topics such as microbiology, parasitology and conservation. Some of our graduates have completed PhD research studying orangutans in Borneo, large animals in Tanzania.

Learn more about postgraduate research opportunities available through our Doctoral School.