BSc/MEarthSci Earth and Planetary Sciences with an Integrated Foundation Year / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Earth and Planetary Sciences with an Integrated Foundation Year is a one year programme designed to improve your mathematical and scientific understanding and skills to a level where you will be able to start a degree in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in one of the following subject areas:

  • Earth and Planetary Sciences, BSc
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences, MEarthSci
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences with Industrial Experience, MEarthSci
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences with International Study, MEarthSci
  • On the Foundation Year you will study mathematics, physics and chemistry. In addition, you will take modules in Academic Skills and ICT (Information and Communications Technology). You will also complete a group project, related to your intended degree programme and supervised by an academic from your future Department.

    Special features

  • Students accepted from a wide range of educational and cultural backgrounds.
  • High levels of academic and pastoral support.
  • Successful completion guarantees a place on first year of your chosen degree in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
  • Teaching by highly experienced University academics, with a proven track record.
  • Integrated Foundation Year students have full access to all University facilities.
  • Teaching and learning

    The programme embraces a variety of approaches to teaching and learning, including lectures, small group tutorials, seminars and project work. Particular strengths are the high level of staff contact and individual learning support, individual pastoral support, project work in natural science-based Departments and associated disciplines within the Faculty.

    Your focus is the Foundation Studies Office, where staff provide day to day support. The dedicated Common Room offers you a place to study, prepare coursework, carry out work using the computers, or simply socialise. There is a strong sense of community within the student body and excellent tutorial support. Earth and Planetary Sciences with an Integrated Foundation Year is delivered on the University campus by University staff.

    With strong links with the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the environment for study is essentially the same as for undergraduate study on degree programmes in natural science and associated disciplines. You will find that this assists greatly in easing your move into first year of your chosen degree programme on successful completion of the foundation year.

    Coursework and assessment

    Assessment is based primarily on formal examinations at the end of each semester (in January and June). A smaller proportion of the overall assessment is based on coursework carried out throughout the academic year.

    Course unit details

    Students take a total of 12 units (120 credits) from the list below. Students will take either Mathematics 0B1 and 0B2 or Mathematics 0C1 and 0C2, according to the outcome of a diagnostic assessment at the start of the course. Students choose either Matter and Energy (Phys 1) or World of the Electron (Phys 2).

    Course units for foundation year

    The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

    TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
    Chemistry 1 FOUN10001 10 Mandatory
    Information and Communications Technology FOUN10011 10 Mandatory
    Foundation Year Project FOUN10022 10 Mandatory
    Academic Skills FOUN10031 10 Mandatory
    Chemistry 2 FOUN10042 10 Mandatory
    Chemistry 3 FOUN10052 10 Mandatory
    Matter and Energy Phys 1 FOUN10061 10 Mandatory
    Waves and Particles Phys 3 FOUN10072 10 Mandatory
    World of the Electron Phys 2 FOUN10111 10 Mandatory
    Mathematics 0B1 MATH19801 10 Mandatory
    Mathematics 0B2 MATH19812 10 Mandatory
    Mathematics 0C1 MATH19821 10 Mandatory
    Mathematics 0C2 MATH19832 10 Mandatory
    Mathematics 0F2 MATH19842 10 Mandatory
    Mathematics 0N1 MATH19861 10 Mandatory
    Matter and Energy Phys 1 FOUN10061 10 Optional
    World of the Electron Phys 2 FOUN10111 10 Optional
    Mathematics 0B1 MATH19801 10 Optional
    Mathematics 0B2 MATH19812 10 Optional
    Mathematics 0C1 MATH19821 10 Optional
    Mathematics 0C2 MATH19832 10 Optional
    Displaying 10 of 21 course units for foundation year

    Scholarships and bursaries

    The Foundation Year Bursary  is available to UK students who are registered on an undergraduate foundation year here and who has had a full financial assessment carried out by Student Finance.

    Details of country-specific funding available to international students can be found within our  International country profiles .

    The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability, therefore, we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

    For information about scholarships please visit our  undergraduate student finance pages  and the Department funding pages that you intend to progress to after successfully completing the Foundation Year.

    Disability support

    Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk