Biosciences with a Foundation Year

Students are accepted from a wide range of educational backgrounds and each application will be considered individually.

If you have already obtained A-levels (or equivalent) in subjects inappropriate for direct admission to one of our bioscience degree courses (grades ABB or above), a good standard of GCSE or equivalent in science and mathematics will also be required.

If you have been out of education for some time, we would normally recommend that you take an Access to HE Diploma course to be considered for Year 1 entry onto one of our courses; we cannot consider applicants studying on an Access course for entry onto the Foundation Year. Please contact us for further advice before submitting an application.

Students who have taken sciences at A-level but do not achieve ABB or above will only be accepted onto the Foundation Year if there is evidence that they have underperformed due to exceptional circumstances beyond their control. Please contact us to discuss this before you apply.

We believe that practical skills in the sciences are integral to a candidate's understanding and appreciation of these subjects. Therefore we encourage all applicants to undertake any practical skills assessment if it is available in their qualification.

Applicants who are eligible for a contextual offer may receive an offer one grade below the standard requirements.

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available.  Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application.  Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions.

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 4 or C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.

Please note that if you hold English as a Second Language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk for clarification.

Students are accepted from a wide range of educational backgrounds and each application will be considered individually. Please contact us for advice before submitting an application.

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see accepted entry qualifications from your country

Scottish Advanced Highers/Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations, if the subjects are inappropriate for direct admission to one of our Biological Sciences degree courses:

• Three Advanced Highers with grades AAA-BBB or
• Two Advanced Highers with grades AA-BB plus two additional Highers with grades AA-BB or
• Five Highers with grades AAAAA-AABBB

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C/Intermediate 2 grade C/Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and would consider this at grade B or above when taken with two A-levels, if the A-Level subjects are inappropriate for direct admission to the first year of one of our bioscience degree courses (minimum AB required).

For further details, please contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk .

The University of Manchester welcomes applicants with the European Baccalaureate. Acceptable on its own or in combination with other qualifications, applications from students studying for this qualification are welcome and all applicants will be considered on an individual basis.

Please contact us for advice before submitting an application.

The University recognises the benefits of the AQA Baccalaureate and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills.

In making offers, the University will focus on the three A Levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate. Students need to check the standard A Level requirements for their chosen course.

The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are considered to be valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement.

Applicants already studying a Foundation Year will not be accepted on to the Biosciences with a Foundation Year programme.

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to undergraduate courses in the School of Biological Sciences:

Applicants completing the INTO Manchester International Foundation Programme in partnership with The University of Manchester are required to achieve a minimum of AAB with grades AA in two sciences (preferably Biology and Chemistry), grade B in a 3rd subject (excluding EAP) and an EAP score of B in every component.

Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation Year are required to achieve a minimum of AAB or 75% overall with grades AA or 75% in two sciences (preferably Biology and Chemistry), grade B or 65% in a 3rd subject (excluding EAP) and an EAP score of B or 65% in every component.

Applicants studying other foundation programmes should contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this programme and for specific entry requirements.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

We consider the National Extended Diploma with grades DDD for entry when it is taken with one A-level with grade A.

Combinations of BTEC and A-levels suitable for Biosciences year one entry will not be considered for entry into the Foundation Year. For details of year one entry requirements, please refer to the webpage of the degree programme you are interested in.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma

We consider the National Diploma with grades DD for entry when it is taken with two A-levels with a minimum of grades AB.

Combinations of BTEC and A-levels suitable for Biosciences year one entry will not be considered for entry into the Foundation Year. For details of year one entry requirements, please refer to the webpage of the degree programme you are interested in.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma

We consider the National Foundation Diploma with grade D for entry when it is taken with two A-levels with a minimum of grades AB.

Combinations of BTEC and A-levels suitable for Biosciences year one entry will not be considered for entry into the Foundation Year. For details of year one entry requirements, please refer to the webpage of the degree programme you are interested in.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate

We consider the National Extended Certificate with grade D for entry when it is taken with two A-levels with a minimum of grades AB.

Combinations of BTEC and A-levels suitable for Biosciences year one entry will not be considered for entry into the Foundation Year. For details of year one entry requirements, please refer to the webpage of the degree programme you are interested in.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate

We do not consider the National Certificate for entry to this course.

Legacy BTEC qualifications

The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy BTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma and BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (with grade D or above) and two A-levels (minimum AB).

We do not consider the BTEC Certificate for entry to this course.

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk .

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma (CTEC)

We consider all the Cambridge Level 3 Technicals (except the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate) with grade D or above for entry when it is taken with two A-levels (minimum AB required) if the subjects are inappropriate for direct admission to one of our biological sciences degree courses.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC)

We consider all the Cambridge Level 3 Technicals (except the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate) with grade D or above for entry when it is taken with two A-levels (minimum AB required) if the subjects are inappropriate for direct admission to one of our biological sciences degree courses.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC)

We consider all the Cambridge Level 3 Technicals (except the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate) with grade D or above for entry when it is taken with two A-levels (minimum AB required) if the subjects are inappropriate for direct admission to one of our biological sciences degree courses.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC)

We consider all the Cambridge Level 3 Technicals (except the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate) with grade D or above for entry when it is taken with two A-levels (minimum AB required) if the subjects are inappropriate for direct admission to one of our biological sciences degree courses.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate (CTEC)

We do not accept the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate (CTEC) for entry to this course.

Legacy CTEC qualifications

The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma and CTEC Subsidiary Diploma (with grade D or above) and two A-levels (minimum AB required) if the subjects are inappropriate for direct admission to one of our biological sciences degree courses.

We do not consider the CETC Certificate for entry to this course.

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk .

Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma will not be accepted on to the Foundation Year.

Students are accepted from a wide range of educational backgrounds and each application will be considered individually. Please contact us for advice before submitting an application.

We consider the following T levels for the Foundation Year: 

• Level 3 T Level Technical Qualification in Science (Delivered By NCFE) 
• Level 3 T Level Technical Qualification in Healthcare Science (Delivered By NCFE) 
• Level 3 T Level Technical Qualification in Health (Delivered By NCFE)

For the Foundation Year, we require Distinction overall in one of these T levels with a minimum of grade A in the core component and Distinction in the occupational specialism.

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Schools may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

The University welcomes and recognises the value of Level 3 core mathematics qualifications (e.g. AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies). 

Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer made to the student. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider their application, particularly for certain non-science courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element.

We advise students to contact the academic School, who will clarify whether their specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to their chosen course.

If you are a student who has followed a non-standard educational route, e.g. you have been educated at home; your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course for which you are applying. You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the specified academic entry requirements of the course. We will also require a reference from somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education. If you are a home schooled student and would like further information or advice please contact the academic School for your chosen course who will be able to help you. 

Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences.  Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest.  There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.

The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates.  If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.  Further information for mature students can be found here ( http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/mature-students/ )

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:

• GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade 4 or C;
• IELTS 6.5 in every component or;
• An acceptable equivalent qualification.

Please note that if you hold English as a Second Language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Student Route Visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the B2 level.

Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level.

Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Applications are considered on the basis of the UCAS form. Some candidates may be interviewed online or by telephone, or asked to complete an alternative admissions statement.

Applications for deferred entry are considered equally to other applications up to the point of confirmation. Deferred entry is granted at the discretion of admissions staff, and is normally granted for one year only and two years at the maximum. Some English Language test results, such as IELTS or TOEFL, are only valid for two years from the test date. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

The University will consider applicants who have re-sat individual units. If you have re-sat your final examinations we may consider your application in exceptional circumstances. We would generally require a minimum grade of an A for any subject being re-sat. Please contact us to discuss this before you apply.

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.  In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.  We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course. If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through clearing you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing the places will be subject to availability.

Your study on the Foundation Year is credit rated, consisting of a total of 120 academic credits. You study a common core of units in biology, chemistry and mathematics.

Biology forms approximately half the core content. Lectures cover a wide range of areas including cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology, microbes and disease, ecology and physiology. Regular laboratory work reinforces the subject material and helps you to develop practical skills.

As a sound grasp of chemistry is essential for biological scientists, more than a third of the core consists of chemistry. This involves the study of atomic structure, bonding, rates of reaction, inorganic and physical chemistry, organic and medicinal chemistry.

The units in mathematics enable you to manipulate and analyse experimental data accurately and to use statistical and mathematical techniques in a biological context. Study skills support and help with core content is provided through weekly tutorials.

The units you will study are:

• Molecules Cells and Variation (XABY01)
• Microbes and Disease (XABY02)
• Energy and the Environment (XABY03)
• Physiology (XABY04)
• Fundamental Principles of Chemistry A (XA0201)
• Fundamental Principles of Chemistry B (XA0221)
• Inorganic and Organic Chemistry A (XA0212)
• Inorganic and Organic Chemistry B (XA0222)
• Mathematics (XAMA01/02)

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