- UCAS course code
- C900
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Foundation Course
Biosciences with a Foundation Year
Duration: 1 year (as part of 4/5 year integrated degree)
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: C900 / Institution code: M20
- Typical A-level offer: See full entry requirements
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB-BBB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB-BBC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: See full entry requirements
Course description
Our BSc Biosciences with a Foundation Year course enables all of our bioscience undergraduate courses to be studied with a foundation year if you do not have a science background or the appropriate entry qualifications.
Taught by Xaverian College close to the University campus, the Foundation Year provides the necessary academic background in biology, chemistry and mathematics to prepare you for study on any one of our biosciences courses .
There is also a complementary programme of tutorials, seminars and laboratory practicals at the main University campus.Successful completion of the Foundation Year allows you direct entry onto any of our three- or four-year degree courses.
Special features
Register as a university student
As a Foundation Year student, you are a full student member of The University of Manchester and you will have a University registration card. You have full representation on the student-staff committee and a guaranteed place in a University hall of residence.
Teaching and learning
The Foundation Year of study is delivered primarily by staff on the premises of Xaverian College , Manchester. The Foundation Year runs from the middle of September to June. Regular laboratory work reinforces some of the subject material and helps develop practical skills.
View a typical foundation year timetable (PDF, 46KB).
Student support
In addition to academic tutorial support, you are allocated a personal tutor for pastoral support. Your tutor will be available for one-to-one meetings and will become well-known to you.
Additional academic support will be provided by the Foundation Year team and additional pastoral support will be available from the counselling services at Xaverian College and the University.
Coursework and assessment
Assessment consists of formal examinations (80%) in January and May and coursework and tests throughout the year.
Course unit details
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)
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.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Year | BIOL10900 | 0 | Mandatory |
| Health & Safety online course | BIOL12000 | 0 | Mandatory |
What our students say
Facilities
In addition to the excellent study facilities at Xaverian College, you have full access to all of the University's facilities including the University library, computer and learning resource centres.
You will also be able to access the wide range of sporting and social activities available to all University students.