BSc/MEng Materials Science with an Integrated Foundation Year

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

• Materials
• Foundation Studies

BBC where a student has 3 relevant subjects

BBB where a student has 2 relevant subjects

ABB where a student has 1 relevant subject

The subjects considered to be relevant are Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, Computer Science. If you have any qualification queries, please contact us before making an application.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements below

Your application will be considered against the standard selection process of your chosen course if you either:

a) sat your examinations early;

or

b) followed an accelerated curriculum and spent three years studying A-levels where the examinations were taken over two years.

If you are studying an advanced curriculum where the examinations are spread over three years, consideration for an offer will be at the discretion of the admissions tutor for that subject.

If Mathematics is not studied at Higher Level, then we would require Standard Level Mathematics (either ‘Analysis and Approaches’ or ‘Applications and Interpretation’ are acceptable) with Grade 6 or higher.

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C/4 in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Grade B/6 in GCSE/IGCSE Mathematics if not studied at A-level and at least Grade B/6 from one of GCSE/IGCSE Physics, Chemistry or Combined Science if not studied at A-level.

GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.

The University of Manchester has a rich academic heritage and is one of the world's leading research-intensive universities. It also has a long history of welcoming international students and seeks to continue this tradition by admitting excellent students from across the world. You can find details of country specific entry requirements on our website.

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 C/4, or;
IELTS 6.0 overall with no sub-skill below 5.5, or;
TOEFL iBT 80 overall with no less than 20 in speaking and 18 in all other sub-skills. We do not accept TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, or;
An acceptable equivalent qualification.

Where specified, we also require grade 1 or 2 in the Oral Exam component of the IGCSE English Language (first or second language) 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 us for clarification.

If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the UCAE page.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

In addition, our academic Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above 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.

Please note: international students would require a UKVI IELTS, if the Foundation Year is taken as a stand-alone qualification.

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.

Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

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.

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. Please refer to UCAS for further information: UCAS reference guidelines .

If you are a home schooled student and would like further information or advice please contact us.

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact us directly. Further information for mature students can be found here .

All applicants should be aware that information provided in the personal statement may be used as the basis for further discussion during any interview with an academic member of staff.

Further information and advice on writing your personal statement and the UCAS application process can be found on the UCAS website .

We do not suggest that applicants prepare specially for the assessment, and it's important to note that it is not an entrance exam. The assessment is designed to test an applicant's aptitude and give us a picture of your current level of understanding and knowledge in key areas of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

An applicant's performance in the test is assessed in the context of your individual educational background and will form just one element of your application, alongside your qualifications, personal statement and the referee's statement.

If you are invited to complete an academic assessment, please sign up to Zoom if you haven't already done so, and familiarise yourself with the service. If this is your first-time using Zoom, you may wish to have a trial 'meeting' with a friend or family member ahead of your academic assessment. We will send you all the instructions you will need via email. Please also remember to check your email for the Zoom links in order to attend.

Please inform us of any disability or special requirements prior to taking the academic assessment. You can do this by emailing: ug-materials@manchester.ac.uk

Applications for deferred entry are considered equally to other applications up to the point of confirmation.

Deferred entry is granted on the discretion of admissions staff and is normally granted for one year only and two years at the maximum in exceptional circumstances. 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.

We normally also guarantee a place in the current year should the applicant's gap year plans change subject to availability of places.

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.