Bioscience and Health Foundation Pathways

Bioscience Lab

Our Foundation Programmes lead to various degrees and endless opportunities.

Start your journey to success

During your Foundation Year, you will gain the essential skills that will enable you to excel in higher education, and a head start on the subject specific knowledge and skills in your degree programme.

Your student experience, learning and employability will be enriched through tailored activities such as small tutorial groups, field trips and events with current students and alumni in your chosen field of study.

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Crucial knowledge

Gain the crucial knowledge and experiences needed to prepare you to succeed on one of our undergraduate degrees.

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Foundation year

Our Foundation Year is flexible, you can transfer on to another eligible course if you change your mind at the end.

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Academic advisor

You will be guided and supported by an academic advisor from your degree course.

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Mentoring

Fellow higher level students will be your mentors until your final year, supporting you in and outside the class.

Our Foundation Year programmes are a perfect option for you if you are

 

  • Returning to education after a long time, or you have not completed the relevant subject specific qualifications for direct entry into our degree programmes
  • Still evaluating which degree pathway is the right one for you
  • Interested to follow a professional career in physiotherapy, podiatry, or adult nursing, but you don’t have the relevant subjects for direct entry to the degree course
  • Ready to train for a new profession and would like an introduction to the subject area
  • An international student wanting an additional year to adapt to the UK academic system

One of the best transferable skills that I took away from my time at UEL was the ability to present to people with a variety of backgrounds and expertise. You will have opportunities, and many go on to do great things. I ended up working as the first neurosurgical physician associate at The Royal London Hospital - a major trauma centre in London, doing a job that I absolutely love!"

Hira Hana, BSc Biomedical Science (with Foundation Year) graduate and Physician Associate, Royal London Hospital

How it works

Direct Progression to our public health and bioscience courses

Apply to one of the following courses to take advantage of the many benefits that our Foundation Year provides, and progress directly on to your chosen BSc undergraduate degree course.

Many of our foundation students have gone on to achieve first class degrees and followed a successful career, and many have continued to study at a postgraduate and PhD level. Join one of our foundation programmes and follow a route to success.

Our courses

Foundation Year Modules for Bioscience Courses

Accordion open

Essential Skills for Higher Education (Mental Wealth)

The module aims to enable you to develop the range of essential skills required to complete your academic studies successfully and to enhance your employment prospects. You will develop your skills in academic reading and writing, gathering and evaluating information, and critical thinking.

You will perform various individual and group activities, including presentations on topics relevant to your degree studies, enhancing your social awareness and team work skills as well as core communication skills.

Accordion open

Essential Maths & ICT

This module will provide you with fundamental knowledge and practical skills in basic maths, data presentation, and the IT skills. The development of these essential skills will help you to successfully complete further academic studies and enhance your employment prospects.

Topics of study will include working with numbers, practical applied maths, basic statistics, data presentation and applied IT skills training in Microsoft office.
 

Accordion open

Human Biology

Within this module you will develop an understanding of the basic anatomical structures in the human body and physiological principles and processes underpinning their function. You will explore key areas such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, and musculoskeletal system and the coordination of these systems in the maintenance of bodily homeostasis and human health.

Accordion open

Career & Professional Skills (Mental Wealth)

The module aims to develop your life and professional skills, enhance your employment prospects and progression, as well as the academic and subject specific skills which are required for further study.

You will actively seek and engage with various digital platforms (e.g., LinkedIn), University services and external institutions that will offer you opportunities, to explore, evaluate, learn and participate in activities that enhance your professional skills and reflect on how to plan your career.

Academic staff in the various degree programmes and career coaches at UEL will advise and support you on professional skills, career prospects and developments.

Accordion open

Introduction to the Study of Cells

The module aims to provide you with a basic introduction to how different biological and biochemical processes function within cells. You will study the structure and biochemistry of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cell metabolism, cell division as well as the principles of genetic variation. After completing this module you will have gained a suitable foundation for further studies in the biological and chemical sciences.

Accordion open

Chemistry of Life

This module will provide you with a foundation in the theoretical and experimental aspects of chemistry that underpin many topics in chemistry and biosciences. You will study basic principles of chemistry such as the periodic table, molecular structure and chemical bonding, organic and biological chemistry, nomenclature of carbon molecules and the structures and functions of the building blocks of life, environmental chemistry, pollutants and toxins on our environment and health.

“As a mature student, the opportunity to be able to enrol on the foundation year and change my career path provided me with social mobility and propelled me into a career which is interesting, rewarding and that I love doing. I can't praise the teaching staff enough, without them it would not have been possible for me to achieve my full potential.”

Dee David, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (with Foundation Year) graduate, Specialist biomedical scientist (virology), Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust

Access to our degree courses in physiotherapy, podiatry and nursing

Physiotherapy

If you want to follow a career in physiotherapy, podiatry or adult nursing, but do not meet the entry requirements to our degree courses, you can study our Foundation Year course in Public Health as an access route. While studying on the Foundation Year, you will need to apply through UCAS for any of the degree courses. You will get support and guidance on your career pathway and application process from the foundation and degree course staff as well as previous foundation students who successfully progressed into these highly competitive courses.

We have a unique and excellent curriculum on the Public Health Foundation Year with an option that has been tailored for those students seeking a head start into degrees in allied health and adult nursing. You will be taught by the degree professionals on modules including human anatomy and physiology, health care systems like the NHS, and clinical practice.

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

This course prepares you to be a physiotherapist and includes the minimum of 1,000 clinical hours you need to qualify.

Read more

BSc (Hons) Podiatry

Get the scientific knowledge needed to qualify as a podiatrist. Learn about foot-related diseases and disabilities and how to prevent them.

Read more

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult)

This course will prepare you with the essential knowledge, skills and experience to equip you for your exciting career ahead.

Find out more

“I undertook the Public Health Foundation year because I didn’t have the qualifications necessary to directly advance to physiotherapy. The year helped me settle into university life, gave me the time to check I was on the right path and network with my future lecturers. The Foundation Year made me a well-rounded and confident candidate for the next step of university."

Maxine Baillie Harland, BSc Physiotherapy student

CONTACT US

 

Foundation Programme Leader for Bioscience & Health
Dr Elizabeth Westhead
e.westhead@uel.ac.uk | Phone: +44 (0)20 8223 4101


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