Biological Science with Foundation Year
Biological science is the study of living organisms in all their diversity and complexity, from the molecular mechanisms inside cells to the ecology of entire ecosystems. It encompasses genetics, physiology, evolution, microbiology, environmental biology and much more, and it sits at the heart of some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, including pandemic preparedness, biodiversity loss, food security and the development of new medicines and biotechnologies.
At the University of Northampton this four-year programme begins with a foundation year that builds the scientific knowledge and academic skills you need to engage confidently with degree-level biology. The foundation year is designed for students who have the intellectual potential to succeed in the subject but may not have the specific A-level profile that direct entry requires. From that base you progress into the full biological sciences curriculum, covering core areas including cell biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, physiology and research methods, with substantial practical and laboratory work running throughout.
A sandwich year is built into the programme, providing a full year of professional experience in a biological, environmental, healthcare or research setting, alongside further work placement activity across the programme. These opportunities ensure you graduate with both scientific knowledge and documented professional experience.
Biology graduates from programmes that include significant practical and placement experience are particularly well placed in the graduate jobs market. Careers in healthcare, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, environmental consultancy, conservation, food science, agriculture, public health and education are all accessible. Many go on to postgraduate study, including master's degrees and doctoral research in specialist areas of biology, as well as professional qualifications in healthcare.
The foundation year route makes biological science genuinely accessible, and the placement experience gives you a strong start once you graduate.