Biology With Stem Foundation Year
Biology is the study of living systems at every scale, from the molecular mechanisms inside a cell to the dynamics of entire ecosystems. It is a discipline concerned with understanding life in all its complexity, and it underpins an enormous range of applied fields, from medicine and pharmacology to conservation, agriculture, and biotechnology. A grounding in biology develops not just factual knowledge but the scientific skills of observation, hypothesis-testing, data analysis, and the ability to engage with primary research.
This four-year full-time programme at Edge Hill University begins with a STEM foundation year, which is designed to develop the transferable and subject-specific knowledge you need to progress to degree-level biology. The foundation year builds confidence and competence in scientific thinking, mathematics, and the practical skills that underpin laboratory science. It is particularly well suited to students who have the motivation and ability to pursue a science degree but whose prior qualifications or experience would benefit from this additional preparation.
You then move into the biology degree, progressing through the core areas of the discipline and developing a rounded scientific education with a typical entry tariff of 104 points for the programme as a whole.
Biology graduates move into careers across the life sciences sector and beyond. Laboratory-based research in universities, pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology firms is a direct path, as are roles in ecology, environmental consultancy, and conservation. The NHS and broader healthcare sector employ biology graduates in clinical laboratory work, healthcare science, and research support.
Teaching, science communication, and policy work in areas such as public health and food safety also draw on biology graduates. Many students go on to postgraduate study, whether at master's or PhD level in areas such as molecular biology, ecology, genetics, or biomedical science, and some go on to professional training in medicine, veterinary science, or dentistry. The foundation year gives you the academic preparation to access these routes with confidence.