Science with Foundation Year

Science with a foundation year is a programme designed for students who have a strong interest in the natural sciences but who need an additional year to build the academic skills and scientific knowledge required to succeed on a standard science degree. The foundation year provides a structured bridge into higher-level scientific study, covering core areas of mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics alongside the study skills needed for university-level work, before you progress into the main degree and choose your scientific specialism.

At the University of Portsmouth, this four-year programme uses the foundation year to bring you up to speed before you select which science degree to move into, whether that is biology, chemistry, environmental science or another area of the natural sciences. The main degree then provides a thorough grounding in the discipline of your choice, developing your scientific knowledge, laboratory skills and analytical thinking through a combination of theory, practical work and project-based learning. A sandwich placement year and a year abroad are available within the programme, along with work placement opportunities, giving you multiple ways to extend your experience beyond the classroom.

The career destinations available to science graduates vary by specialism but span pharmaceutical and biotechnology research, environmental science and consultancy, healthcare, food science, education, scientific communication and a range of commercial roles where analytical and quantitative skills are valued. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in their chosen scientific discipline, including taught masters programmes and PhD research. The foundation year route opens the science degree pathway to students who might otherwise not have met standard entry requirements, creating a genuine opportunity to develop a scientific career from a more supported starting point.