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Foundation Year in Science

Get ready for a full-time science degree with our foundation year

Foundation Year in Science

Code
See How to apply tab
Start
September 2024
Duration
1 year full-time
+ 3 years full-time
Attendance
Full-time
Fees
£9,250 (UK) *
£16,600 (INT) *
Course leader
Helen Roberts

The Foundation Year in Science is offered as an entry route to a Science degree for students who don't yet meet the entry requirements for degree-level study.

Why choose the Foundation Year in Science at Middlesex?

This course is your entry route to a science degree if you are not ready for the three-year degree.

This may be because you don't have the right qualifications or feel you are not ready for degree-level study – or perhaps you are returning to study and want to get up to speed before starting a degree.

You will need to enrol on a four-year course, which includes the one-year foundation course. When you complete this year successfully you will progress directly onto one of our three-year degree courses.

We offer:

What you will gain

This a great opportunity to develop the skills to move on to the full three-year degree in your chosen subject.

You will also gain lots of transferable skills useful for whatever your future goals are around how to manage workload, critical thinking, deadlines, study and research skills

The number of students who progress to degree study with us is very high and have become some of our most successful graduates.

We have over 145 years of experience delivering professional, creative and technical education that prepares students – like you – for success in global careers, so find out more today.

3 great reasons to pick this course

  • Ranked 1st in London
    for Teaching, Academic Support, learning resources and facilities, and Student Voice (National Student Survey 2023)
  • Student satisfaction
    "I found all my tutors to be passionate about their subject, which was both motivating and a joy to experience. I never once felt under-supported..."
  • Access resources to support your learning
    As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module

What you will learn

You will learn the fundamentals of Life Sciences and Chemistry, in addition to mathematics and important skills such as academic writing and presentation skills.


Keep informed

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Our communications are designed to support you in deciding your future and keep you up to date about student finance, employment opportunities and student activities available at Middlesex University.

This is a one-year foundation course which leads to a full three-year undergraduate degree. You will study all four modules simultaneously over the year which means you have the chance to examine topics in-depth.

Modules

  • Core modules

    • Life Sciences (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module explores fundamental concepts and principles in biology and chemistry to support future studies in programmes related to life sciences. Lectures will provide explanations of key biological and chemical concepts, seminars and workshops will consist of interactive activities and group events, and lab sessions will enable you to develop core laboratory skills and practice.

    • SMART (Students Mastering Academic writing, Research and Technology) (30 credits) - Compulsory​

      This module introduces some fundamental mathematical topics and concepts that are required in a range of subjects studied at degree level. In a structured and supportive environment, you will begin to develop an appreciation of the importance of mathematics as an aid to understand and describe abstract ideas.

    • Foundation Mathematics (30 credits) - Compulsory​

      This module introduces some fundamental mathematical topics and concepts that are required in a range of subjects studied at degree level. In a structured and supportive environment, you will begin to develop an appreciation of the importance of mathematics as an aid to understand and describe abstract ideas.

    • Chemistry (30 credits) - Compulsory​

      The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of the fundamental concepts in chemistry and biochemistry to support your future studies in Natural Sciences. You will study a range of topics such as atomic structure, chemical bonding, acids and bases, and chemical equilibria. Your learning will be enhanced through laboratory sessions, enabling you to put theory into practice.

To find out more about this course, please download the Foundation Year in Science specification (PDF).

  1. Teaching and independent learning
  2. Coursework and assessment

Facilities

Practical sessions in our modern university laboratories will provide insight into the latest scientific techniques and instruments. As part of a small class, you’ll get support that’s tailored to both your studies and your future career ambitions.

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

MDXworks

Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.

Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognized with the following awards:

  • The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023 
  • A top 10 university for producing CEOs  – Novuana, 2023

MDXcelerator Student Start-Up Support

Want to be your own boss? You'll have the chance to pitch your business to gain mentoring and grants of up to £15,000.

Global network

You’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll still support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.

  1. UK entry
  2. International entry
  3. How to apply

The fees below are for the 2024/25 academic year.

UK students1

Full-time: £9,250

Part-time: £77 per taught credit

International students2

Full-time students: £16,100

Part-time students: £138 per taught credit

Additional costs

The following study tools are included in your fees:

  • Free access to the resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course
  • Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
  • Free printing for academic paperwork
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

Scholarships and bursaries

To help make uni affordable, we do everything we can to support you including our:

  • MDX Excellence Scholarship offers grants of up to £2,000 per year for UK students
  • Regional or International Merit Awards which reward International students with up to £2,000 towards course fees
  • Our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

Find out more about undergraduate funding and all of our scholarships and bursaries.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Dr Helen Roberts
Associate Professor in Skeletal Cancer Research

Dr Helen Roberts gained a PhD from the University of Glasgow whilst based at the Roslin Institute, where she investigated the molecular events surrounding steroid-induced skeletal growth retardation.

Dr Roberts is currently Associate Professor in Skeletal Cancer Research at Middlesex University, and coordinates a research track investigating the regulation of aberrant cellular behaviour and subsequent skeletal tissue morbidity. She has a particular interest in the role of epigenetics and autophagy in the regulation of osteosarcoma metastasis and chemoresistance.

Duncan Allardyce
Lecturer in Biochemistry

Duncan teaches across the Chemistry and Life Sciences modules on the Foundation Science programme. He has spent several years working in student support and teaching roles at university level and specialises in lecturing fundamental Biochemistry topics. Duncan completed a Master of Science by research with distinction at Middlesex University and continues his studies with an ongoing PhD/MPhil. His main research interests involve a range of computational, biochemical and bioinformatic approaches with applications in drug design.

  • Trisha Lonergan

    Biomedical Science BSc

    I highly recommend the Foundation Year in Science course, especially if you’re a mature student, like me. I had been out of education for 8 years when I started, and, now that I’m in my first year, I’m really seeing the benefits of having that foundation knowledge.

    I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the course. The scientific content was genuinely interesting and thoughtfully chosen to prepare you for your degree. There is an academic writing module which teaches you referencing and hones your command of the academic language, which are invaluable skills for your future endeavours.

    I found all the tutors to be passionate about their subject, which was both motivating and a joy to experience. I never once felt under-supported; tutors were always willing to speak to me after class and were very responsive through e-mail. They genuinely want to see you achieve your best – all they ask for in return is your commitment.

  • Carolyn Sarracino

    Biomedical Science BSc

    Having the opportunity to study Biomedical Science with a foundation year was definitely one of the best decisions I made. I felt that every day I was developing new skills and a better understanding of the science behind every subject. I definitely felt more prepared after completing the foundation year and it gave me an insight into what it's like being a university student.

    I also learnt how to write my references correctly and how to interpret data using statistics. I developed independence and confidence towards my studies and I truly believe that all the skills I developed during the foundation year have truly helped me become a better student.

    I'm now a final year student working on my dissertation project on cancer biology and applying all my skills that I have learnt throughout these years. I feel confident and determined to be the best scientist I can be and I am extremely thankful for all the help and support that my lectures and tutors provide me with.

    I would definitely recommend to anyone to do a foundation year as it prepares you very well for the world of science.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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