Foundation Year in Life Sciences Certificate of Higher Education - CertHE

A foundation year in Life Sciences gets you ready for studying a university degree. It gives you access to degrees in Biochemistry, Biological or Biomedical science.

It is very helpful if you don't have the right qualifications for a science degree. It's also helpful if you have been out of education for a while, or if you want to build your confidence in science.

Why you should study this Life Sciences course
Life Sciences is a growing industry. It is forecast to continue growing due to the expected changes in global health trends. Life Sciences graduates are employable in a wide range of professions.

This foundation year course helps you with your transition into higher education. It is open to students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

By completing this course, you can join the second year of one of our Life Sciences BSc (Hons) degrees. This is unusual for a foundation course, as you would usually start in the first year.

This course is useful for students from a variety of educational backgrounds. You'll get a broad-based foundational education in life sciences.

You'll build your understanding of key principles in biology, chemistry, physics and numeracy. This will prepare you for successful study in the Life Sciences.

We will make sure you get dedicated tutorial support, and that you develop your skills.

What you will learn on this course
Over the course of the year, you will learn about:


- the basics of physics, chemistry, and numeracy


- biochemical reactions, and the techniques used to investigate them


- how cells and living organisms function


You will also:


- develop your techniques and skills relevant for the biosciences, including laboratory skills


- learn how to record biological data and plan experiments


- gain confidence in numeracy, chemistry, and data handling for science


- develop your scientific skills through problem-solving activities


- build your transferable skills in communication, time management, critical thinking and teamwork


- get tailored academic support to prepare you for degree-level study


The benefits of studying a foundation year with us
By studying this foundation year course in Dundee, you are not adding a year to your overall study time. On completion of this course you can start in the second year of one of our undergraduate degrees. This is not the case with most similar courses.

In some of your modules, you'll study alongside our first year BSc students. In other modules you'll receive targeted support and learn important skills. This means the jump into second year of a BSc degree should be easier.

In Life Sciences we do all we can to boost your career opportunities and give you the experience you need.

The work of our world-leading life sciences researchers shapes what we teach and how we teach it. This means you'll get a good understanding of the fundamentals of the field.

It also means that you'll learn the latest advances and be well-prepared for life after study. You'll get cutting-edge skills that industry is looking for, improving your employability.

We have trained many graduates who have been successful in a wide range of professions. Due to the outstanding reputation of our School of Life Sciences, these graduates are highly sought after.

We offer a wide range of Life Sciences degrees to choose from.