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  • Science (Foundation Degree)
  • 2012/2013 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment

    • All modules have coursework assessment which may include in-class tests, practical reports, essays, problem-solving and data analysis worksheets, oral communication and poster presentations, internet surveys and role play.

  • Attendance

      • Two evenings a week.

  • Duration

      • Two years and two terms part-time, starting in January.

  • Entry requirements
      • Foundation degrees are designed specifically for mature students and students with non-traditional backgrounds. There are no formal entry requirements.
      • Good numeracy and literacy skills and basic computer skills are required; these will be assessed from your application and a short interview.
  • Fees and funding
  • Location
      • Central London.
  • Teaching

    • Lectures, laboratory practicals, field courses and seminars.

Science (Foundation Degree) - 2012/2013 entry


  • Overview

    • A Foundation Degree is shorter than the more traditional undergraduate degree (e.g. BSc), and is designed specifically to equip you with the key practical and transferable skills required by today’s employers. At the same time, a Foundation Degree provides the necessary academic and theoretical basis to the subject matter to allow you to continue onto the final years of the associated honours (BSc) degree.

      This programme offers an education in the biosciences, equipping you with the knowledge and skills you will need to tackle the key scientific issues of the day. It provides a thorough grounding in the essential concepts across the biosciences, and follows with courses of particular professional or technical concern, depending on which of the available pathways you choose to follow:

      Find out more about studying at Birkbeck.

  • Why study this course at Birkbeck?
      • Equips you with the knowledge and skills you will need to tackle the key scientific issues of the day.
      • Choice of pathways allows you to specialise in the area of biological science that interests you most.
      • Progress into Year 3 of Birkbeck's four-year BSc Biology degrees after successfully completing this Foundation Degree.
  • Course structure

    • In the first year, you will take two modules (worth 60 credits in total) in the spring and summer terms only (starting in January). Thereafter, you take 90 credits per year, across the entire academic year (starting in October). The modules you take in Years 2 and 3 depend on which of the available pathways you decide to take.

      Year 1

      All students take the same two introductory modules, irrespective of their chosen pathway:

      • Introductions: Studying Science (30 credits)
      • Physical, Chemical and Life Processes (30 credits).

      Years 2 and 3

      The modules you take in Years 2 and 3 depend on which pathway you have chosen. These modules are taken from the Birkbeck honours degree programme corresponding to your chosen pathway.

  • Further study opportunities

    • On successful completion of the Foundation Degree, you may progress to Year 3 of the four-year Birkbeck BSc honours degree that corresponds to your Foundation Degree pathway.

      On application to University College London (UCL) Medical School, students graduating with at least 70 per cent overall from any of the Foundation Degree in Science pathways will be eligible for special consideration.

  • Careers information
    • Graduates go on to careers in the health sector, in the pharmaceutical industry, in manufacturing, in environmental organisations and in science communication.
  • Further details

    • On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

      •  express key ideas and concepts in the biosciences
      •  apply basic laboratory and quantitative skills in solving problems
      •  collect, analyse, interpret and report scientific data
      •  use databases and information systems to find scientific data and literature
      •  apply scientific literacy in continuing your education in the sciences.
  • Apply now
    • Application deadlines and interviews
      • Interviews are held from April onwards.
      • We recommend you apply as early as possible. Later applications may also be considered, subject to availability of places.
    • Online application
      You can apply online from the link below.