Program Overview

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Biological Sciences with Foundation BSc Honours

Overview

Our degree courses with Foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster.

Whether you do not feel ready for degree-level study, don’t have the right qualifications, want to change your subject specialism or return to study after an absence from education, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our Foundation year in order to progress onto their full honours degree with us.

The Foundation year is designed to give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on the key debates within your chosen field. During the foundation year, you will explore a range of creative disciplines and get a chance to develop in your chosen field, benefiting from workshops in our high-end facilities and working with leading academics who will encourage you to become a confident and creative thinker. Core modules accelerate your academic and professional development and you will also take modules within your chosen field, giving you the chance to develop a cross-disciplinary perspective on your course.

On successful completion of the Foundation year, you will be able to move on to study for the Biological Sciences BSc Honours over a further three years study.

Our Biological Sciences BSc will give you a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and the key skills to prepare you for careers ranging from research, medicine, science and education, to law and management.

Our flexible course enables you to focus on molecular science, human biology or applied biosciences, or take a route designed specifically toward your own interests.

Alongside developing an excellent foundation in biological knowledge, through the study of our core modules, you'll be able to explore global challenges facing humanity and the planet – and the biological solutions to help overcome those challenges – through an extensive range of optional subjects.

You'll have the chance to explore cutting-edge topics in molecular biology and genetics, microbiology, the urban environment, global challenges, pharmacology, and biological applications. Our modules are research driven, with a passion for scientific enquiry.

You'll also have the opportunity to undertake a lab-based final-year project, giving you experience in the latest methods and developments in medical and scientific research.

The University Careers and Employability Service and course-related events provide opportunities to discover a range of bioscience-related careers to support you in preparing for your future.

Our Biological Sciences BSc has been designed to provide a thorough knowledge of biosciences and to equip you with vital transferable skills that will help you to succeed in both science and non-science careers.

Top reasons to study with us

• Choose your own path – Our course is diverse and flexible, giving you the freedom to select modules and target your education towards your chosen career pathway
• Gain lab experience – You can gain experience in the latest methods and developments in medical and scientific research by choosing to undertake a lab-based final-year project
• Award-winning biosciences graduates– The success of our biosciences students has been recognised by a wide range of external awards, including the Biochemical Society Prize and the Royal Society of Biology's Top Student Award

Course structure

Our course is designed so that you can follow one of three routes: molecular science, environmental and microbiology or human biology. However, the flexibility of the program enables you to construct your own thread through the broad range of module choices.

Learning and teaching opportunities are a mixture of face-to-face teaching (lectures, seminars, tutorials, field-trips and practicals), independent work, group work, laboratory classes, virtual simulations and online support activities.

The range of assessment methods includes laboratory practical skills, data analysis, practical proformas, essays, wikis, blogs, posters, presentations and exams.

Subjects of study

• Foundation
  • Biology
  • Bioscience in Action
  • Chemistry
  • Critical Thinking for Academic and Professional Development
  • Introduction to Academic Practice
  • Introduction to Physiology
• Year 1
  • Applications of Biological Sciences
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Chemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Fundamentals of Pharmacology
  • Human Physiology
  • Professional Development in Science (PRoDS)
  • Science: History, Philosophy and Practice
• Year 2
  • Bioinformatics
  • Contemporary Challenges in Biology
  • Exploring the Microbial World
  • Human Parasitology
  • Medical Physiology
  • Metabolic Biochemistry
  • Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Neuroscience
  • Research Methods
• Year 3
  • Applied Biotechnology
  • Applied Medical Science
  • Cancer Biology
  • Designing a Sustainable World
  • Final Year Project in Life Sciences
  • Gene Editing and Genomics
  • Global Ethics
  • Life: Origins and Evolution
  • Medical Microbiology in the Genomics Era

Professional experience or study abroad year

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours – Biological Sciences with Professional Experience.

Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours – Biological Sciences with International Experience.

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). RSB accreditation recognises degree programmes that fully prepare bioscience graduates to address the needs of employers and is an indication that the programme delivers up-to-date knowledge in the right learning, support and teaching environments. At the time of publication, students on an RSB-accredited course are eligible for a free Student Affiliate membership for the duration of their studies. Once graduated from an accredited degree, they are entitled to a 50% discount on Associate membership of the RSB for two years.

Course Leaders

• Steve Davis - Course Leader for Foundation in Life Sciences
• Dr Jason Chu - Lecturer and Co-Course Leader for Foundation in Life Sciences
• Dr Pooja Basnett - Senior Lecturer
• Dr Linda Percy - Senior Lecturer

Why study this course?

• Target your education - Our flexible course allows you to focus on molecular science, human biology or applied biosciences, or take a route designed specifically towards your chosen career pathway.
• Explore cutting-edge topics - Our research-driven modules give you the chance to explore the latest in molecular biology and genetics, microbiology, the urban environment, global challenges, pharmacology, and biological applications.
• Fantastic London location - Our central London location means that you'll be perfectly placed to take advantage of career and collaboration opportunities in the city.

Entry Requirements

• UK
  • A levels – DDE (64 UCAS Tariff points)
  • T levels – 64 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 64 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – MPP
  • BTEC Diploma – MM
  • Access – 64 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
• International
  • International Baccalaureate – 64 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
  • We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster.

English language requirements

• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 5.5 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component.

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: £9,535 (Price per academic year)
• International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)

Teaching and Assessment

• How you'll be taught - Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• How you'll be assessed - Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Supporting you

• Study support - workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors - support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team - provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities - volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Course location

• Our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring.
• Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.