Program Overview

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BSc Natural Sciences with Foundation Year - 2026 entry

Overview

We believe that fair access to higher education is a fundamental enabler for social mobility and are committed to delivering this through our education. We aim to widen participation and raise attainment - bridging gaps in retention, progression and success - to ensure our students enjoy the best possible outcome.

Our BSc Natural Sciences with Foundation Year has been designed explicitly for this purpose, to support UK students from Widening Participation backgrounds wishing to study Natural Sciences:

• It covers the core mathematics required to successfully complete the Natural Sciences degree programme at Exeter
• You’ll be learning in a friendly and structured environment and will be supported academically and personally as you prepare to study the Natural Sciences undergraduate degree
• Provided you achieve the specific progression criteria, you will progress into Year 1 of our BSc in Natural Sciences programme
• Depending upon the qualifications you’ve gained prior to beginning the Foundation programme it may be possible to transfer to an undergraduate programme in Mathematics, Engineering or Physics which have a foundation year and provided you meet the entry requirements for that programme.
• International students looking for a foundation course, please visit our INTO page.

Eligibility criteria

• A-Level: BBC
• IB: 28/554
• BTEC: DDM
• GCSE: 4/C
• Access to HE: 18 L3 credits at Distinction grade and 27 L3 credits at Merit grade

Course content

The Foundation Year is part of an integrated 4 year undergraduate degree programme. The information below relates to the Foundation Year only. Please see our 'pathways' below for further information and details of the modules available on the degree programmes you can progress to from the Foundation Year.

The course comprises of 90 credits of core maths, to elevate students’ knowledge to A-level grade A standard, plus some aspects of the further maths curriculum, but concentrating on developing core mathematical skills.

The other 30 credits comprise a project that includes key skills for university study.

Fees

• Tuition fees for 2025 entry: UK students: £9,535 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships.

Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

Learning and teaching

The way you learn at university may be different from what you have experienced before. Depending on your course, you may encounter a variety of teaching methods.

In the Foundation year of this programme, you will experience a range of teaching and learning activities including lectures, workshops, tutorials, group projects/presentations and/or seminars. The mathematics modules at this stage comprise of 90 credits in total, while 'Science: Skills and Culture' module is 30 credits. You should expect your total workload to average about 40 hours per week during term time including guided independent study hours.

Your future

Our aim is to teach a syllabus that you will find intellectually challenging, rewarding and stimulating. In addition, to help you develop as a scientist so that you can make a real contribution to the exciting research taking place at the University of Exeter and to important scientific developments long after your graduation.

Many employers look for graduates with a background in a broad based multidisciplinary science degree, as it allows them to tackle problems holistically.

Our courses help students to develop a wide range of key skills for employment and further study such as analytical problem solving, teamwork, and organising and communicating information.

Upon completing one of our degrees our graduates are highly employable and have found positions working in a wide variety of related roles including laboratory-based positions, industry, law, business, management, teaching and government.

Related courses

• Engineering with Foundation Year BEng
• Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year BEng
• Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year BEng
• Civil Engineering with Foundation Year BEng
• Physics with Foundation Year BSc
• Mathematics with Foundation Year BSc