Program Overview

CertHE Foundation in Science, Engineering and Mathematics

2026 entry

Course summary

The Foundation Year in Science, Engineering and Maths is a one-year introductory course, designed to prepare you to progress to undergraduate study in a non-clinical science, engineering or mathematics degree subject.

The course is for students returning to education who have not recently studied Level 3 qualifications (such as A-level or equivalent) and includes tailored support to help you transition to degree-level study. You will meet with a personal tutor and have access to the library, peer mentoring and academic skills development, such as essay writing.

We offer progression degrees covering the full range of fundamental and applied science and engineering at Bristol, as well as interdisciplinary degree courses in subjects such as biomedical sciences, data science, engineering design, environmental science and palaeontology and evolution. On successful completion of the foundation year, you will be guaranteed a place on an undergraduate degree, dependent on your foundation pathway (Chemistry or Physics) and your foundation maths unit results.

• Chemistry degrees
• Earth Sciences degrees
• Engineering degrees
• Geographical Sciences degrees
• Life Sciences degrees
• Mathematics degrees
• Physics degrees

*this excludes all Biological Sciences and Zoology degrees unless an A in A Level in biology is also held or predicted.

Choosing to study a science, engineering or life sciences degree allows you to develop knowledge and a range of transferable skills that employers value. Our graduates are highly employable, with skills in areas such as numeracy, teamwork, report writing and problem-solving. Bristol graduates are in demand and the University's high academic standards and excellent teaching attract many recruiters.

This course is for students with a 'Home' fee status. 'Overseas' fee status students should refer to our International Foundation Programmes. For information on how to check your fee status, please see our fee status information pages.

Overview

Typical offer

Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 1 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course

Application method

• Apply direct to the University

Location

• Clifton campus

Fees

• £6495 per year, home students
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.

Course structure

The course comprises four units: A core laboratory science unit, a maths unit, a STEM skills unit and a group research project unit.

You will choose either a chemistry or a physics pathway depending on the degree subject you aim to study after the course. You will also take a core unit in maths, building your confidence and ability to use maths to solve problems in science and engineering.

We offer two different levels of mathematics, Essential Foundation Mathematics and Extending Foundation Mathematics, depending on the degree subject that you wish to pursue after the Foundation Year. If invited to interview, you will also sit a maths test to assess your current level. The maths test at interview is administered to applicants to indicate whether or not their mathematical skills are strong enough to support success on the maths stream required by their chosen pathway.

You will need to dedicate around 14-16 hours each week to lectures and seminars and at least 20 hours per week for independent study.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

Qualifications

No academic qualifications are required for entry to this course. Applications will be assessed on personal statement and interview (including a maths problem). We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate the potential to succeed on the course.

If we receive a high number of applications, priority may be given to applicants without prior experience of higher education and/or who do not hold a qualification at QCA-level 3 (for example A-levels or an Access to HE Diploma) and/or to applicants from one or more of the University's widening participation categories.

Exclusions

Holders of specific science qualifications are not eligible for this course as follows:

• Applicants who have taken any of the following science A-levels or equivalent QCA-level 3 qualifications* in the last five years are not eligible: Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics.
• Applicants who have taken more than one of the following science-related subjects at A-level (or equivalent QCA-level 3 qualifications*) in the last five years, are not eligible: Biology, Computer Science, Design and Technology: Product Design 3D, Electronics, Environmental Sciences, Human Biology, Marine Science, Economics, Computing, Geography, Geology, Information Communication Technology, Psychology, Statistics.

*We will consider applicants who have achieved or who are currently taking Access to HE or BTEC Level 3 qualifications, as long as those qualifications do not already facilitate direct entry to their desired undergraduate degree via UCAS. In this case, applicants are advised to check the prospectus or contact , to consider applying directly through UCAS for our undergraduate-level courses.

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for Foundation in Science, Engineering and Mathematics can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Additional requirements

GCSE profile requirements

• None required
• Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • A qualification outlined in our Profile level E.
• Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Related courses

• CertHE Foundation in Arts and Social Sciences
• International Foundation Programme (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)