University Centre Leeds, Leeds City College
UCAS Code: CF12 | Foundation Degree - FD
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff
Typical offer: 32 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or equivalent qualifications).
About this course
This course is for anyone who is interested in chemistry or biology and seeking a career in science, but does not have the qualifications for direct entry on to a science-based degree.
You can still learn about how the human body works; how vaccines protect us from disease; how to design and synthesise new drug molecules and more, while working with cutting-edge laboratory equipment.
You’ll also develop skills that will help you find work in a range of industries from NHS or government laboratories to private pharmaceutical companies.
This course combines knowledge across pharmacology, microbiology, immunology, genetics, biomaterials, and medicinal and organic chemistry.
As you progress through your foundation year, you’ll enhance your confidence with scientific practice and knowledge by studying biology and chemistry modules in addition to mathematics and academic skills.
Once you complete your Foundation Year, you’ll be eligible to progress on to the Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences Foundation Degree, when you will study specialist modules.
You’ll work with microbes, synthesise and analyse chemicals, and perhaps discover something new as you gain an understanding and appreciation of the chemistry and biochemistry of drug molecules: their design, synthesis and behaviour in the body.
You’ll develop an understanding of the science of human life, health and disease at the molecular, cellular, system, organismal and environmental level and learn about microbial processes and applications, including the opportunities for humans to exploit and benefit from these.
Modules
Modules may include:
Year 0 (Level 3)
Fundamentals of Biology (20 credits)
Further Biology (20 credits)
Fundamentals of Chemistry (20 credits)
Further Chemistry (20 credits)
Foundation Mathematics (20 credits)
Academic Skills (20 credits)
Year 1 (Level 4)
Students can choose any combination of optional modules. Choices are made for semester 1 at enrolment and for semester 2 after Christmas. Optional module will only be delivered if there is sufficient demand.
STEM Toolkit (20 credits)
Biomolecules and cells (20 credits)
Anatomy and Physiology (option) (20 credits)
Physical and Inorganic Chemistry (option) (20 credits)
Integrated Practical Skills (20 credits)
Data Analysis (20 credits)
Biochemistry (option) (20 credits)
Organic Chemistry (option) (20 credits)
Year 2 (Level 5)
Students can choose any combination of optional modules. In order to study Medicinal Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry, students must have studied at least one chemistry module at level 4. Choices are made for semester 1 at enrolment and for semester 2 after Christmas. Optional modules will only be delivered if there is sufficient demand.
Pharmacology and Therapeutics (20 credits)
Microbiology and Biotechnology (option) (20 credits)
Analytical Chemistry (option) (20 credits)
Work-Related Learning (20 credits)
Scientific Investigation (20 credits)
Immunology (option) (20 credits)
Genetics (option) (20 credits)
Medicinal Chemistry (option) (20 credits)
Biomaterials (option) (20 credits)
Assessment methods
There will be regular short practice assessment activities (in the form of quizzes and tests) with feedback provided to guide your progress and development. Pair and small group activities will be used in all modules, allowing you to improve communication and teamwork skills. You will give short oral and poster presentations to increase your confidence in speaking and presenting.
Modules will be formally assessed and graded through a range of methods, including traditional examinations, laboratory activities, problem-based group projects, oral and poster presentations, case-studies, research projects and essays.
This range of activities provides the opportunity for everyone to demonstrate the knowledge and skills that they have acquired throughout the course of their studies. The mix of practical and written assessments will provide evidence to employers of the level of laboratory skills and other abilities (such as teamwork, communication skills, ethical integrity, etc.), whilst also enabling you to demonstrate the theoretical knowledge and academic skills that you have developed.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
What students say
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
After graduation
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Explore these similar courses...
This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Course location and department:
This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
Have a question about this info? Learn more here