Program Overview

If you’re interested in the study of living organisms such as plants, animals and humans, are keen to enter onto a degree programme but lack the necessary qualifications, the BSc Life Sciences foundation year at Aberystwyth University is an excellent choice and provides an alternative route into higher education. Our BSc Life Sciences programme is a one-year course that will give you a solid grounding in biology and associated subjects. It will give you an opportunity to think about which branch of the biological sciences is of particular interest to you. On successful completion of the foundation year, you will be able to transfer onto any of our three-year biological sciences degrees.

The Life Sciences with foundation year course is taught by expert staff and consists of a fully integrated programme of lectures, practicals, workshops and tutorials. You will receive a solid foundation in a range of scientific disciplines including biochemistry, botany, cell biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, microbiology, zoology, study skills, and biological field and laboratory techniques.

You will be taught in our state-of-the-art teaching facilities by passionate, engaged, and friendly staff who have expertise across the full range of biological science subjects. Our modern facilities include aquaria for marine and freshwater organisms, a mass spectrometry and analytical unit, high-throughput DNA sequencing equipment, a bio-imaging laboratory, growth rooms and glasshouses, the National Plant Phenomics Centre, university farms and an equine centre.

You will learn and live in an exceptional environment where you will be surrounded by many internationally recognised habitats that include the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere, RAMSAR wetlands, marine special areas of conservation, National Nature Reserves, and sites of special scientific interest.