Program Overview

An International Foundation Year at our International Study Centre prepares you for your degree at Lancaster University. You will focus on English language, university-level study skills, and academic modules that relate to your degree subject.

Supporting your progression to the University
At the International Study Centre, we take every measure to ensure you are supported in your academic journey. Our programmes allow for increased time spent learning, researching and developing your skills. By studying with us, you will benefit from:

• Formal assessments at the end of each term.
• An improved English language module, Academic English Skills, providing greater opportunity for informal assessments and feedback.
• Combining and reducing the number of module assessments allowing more time to prepare.
• A personal tutorial system with a focus on your academic progress at key points of the academic year, creating action plans based on your performance and progession options.

Life Sciences
The International Foundation Year in Life Sciences leads to a choice of degrees in the Faculty of Health and Medicine and in the Faculty of Science and Technology. To prepare for your degree, you will study subject modules and core English language modules. Degree options include Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, and Ecology.

You will learn about cell structure and function, as well as physiological processes in animals. Other areas of study include plant biology, genetics and ecology. Mathematic techniques are part of the course, and you will apply your understanding to real-life situations.

Biochemistry (Study Abroad)
Biochemistry examines the structure and function of living organisms at the molecular level. It is an exciting and rapidly developing subject and the primary investigative science within biology and medicine.

This three-year degree is ideal if you wish to experience overseas study as part of your biochemistry degree. Overseas study can broaden your horizon, build your confidence, offer a different perspective on your subject, and can make you stand out from the crowd in a competitive job market.

The degree includes core modules in biochemistry and chemistry, combined with modules in related fields. You can choose a pathway within the degree that will allow you to focus on biochemistry, or with specialisation in genetics or biomedicine.

Lancaster University is ranked fourth in the UK for biosciences and fifth in the UK for chemistry in the Guardian University Guide 2020. We are also ranked in the top ten in the UK for biological sciences and chemistry in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.

In the first year, you will study a range of core modules designed to provide you with a broad overview of biology and chemistry and a good foundation in key modern biochemical concepts. You will take three additional modules in your chosen pathway to maintain a focus on biochemistry and chemistry or have specialisation in either genetics or biomedicine.

You will spend your second year at a university in Australasia, Canada or the USA. You will study modules approved by Lancaster University to ensure that you are prepared for the modules you will take when you return to Lancaster for your final year.

Your third year builds on your chosen pathway and may include options such as Innovation in the Biosciences (biochemistry or genetics pathways) and Neurobiology (biochemistry or biomedicine pathways).

During your degree, you will conduct your own laboratory-based project and benefit from the research experience of our internationally renowned academics. The facilities for studying biochemistry at Lancaster University are excellent. We have invested over £4 million in new life science teaching laboratories, which you will use for practical learning and your dissertation project.

Lancaster University will make reasonable endeavours to place students at an approved overseas partner university that offers appropriate modules which contribute credits to your Lancaster degree.  Occasionally places overseas may not be available for all students who want to study abroad or the place at the partner university may be withdrawn if core modules are unavailable. If you are not offered a place to study overseas, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent standard degree scheme and would complete your studies at Lancaster.

Lancaster University cannot accept responsibility for any financial aspects of the year or term abroad.