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.

Biology (Study Abroad)
Explore the science of life by choosing topics from our broad range of modules that both interest and excite you, from the molecular to the ecological, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern biology.

Lancaster University is ranked fourth in the UK for biosciences in The Guardian University Guide 2020 and fifth in the UK for biological sciences in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

Taught by internationally renowned academics, you will develop the skills required to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our planet, whether it’s researching underlying scientific principles, the development of new treatments for disease or helping to protect endangered species.

Practical work doesn’t just take place in our state-of-the-art laboratories. You will also have the opportunity to participate in one of our exciting field trips which include local excursions to the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Bowland Fells, or residential trips to Doñana National Park in south west Spain, which is home to a plethora of plant, bird and animal species, including the world’s most endangered cat, the Iberian lynx. You may even contribute to an expert-led study of the Rift Valley of Kenya, where we will evaluate the challenging balance between tropical conversation and human activity.

Our first year modules form a well-rounded introduction to the fundamental features of biology, from genetics and cell biology through to ecology and conservation biology, whilst having the opportunity to link these topics to global challenges, such as the maintenance of biodiversity and human health.

You will spend the second year of your degree working at a partner university in North America or Australasia, gaining an exciting and valuable experience of a different social and academic environment.

Returning to Lancaster for your final year, you can choose from a diverse range of optional modules to develop your knowledge in the areas that interest you most. You will also complete a dissertation where you may choose to make use of our high-quality laboratories and cutting-edge instrumentation, or undertake field-based work, such as contributing to ongoing research projects.

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