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.

Natural Sciences
Natural Sciences is a challenging degree that allows you to study across all of the scientific disciplines. Our pathways let you customise your degree to suit your interests and career aspirations.

If you are interested in more than one scientific subject, our degree allows you to combine up to three different subjects throughout the programme. You can keep your interests open or choose to specialise as you progress. Either way, our Natural Sciences degree is designed to challenge the brightest students who are highly motivated and prepared to apply themselves across multiple boundaries. You can choose pathways from ten subject areas that can be combined together to create a purpose built degree programme. The subject areas are:

Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Computing
Engineering
Environmental and Earth Sciences
Geography
Mathematics
Medical School
Physics
Psychology
Additionally, each pathway within these ten subjects includes a wide selection of modules to choose from. This breadth of possibilities makes it difficult to summarise what the three year programme will look like, but the experience will be unique and tailored to your needs and goals.

In the first year, all students begin with three pathways. You must choose two science pathways, and a third that can either be another science topic or you can select from elsewhere across the University, including a range of humanities and social sciences. You will be taught by academic staff who are leaders in their field, gaining a comprehensive understanding of your chosen subjects. You will also develop important skills and technical knowledge specific to each discipline, as well as interdisciplinary skills, such as data handling, analysis and evaluation, plus laboratory, IT and specialist software skills.

At the end of the first year, you will also have the opportunity to choose whether or not to continue with three subjects or to just focus on two sciences, to suit your goals and ambitions.

In second year, your study will begin to become more focused and modules will be more specialised. You will continue to develop your skills from first year and you will have the opportunity to utilise and practice the knowledge and experience you have gained so far. In addition, many of the modules will allow you to progress your project management, research and professional skills, as well as further enhancing your technical ability.

During the final year, you will delve deeper into the topics that interested you previously and much of what you explore will be guided by what you studied in second year. This year, you will firmly cement your learning by applying your skills and experience to a major research project or dissertation. Depending on your chosen pathway, you may also have the opportunity to undertake an industry placement, further developing your professional skills and giving you valuable experience in preparation for your career.