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.

Zoology (Placement Year)
Zoology is a science dedicated to the study of animal life, and our degree provides a flexible range of modules covering the different elements from animal behaviour to cellular processes and physiology, and from taxonomy and the diversity of animal life to evolution. Benefit from support to secure a paid placement enabling you to experience twelve months working in the type of organisation that you might aspire to join when you graduate.

You will learn from our world-leading academics who bring their expertise into your lectures, practical work and small group tutorials. This will help to develop your understanding of the living world and how this knowledge can be applied to help address global environmental issues.

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 can visit some of the UK’s last remaining natural habitats in rural Scotland, and witness a range of animals including red deer, osprey and golden eagles; or contribute to an expert-led study of the Rift Valley of Kenya, where you will evaluate the challenging balance between tropical conversation and human activity.

During your first and second year we will provide you with support to secure a paid placement. To prepare students for their work placement year, our Careers and Placements Team will provide advice and guidance on: the skills required to create effective CVs, cover letters and applications; tips and techniques on how to make an impact at interviews and assessment centres; how to create a relevant digital profile; and how to research employers and career sectors of interest. In addition, there is great emphasis placed upon developing self-awareness and on how to present yourself in a professional manner to employers. This optional provision will be delivered via a blend of traditional and digital methods including face-to-face workshops, online webinars, e-courses and 1:1 appointments.

The University will use all reasonable effort to support you to find a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation that is directly related to your academic studies or career aspirations, all placement roles offer valuable experience of working at a graduate level and gaining a range of professional skills.

If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement for your third year, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and would continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year. The University offers a range of shorter placement and internship opportunities for which you would be welcome to apply.

In first year you will learn about the broad foundations of the subject with additional options to study either another area of biology or a subject from a different science.

In Year two you will start to gain a deeper understanding of zoology at different levels as you begin to specialise in areas that interest you. Core modules include the study of evolution and vertebrate biology, and you will develop your research techniques in both the laboratory and the field.

You will spend your third year on placement, which may be in a science or non-science related position before returning to Lancaster where you will continue in your chosen specialities. The placement offers you the opportunity to work as a full-time employee of the organisation whilst still receiving both academic and pastoral support from the University. Should you not be successful in securing a placement, you will automatically be transferred to the third year of the same degree scheme, without the placement year, in this case BSc Hons Zoology.

In your final year you will take a core module in animal behaviour. You will complete your own research project either working with our internationally recognised academics or with an industry partner through our Enterprise and Business Partnerships team.