Program Overview

A Pathway in Science is designed to develop strong foundations in design, critical thinking, and research.

In the First Year Pathway students complete the International College Portsmouth (ICP) at University of Portsmouth first year of the degree, undertaking the same modules, in the same classes as students entering the University directly. Alongside the International College Portsmouth (ICP) at University of Portsmouth modules, students entering through the First Year Pathway will have additional support and tuition from International College Portsmouth (ICP) at University of Portsmouth.

First Year

A First Year pathway is available for students who:

• Don’t meet the entry requirements to enter university level study directly (but hold equivalent to AS/A level studies)
• Feel that additional support at the start of university studies will help them stand a better chance of success
• Have been away from studies for a period of time
• Come from a different academic environment to that of the UK

If you fall into any of the above categories, choosing an undergraduate pathway at International College Portsmouth (ICP) at University of Portsmouth is the right decision. Depending on your academic needs here at International College Portsmouth (ICP) at University of Portsmouth.

Progressing from First Year

At International College Portsmouth (ICP) at University of Portsmouth we offer a first year or stage 2 level study. Either students will enter this pathway following completion of the foundation, or for students that have completed equivalent of A level study we also have an entry point at first year of a bachelor’s degree.

Upon completion of the first year, or Stage 2, you will seamlessly progress to the second year of your chosen degree with the University, and no longer be registered with International College Portsmouth (ICP) at University of Portsmouth.

Engineering Geology and Geotechnics (Optional Placement)

Take your first step towards becoming a professional Chartered Engineering Geologist or Chartered Geotechnical Engineer on this BEng (Hons) Engineering Geology and Geotechnics degree course.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of geological science and develop the technical expertise to work on the design and construction of tunnels, roads, dams, and surface and underground mine excavations.

Taking this course makes you eligible for the Engineering Geology and Geotechnics Industrial Bursary Scheme. If you're accepted onto this scheme, you'll get a bursary of £1,750 in years 1, 2 and 4, and do a 44-week paid work placement after year 2 and an 8-week paid work placement after year 1 (see below for more details).

Graduates from this course have high levels of employability, and play a key role across many sectors, including construction, mining and quarrying, and offshore and onshore renewable energy. The knowledge, technical skills and and confidence you'll develop on this course, which includes the option of a year working in industry, will open doors to excellent career prospects and opportunities to work for consultants and contractors across the globe.

What you'll experience

On this course, you'll:

• Learn at a University where geology and geotechnics have been taught for more than 50 years
• Have the opportunity to apply for the Engineering Geology and Geotechnics Industrial Bursary Scheme, which if granted gives you a bursary during academic study years, and access to valuable paid work placements (see below for more details)
• Learn from staff with both industry and academic experience
• Develop fundamental knowledge of geological science, engineering, mathematics and materials
• Develop knowledge, practical skills and techniques that you will use throughout your career
• Get out of the classroom to put what you learn into practice, collecting samples and analysing results
• Have the opportunity to go on field trips to locations such as the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Norfolk, the Cotswolds, north Scotland, the French Alps
• Have the option to take a self-funded, non-assessed trip to Hong Kong, to further your studies
• Get the chance to take an optional paid placement year in the UK or overseas
• You'll also get access to the University's XRF, gamma spectrometry, crystal growth, low temperature physics, geochemistry and palaeontology labs

Facilities you'll use include:

• A petrology laboratory
•  A soil mechanics laboratory
• A rock mechanics and rock physics laboratory
• A photogrammetric suite encompassing remote sensing and GIS
• A Scanning Electron Microscope