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Environmental Science with Foundation Year

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 22 September 2025
  • Undergraduate
Main Site - Highfield Campus
More about University of Southampton

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

The Science Foundation Year can be your route onto a science degree at Southampton if you haven’t studied the necessary subjects to meet our direct entry requirements. If you can achieve ABB at A Level, or are a mature student with relevant skills and experience, then this course can be your way into the sciences.

Our foundation year offers you a rapid introduction to biology, chemistry and mathematics, equipping you with the knowledge, skills and attributes that are needed to meet the challenges of your chosen undergraduate degree. You will undertake laboratory work and a variety of assignments to develop your critical thinking and problem solving.

This programme may suit you if you are studying for A Levels in subjects different from those normally required for our science degrees. It may also interest you if you are a mature applicant, with skills and experience from employment and can show recent study, or if you come from a part of the world where the education system is different from the British A level system.

Please see our website for entry requirements and the full list of degree programmes you can automatically progress on to after successful completion of the Science Foundation Year.

Modules

Whatever degree course you are aiming for, you will take all the modules listed below. All modules are studied for the whole year. The coursework module integrates elements from the different disciplinary modules and is assessed by a range of approaches.
Modules:
GSCI0008 Fundamentals of Biology,
GSCI0009 Fundamentals of Chemistry,
GSCI0011 Laboratories and Coursework,
GSCI0010 Mathematics for Scientists,
GENG0014 Routes to Success.

For more information, visit the course page.

Please note: information included was correct at time of publication, March 2024.

Assessment method

Your learning is delivered, and assessed, through a wide range of methods to ensure you develop a broad variety of skills that will set you up for success after graduation.

You will be assessed through unseen written exams, short tests, assessed coursework in the form of laboratory log books and reports, problems and other set assignments.

Throughout, you'll be supported by a personal academic tutor, your peers, and have access to a senior tutor.

This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site - Highfield Campus

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 22 September 2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
F903
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Foundation

University of Southampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
F903
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
ABB

ABB at A-level to include no more than one science subject relevant to your application.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM

to include Distinctions in the majority of modules

Access to HE Diploma
D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

60 credits overall with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 at Merit.

Scottish Higher

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).

Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

DD + B at A-level (or equivalent) to include no more than one relevant science subject

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

D + AB at A-Level (or equivalent), to include no more than one relevant science subject.

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
DDM

to include Distinctions in the majority of modules

Scottish Advanced Higher

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Applicants are also required to have achieved a pass in Maths and English at Standard Grade Grade 3 or National 5 Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/Grade 4.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32 points

Pass with 32 points overall with a minimum of 16 points at Higher Level, to include no more than one relevant science subject.

International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP):
The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered.

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.

Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
B

ABB from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-Levels, to include no more than one relevant science subject.

Extended Project
A

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBB to include no more than one relevant science subject and grade A in the EPQ

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3

H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 to include no more than one science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Geography and Geology.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3, M2, M2

D3, M2, M2 to include no more than one science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Psychology and Geography.

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
DDM

to include Distinctions in the majority of modules.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
DD

DD + B at A-Level (or equivalent), to include no more than one relevant science subject.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
D

D + AB at A-Level (or equivalent), to include no more than one relevant science subject.

T Level
D

An overall distinction with grade A in the core element

GCSEs: Grade 4 in English Language, Grade 5 in Maths and Grade 5 in two sciences (Biology, Chemisty, Physics) or 5,5 in Combined Science.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5with no component below 6.0
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.

Find out more about the University’s English Language requirementshttps://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Most of the students who previously enrolled on this course joined us with grades lower than our published entry criteria. After receiving their grades, we carefully considered each students’ individual circumstances before confirming their place on their chosen course.

We encourage everyone with the potential to succeed to apply, regardless of their background. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Learn more on the University of Southampton website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

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