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Unlock your potential with our Physical Sciences Foundation Year. Dive into the worlds of maths, science and engineering and prepare to join our undergraduate programmes.
Develop your key skills and knowledge across our physical science subjects as you decide which first-year course is right for you. We'll help you make the transition to university life, starting you on your journey in higher education and preparing you for exciting careers.
Join our one year Foundation Year programme comprising of taught and optional modules. Each module will be assessed in a number of ways, including exams, coursework, groupwork and individual presentations.
Discover more about your chosen subject at one of our Open Days or by asking us a question.
Birmingham is ranked 80th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, maintaining our position in the top 100 universities globally and placing us 12th amongst UK universities.
Benefit from teaching from undergraduate level academics, all global experts in their field.
Enjoy a broad programme of study across science, engineering, computer science and maths.
If you don’t quite have the qualifications for our undergraduate programmes, this Foundation Year will open the door to your future. You’ll build a broad knowledge base across science, engineering and mathematics.
Study in degree-level labs and teaching spaces so you’re ready for the next step. With a strong emphasis on essential maths knowledge, you'll also take core modules in engineering and materials science. You can then choose which pathway you want to follow including computer science, maths and physics.
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
You will be taught by a team who are specialists in university transition in order to help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary for successful progression to your chosen destination degree.
Your learning will take place in a range of different settings, from scheduled teaching in lectures and small group tutorials, to self-study and peer group learning (for example preparing and delivering presentations with your classmates).
To begin with, you may find this way of working challenging but rest assured we will enable you to make this transition. You'll have access to a comprehensive support systems that will assist and encourage you.You'll be assessed in a variety of ways, and these may be different with each module you take.
Assessment will be through coursework, which may take the form of essays, group or individual presentations and formal examinations. Each module is assessed independently. We place a strong emphasis on providing prompt and informative feedback on all pieces of work that you submit during your studies.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Your Foundation Year contains 120 credits of taught material, delivered in modules worth 10 modules.
You'll complete 60 credits of core modules in maths, science and engineering, with 60 credits to be taken from a range of optional modules across chemistry, computer science, maths and engineering.
This course functions as a Foundation Year, successful completion of which allows automatic progression on to one of our three-year BEng honours programmes.
Progression on to one of our four-year MEng programmes is also possible depending upon performance.
The length of this programme is therefore 4 years, should you choose the BSc pathway, or 5 years if you choose to follow an MSci (hons) programme.
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Materials | 10 | Semester 1 |
Mathematics I | 10 | Semester 1 |
Mechanics | 10 | Semester 1 |
Science & Engineering Laboratories | 10 | Semester 1 |
Science and Engineering Skills | 10 | Semester 1 |
Stats and Data | 10 | Semester 1 |
Select 60 credits of options. Examples of optional modules below.
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Calculus | 10 | Semester 2 |
Elementary Computer Programming | 10 | Semester 2 |
Foundation Electronic & Electrical Engineering | 10 | Semester 2 |
Group Project | 10 | Semester 2 |
Individual Project | 10 | Semester 2 |
Introductory Inorganic Chemistry | 10 | Semester 2 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry | 10 | Semester 2 |
Mathematics II | 10 | Semester 2 |
Waves | 10 | Semester 2 |
Admissions Tutor
Staff profile for Mr Neil Drury
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
BBB students taking Mathematics are not considered. General Studies not considered.
5,5,5 , 32 points overall with 555 at Higher Level, Mathematics not considered.
Merit overall, with core grade B from one of the courses listed below.
Number of A-levels required: 3.
Required subjects and grades: Students taking Mathematics are not considered. General Studies is not considered.
Minimum 6/B in GCSE Mathematics
Merit overall, with core grade B from one of the following T Level courses:
Other T Levels are not considered
BTEC Extended Diplomas we accept DDD in any of these subjects
Other BTECs only accepted in combination with other qualifications
We accept DDD in Engineering or IT
In Engineering, Combined Sciences (with at least 12 credits in either Chemistry or Physics), Chemical Sciences or Physical Sciences with 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3 out of which 30 are at Distinction.
Applicants taking these qualifications are advised to contact the University before making an application.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
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BBC
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2025/26
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
Please note this course is only open to UK students. International students may apply to one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found at the Birmingham International Academy.
The UCAS code for this course is FGI0.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
Application deadline for September 2025 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
Successful completion of the Physical Sciences Foundation Year will lead you to studying one of our transformative degrees across the science and engineering disciplines. These degrees all have exciting career prospects and your technical and transferable skills will set you up for success when job hunting.
Start your career journey with us, with employability skills embedded into your learning from the very start.
Continue on to higher-level study in a subject across engineering and physical sciences, preparing you for roles in the fast-changing marketplace
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.