UESCIENC - BSc Sciences Extended Degree - (Biology, Chemistry, Health, Psychology)

The four year extended degree programme provides in this Preparatory Year the background necessary to allow subsequent entry into Level 4 of any of the BSc (Hons) courses which are offered within the University's Faculty of Life Sciences. It is designed for applicants who have little or no scientific background, and the modules assume no prior knowledge of biology or chemistry. Students will also study specific topics of relevance to the degree to which they wish to progress (for example, those wishing to study BSc Nutrition or BSc Sports Science would be required to study the optional module Nutrition & Sports Science).


The course has a significant practical emphasis and makes full use of the modern facilities available in the Science Centre. A typical week involves approximately 12 hours contact time with academic staff in a variety of forms including: lectures, tutorials, or practicals.

The aims of this Preparatory Year are to equip students with the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills in the areas of Biology and Chemistry to enable them to embark with well-founded confidence on to the second year of the Extended Degree course.
It will provide students with a broad, varied and stimulating experience which allows them to assess their own aptitudes and interests and develop the ability to apply principles learned in the classroom and laboratory in unfamiliar situations. It will help to develop in students the ability to communicate material of a technical nature both clearly and appropriately.

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Knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles in biology and chemistry is summatively assessed by time-constrained unseen examinations and by coursework comprising elements such as essays, practical reports, mini-tests and progress tests. Regular (weekly) testing in chemistry is used formatively to identify areas where additional help is required and to encourage students to develop good study skills by ensuring that they revise the subject material on a regular basis. This can be a huge motivational factor for students. Coursework is also used to provide formative feedback. Formative diagnostic assessment of key skills required to succeed in higher education is carried out, particularly during the initial stages of the course. Students are encouraged to focus on their strengths and weaknesses and to develop a personal development plan. The end of semester examinations are used to assess the students’ ability to handle and interpret information, and to think critically and solve problems.

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Requirements for Level 4 entry into BSc courses offered by the Faculty of Life Sciences:
The three Core modules listed above, plus -

• PR3004 must be taken for progression onto Level 4: Applied Biomedical Science; Biochemistry; Biological Science; Biomedical Science; Biomedical Science (MD Route); Biotechnology; Chemistry; Forensic Science; Medical Bioscience; Pharmaceutical Science; Pharmacology.
  
• PR3006 must be taken for progression onto Level 4: Human Nutrition; Sports Psychology & Coaching; Sports and Dance Therapy; Sports Science & Physical Education; Sports Science; Sports Therapy
  
• PR3005 must be taken for progression onto Level 4: Psychology

If attendance falls below 75% on a module, reassessment opportunities will not be available and instead the module will have to be retaken the following year with attendance and payment of fees. Mitigating circumstances cannot be claimed for missed classes; however Module Leaders will take account of absences that are a consequence of recorded disability or otherwise recorded as 'Authorised Absence' when applying the 75% threshold.

If you satisfactorily complete the preparatory year and reach the necessary academic criteria, you can progress to year one of many of our science-based or psychology-based BSc (Hons) courses. Some degree programmes, such as our BSc Dietetics & Nutrition, and BSc Biomedical Science degrees, have higher entry criteria (in terms of grades obtained for topics on the preparatory year), and you may need to be interviewed.

Completion of a science- or a psychology-related degree opens up a huge range of career options, as well as a route into further specialist training or potgraduate study. Our graduates are working as biotechnologists, sports coaches, clinical psychologists and many other roles in many other industries all over the world.

A successful applicant will normally need to have, as a minimum entry criteria:

• 80 UCAS points at A level/AS level, plus Maths and English GCSE grade C or equivalent (i.e Key Skills Level 3).
• A recent level 3 qualification eg. A level or BTEC Subsidary/National/Extended Diploma or equivalent, but may not have achieved the appropriate grades to immediately join a BSc programme.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Other applicants may have level 3 qualifications such as A level, BTEC Extended Diploma or Access to Higher education qualifications with high UCAS points and grades, but not in the relevant subject areas eg. Biology and Chemistry, which are required to study for BSc programmes in the School of Human Sciences.

Applicants who meet the UCAS points criteria but who obtained a D in English and/or Maths at GCSE may be offered a University test in these areas.