International Study Centre

Student smiling at camera

Health & Human Sciences

About this route

The International Foundation Year in Health & Human Sciences will prepare you for a range of degrees in fields related to health, such as nursing, physiotherapy, sports science, podiatry and pharmaceutical science. It can also prepare you for studying degrees in behavioural sciences, such as psychology, sociology and criminology.

You will study core modules, which are general skills subjects, and specialised modules tailored to your chosen area of study - all of which are important for your academic development. There are multiple intakes for this pathway, including Nursing in April.

Selection process

Find out more about the selection process for the Allied Health Professional degrees, Nursing and Pharmacy.

Learn more

Want to study nursing at Huddersfield?

New for 2024, students can join the International Foundation Year in April and progress to study Nursing (Adult) BSc(Hons) in January 2025 (subject to achieving the required progression grades).

Please note:

  • There may be limited places available on the April start, therefore students are advised to apply and confirm as soon as possible.
  • The April start date is only available for students with the progression degree aim of Nursing (Adult) BSc(Hons).

Why study Health & Human Sciences?

  • Graduate from the University with a professionally accredited degree – without the years of study required for a degree in medicine
  • Degrees typically include placements, such as clinical practice in local hospitals and NHS trusts, to gain practical experience in a real-world setting
  • Access a range of specialist facilities, including a biomechanics laboratory, formulation lab (for making and testing medicines), physiology labs and physiotherapy practical rooms
  • Early preparation for your future career with support for your NHS interview for clinical practice and integrated CareerAhead activities
  • Benefit from engagement with University departments and local business and employers in advance of starting your degree.

Subject pathways

Choosing a subject pathway allows you to study a selection of modules more closely aligned to your chosen progression degree at the University. You can choose to focus on:

  • Health Sciences
  • Social & Behavioural Sciences
  • Science

Key facts

Academic: Good high school graduation grades or equivalent^
English language: Academic IELTS for UKVI 4.5 (minimum of 4.0 in writing), or equivalent*
Age on entry: 17+ (in the September or October of the academic year you wish to start at the International Study Centre). Must turn 18 before the start of your undergraduate degree

Visit our entry requirements page for a complete list of country-specific requirements.

*If you do not need a Student visa, or are exempted in another way, we can accept equivalent proof of English.

To learn more about course costs visit our fees page.

Modules

You will also study a range of core and subject-specific modules to ensure you progress to your degree with all the skills you need to succeed. Please note that you are expected to attend 100% of your classes at the International Study Centre or you are at risk of losing your Student visa.

Health Sciences pathway

Pure Maths

In this module students will study topics that will be important for progressing onto an engineering degree course. They will spend a little time making sure their algebra and trigonometry skills are sound before moving on to calculus topics. They will conclude with statistics and probability.

Biology

The Biology module supports students with the fundamental biological concepts. Each lesson builds upon key concepts, vocabulary and provides students with the opportunity to practice exam style questions. To support students with their practical skills there are a number of practical lessons in a laboratory setting. Topics that students will study include; prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, the immune system, DNA, biological molecules, and respiration.

Academic English Skills

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning.

Human Biology

The Human Biology module will aim to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of Physiological Homeostasis. Students learn about the complex physiological systems that maintain human life. Spend time looking at gross structures of organs down to the tissue and cellular level and the pathological conditions associated with the organs. Introduced to common diseases in society such as Alzheimers, Stroke Cystic Fibrosis and Multiple Sclerosis.

Social Sciences in Action

Social sciences in action introduces students to psychology and sociology. The emphasis is on two key areas in psychology- social psychology and individual differences. In sociology the focus is on two important concepts – culture and identity. Both social sciences are investigated through examining classic research in these areas. Research methods used in both fields are used to carry out a practical investigation into a theme covered in the specification.
Students will be provided with an opportunity to gain an understanding of the world around them and the minds and behaviour of the people in it. They can acquire a broad set of desirable skills including the ability to describe and critically evaluate a range of research, to plan and carry out their own investigation and to interpret and critically assess their findings.

Academic English Skills

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning.

Personal Learning and Critical Thinking Skills (PLTS)

The aim of the module is to emphasise the importance of acquiring and improving six transferable skills that enable students to cope with change and to learn effectively; skills that will help them to be effective in many different work and life situations. Furthermore, these are skills that employers and those in further education want to see developed. Employers worldwide are demanding more than just a degree – they want employees with additional winning skills.

Social and Behavioural Sciences

Core Maths

In this module students will focus on basic topics and methods in Numerical Techniques, Algebra, Calculus, Statistics and Probability with a view to strengthening their background knowledge and improving their skills in handling and presenting data.
Most of the students taking this module will have decided to study a Business or Arts related degree and the skills they will develop during the course will equip them with the skills needed to enable them to gather and analyse data, interpret and present findings.

Media Campaigns

As part of this module, students will research, plan, source material, edit and present a promotional video on a chosen theme. Students will generate ideas, find inspiration and familiarise themselves with their theme by looking at existing videos, photographs, art projects, and news articles. Mind maps, storyboards and video software will be used to complete the final project.

Academic English Skills

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning.

Introduction to Humanities

This module will give students the opportunity to explore people and culture from different perspectives. It covers the basic from what are the humanities to more specialised issues such as people and histories, identity, Britishness, arts, culture and language.

Social Sciences in Action

Social sciences in action introduces students to psychology and sociology. The emphasis is on two key areas in psychology- social psychology and individual differences. In sociology the focus is on two important concepts – culture and identity. Both social sciences are investigated through examining classic research in these areas. Research methods used in both fields are used to carry out a practical investigation into a theme covered in the specification.
Students will be provided with an opportunity to gain an understanding of the world around them and the minds and behaviour of the people in it. They can acquire a broad set of desirable skills including the ability to describe and critically evaluate a range of research, to plan and carry out their own investigation and to interpret and critically assess their findings.

Academic English Skills

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning.

Personal Learning and Critical Thinking Skills (PLTS)

The aim of the module is to emphasise the importance of acquiring and improving six transferable skills that enable students to cope with change and to learn effectively; skills that will help them to be effective in many different work and life situations. Furthermore, these are skills that employers and those in further education want to see developed. Employers worldwide are demanding more than just a degree – they want employees with additional winning skills.

Legal and Financial Environment

The Legal and Financial Environment module provides students with an introduction to two key aspects of the UK business environment. Students will gain an understanding of the legal environment in the UK, and will consider how business activities are constrained by relevant government legislation. Students will also have the opportunity to demonstrate their analytical skills, interpreting summary financial information and making judgements about business performance, providing a firm foundation for further study of business at undergraduate level.

Investigating Business

The Investigating Business module gives students a chance to develop their research and analysis skills, along with presentation skills that will be useful to them as undergraduates. In this module students will research and report on two different businesses, understanding the theory underpinning business operations, and comparing the way in which two UK companies have put these into practice. Students’ assessed work will provide an opportunity to demonstrate a real interest in the structure and operations of businesses, and will require them to demonstrate practical research and assessment skills, using resources available through the University of Huddersfield.

Introduction to Issues in Contemporary Education

This module introduces the student to the study of education and will consider the historical and political dimensions which have shaped the modern educational system. Understanding will be assessed through a poster and a presentation examining the education systems in England and one other country.

Science pathway

Pure Maths

In this module students will study topics that will be important for progressing onto an engineering degree course. They will spend a little time making sure their algebra and trigonometry skills are sound before moving on to calculus topics. They will conclude with statistics and probability.

Biology

The Biology module supports students with the fundamental biological concepts. Each lesson builds upon key concepts, vocabulary and provides students with the opportunity to practice exam style questions. To support students with their practical skills there are a number of practical lessons in a laboratory setting. Topics that students will study include; prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, the immune system, DNA, biological molecules, and respiration.

Academic English Skills

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning.

Physics

This module will encourage students to develop the interest in and enthusiasm for Physics and support further study of the subject. Students will appreciate how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society. They will also develop and demonstrate a deeper appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of Physics and develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other. As students taking this module have decided to study an Engineering, Science or Computer Science degree the subject will be taught in a contextualised way with applied examples given during the module to help and prepare them for the specific demands of their chosen degree.

Chemistry

The Chemistry module is designed to help students to strengthen their knowledge and skills of the foundational concepts in Chemistry, on which to build on when they progress into their dream university degrees. In this module, students will become acquainted with specialised vocabulary, chemical principles, organisation and communication of relevant information, ethical, safe, and skilful practical techniques, and the importance of selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods.
On completion of the modules, students should become skilful in recording and communication of reliable and valid observations with appropriate precision and accuracy, plan and conduct investigative work in a Chemistry context, as well as interpret and analyze data.

Academic English Skills

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning.

Personal Learning and Critical Thinking Skills (PLTS)

The aim of the module is to emphasise the importance of acquiring and improving six transferable skills that enable students to cope with change and to learn effectively; skills that will help them to be effective in many different work and life situations. Furthermore, these are skills that employers and those in further education want to see developed. Employers worldwide are demanding more than just a degree – they want employees with additional winning skills.

Course dates

Course length: 2 semesters 
Entry points: October, November, January and April*

*For progression to Nursing (Adult) BSc(Hons) only

Health & Human Sciences

April 2024

StartFinish
Semester 114/4/202425/7/2024
Semester 24/8/202428/11/2024

Please note: the April intake is only available to students wanting to progress Nursing (Adult) BSc(Hons)

September 2024

StartFinish
Semester 129/9/20246/2/2025
Semester 216/2/202531/7/2025

November 2024

StartFinish
Semester 124/11/202424/4/2025
Semester 227/4/202521/8/2025

January 2025

StartFinish
Semester 112/1/202524/4/2025
Semester 227/4/202521/8/2025

Progress to Huddersfield

This programme can lead to one of the undergraduate degrees listed below (subject to meeting the grades outlined). These degrees are subject to change.

Degree Programme NameAwardOverall GradeEnglish Grade
No Results

Selection process for Allied Health Professional, Nursing and Pharmacy degrees

The following progression degrees involve a selection process during the International Foundation Year.

School of Health and Human Sciences:

  • Nursing (Adult)
  • Midwifery Studies
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Operating Department Practice
  • Physiotherapy
  • Podiatry
  • Social Work

School of Applied Sciences:

  • Pharmacy

All of these professions have regulatory body requirements which form part of the application and selection process, find out more.

An international student in Huddersfield

"My time at the International Study Centre was really amazing. I got support from everybody. I just loved the environment, the teachers, the students. They were all really friendly and if I was struggling academically, I got all the support. I just needed to go to the teacher and they would help me. So I just really enjoyed it. It was such a good time."

Kehinde from Nigeria
Studied International Foundation Year - Health and Social Sciences
Now studying BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing

Students having a drink in a restaurant

How to apply

Ready to apply? Discover how to submit an application and learn more about fees, term dates and entry requirements.

Students outside University of Huddersfield ISC

University of Huddersfield International Study Centre

Begin your UK education journey at the University of Huddersfield International Study Centre. Improve your English, academic knowledge and grow the confidence you need to succeed in your degree.

Students studying together at a MacBook

English Language Preparation

Develop your English language level before you start your course with one of our English language study programmes.

Join us today

Our student enrolment advisors are available to answer your questions and help you with your application. We can't wait to meet you.