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 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.
Selection process
Find out more about the selection process for the Allied Health Professional degrees, Nursing and Pharmacy.
Learn moreWhy 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
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 ensure that students are adequately prepared for the IFY Health Science route, applicants should have studied Biology and two other relevant subjects such as Physics, Chemistry or Physical Education or Maths, at equivalent grade C + required for Health Science degrees.
For Engineering pathway, Physics is required for Engineering and relevant Science for other listed progression degrees
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.
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 and January
Health & Human Sciences
October 2023 | |||
---|---|---|---|
1/10/2023 | - | 8/2/2024 | |
18/2/2024 | - | 1/8/2024 |
November 2023 | |||
---|---|---|---|
26/11/2023 | - | 25/4/2024 | |
28/4/2024 | - | 22/8/2024 |
January 2024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
14/1/2024 | - | 25/4/2024 | |
28/4/2024 | - | 22/8/2024 |
September 2024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
29/9/2024 | - | 6/2/2025 | |
16/2/2025 | - | 31/7/2025 |
November 2024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
24/11/2024 | - | 24/4/2025 | |
27/4/2025 | - | 21/8/2025 |
January 2025 | |||
---|---|---|---|
12/1/2025 | - | 24/4/2025 | |
27/4/2025 | - | 21/8/2025 |
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.
“My foundation year made me develop many skills, especially my confidence. never used to do any presentations or talking to crowds. I had the biggest stage fright but cause we did so many practice presentations in different modules, we had experience.”
Ghufran from Libya
Studied International Foundation Year - Health and Human Sciences
Now studying BSc Physiotherapy