Bachelor Degree with Integrated International Foundation Year (Healthcare) BSc

Course overview

Develop your English language and academic skills, explore key healthcare topics, then progress onto your chosen undergraduate degree.

From working in a frontline role treating patients firsthand to researching, designing and managing improved approaches to care, the health and social care field offers a range of fulfilling career opportunities. As well as being increasingly in demand, your work will help care for people when they need it most and drive the positive impact of rehabilitation.

A four-year Integrated International Foundation degree provides valuable support to help you settle in, learn and gain confidence to study at an undergraduate level successfully. Develop critical English-language and study skills. Study introductory healthcare modules. Then build foundational knowledge through on-campus lectures, workshops, and seminars – helping ensure you study with confidence through your degree.

As well as opening the door to professional and academic careers in healthcare, you’ll develop transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving. These skills and more will help prepare you for a successful career.

I’m extremely glad that I chose to do the International Foundation Year at the University of Leeds because we are studying within the university, using the same facilities and buildings as other undergraduate students. In terms of academics, I’ve learned all I need to know to prepare me for my future degree.

Patricia Sutedjo, Bachelor Degree with Integrated International Foundation Year (Healthcare) BSc

Why study at Leeds

• Study with reduced entry requirements: An International Foundation Year lets you enter higher education if you don’t yet meet the entry requirements for an undergraduate (Bachelor) degree.
• Fully prepare for your undergraduate programme: Study a mixture of subject-specific modules along with English language and academic study skills content.
• Join a leading centre for healthcare studies: We offer exceptional interdisciplinary, NHS, and global links that provide the skills you need to succeed in your future medical career.
• A major centre for cutting-edge research: 95% of research from The School of Healthcare was considered world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021. Our research, facilities and close partnerships with the NHS and care providers directly inform our undergraduate teaching.
• Be supported to succeed: Benefit from small tutorial groups and regular one-to-one meetings with academic staff to ask questions and discuss your work.
• In the 2025 academic year, 94% of students progressed from the University of Leeds International Foundation Year to Year 1. Leeds has 100% employability for our nurses who wish to continue into employment.
• One of the most established programmes of its type in the UK, offered by a university ranked in the top 100 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026). Since 1989, we have been helping high-achieving students realise their ambition to study with us.

Accreditation

The University of Leeds School of Medicine holds full accreditation from the General Medical Council (GMC) for its medical degree programmes.

Course details and modules

In a friendly and supportive environment, the foundation year prepares you for entry onto an undergraduate degree in a wide range of Healthcare-related programmes. Alongside academic study skills and English, you will study modules from two subject areas, depending on your chosen undergraduate degree programme.These will be subject-specific, tailored modules in the fields of Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Physics, designed to ensure that you are fully prepared for your next years of undergraduate study.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Bachelor Degree with Integrated International Foundation Year (Healthcare) BSc in the course catalogue

Year 1

Depending on the subjects you studied, grades obtained in your secondary education and your chosen progression degree with us, you will be placed on one of the following sets of module combinations.

Biology and Chemistry pathway

• Academic Study Skills for Dentistry, Medicine and Healthcare Professions (40 credits)

• Biology of Health and Disease (10 credits)

• Elementary Analytical Chemistry and Chemistry Project (10 credits)

• Elementary General and Inorganic Chemistry (10 credits)

• Elementary Organic Chemistry (10 credits)

• Elementary Physical Chemistry (10 credits)

• Introduction to Biology (20 credits)

• The Biology of Populations (10 credits)

Physics and Maths pathway

• Academic Study Skills for Dentistry, Medicine and Healthcare Professions (40 credits)

• Elementary Differential Calculus (Version 1) (10 credits)

• Elementary Integral Calculus (Version 1) (10 credits)

• Fields and Electricity (10 credits)

• Introduction to Applied Mathematics 1 (10 credits)

• Introduction to Applied Mathematics 2 (10 credits)

• Introduction to Experimental Physics (10 credits)

• Thermal and Materials Physics (10 credits)

• Waves and Particles (10 credits)

Biology and Maths pathway

• Academic Study Skills for Dentistry, Medicine and Healthcare Professions (40 credits)

• Biology of Health and Disease (10 credits)

• Elementary Differential Calculus (Version 1) (10 credits)

• Elementary Integral Calculus (Version 1) (10 credits)

• Introduction to Applied Mathematics 1 (10 credits)

• Introduction to Applied Mathematics 2 (10 credits)

• Introduction to Biology (20 credits)

• The Biology of Populations (10 credits)

Years 2, 3 and 4

If you complete this year successfully, you would be expected to progress onto one of our three-year undergraduate degrees. Please go to the International Foundation Year website for the list of approved programmes and degrees.

Learning and teaching

We use a variety of teaching and learning methods on this course, with teaching delivered through lectures, workshops and seminars, supported by virtual learning platforms to enhance the learning journey.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Modules in the international foundation year will use a variety of assessment methods including exams, essays, reports and presentations.

Entry requirements

International

Please go to the International Foundation Year website for details on how to apply and entry requirements.

Fees

UK: Not applicable

International: To be confirmed

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

Please go to the International Foundation Year website for details on scholarships.

Applying

Please go to the International Foundation Year website for details on how to apply and entry requirements.

This course is taught by

International Foundation Year

Contact us

International Foundation Year

Email: IFYAdmissions@leeds.ac.uk

Career opportunities

An Integrated International Foundation Year lets you study at an undergraduate level. This will help you pursue careers related to your chosen course and develop transferable skills valued by employers across a wide range of professions.

Employment opportunities across healthcare are varied, depending on the course you choose to study. As such, we recommend exploring the careers information on the course pages for the programmes you can choose from after completing your foundation year.

Where this degree could take you

Recent graduates of the School of Healthcare have gone on to pursue exciting careers across a broad range of sectors, including:

• nursing
• midwifery
• public health
• higher education
• social work

Learn more about the careers our students have pursued – read alumni profiles from the School of Healthcare and wider Faculty of Medicine and Health.

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.

Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.

• Dedicated Employability Team – meet with our qualified careers consultants and specialist employability and placements officers, on hand to help you choose the right path and develop the skills to get there. They can support with CV and cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile building, mock interviews and navigating AI: get confident with tailored advice and techniques.
• Employability and networking events – get involved in a full range of events, including careers fairs and specialist industry talks with employers who are actively recruiting. You’ll also benefit from mentoring and a supportive careers community, helping you make connections, build your network, and shape your journey as a future professional.
• Skills training – we embed transferable skills training in all our programmes to support your transition to the workplace. Gain expertise employers value, such as communication, problem-solving and research and data analysis.
• MyCareer system – access a dedicated portal where you can book careers appointments, view helpful resources and browse vacancies and events. Access digital tools, including LinkedIn support, video‑interview preparation, plus global job market and visa guidance. We also offer pre‑arrival support to help you prepare for career planning in the UK and make the most of your time with us.
• Exclusive opportunities – bring your enterprise to market with our award-winning business advice service, Spark. Apply for vacancies only available to our students. And hone your skills further with Leeds University Union, home to volunteering opportunities and over 300 clubs and societies.

Explore more about your employability opportunities at the University of Leeds.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

Studying abroad is a unique opportunity to explore the world, whilst gaining invaluable skills and experience that could enhance your future employability and career prospects too.

From Europe to Asia, the USA to Australasia, we have many University partners worldwide you can apply to, spanning across some of the most popular destinations for students.

This course offers you the chance to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year, which will extend your studies by 12 months.

Once you’ve successfully completed your year abroad, you'll be awarded the ‘international’ variant in your degree title which demonstrates your added experience to future employers.

Work placements

Make connections, practice skills and build future confidence in your future with an industrial placement year as part of your course.

A work placement can be a great investment in your future:

• Choose from 100+ organisations in the UK and overseas.
• Build industry contacts within your chosen field.
• Be in direct contact with potential employers thanks to our close industry links.
• Advance your experience and skills by putting course teachings into practice.
• Gain invaluable insight into working as a professional in your chosen industry.
• Improve your employability.
• All placements sourced by the University are paid positions
• We also offer shorter-term placement opportunities.

Our Employability Team are here to help you every step of the way. They run several placement sessions to answer your questions, discuss available opportunities and support you with CV writing and interview preparation.

If your application is successful, during placement, you'll be supported by an industrial supervisor from within the company, plus an academic supervisor who will keep in touch throughout.

If you decide to undertake a placement year, this will take place after you have completed your foundation year. It will extend your period of undergraduate study by 12 months. 

On successful completion of your placement year, you'll be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your added experience to future employers.

We can’t guarantee a work placement. The job market is competitive – and there may be competition for the placement you want. You’ll have to apply the same way you would for any job post, with your CV and, if successful, attend an interview with the organisation. That said, we encourage everyone to apply.