Bachelor Degree with Integrated International Foundation Year (Science) BSc
Year of entry 2026
- Start date
- September 2026
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 4 Years (Full time)
- Work placements
- Optional
- Study abroad
- Optional
- Contact
- IFYAdmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
Develop your English language and academic skills, explore key scientific topics, then progress onto your chosen undergraduate degree.
Science is core to understanding the physical and natural world and our place in it. By studying the sciences, we can apply our understanding to develop new technologies and approaches that improve our lives and solve pressing global challenges. It’s for that reason that science graduates are sought after by employers and can access a wealth of career opportunities across countless fields.
A four-year Integrated International Foundation degree provides valuable support to help you settle in, learn and gain confidence to successfully study at an undergraduate level. Develop critical English-language and study skills. Choose modules based on the scientific degree course you choose to progress onto. Then build foundational knowledge through on-campus lectures, workshops, and seminars – helping ensure you study with confidence through years 2 to 4.
As well as opening the door to professional and academic careers in your chosen undergraduate science programme, you’ll develop many transferable skills. Data analysis, interpretation, critical appraisal – you’ll gain expertise valued across a huge range of professions.
It has some of the best facilities in the country, has a diverse student population and the course content is tailored in such a way that it covers a diverse range of topics.
Syed Ali Sabtain, Bachelor Degree with Integrated International Foundation Year (Science) 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.
- Strong interdisciplinary, industrial and global links: The Faculty of Biological Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences help you gain skills and understanding applicable across a huge range of contexts and careers.
- Internationally rated research tackling key global challenges: Our faculties’ understanding and expertise feed directly into your learning.
- Progress onto a course of your choice: Study one of 45 undergraduate Science degrees after you have completed your foundation year.
- Tailored to your career goals: Hone your skills through a wide range of pathways and optional modules.
- 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.
- One of the most established international foundation 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
Once you have completed your foundation year, you can study an applicable undergraduate Science course – many of which are professionally accredited.
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 Science programmes. Alongside academic study skills and English, you will study modules from two subject areas depending on your chosen future undergraduate degree programme. The subject area in the fields of Chemistry, Web programming and technologies, Biology, Business, Maths and Physics.
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.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Academic Study Skills for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths | 40 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Elementary General and Inorganic Chemistry (IFY) | 10 |
| Elementary Physical Chemistry (IFY) | 10 |
| Elementary Organic Chemistry (IFY) | 10 |
| Elementary Analytical Chemistry and Chemistry Project | 10 |
| Introduction to Programming | 10 |
| Introduction to Web Technologies (IFY) | 10 |
| Biology for International Foundation Year (1) | 15 |
| Biology for International Foundation Year (2) | 15 |
| The Biology of Populations | 10 |
| Foundations of Economics | 20 |
| Introduction to Marketing | 10 |
| Introductory Accounting and Finance | 20 |
| Introduction to International Business | 10 |
| Elementary Differential Calculus (Version 1) | 10 |
| Elementary Integral Calculus (Version 1) | 10 |
| Introduction to Applied Mathematics 1 | 10 |
| Foundation Probability and Statistics | 10 |
| Introduction to Applied Mathematics 2 | 10 |
| Foundation Pure and Applied Mathematics | 10 |
| Introduction to Music Studies | 40 |
| Thermal and Materials Physics | 10 |
| Waves and Particles | 10 |
| Fields and Electricity | 10 |
| Introduction to Experimental Physics | 10 |
| Introductory Geological Sciences (IFY) | 10 |
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: £9,790
International: £24,500 (per year)
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
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Scholarships are also available to help fund your degree. Find out more and check your eligibility below:
Applying
This course is taught by
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 many different professions.
Employment opportunities for science graduates are extremely 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 Faculty of Biological Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences have gone on to pursue exciting careers across a broad range of industries, including:
- public health
- academia
- civil service
- pharmaceuticals
- utilities
- life sciences
- biotechnology
- chemicals
- science communications
- government.
During the first few weeks, the staff gave us a lot of tips on being an international student, so we knew what to expect, and that was very helpful.
Patricia Sutedjo, International Foundation Year Science and Healthcare route
Learn more about the careers our students have pursued – read alumni profiles from the Faculty of Biological Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
Top 10 most targeted for 10+ years
by the UK's leading employers
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.