Why a Foundation Year?

Start your science or engineering degree with confidence

Are you interested in a career in engineering or one of our natural sciences degrees, but don't have the appropriate qualifications for first year entry? 

Our Integrated Foundation Year is one year of study specifically designed to prepare you for the first year on your chosen degree. If you meet the necessary grades during your Foundation Year, you'll be guaranteed a place in first year.

Our reputation for science and engineering teaching and research means there's no better place for you to prepare for your degree. You will be taught on campus by university staff and have the same student experience as any other undergraduate.

How you’ll learn

Teaching

Traditional lectures and tutorials form the core of our teaching, but you will also learn through group work, enquiry-based learning and project work.

Facilities

The facilities at The University of Manchester give you everything you need for your academic study, and you will experience life as university student from day one of your Foundation Year.

Support

There is also excellent pastoral support available as well as a diverse and supportive student community, which are especially important factors if you're living away from home for the first time.

Pathways and entry requirements

International students

Manchester is a diverse, multicultural city, and the University takes great pride in welcoming students from across the world.

All students studying on our Integrated Foundation Year courses benefit from being part of the undergraduate student community. Your studies will be on the same campus, have access to the same facilities and be taught by the same University staff – you will have the same student experience as any other undergraduate.

Learn more about international student life at Manchester.

Hear from one of our students

“During my Foundation Year I managed to practise my English. At the beginning, understanding the lectures was quite challenging. However, by the end of the year, I realised I could understand almost everything, which made me feel more confident.”

Esteban Velez Froment / BEng Mechanical Engineering with Management.

How to apply

Start your journey on the Integrated Foundation Year

If you're interested in applying to the Foundation Year at Manchester, here are some useful resources.

The application process

Everything you need to know about applying to study with us.

Discover how to apply

Visit us

Join us on campus for open days, visits and fairs, and discover Manchester for yourself.

Learn about our open days

Contact us

Have any questions? Get in touch

If you have any questions about the Foundation Year, please get in touch with the relevant admissions team for the pathway that you are interested in: