This programme has been designed specifically to support international students who wish to study an undergraduate degree from a wide range available at Northumbria University.
This specific pathway is for Applied Science which has a combination of Science modules alongside an English module and an Academic Practice module.
These modules will enable you to develop key skills and understanding in language, study skills, critical thinking, and a good understanding of knowledge relevant to Science.
This course will introduce you to life studying in the UK and will develop the core academic and English language skills you will need to progress on to an undergraduate degree with Northumbria University.
The modules on this programme will focus on helping you to meet the requirements of your target course, where you will develop your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills alongside learning study techniques, how to read academic texts, and report writing.
In the Pathway specific modules, you will develop your knowledge of biomedical science, biology, and chemistry in key areas. You will do this by understanding knowledge, testing changes or reactions in practical lab sessions and then being able to report on your findings. In these modules, you will learn how to investigate and explain your tests while considering the wider view of science in real-world contexts.
| IELTS | Oct-Dec | Jan-Mar | Mar-Jun | July-Aug | Sept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | International Foundation Programme – Applied Science (12 month) |
Start your undergraduate degree at Northumbria University |
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| 5.0 | International Foundation Programme – Applied Science (9 month) |
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| 5.0 | International Foundation Programme – Applied Science (9 month) |
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| 5.5 | International Foundation Programme – Applied Science (6 month) |
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| Related reading |
Upon successful completion and subject to specific entry requirements, you can go on to study a range of Science undergraduate degrees at Northumbria University.
To progress and be eligible for entry onto our undergraduate degree programmes you must achieve at least 40% in your International Foundation Programme.
Please note that our undergraduate degrees are currently being reviewed, however, we have previously offered the opportunity for students to progress on to the following courses:
* Students intending to progress onto Nursing Science Registered Nursing require 6.0 with no single sub score below 6.0 or equivalent, from a UKVI Approved Centre.
** Requires A-Level at Grade B in Mathematics and Physics, or equivalent.
If you would like to progress on to a degree in Art, Design and Media; Engineering; or Computing, English Language, Law, Media Production, Psychology, Sport, politics and social science subjects, please see our alternative pathway programmes:
We welcome applications from students who have obtained good grades in their upper secondary education.
We also now accept the following:
Depending on your chosen degree course, specific subject requirements may apply. Our team will be able to help confirm the details for you.
For other country-specific entry requirements, please check our Entry Requirements. Alternatively, please contact our team who will be able to help you.
There are multiple entry levels to the International Foundation Programme depending on your IELTS level:
Please note that if your qualifications are not in English, we might need certified translations in order to proceed with your application.
You must be over 16 years old
If you are under 18 at the start of the International Foundation Programme, you will need to include with your application a signed consent form by your parent or legal guardian. You can find a copy of this on our How to Apply page.
Enquire now12 and 9 month IFP students only
| English for University Studies (0 credits) |
This module provides you with the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the skills needed to study in a UK university. You will learn about UK Higher Education culture, and acquaint yourself with the many university support mechanisms to develop your skills and thrive at university.
This will be learnt through a number of ways including onsite communicative and task-based learning. This will engage you in the active use of the English language and encourage you to study at university more proactively and independently.
In addition, you will also be introduced to your subject specialisms and the International Foundation Programme as a whole.
Students on the 12-month International Foundation Programme will study 2-terms of this module.
All students will study the following modules:
All modules are core and worth 20 credits unless specified.
| Professional Development Planning |
The aim of this module is to equip you with some of the skills that are necessary for preparing you for studying at university and starting your journey into employment. The module comprises several skill areas. This module also creates a friendly, interactive, and inclusive learning environment.
Personal skills will support the identification of your skills and abilities through targeted activities whilst looking at ways to maximise your presence within both a university context and the wider workplace. Project management skills include working with others, delegation, participation, and reflecting on approaches taken.
| English for Foundation - Optional (based on IELTS score) |
This module is designed to help you to meet the English level needed for both the International Foundation Programme and your undergraduate degree, and to give you the tools you need to become an independent language learner. It will teach you how to learn language for academic study, take responsibility for your own language learning, and gain the habits of continuous learning which you will need on your undergraduate program.
You will learn to develop your:
You will develop your skills in this area and improve your ability to apply them in the subject of your undergraduate degree.
| Academic Practice |
The Academic Practice module has a series of practical sessions that link with your other pathway modules to prepare you for your undergraduate degree. These sessions feature a broad range of essential study skills such as research, working with sources, use of digital tools, writing and presentation skills, and reflection and action planning.
Developing and improving study skills is a gradual process. It is also an individual process. If you are new to higher education or have not studied for some time, you may feel worried about tackling your first assignment; taking an exam; or juggling study with other commitments. Here, this module is designed to help you to acquire the academic literacy and language skills you need to succeed at university.
| Project - Optional (based on IELTS score) |
Managing projects that produce a final outcome/artefact is an everyday part of working and academic life. Learning the skills of how to organise your time, find resources, and use your personal strengths is essential for your future career. This module is designed to support you to carry out a project in your subject-specific area and will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to complete your project successfully.
You will gain an understanding of the essential steps in the project life cycle and have the opportunity to evaluate and reflect on your (and your fellow students’) progress throughout the project work, to the project completion stage.
This module will also introduce you to academic research skills and develop your ability to critically appraise and organise material. This module takes a holistic and reflective approach to your learning, with you developing a portfolio of your improved project planning, research and evaluation skills, and production of an artefact.
| Ethical Practices in Action (Optional - all students except those progressing onto Nursing Science Registered Nurse |
In this module, you will develop an awareness of how ethical action is increasingly important in today’s interconnected world. Decisions we take in one sector of a society can rapidly influence another sector, crossing borders and having far-reaching effects on real lives. Whether it is in the ethical choices you make in business, environmental policy, law and order, medicine, politics the media or academic research, this is a key topic you need to understand for the twenty-first century.
Drawing on core philosophical principles, the Ethical Practices in Action module guides you in examining how choices we make and actions we take shape today’s world. Through understanding where ethics come from, why they are important and how they can help us make better choices, you will be better prepared to work in many areas of contemporary society, for instance in business, HR, healthcare, counselling, criminal justice, academia, and politics.
| Introduction to Chemistry |
In completing this module, you will develop academic skills and ability to apply the concepts and principles of chemical structures. You will be able to relate the electronic structure of species (atoms, ions) to molecular structure of organic and inorganic compounds, appreciate functional groups as the basis of the structure of organic molecules, and identify their presence in complex molecules; deduce ‘molecular’ formulae and structure of compounds from the appropriate experimental or theoretical data.
It is a practical module so that it teaches not only the facts needed to understand the topic but also practical laboratory skills. You will also study reactivity of organic compounds, where you will study reactions to detect specific functional groups, alongside instrumental techniques such as mass spectrometry. Be able to apply this knowledge in applied sciences contexts.
As this programme is a foundation for further study in the area of applied science you will develop your knowledge and skills through the introduction to key definitions, concepts, investigatory techniques, and basic principles required to advance your understanding of human biosciences.
| Introduction to Biology |
As Biology is the “Study of Life”, in this module we will explore different aspects of the living world around us. The aim of this module is to introduce you to Biology. The theme is to lead you through from biological molecules, through cells, to how they build organisms, then how these organisms reproduce and evolve and interact with other organisms and the environment. The module will introduce you to biological topics such as Genetics and Evolution.
The aim is to prepare you for successful study in the applied science degree route. It introduces the processes which occur inside living cells which are vital for the operation of the whole organism. You will then look inwards, and unravel the secrets of our genomes. Our genetic information is stored in our DNA – but how are genes organised, and how do they work? Can the study of genetics help us to understand the world in and around us, can it help us to “improve” the world by genetic manipulation?
Finally, you will focus on human beings, and explore aspects of our physiology and neurobiology. How does the human body function, how does our nervous system work? You need to be able to use all of this knowledge synoptically i.e. you need to see how everything affects everything else.
| Mathematics for Medical Sciences - Optional (for students progressing onto Nursing Science Registered Nurse) |
You will get the opportunity to improve and practice key numeracy skills that will enable you to complete the tasks for the other modules you are studying during the programme. These will include calculations associated with experimental work in chemistry, biology, biochemistry and biomedical science You will use Microsoft Excel to process data similar to those that you will acquire experimentally in other modules, do simple statistics, and produce graphical representations and tables of your data.
The aim
The course information displayed on this page is correct for the academic year 2023/24. We aim to run the course as advertised however, changes may be necessary due to updates to the curriculum (due to academic or industry developments), student demand or UK compliance reasons.
Please note that your tuition fees do not include the cost of course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, printing and photocopying, accommodation, living expenses, travel or any other extracurricular activities. As a Northumbria University Pathway student, you will have full access to our online digital library with over 400,000 e-books and 50,000 electronic journals.
Some students may need to purchase some equipment for their modules such as scientific calculators or materials for specific modules. It is wise to allow for a budget of up to £300 a year to cover these costs.
You do not need to purchase learning materials, as these will be available to you via the Virtual Learning Environment or from the library.
Depending on the country you are from, you may be eligible for a country bursary and/or scholarship when studying this programme.
All of our scholarships and bursaries are automatically applied when we process your application and one of our team will be able to confirm your eligibility.
Scholarships and bursariesEnquire now to find out more information about the International Foundation Programme, studying with us, the application process, and to have any other questions you have.
Enquire nowWhen you are ready you can apply online to study the International Foundation Programme – Applied Science. Applying online allows you to upload all of your supporting documents and you will automatically receive your student application number.
Please note: For 2025 applications you will be redirected to the Northumbria website to select which intake you would like to apply for.
| Apply for 2025 | |
|---|---|
| 12 month | Apply for the 12 month IFP |
| 9 month | Apply for the 9 month IFP |
| 6 month | Apply for the 6 month IFP |
Information for disabled applicants
At Northumbria, we welcome applications from disabled students and are committed to ensuring an equal and accessible application journey. Your application will be considered on an equal basis to all other applications. Please contact us if you require any assistance. This website is continually optimised to adhere to accessibility best practice guidelines; tools to assist users with specific accessibility requirements have also been provided. More information is available in our accessibility statement.
If you are accepted you will receive one offer letter for the International Foundation Programme in Applied Science followed by the appropriate degree programme. Once you have successfully completed the International Foundation Programme and achieved the required grades, you can gain direct admission onto your chosen degree at Northumbria
We strongly recommend that you submit your application as early as possible to allow you to complete all of the preparations needed to study your programme. After receiving your offer it can take time to arrange your finances and apply for your visa (if required) and it is important that you arrive in a good time to enrol on your course. Please refer to the Dates and Fees page.
Supporting documents
For us to assess your application in a timely manner, it is important that you provide us with the following documents:
You can check more information on how to apply here, including guidelines for the application forms.
“I chose Northumbria University because my sister currently lives in Newcastle. I love the environment and the way that the teachers interact with me. I receive a lot of support from my tutors who are very attentive and highly knowledgeable.”
Farida Nasir Kuliya
International Foundation Programme
The pathway programmes detailed on this website are run in partnership with QA Higher Education - a UK higher education provider. All of our pathway programmes are validated by the University and taught by QA Higher Education and University staff.
