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Foundation Science 

Foundation Certificates

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For more information about this course and your pathway to university

Entry Requirements

Academic entry requirements for the Foundation Certificate courses

Tuition fees

Find the tuition fees and scholarships available for this course

Start dates

Enrolment dates for all courses at GIC

Academic calendar

Academic calendar for students studying at GIC

Student Success

76% of students who successfully completed the Foundation Certificate in Science in 2011 progressed to the 2nd year of their chosen undergraduate degree at the University of Glasgow.

Foundation Science Course Overview

The Foundation Science Certificate teaches students a broad range of science degree foundation modules. The course will help foundation level students to reach a GCE 'A' level equivalent standard.

Subject Outline: Foundation Science

All Foundation Certificate courses at Glasgow International College contain two elements:

Degree Foundation Academic Skills Modules

The degree foundation will teach key academic skills including research, writing, presentation and analysis.

Science Foundation Subject Modules

The Science Foundation covers the basics of your chosen area of study so that you will receive a comprehensive degree foundation education. You will then advance to a more specialised study focusing on the topics and skills that you will need most in your chosen undergraduate degree course.

English language tuition is also provided for degree foundation students who need it.

All modules are specifically designed to meet the needs of Foundation Science international students. The modules are taught with your progression to the University of Glasgow in mind.

Progression to the University of Glasgow

The Foundation Science Certificate is equivalent to Year 1 of an undergraduate degree course at the University of Glasgow.

Upon successful completion of your degree foundation course, you will progress to Year 2 of a BSc (Hons) degree at the University of Glasgow.

Year 2 at the University is a general year during which you will study a range of relevant subjects. At the end of that year, you will choose or confirm your exact degree course.

These university progression routes are listed below.

Subject Module

Course Outline (2 terms*)


Three core academic skills modules:
  • Skills for Study 1, 2 and 3
Two core English Language modules:
  • Language for study 2 and 3
Two core subject modules:
  • Foundation Mathematics
  • Fundamentals of Science

Three pathway modules in your chosen pathway:


Biological Sciences pathway modules:
  • Scientific Principles and Enquiry
  • Biological Science
  • Biochemistry of Life
Chemistry pathway modules:
  • Physical Sciences
  • Biochemistry of Life
  • Scientific Principles and Enquiry
Physical Sciences and Mathematics pathway modules:
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Physical Sciences
  • Basic Engineering

*3 term coures contain additional English language modules.

Progression Route

Progression routes

Progression to the University of Glasgow is guaranteed, provided you complete the course to the level stated in your offer letter. Progression is to Year 2 of a BSc (Hons) or MSci (Hons) in either the School of Biomedical and Life Sciences or the School of Physical Sciences. Choose one of the following degree courses:

Biological Sciences pathway

Chemistry pathwayPhysical Sciences pathway

^ Subject to approval by the University of Glasgow.

* This course is run at The University of Glasgow's Dumfries Campus.