CertHE Foundation in Science, Engineering and Mathematics
2027 entry
Course summary
You are viewing the programme information for 2027 entry, view information for 2026 entry here.
Our CertHE Foundation Year in Science, Engineering and Maths is a one-year introductory course. It's designed to prepare you to progress to an undergraduate degree in a non-clinical science, engineering, or mathematics subject.
This one-year course is ideal for students returning to education who haven't recently studied Level 3 qualifications, such as A-levels or equivalent. It includes tailored support to help you transition to degree-level study. That means regular meetings with a personal tutor, access to the library, peer mentoring, and practical academic skills development from essay writing to study techniques.
We offer interdisciplinary degree courses in subjects such as biomedical sciences, data science, engineering design, environmental science, and palaeontology and evolution. Our courses at Bristol cover the full range of skills fundamental in applied science and engineering to help you progress.
On successful completion of the foundation year, you will obtain a CertHE qualification and you can gain a place on an undergraduate degree programme at Bristol, dependent on your foundation pathway (Chemistry or Physics) and your foundation maths unit results.
At Bristol, we offer:
- Chemistry degrees
- Earth Sciences degrees
- Engineering degrees
- Geographical Sciences degrees
- Life Sciences degrees
- Mathematics degrees
- Physics degrees
Please note: this excludes all Biological Sciences and Zoology degrees unless an A in A Level biology is also held or predicted.
A degree in science, engineering, or life sciences is a brilliant investment. You develop powerful transferable skills that employers really value. Our graduates are highly employable, with skills in areas such as numeracy, teamwork, report writing and problem-solving. Bristol graduates are highly sought after and our reputation for academic excellence and outstanding teaching attracts recruiters from across all industries.
This course is for students with a 'Home' fee status. 'Overseas' fee status students should refer to our International Foundation Programmes. For information on how to check your fee status, please see our fee status information pages.
Applications are made directly to the University. You can find information about making an application on our How to apply page.
If you have questions about the foundation year or the application process, please contact choosebristol-ug@bristol.ac.uk.
Course structure
Our CertHE Foundation Year in Science, Engineering and Maths course comprises four units:
- laboratory science
- maths
- STEM skills
- group research project.
You'll choose either a chemistry or a physics pathway depending on the degree subject you aim to study after the course. You'll also take a core unit in maths, building your confidence and ability to use maths to solve problems in science and engineering.
We offer two different levels of mathematics, which depend on the degree subject that you wish to pursue after the Foundation Year:
- Essential Foundation Mathematics
- Extending Foundation Mathematics.
If you're invited to interview, you'll also sit a maths test to assess your current level. This is used to indicate if your mathematical skills are strong enough to support success on the maths stream required by your chosen pathway.
You'll need to dedicate around 14-16 hours each week to lectures and seminars, and at least 20 hours per week to independent study.
Entry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
No academic qualifications are required for entry to this course. Applications will be assessed on personal statement and interview (including a maths problem). We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate the potential to succeed on the course.
If we receive a high number of applications, priority may be given to applicants without prior experience of higher education and/or who do not hold a qualification at level 3 (for example A-levels or an Access to HE Diploma) and/or to applicants from one or more of the University's widening participation categories.Holders of specific science qualifications are not eligible for this course as follows:
Applicants who have taken any of the following science A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications* in the last five years are not eligible: Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics.
Applicants who have taken more than one of the following science-related subjects at A-level (or equivalent level 3 qualifications*) in the last five years, are not eligible: Biology, Computer Science, Design and Technology: Product Design 3D, Electronics, Environmental Sciences, Human Biology, Marine Science, Economics, Computing, Geography, Geology, Information Communication Technology, Psychology, Statistics.
*We will consider applicants who have achieved or who are currently taking Access to HE or BTEC Level 3 qualifications, as long as those qualifications do not already facilitate direct entry to their desired undergraduate degree via UCAS. In this case, applicants are advised to check the prospectus or contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk, to consider applying directly through UCAS for our undergraduate-level courses.
Selection process
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
- If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
- Full information about our selection processes for Foundation in Science, Engineering and Mathematics can be found in the Admissions Statement:
Admissions statement - The admissions statement above relates to 2026 entry. The statement for 2027 entry will be available in summer 2026.