Physics with an Integrated Foundation Year is a one year programme designed to improve your mathematical and scientific understanding and skills to a level where you will be able to start a degree in the [Department of Physics and Astronomy](https://www.physics.manchester.ac.uk/) in one of the following subject areas: * [Physics, BSc](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2025/00638/bsc-physics/) * [Physics, MPhys](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2025/02021/mphys-physics/) * [Physics with Astrophysics, BSc](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2025/00639/bsc-physics-with-astrophysics/) * [Physics with Astrophysics, MPhys](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2025/02024/mphys-physics-with-astrophysics/) * [Physics with Study in Europe, MPhys](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2025/02026/mphys-physics-with-study-in-europe/) * [Physics with Theoretical Physics, BSc](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2025/00642/bsc-physics-with-theoretical-physics/) * [Physics with Theoretical Physics, MPhys](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2025/02029/mphys-physics-with-theoretical-physics/) * [Mathematics and Physics, BSc](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2025/00592/bsc-mathematics-and-physics/) On the Foundation Year you will study mathematics and physics. In addition, you will take modules in Academic Skills and ICT (Information and Communications Technology). You will also complete a group project, related to your intended degree programme and supervised by an academic from your future Department.
A Level | Students are accepted from a wide range of educational backgrounds and all applications are considered on their individual merits. Decisions are based on the application as a whole - including the qualifications, the personal statement, and the referee's comments. The following must therefore be viewed only as general guide. Our entry requirements vary depending on the subjects being taken at A-level. Typically, we would be looking for: BBB, where a student has three relevant subjects ABB, where a student has two relevant subjects AAB, where a student has one relevant subject The subjects considered to be relevant are Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, and Computer Science. If you are unsure whether you would be considered with your qualifications/predictions, we would encourage you to contact us before making an application. In all cases we only offer places to applicants if we are convinced that they have the academic potential and the high level of motivation that is needed to be successful on the Integrated Foundation Year and on their chosen degree programme. To help us make our decision, applicants may be asked to attend an Academic Assessment. Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive. Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements | Scottish Higher | Students are accepted from a wide range of educational backgrounds and all qualifications are considered on their individual merits. Entry and the type of offer made will be dependent on the level and amount of Mathematics and Science taken. Decisions are based on the application as a whole, including your qualifications, your personal statement and your academic reference. In all cases we only offer places to applicants if we are convinced that they have the academic potential and the high level of motivation that is needed to be successful on the Integrated Foundation Year and on their chosen degree programme to be undertaken after successfully completing the foundation year. Please contact the Department Admissions Team for further information on your suitability to study on our Integrated Foundation Year. | AS | Acceptable only in combination with other qualifications. | Access to HE Diploma | Access to HE Diploma | Access to HE Diploma | Applications are considered on an individual basis. Applicants should contact the Department Admissions Team to discuss their particular circumstances. We normally require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma in an Engineering-related subject with 60 credits overall, including 45 graded credits at Level 3. Applicants will also be required to pass an Academic Assessment. Specific grades in specific subjects will be included as part of the offer. | GCSE/National 4/National 5 Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education, typically a minimum of five GCSE/IGCSEs, including acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy, equivalent to at least grade 4/C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and grade 6/B in GCSE/IGCSE Mathematics, if not taken at A-level. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language. GCSE/IGCSE grade 6/B in one of Physics, Chemistry or Combined Science is also required, if not taken at A-level. Please note that if you hold English as a Second Language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification. | Scottish Advanced Higher | Students are accepted from a wide range of educational backgrounds and all qualifications are considered on their individual merits. Entry and the type of offer made will be dependent on the level and amount of Mathematics and Science taken. Decisions are based on the application as a whole, including your qualifications, your personal statement and your academic reference. In all cases we only offer places to applicants if we are convinced that they have the academic potential and the high level of motivation that is needed to be successful on the Integrated Foundation Year and on their chosen degree programme to be undertaken after successfully completing the foundation year. Please contact the Department Admissions Team for further information on your suitability to study on our Integrated Foundation Year. | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) | Students are accepted from a wide range of education backgrounds and all qualifications are considered on their individual merits. Entry and the type of offer made will be dependent on the level and amount of Mathematics and Science taken. Decisions are based on the application as a whole, including your qualifications, your personal statement and your academic reference. In all cases we only offer places to applicants if we are convinced that they have the academic potential and the high level of motivation that is needed to be successful on the integrated Foundation Year and on their chosen degree programme to be undertaken after successfully completing the foundation year. Please contact the Department Admissions Team for further information on your suitability to study on our Integrated Foundation Year. | Extended Project | The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Departments may also chose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course. | OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma | Students are accepted from a wide range of education backgrounds and all qualifications are considered on their individual merits. Entry and the type of offer made will be dependent on the level and amount of Mathematics and Science taken. Decisions are based on the application as a whole, including your qualifications, your personal statement and your academic reference. In all cases we only offer places to applicants if we are convinced that they have the academic potential and the high level of motivation that is needed to be successful on the integrated Foundation Year and on their chosen degree programme to be undertaken after successfully completing the foundation year. Please contact the Department Admissions Team for further information on your suitability to study on our Integrated Foundation Year. | International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: 33 UCAS points | 33 points overall, with 6,5,5 at Higher Level, including one of Mathematics or Physics. If Mathematics is not studied at Higher Level, then we would require Standard Level Mathematics with Grade 6 or higher. We will accept Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation. We do not consider the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) for entry onto our Integrated Foundation Year programme. | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) | Students are accepted from a wide range of education backgrounds and all qualifications are considered on their individual merits. Entry and the type of offer made will be dependent on the level and amount of Mathematics and Science taken. Decisions are based on the application as a whole, including your qualifications, your personal statement and your academic reference. In all cases we only offer places to applicants if we are convinced that they have the academic potential and the high level of motivation that is needed to be successful on the integrated Foundation Year and on their chosen degree programme to be undertaken after successfully completing the foundation year. Please contact the Department Admissions Team for further information on your suitability to study on our Integrated Foundation Year. | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) | Students are accepted from a wide range of education backgrounds and all qualifications are considered on their individual merits. Entry and the type of offer made will be dependent on the level and amount of Mathematics and Science taken. Decisions are based on the application as a whole, including your qualifications, your personal statement and your academic reference. In all cases we only offer places to applicants if we are convinced that they have the academic potential and the high level of motivation that is needed to be successful on the integrated Foundation Year and on their chosen degree programme to be undertaken after successfully completing the foundation year. Please contact the Department Admissions Team for further information on your suitability to study on our Integrated Foundation Year. | OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma | Students are accepted from a wide range of education backgrounds and all qualifications are considered on their individual merits. Entry and the type of offer made will be dependent on the level and amount of Mathematics and Science taken. Decisions are based on the application as a whole, including your qualifications, your personal statement and your academic reference. In all cases we only offer places to applicants if we are convinced that they have the academic potential and the high level of motivation that is needed to be successful on the integrated Foundation Year and on their chosen degree programme to be undertaken after successfully completing the foundation year. Please contact the Department Admissions Team for further information on your suitability to study on our Integrated Foundation Year. | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) | Students are accepted from a wide range of education backgrounds and all qualifications are considered on their individual merits. Entry and the type of offer made will be dependent on the level and amount of Mathematics and Science taken. Decisions are based on the application as a whole, including your qualifications, your personal statement and your academic reference. In all cases we only offer places to applicants if we are convinced that they have the academic potential and the high level of motivation that is needed to be successful on the integrated Foundation Year and on their chosen degree programme to be undertaken after successfully completing the foundation year. Please contact the Department Admissions Team for further information on your suitability to study on our Integrated Foundation Year. | OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma | Students are accepted from a wide range of education backgrounds and all qualifications are considered on their individual merits. Entry and the type of offer made will be dependent on the level and amount of Mathematics and Science taken. Decisions are based on the application as a whole, including your qualifications, your personal statement and your academic reference. In all cases we only offer places to applicants if we are convinced that they have the academic potential and the high level of motivation that is needed to be successful on the integrated Foundation Year and on their chosen degree programme to be undertaken after successfully completing the foundation year. Please contact the Department Admissions Team for further information on your suitability to study on our Integrated Foundation Year. | OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate | Students are accepted from a wide range of education backgrounds and all qualifications are considered on their individual merits. Entry and the type of offer made will be dependent on the level and amount of Mathematics and Science taken. Decisions are based on the application as a whole, including your qualifications, your personal statement and your academic reference. In all cases we only offer places to applicants if we are convinced that they have the academic potential and the high level of motivation that is needed to be successful on the integrated Foundation Year and on their chosen degree programme to be undertaken after successfully completing the foundation year. Please contact the Department Admissions Team for further information on your suitability to study on our Integrated Foundation Year. | Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) | The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A-levels or equivalent to be included within this. The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A-level entry requirements. | We do not accept T Levels as entry onto this programme. The University does accept T Level qualifications on a number of courses. Please review our T Level information page for a full list.
IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic UKVI 6.0 overall with no sub-skill below 5.5. International students require an IELTS Academic UKVI if the Foundation Year is taken as a stand-alone qualification. TOEFL iBT 80 overall with no less than 20 in speaking and 18 in all other sub scores. We do not accept TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition.
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