Overview
Our Foundation Year courses offer a direct route into a variety of undergraduate health sciences degrees, helping you take the first step towards a rewarding career in healthcare. These pathways are ideal if you don’t yet meet the entry requirements for immediate undergraduate study, if you’re considering a career change, or if you’re a mature student seeking a solid foundation in health sciences. They are also an excellent choice if you’re looking to build your confidence and expand your knowledge before embarking on a pathway degree.
Six Tailored Units
With a Foundation Year, you’ll develop essential skills and knowledge that prepare you for both academic and personal success. Over six tailored units, you’ll study topics such as Human Sciences, Healthcare Introduction, and Personal Development. The final unit is designed to align specifically with your chosen BSc degree, ensuring a seamless transition into your field of interest—whether it’s Chiropractic, Radiography, Psychology, or Sport Performance.
One of the unique advantages of the Foundation Year is its collaborative learning approach. You’ll study alongside other students with diverse interests in health sciences, creating an inspiring and supportive environment. Our dedicated teaching and support staff are on hand throughout the year to help you gain confidence in academic study and achieve your goals.
Automatic Progression
Upon successful completion, you’ll benefit from automatic progression into your chosen BSc degree programme, saving you the stress of reapplying. The curriculum is designed to set you up for success, blending foundational knowledge with practical skills that prepare you for your future as a healthcare professional.
Our Foundation Year courses are available at both our Bournemouth and Central London campuses, giving you the flexibility to choose the location that suits you best. To find out more about where each Foundation Year and follow-on course is offered, explore our convenient location table.
Courses with a Foundation Year
Explore our Foundation Year courses, designed to give you the skills needed to progress into your chosen health science degree.
Take the first step towards a career in musculoskeletal care. Build essential foundations and gain the skills to qualify as a registered chiropractor with the Master of Chiropractic with Foundation Year.
Make a difference in people’s lives. Develop practical counselling skills and prepare for a frontline career supporting mental health with the BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health with Foundation Year.
Explore the science of the mind and prepare for a meaningful career in mental health. Gain practical skills and insights into human behaviour with the BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation Year.
Prepare for a fulfilling career as a diagnostic radiographer. Gain the essential knowledge and training to become a fully qualified practitioner with the BSc (Hons) Radiography (Diagnostic Imaging) with Foundation Year.
Transform lives through therapeutic radiography. Learn the skills and expertise to become a qualified practitioner in cancer care with the BSc (Hons) Radiography (Radiotherapy and Oncology) with Foundation Year.
Discover the role of psychology in sport, performance, and exercise. Develop skills for a career as a specialist psychologist with the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology with Foundation Year.
Turn your passion for sport and health into a rewarding career. Prepare to excel in musculoskeletal care as a skilled sport rehabilitator with the BSc (Hons) Sport Rehabilitation with Foundation Year.
Begin your career in sport and exercise science. Develop the scientific knowledge and practical skills to succeed in this dynamic field with the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year.
Master of Chiropractic (MChiro) with Foundation Year 
Qualification: MChiro
Location: Bournemouth or Central London
Duration: 5-6 years
Study Mode: Full-rime
BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Found Year
BSc (Hons) Radiography (Diagnostic Imaging) with Foundation Year
Qualification: BSc (Hons)
Location: Bournemouth
Duration: 4 years
Study Mode: Full-rime
BSc (Hons) Radiography (Radiotherapy and Oncology) with Foundation Year
Qualification: BSc (Hons)
Location: Bournemouth
Duration: 4 years
Study Mode: Full-rime
BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Psychology with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year
Qualification: BSc (Hons)
Location: Bournemouth
Duration: 4 years
Study Mode: Full-rime
BSc (Hons) Sport Rehabilitation with Foundation Year
Qualification: BSc (Hons)
Location: Bournemouth
Duration: 4 years
Study Mode: Full-rime
Staff
Lecturer of Chiropractic
MSc, PhD, CPsychol - Associate Professor Physiology
Course Lead for Radiography (Radiotherapy & Diagnostic Imaging)
BSc MSc PhD CPsychol – Senior Lecturer in Psychology
M.Tech (Chiro), PgCert, DC - Lecturer (Clinical Sciences)
Entry Requirements
What grades do I need?
If you’re applying from the UK or Ireland:
You’ll need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above including English language and Maths. Key Skills/Functional Skills Level 2 in Communication and Application of Number can be accepted in place of English and Maths GCSE. For mature or non-traditional applicants consideration will be given to individual circumstances.
Is there anything else that is required?
If you live in the UK, we’ll need a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced DBS) check. It’s standard for all UK students and we’ll be there to guide you through the process once you’ve applied.
- 64 UCAS Tariff points
- A-levels: DDE or higher. Your grades can be in any subject, though we don’t consider General Studies.
- BTEC Extended Diploma: Merit
- Access to HE Diploma: 45 credits at level 3 with a merit profile or above. We accept a range of different Access programmes to join us on the MChiro course. Access to Health Sciences, Access to Science, Access to Medicine, Access to Nursing would all be accepted.
- International Baccalaureate: Overall grade of 28 points or higher.
- Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers: BBCCC or above from 5 Higher subjects.
- Irish Leaving Certificate: Minimum of 5 subjects at Higher level, with grades H3, H3, H3, H4, H4 or above.
- T Levels: Merit in any T-Level subject.
We welcome learners from non-traditional backgrounds and will consider individual circumstances where appropriate.
If you have undertaken a qualification that’s not listed, it may still be considered. Get in touch with our Admissions team via email or call us on 01202 436200 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.
Is there anything else that is required?
Is there anything else that is required?
If you live in the UK, we’ll need a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced DBS) check. It’s standard for all UK students and we’ll be there to guide you through the process once you’ve applied.
To gain a place on the course applicants must also successfully undergo an interview process. These interviews will be undertaken remotely via Teams. More information about this process will be provided if/when applicants are invited to the interview stage.
Please note:
You may be required to have an occupational health screening prior to commencement on the course.
For more information about our admissions policies and procedures, including our Admissions Complaints and Appeals Policy, see our latest policies.
International Students
International Students
If your qualification is not listed here, please read our international entry requirements or get in touch with our Admissions team.
Please note:
To be accepted onto this course; you will also need to demonstrate that you meet the minimum standards of English.
For further information on English language requirements, please read our English language requirements. More information on permission to study in the UK can be found on our Visas and Immigration page.
Still have questions about applying?
Course Fees
Tuition Fees
Detailed information about tuition fees is available on the individual course pages linked above.
Please note:
These fees are for the 2025-26 academic year only and may be subject to increase in subsequent years of study. Any increase will be in line with our Tuition Fees Policy but will not be more than 5%.
Additional course costs
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your course. There are additional course related costs are not included in the tuition fees. So you will need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
For further fees guidance for all students at Health Sciences University whether full time or part time please refer to our Tuition fees policy.
For more information see Additional Costs page.
Visit our student finance pages for more information on:
Note:
For students to be eligible for funding from Student Finance England, they must be studying on an eligible course at a provider registered with the Office for Students (OfS). Health Sciences University is registered with the OfS. View the register and search for Health Sciences University.
Register your Interest
Register your Interest / Enquiry
Why choose Health Sciences University?
There are many benefits to studying at Health Sciences University, from our expertise and history in teaching health sciences, to our state-of-the-art facilities, on-site clinical training, and of course our choice of location – choose between studying on the beautiful Bournemouth coast or in our facilities in central London, on London Borough High Street.
Latest News
Discover and read all the latest news, press releases and happenings here at Health Sciences University.
Dr Mahitha Naidu has recently graduated from the MSc Podiatry (Pre registration) course at Health Sciences University.
Health Sciences University, in collaboration with Dorset HealthCare, has launched a new Brain Health Clinic on its Bournemouth campus.
Carla tells us more about her experience of the course so far and what she enjoys about being part of the HSU community.
Dan Egelstaff is a First Year student on the MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) course. The degree at Health Sciences University appealed to Dan when he was working as a Learning Disabilities Support Worker during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Natalia Purkiss is in her first year of the MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) course at Health Sciences University.
The first of a series of special networking events between NIHR Wessex Experimental Medicine Network (WEMN) and HSU has taken place.
Find us
Health Sciences University
Bournemouth Campus
Parkwood Road
Bournemouth
BH5 2DF
Health Sciences University
London Campus
275 Borough High Street,
London
SE1 1JE