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The STEM Foundation Year at Cardinal Newman College is delivered in partnership with Lancaster University and is designed to prepare you for undergraduate study in a STEM subject at Lancaster. This Foundation Year in STEM offers a supportive route into higher education, with lower entry requirements than a direct degree entry.
Successful completion of the programme leads directly to undergraduate study at Lancaster University in subjects such as:
- Biology
- Bioscience
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Pharmacology
- Physics
During your STEM Foundation Year, you will be based at the state-of-the-art Lancaster University School of Mathematics (LUSoM). This facility forms part of the Cardinal Newman College campus in Preston.
Cardinal Newman College is consistently ranked among the highest-performing sixth form colleges nationally. Its expertise in STEM education will support you throughout your Foundation Year studies. If you are living on the Lancaster University campus, free transport is provided to and from Cardinal Newman College.
You will be registered as both a Lancaster University student and a Cardinal Newman College student, giving you full access to support services at both institutions.
What is a Foundation Year?
A Foundation Year in STEM is designed for students who do not yet meet the entry requirements for direct entry onto an undergraduate degree. It provides a supportive pathway into university-level study.
During the STEM Foundation Year, you will:
- Study an engaging and intellectually challenging curriculum
- Build subject knowledge relevant to your chosen STEM degree
- Develop academic and study skills needed for undergraduate learning
- Bridge the gap between A-Levels (or equivalent) and degree-level study
On successful completion of the Foundation Year, you progress directly into the first year of your chosen undergraduate degree, without needing to reapply.
Which degree courses are available with a Foundation Year?
The Foundation Year at Cardinal Newman College currently focuses on STEM Degrees. When you apply through UCAS, simply choose one of these undergraduate degrees with a Foundation Year built in:
Biochemistry (with a Foundation Year)
Biology (with a Foundation Year)
Biomedical Science (with a Foundation Year)
Biomedicine (with a Foundation Year)
Chemical Engineering (with a Foundation Year)
Chemistry (with a Foundation Year)
Electronic and Electrical Engineering (with a Foundation Year)
Engineering (with a Foundation Year)
Mathematics (with a Foundation Year)
Mechanical Engineering (with a Foundation Year)
Mechatronic Engineering (with a Foundation Year)
Natural Sciences (with a Foundation Year)
Nuclear Engineering (with a Foundation Year)
What will I study on a Foundation Year?
During the Foundation Year in STEM, you will study three modules chosen from a range of five, linked to your intended degree pathway.
Available STEM-based modules include:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Applied Mathematics (Scientific)
Your timetable will include a combination of compulsory and optional modules, designed to support progression onto your chosen undergraduate STEM degree.
Learning Timetable
The STEM Foundation Year follows the same semester dates as Lancaster University. Teaching takes place at Cardinal Newman College, with a structure designed to prepare you for undergraduate study.
Your timetable will include:
- Taught sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
- No formal teaching on Wednesdays, which may be used for project or practical work at Lancaster University or online
- Teaching hours from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Learning is delivered in a university-style format to support progression into degree-level study. Sessions include:
- Lectures and taught classes
- Group work and collaborative learning
- Problem-based learning
- Project and practical work
This approach helps ease the transition into the first year of undergraduate study at Lancaster University.
How do we support you?
We are committed to helping every student make the most of their Lancaster University experience. As a Foundation Year in STEM student, you will have the opportunity to take part in the Lancaster Success Programme.
This award-winning, coaching-led scheme is designed to help you:
- Identify what success means to you
- Build confidence and resilience
- Develop personal, academic and career-focused skills
The programme provides specialist support throughout your Foundation Year, helping you prepare for both university study and future progression.