Foundation Medicine Courses

You may be considering a Foundation Medicine Course if you have a good academic background but you don’t have much science education. It’s also another way of getting into Med School if you’ve missed the required grades.

This guide to Foundation Medicine Courses explains how they’re different, and whether it’s the right options for you.

Jump to section:

• What is a Medicine Foundation Course?
• Which Medical Schools Offer Foundation Courses?
• Is A Foundation Course Right For Me?
• How Do I Apply For A Foundation Medicine Course?

What is a Medicine Foundation Course?

A Medicine Foundation Course is designed to prepare you for medical education, and it might be referred to as a ‘pre-clinical year’.

There are two main types of Medicine Foundation Courses:

• Medicine with a foundation year – a six-year course that normally begins with a one-year foundation course of science-based teaching, after which you can join the standard five-year medical programme
• Extended courses – a six-year course with teaching spread out over the entire six years, which means you’ll be taught the basics alongside the more advanced material.
• Standalone Foundation Courses – shorter courses taught over one to three years to give you a foundation in science and boost your Med School application. Graduating from some of these allow you to

Which Medical Schools Offer Medicine With Foundation Year Courses?

• University of Bristol, Gateway to Medicine programme
• Cardiff University
• Edge Hill University, Lincoln, Widening Participation scheme for students in the North West
• University of Leicester, Widening Participation scheme
• King’s College London, Widening Participation scheme
• University of Manchester
• Norwich Medical School (UEA), Gateway to Medicine programme
• University of Nottingham, Contextual Admission
• University of Plymouth, Contextual Admission
• University of Southampton, Widening Participation scheme

Alternative Medicine Foundation Courses

Some other Med Schools offer standalone Foundation Courses, which will boost your Medical School application. Some will even earn you an interview for Med School once you’ve finished. The following universities offer standalone Foundation Courses:

• University of Bradford, School of Medical Sciences – a formal collaboration with Sheffield Medical School
• University of Buckingham – Certificate in Medical Foundation Studies and CertHE Medical Sciences (Pre-Med)
• University of Dundee
• Keele University
• University of St Andrews
• University of Central Lancashire

Is A Foundation Course Right For Me?

A foundation course might be right for you if:

• You didn’t take sciences at A-Level
• You didn’t get top grades at A-Level
• You didn’t get into medical school the first time around
• You meet some of the other specific eligibility criteria (for example, the contextual criteria for Widening Participation schemes).

Having more than one science A-Level (or similar qualification) will make you ineligible for some Foundation Courses. However, some courses will require you to have some level of science education.

How Do I Apply For A Foundation Medicine Course?

You have to apply for a Foundation Medicine Course via UCAS, just like you would for a standard degree. But before you apply, please check the criteria – most are means-tested.

Learn More

• Guide to Choosing a Med School
• Traditional Medicine Courses
• Integrated Medicine Courses
• Problem-Based Learning