Initial Year for Extended Degree in Science - Geography & Environmental Sciences (Oaklands College)

Key information

Typical offer:
Entry requirements
Fees: See below
Full details
UCAS code: B906
Institute code: H36

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Accepted T Levels	Access Course Tariff	IB requirement
48	DD	PPP	Design Survey and Planning for Construction; Design Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare; Healthcare Science; Health; Science; Digital Support Services; Digital Business Services; Onsite Construction; Building Services Engineering for Construction; Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control; Finance; Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing; Management and Administration; Agriculture, Land Management and Production; Legal Services	Overall pass	48

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language, Mathematics, and Science

Why choose this course?

The Extended Science Degree is designed as a preparatory year to enable you to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills needed to progress onto the first year of many of our science undergraduate degrees.

This course can be studied in various locations:

Studying on this Initial Year for Extended Degree in Science - Geography & Environmental Sciences course, you will:

Have the opportunity to progress onto one of the full degrees below at the University of Hertfordshire following successful completion of your initial year.
Get to study at one of our four large, partnered, further education colleges (of your choice) while also being registered with the University of Hertfordshire which grants you access to double the facilities, including accommodation, learning resources, general science laboratories and computing facilities.
Enjoy studying in small class cohorts and benefit from further support and one to ones with your programme leaders.
Gain comparable career prospects to those who directly apply to study for an individual degree at Herts.
Get to choose which of our four colleges you want to study at but can be assured that all have comparable quality in student learning experience and provision of resources.

After your initial year you will have the opportunity to progress onto one of the following degrees (some require an interview):

The initial year is very flexible, and you can also choose to progress onto one of the routes offered by the sports*, psychology, geography and environmental sciences, mathematics* or physical sciences* Extended Degree.

What's the course about?

On completion of this extended degree, there will be at least three undergraduate courses you’ll have the option to progress onto, allowing you multiple opportunities to gain entry to a Batchelor degree at Herts.
Students studying this course are registered full-time but typically attend college three days a week, providing a flexible learning schedule.
This course is moderated and informed by subject specialists and admissions tutors within the university who are in turn guided by the professional accreditation bodies associated with each of university degree programmes. This enhances the quality of the education you will receive to prepare you for when you apply for an undergraduate degree.
You will have access to a virtual learning environment where you can collaborate with other students, college staff, and Herts staff. This platform may also be used to deliver lectures and talks from industry speakers.
This course is not a foundation degree and does not lead to a qualification, instead, it is a unique opportunity that allows you to progress onto a bachelor’s degree at Herts, starting at level 4.

Please note that on completion of this course there is no guaranteed progression onto a desired pathway, although it is highly likely. Should your performance prove adequate, you will have the option of choosing an alternate course within the wide range of progression pathways available.

Who is this course for?

This course could be for you if:

You need specific subject choices to get onto a desired degree, whether this is due to a change in career direction or whether it’s because you didn’t have the choice of taking a particular subject at school.
You want to study for a specific degree but did not meet the requirements the first time around. This is an alternative opportunity to get onto the desired course with lower entry requirements in compromise for completing an additional year.
You need additional support before embarking on a full undergraduate degree. This course is typically less challenging than an undergraduate course, making it an ideal stepping stone for you if you have been out of education for numerous years and would like to gradually get back into learning.
You are seeking a gradual transition to university from a schooling environment, where additional support would be desirable to ease you into self-directed learning and independent study required at undergraduate level. Similarly, this route could be for you if you are overwhelmed by the thought of attending university, living away from home, and engaging in large class cohorts.

Study Location

You will study your first year at Oaklands College and then you have two options. You can either progress onto a full-time University of Hertfordshire degree for another 3 years (totaling 4 years), or you can progress onto studying a sandwich year (totaling 5 years).

Upon successful completion of the initial year, you will continue onto a degree at the University of Hertfordshire.

Each of the colleges we work with provides different types of support to help you get the most out of your extended degree. You can access financial support, information support, and support services that help with student learning and welfare.

Learning support services, include:

Computer suites
Learning Resources Centre incorporating hard copy and online resources
Support in mathematics and English
Higher Education learners study hub
Study skills support, including a range of printed and online materials
Learning support for students with learning or physical disability

Welfare and counseling include:

Safeguarding
Mental health and wellbeing
Childcare support
Careers advice
Food facilities
Sports clubs

What will I study?

This course focuses on teaching you the fundamentals of applied science taught within an industrial context. It is essential that you have good knowledge and understanding of science, as this is a requirement for all the progression pathways available upon completion of this extended degree.

During your initial year, you will be taught over two semesters (A and B) where you will have core modules, advised modules, and optional modules dependent on the undergraduate course you are interested in pursuing. Please refer to the Programme Specification for full details, supporting your progression pathway of choice.

Application process

Students will need to apply through a standard UCAS application where you will be required to submit a supporting personal statement.

The personal statement should:

Sum up why you want to study your chosen subject.
Show your suitability for the course by demonstrating your interest in your chosen subject.
Show you have relevant academic skills/ knowledge to do well on this course.
Show you have the personal qualities required to cope with the demands of studying at university.

Progression is dependent on meeting grade tariffs but will also consider life experience. Interviews are only required for students seeking to progress onto a healthcare pathway.

Level 0

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Introductory Biology - OAK	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module has been designed to provide students with a broad background in biology and will include: Cell theory, describing how cells do the things they do; typically, we will look at the major organelles such as the mitochondria and demonstrate how structure relates to function. Biochemistry, giving a closer look at the molecules of which living organisms are made; the organic systems composed of chemicals reacting together; the major groups of chemicals usually including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and DNA. Body systems, demonstrating how the human body is the sum of its parts; this section will typically include the circulatory and respiratory systems and will normally incorporate cell theory and biochemistry.
Introductory Chemistry - OAK	15 Credits	Optional
This module will provide the students with an introduction to chemistry. Topics covered include atomic structure and the periodic table, chemical bonding and its relationship to physical properties, and an introduction to organic chemistry. Completion of the module will typically develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of chemistry and how they relate to each other. The development of practical skills such as titration and carrying out experiments safely will be important. This is the foundation knowledge in chemistry which will allow students to continue to study chemistry at a higher level.
Introductory Physics - OAK	15 Credits	Optional
This module will typically enable students to gain an understanding of physics to support other sciences and prepare for the Physics module through a combination of lectures, practical workshops and directed study. Topics covered typically include: reflection and refraction of light; diffraction and interference of waves; the properties of the waves across the electromagnetic spectrum; the relationship between heat and temperature; electrical power and energy; speed, distance, acceleration and force. Presentation skills will typically be developed though presentation of researched information to groups of learners. Topics may be chosen to provide supporting knowledge and understanding of the use of apparatus and equipment in biology and chemistry.
Individual Project - OAK	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will give students the opportunity to plan and carry out an approved project. The project must be a practical scientific investigation which will typically allow students to collect data and will usually involve several laboratory sessions. Students will be expected to carry out sufficient research on the investigation to plan an extended piece of practical work. These practicals should be risk assessed by the student who will then carry out the investigation demonstrating safe working within the laboratory environment. Students will present a project report and poster presentation, demonstrating appropriate IT skills, which will summarise their findings both from their research and the practical investigation, usually leading to their conclusions and evaluation.
Mathematics for Scientists - OAK	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module gives students the opportunity to develop mathematical skills that are needed for the continued study of science. The module majors on the use of number skills, algebra and basic trigonometry. Graph work typically includes the drawing of graphs, the recognition of different forms of graphs and the role which graphs have frequently played in scientific research. Data is portrayed with summary statistics and graphs, usually involving both manual work and the use of appropriate IT. Inferences about the data will usually be drawn from graphs or summary statistics.
Mammalian Physiology - OAK	15 Credits	Optional
This module has been designed to provide students with a background in mammalian physiology and will include: Hormonal control of mammalian reproduction, particularly focusing on maternal physiology. Mechanical and chemical aspects of heterotrophic nutrition including enzymatic digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Homeostatic mechanisms - investigating the role of the nervous and endocrine systems in regulating body temperature, blood glucose and water content of mammals.
Chemistry - OAK	15 Credits	Optional
This module will provide students with an opportunity for further study in chemistry building on the concepts studied in Introductory Chemistry. It is particularly suitable for students wishing to study a course in biological sciences. This module provides candidates with a quantitative study of physical chemistry including rates of reaction, equilibrium and acids and bases. Organic chemistry is further developed in the context of aromatic chemistry, isomerism and the reactions of several functional groups. Students will typically carry out experimental and investigative activities integrated with the theory to develop their practical skills.
Mathematics - OAK	15 Credits	Optional
The module majors in the differential calculus, typically enabling students to differentiate polynomials and a selection of other simple functions. Appended to this is an exploration of the initial steps in the integral calculus, typically enabling students to reverse the differentiation of the most basic functions. Topics such as exploration of logarithmic and exponential functions with some experience of their applications will be explored. There will be some further treatment of algebra and an initial exploration of vectors. Two-dimensional geometry will also be treated using the techniques of trigonometry and Cartesian coordinate geometry.
Physics - OAK	15 Credits	Optional
Topics will be covered by lectures supported by practical activities that are designed to highlight the interaction of the theoretical and practical aspects of Physics. Students will carry out work to understand the effect of forces in linear and circular motion as well as the conservation of momentum in interactions. Electric circuits will be investigated with components such as resistors and capacitors in simple and combined circuits. The relationship between electricity and magnetism will investigated through the electromagnetic effects leading to the development of the electric motor, dynamo and transformer. Students will study the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei and the energetics of nuclear fission and fusion. Practical work will be used to develop analytical skills, including an appreciation of the combined effects of experimental uncertainties in the precision of final results. Students will be able to draw and interpret graphs and use them in the analysis of their results.
Statistics - OAK	15 Credits	Optional
This module introduces descriptive statistics, probability theory and some statistical inference. Descriptive statistics will typically include the study of averages (such as the mean, mode and median) and of measures of dispersion (such as the standard deviation) and may also consider the use and interpretation of statistical graphs (such as correlation and regression from a scatter graph). The study of probability theory will usually include the use of formal set notation, tree diagrams, conditional probability and the evaluation of simple normal probabilities. The study of statistical inference may cover the use of rank correlation and at least one of the non-parametric sign tests.
Introduction to Healthcare - OAK	15 Credits	Optional
This module will provide students with an understanding of the structure, function and values of the modern healthcare service in the UK including aspects such as information governance, infection prevention and control and evidence-based practice and quality in healthcare. The module aims to begin to develop student's professional skills attributes in areas such as empathy, compassion and person-centred care. Students will also consider different ethical scenarios and the role of different healthcare professionals in the multi-disciplinary healthcare team. Students will produce a portfolio of learning during this module which will be based on learning from classroom lectures, seminars and workshops.
Sports Science Interventions - OAK	15 Credits	Optional
This module will allow the students to appreciate the importance of the role physical activity has in health and wellbeing. This has become a more contemporary issue than ever in the light of increasing health issues in society and in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. It provides scope for them to recognise its importance not only from a physical perspective but the cascading impact on mental wellbeing and social health. There is also the opportunity for students to expand on the psychological aspects covered, to encompass that of sports psychology. The mental health of professional sports people is an extremely contemporary issue. Students will investigate psychological theories and strategies that can be applied to sports performance settings including that of preparation and coping with pressures as a sports person as well as being presented with the opportunity to explore this area in relation to coaching. The psychology of post sports career mental health and well-being (and how this can be applied to the current climate of growth and awareness of mental health within the general population) can also be addressed. This module also affords students the opportunity to examine participation rates in contemporary sports amongst various demographic groups and determine factors and barriers which impact these (gender and race aspects, issues of inequality). Here, barriers can be explored which have led to inequality issues within society in relation to participation and under representation. Also, students will explore how this has potential consequences on health within demographic groups. Finally, students will be encouraged to provide solutions (drawing on current initiatives as examples) to overcome such inequality issues.
Aspects of Health Fitness and Training Methods - OAK	15 Credits	Optional
Students will undertake field-based assessments of health and fitness from a client(s), and upon obtaining relevant data, will analyse and evaluate results / performances in order to provide reasoned judgements in relation to both health parameters and performance markers. In doing so the module presents the incorporation of basic physiology. Finally students will make recommendations in order to bring about improvements in health and fitness scores, thus providing the opportunity to explore training methods and coaching elements and their application in order to bring about improvements. Fundamental constructs will be demonstrated and explored such as the ethics of studying human participants, reliability and validity of measurement, pre assessment procedures, health and safety, calibration of equipment and following correct protocols.
Genes and Ecology - OAK	15 Credits	Optional
The module looks at the ways in which Biochemistry of DNA and protein synthesis is applied in industry and research. Students will study the principles of Genetics, Gene technology, Inheritance and what this means to the individual and the species. They will relate these to the ways in which they are applied commercially and they will also examine the impact of agriculture on plant cultivation and basic ecology. The module also covers the biochemistry of energy production and the pathways through which the energy is transferred in the biome and ways in which we seek to control the outcomes. The module gives a wide understanding of the relationships between living things and their environment, which gives a context for more specialised study at a higher level. The module will provide students with the opportunity for further study in Biology and is particularly suitable for students wishing to study a degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics or Environmental Science.

What's next for my career?
When you complete your chosen degree you may apply for jobs/ further training in the industry/ service of your choice. Your career options will depend on your chosen degree from subjects including:
- applied biology
- astrophysics
- geography
- pharmaceutical science
- environmental studies
- sports sciences and nutrition.
Some examples of eventual careers are: scientific work in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry; environmental science; teaching; management; and in the food industry and retailers.

Course fact sheets
Initial Year for Extended Degree in Science - Geography & Environmental Sciences	Download

Programme specifications
Initial Year for Extended Degree in Science - Geography & Environmental Sciences	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	No
Course length	Full Time, 4 Years
Location	Oaklands College

How to apply?

2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
26/09/2025 31/05/2026 0 Oaklands College Apply online (Full Time)
2026
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
26/09/2026 31/05/2027 0 Oaklands College Apply online (Full Time)
Fees and funding
Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £6165 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Fees 2025
UK Students
Full time
- £6165 for the 2025/2026 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

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Initial Year for Extended Degree in Science - Geography & Environmental Sciences (Oaklands College)

Key information

Typical offer:

Fees: See below

UCAS code: B906

Institute code: H36

Additional requirements

Why choose this course?

What's the course about?

Who is this course for?

Study Location

What will I study?

Application process

2025

2026

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

Fees 2025

UK Students

Full time

Other financial support

Living costs / accommodation