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Initial Year for Extended Degree in Science - Physical Sciences (North Hertfordshire College)
Key information
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Typical offer:
Entry requirements -
Fees: See below
Full details -
UCAS code: F900
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Institute code: H36
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Entry requirements
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 48 DD PPP Additional requirements
GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language, Mathematics, and Science
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 None Overall pass 48 points Additional requirements
GCSE: Grade 4/C at English Language, Mathematics and Science
UCAS points A Level BTEC Accepted T Levels Access Course Tariff IB Requirement 48 DD PPP None Overall pass 48 points Additional requirements
GCSE: Grade 4/C at English Language, Mathematics and Science
- 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.
- 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 course 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Safeguarding
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Childcare support
- Careers advice
- Food facilities
- Sports clubs
- 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.
- Level 0
Module Credits Compulsory/optional Chemistry 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. Physics 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 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. Introductory Biology 15 Credits Compulsory • 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 15 Credits Compulsory 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 15 Credits Compulsory 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. Mathematics for Scientists 15 Credits Optional 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. Mathematics 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. Individual Project 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 practical's 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. Advanced Mathematics 15 Credits Optional The module develops skills in integral calculus, typically enabling students to integrate using inspection, substitution and by parts. Partial fractions and trigonometric identities may be used to simplify functions prior to integration. The course also develops skills in solving trigonometric equations typically by considering the key properties of the functions. Simple graph transformations may be used to determine the number of solutions to a trigonometric equation. Simple proofs using established identities may be used to simplify and solve a variety of trigonometric equations. Applied and Environmental Biology 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 studies 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. This 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. Mammalian Physiology 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.
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.
Studying on this Initial Year for Extended Degree in Science - Physical Sciences, you will:
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?
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:
Study Location
You will study your first year at North Hertfordshire 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:
Welfare and counseling include:
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.
Typically, most of you will study the following:
In semester A, you will study four core modules in Physics, mathematics, and Computational Modelling. In semester B, you will study two core modules being Individual Project and Advanced mathematics.
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:
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.
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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.
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Key staff
Linda Paterson
Programme Manager -
Further information - includes assessment method
Course fact sheets Initial Year for Extended Degree in Science - Biomedical & Healthcare Science Download Initial Year for Extended Degree in Science - Biomedical & Healthcare Science Download Programme specifications Initial Year for Extended Degree in Science - Biomedical & Healthcare Science Download Initial Year for Extended Degree in Science - Biomedical & Healthcare Science 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
- North Hertfordshire College
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How to apply?
2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link 15/09/2025 31/05/2026 0 North Herts College Apply online (Full Time) -
Fees and funding
Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £6165 for the 2024/2025 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.