Overview
Our range of courses with Foundation Year offer a direct route into our undergraduate health sciences degrees. This can be helpful if you don’t have quite the right entry requirements for immediate entry, or if you’re making a career change.
Over six units, you’ll study essential topics like Human Sciences, Healthcare Introduction, and Personal Development that will prepare you for study on one of our BSc programmes. The final unit, tailored to your chosen BSc, solidifies your transition into your desired field, whether it’s Chiropractic, Radiography, Psychology, or Sport Performance.
Embrace a holistic approach to learning, studying alongside other students with different interests in health sciences. Our supportive teaching and support staff will help you build your confidence in academic study.
You’ll benefit from a purpose-driven curriculum that gives automatic progression to your chosen BSc degree course. Join us in unlocking your potential and take the first step in your journey to qualifying as a healthcare professional.
Our Foundation courses are available on either our Parkwood Road Campus in Bournemouth, or our Borough High Street Campus in Central London. For more information on the location of the foundation entry or follow on course see our handy location table.
The following courses are available with Foundation Year:
Follow on course available in both Bournemouth and London:
Master of Chiropractic with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) Health Sciences with Foundation Year (Coming Soon)
Follow on course available in Bournemouth only:
BSc (Hons) Sport Rehabilitation with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) Radiography (Diagnostic Imaging) with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) Radiography (Radiotherapy and Oncology) with Foundation Year
Follow on course available in London only:
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health with Foundation Year
Course Details
Whether you aspire to be a chiropractor, a radiographer, a sports scientist, or a psychologist specialising in sport and performance, our foundation course provides the essential groundwork and preparation needed to excel in your chosen field.
What you will learn
Our courses with a Foundation Year are linked to our undergraduate BSc (Hons) degree programmes and successful completion at your Foundation Year leads to automatic progression onto these.
The first year of the four year course is divided into six units (each worth 20 credits), which are outlined below.
The final unit will be specific to the undergraduate course that you are progressing onto.
How you will be assessed
You will be assessed through a combination of:
- Examinations
- Coursework
- Practical Assessment
- Group projects
- Reflective reports
- Case reports
- Logbook/portfolio.
Study Time
On the courses with Foundation Year, in the first year you’ll spend around 20 hours per week engaged in lecture content, seminar classes and practical teaching classes.
We advise that around 15 hours per week should be spent in self-directed study.
Please Note: Courses with Foundation Year are subject to approval
Unit Breakdown
Core Units 
Units
All students studying on the Foundation course will take the following core units:
- Human Sciences (20 credits)
- Introduction to Healthcare (20 credits)
- Personal and Professional Development (20 credits)
- Human Sciences II (20 credits)
- Gateway Extended Project (20 credits).
In addition to these units, you will also undertake one of the final units listed below, that is specific to your intended BSc programme.
Foundations in Chiropractic
Foundations in Chiropractic
The Foundations in Chiropractic unit (20 credits) introduces you to the principles of the Master of Chiropractic degree course.
At AECC University College, we remain world-leading providers of undergraduate chiropractic education. This four-year undergraduate degree (plus one-year Foundation degree) will give you the qualification you need to practice as a chiropractor, making a difference to the lives of your patients and helping people to improve their quality of life.
Foundations in Radiography (Diagnostic and Therapeutic)
Foundations in Radiography (Diagnostic and Therapeutic)
The Foundations in Radiography (Diagnostic and Therapeutic) unit (20 credits) helps to prepare you for your progression onto our two BSc Radiography programmes.
The BSc (Hons) Radiography (Diagnostic Imaging) course provides you with all the training and knowledge you need to become a highly skilled diagnostic radiographer who carries out medical imaging for diagnoses, using specialised technical equipment such as x-ray, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine and ultrasound.
Our BSc (Hons) Radiography (Radiotherapy and Oncology) degree teaches you to use cutting edge technology to treat cancer – a rewarding career that has never been more important to society. On this course you’ll learn to work with patients and other professionals to deliver a range of advanced radiotherapy treatment and planning techniques.
Foundations in Psychology, Counselling and Mental Health
Foundations in Psychology, Counselling and Mental Health
The Foundations in Psychology, Counselling and Mental Health unit (20 credits) introduces you to some of the core elements that you’ll need to study one of the following of our BSc programmes.
Our BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology degree offers you the opportunity to delve into psychology and its particular application to sport, performance and exercise contexts.
Our BSc (Hons) Psychology degree will teach you to interpret and apply a broad range of relevant theory and scientific evidence to understand the complex interactions that take place in the mind and between people.
Meanwhile, our BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health degree has been specially designed to provide a thorough grounding in the growing professional disciplines relating to both mental health and counselling, with a greater focus on practical skills.
Foundations in Sport Performance and Rehabilitation
Foundations in Sport Performance and Rehabilitation
The Foundations in Sport Performance and Rehabilitation unit (20 credits) prepares you for two of our specialise BSc degree programmes here at AECC University College:
Our BSc (Hons) Sport Rehabilitation degree will teach you to help prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate injuries – expertise that is essential across all sports, and all levels from amateur to elite.
The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science course at AECC University College covers biomechanics, physiology and psychology, and you’ll then apply that knowledge in a range of areas including injury rehabilitation, paediatric (children and young people) populations, sports performance, and prescribing and promoting exercise.
Foundations in Health Sciences
Foundations in Health Sciences
The Foundation in Health Sciences unit (20 credits) introduces you to the core elements of our BSc (Hons) Health Sciences degree.
Location
Our courses with Foundation Years serve as a preparatory pathway for students to transition smoothly into their chosen undergraduate degrees. At AECC University College, these courses are offered at both our London and Bournemouth campuses, providing you with flexibility in terms of location.
However, once students progress to their BSc (Hons) programs, please be aware that some of these are exclusively available at either our London or Bournemouth campus. This means that while students have the option to start their academic journey at either location, they may need to consider the campus-specific availability of their desired BSc (Hons) program.
| Course Title | Foundation Year offered in Bournemouth | Foundation Year offered in London | BSc (Hons) programme offered in Bournemouth | BSc (Hons) programme offered in London |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Year for Master of Chiropractic | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Foundation Year for BSc (Hons) Sport Rehabilitation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
| Foundation Year for BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
| Foundation Year for BSc (Hons) Psychology | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✓ |
| Foundation Year for BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✓ |
| Foundation Year for BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✓ |
| Foundation Year for BSc (Hons) Radiography (Diagnostic Imaging) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
| Foundation Year for BSc (Hons) Radiography (Radiotherapy and Oncology) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
| Foundation Year for BSc (Hons) Health Sciences | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Study in Bournemouth
Our Parkwood Campus is nestled in beautiful bluebell woodlands, a 10-minute stroll away from seven miles of award-winning sandy beaches and picturesque sea views.
Learn More
Study in London
Our London site is located in the historic borough of Southwark, just 15-minutes from world-famous Waterloo Station and a stone's throw from the iconic Borough Market.
Learn MoreFollow on courses
Successfully completing your Foundation Year gives you automatic progression to your chosen BSc (Hons) degree course.
Find your pathway into a rewarding career in health sciences with our range of courses with a Foundation Year.
Learn all the skills and knowledge you need to become a fully qualified therapeutic radiographer and get ready for a career transforming lives.
Your challenging and rewarding career as a diagnostic radiographer starts here, with all the training and knowledge you need to become a fully qualified practitioner.
If you’re passionate about helping people with their mental health, this practical, skills-based degree will prepare you for a rewarding career on the frontline.
Ready to make an impact in mental health? Explore the science of the mind and gain the practical skills you’ll need in your rewarding career.
If you are looking for a career as a psychologist specialising in sport and performance, or physical activity and exercise, our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course could be for you.
Staff
Course Leader
Hazel Jensen
MChiro, PGCert - Lecturer (Clinical Sciences) and Access to HE Health Sciences Programme Leader
Hazel is the Course Leader for Master of Chiropractic - MChiro (Hons). In addition, she is involved in private chiropractic practice.
Full bioEntry 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: CCC 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
UK/ROI/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year
International – £16,560 per year
Please note:
These fees are for the 2024-25 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 AECC University College 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). AECC University College is registered with the OfS. View the register and search for AECC University College.
Register your Interest
Register your Interest / Enquiry
Why choose AECC University College?
There are many benefits to studying at AECC University College, 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 AECC University College.
Martin Kumm tells the story of his journey from graduation to achieving his dream job as a chiropractor for the EF Education Easy-Post professional cycling team.
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On Wednesday 10th July, AECC UC's specialist Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) will be running a free Health and Wellness Open Clinic.
AECC University College is delighted to be a signatory of the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).
Callum Moss is a First Year student on the MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration) course at AECC University College. We recently caught up with him to hear more about his decision to study to become a physiotherapist and why AECC UC is an appealing specialist university.
We hear about Aurora’s work experience within Rugby and why she enjoys studying within the close-knit community at AECC University College.
