The grades attained by students studying biological science at level 1, at Liverpool John Moores University, UK, were examined between the academic years 2003/04 - 2005/06. The marks attained in the study skills module, and the mean level 1 mark (number of modules, n = 10) were also analysed. The data were divided into two groups: those relating to students who had come from A-levels and those for students who had studied for a foundation degree at John Moores University the previous year. Analysis of study skills marks and mean module marks for level 1 revealed that study skills marks were positively correlated with mean module marks. There was a difference between marks obtained by A-level students, and those obtained by foundation degree students. This suggested that a strong set of key skills such as communication, literacy and numeracy, helps students obtain higher grades, possibly because the foundation degree students have had longer to develop these skills. (Contains 3 figures and 1 table.)