Engineering with an Integrated Foundation Year

About the Course

If you have studied subjects in, for example, arts, humanities or human sciences, this foundation year will help you switch to the challenging yet secure world of engineering and technology. You may have been successful in a non-science field or you may need to build on existing qualifications in order to be accepted for an engineering degree.

During your chosen Foundation year, you will take modules from a range of subjects relevant to the area you want to enter, together with study skills, project work and practical techniques where appropriate.

On successful completion of the year, you will transfer to one of Brunel’s degree programmes. You will have had a taste of several disciplines so you will be confident that you are choosing a course you will enjoy. Progression is dependent upon satisfactory achievement of the required grades for your chosen course.

This is not a 'soft option'. You will need to be well motivated and prepared to work hard.

You may register for four, five or even six years in total, depending upon whether you choose a BEng or MEng degree, and whether you take the full-time or sandwich mode. For funding reasons all applicants apply to the 5 year sandwich programme which includes a professional development year. If you wish to change this to a course without the sandwich year it is possible to do this by contacting Admissions before Registering in September or the Student Center before the end of the first year on your chosen degree programme after the foundation year.

Because the foundation year is an integral part of your degree, you are eligible for financial support for the entire extended period. You should therefore apply to Student Finance England for support through to the end of your engineering degree, and not just for the foundation year.

Aims

This foundation year will give you a route into one of our engineering degree programmes.

Please note that these Foundation programmes are not ‘Foundation Degrees’. They are instead an alternative entry route to the first year of an existing degree programme.

Enquiries

Dr L Ganippa
Course Director
School of Engineering and Design
Brunel University
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 3PH

Tel: +44 (0)1895 266633
Email: me-ug-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

Related Courses

• Aerospace Engineering BEng
• Aerospace Engineering MEng
• Aerospace Engineering with Professional Development MEng
• Aerospace Engineering with Professional Development BEng
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering with Professional Development BEng
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering MEng
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering with Professional Development MEng
• Mechanical Engineering BEng
• Mechanical Engineering with Professional Development MEng
• Civil Engineering with Sustainability BEng
• Civil Engineering with Sustainability with Professional Development BEng
• Civil Engineering with Sustainability MEng
• Civil Engineering with Sustainability with Professional Development MEng

Special Features

See the ‘Special Features’ of degree programmes within the School of Engineering and Design to find out what makes Brunel’s degrees unique.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

Facts and Figures

Brunel has a long history of offering alternative routes into full degree programmes. We introduced the first of our one-year, full-time foundation years in 1988, so we have extensive knowledge and experience of preparing students for entry to degree programmes for which they may not initially have had appropriate qualifications.

Course Content

Typical modules

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Engineering Science
• Electronic Engineering
• Materials Science
• Engineering Drawings and Communication
• Engineering Projects

Project work

There will also be two project breaks, each of one week’s duration, which will require the application of practical knowledge, mathematical and scientific skills, elements of design, graphical ability and intuition and initiative in a series of group projects.

Teaching and Learning

Staff expertise

We take pains to maintain our high level of teaching. Lecturers are at the leading edge of their fields and many are internationally and nationally recognised for their research work. They act as consultants for major companies, are often widely published and have good links with industry, so they know exactly what is going on in the commercial world.

How will I be taught?

As well as lectures and seminars, you will have workshops in maths and physics and two weeks devoted entirely to experiential learning. Maths and physics modules are supplemented by tutorials and laboratory classes to reinforce understanding of the theoretical work.

We have a high staff-student ratio so you will receive excellent quality teaching. Student proctoring is also encouraged and makes a particularly important contribution to the progress of those weak in maths or physics.

You will be allocated a personal tutor who is available to help you with any personal or academic problems during your course.

Assessment

Theoretical subjects such as Maths, Physics and Engineering Science are mainly assessed by formal written examinations.

Skills-based subjects such as Engineering Projects and Engineering Drawings and Communication are assessed by coursework, presentations and lab reports.

Employability

This programme is a conversion course for students who wish to study for an honours degree in engineering, technology or science at university.

Careers

Brunel engineering students have excellent career prospects. This programme provides an introduction to a variety of careers in engineering, not all of which are necessarily suggested at school or college.

Placements

On successful completion of the foundation year, you may progress onto one of a range of engineering and design degree programmes, available in three-year full-time or four-year sandwich modes. The sandwich modes include industrial placements, involving up to 12 months of relevant paid employment.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £3,500 full-time for Foundation year; £9,000 full-time for subsequent degree programme years

International students: £15,000 full-time

We are introducing over 700 scholarships for 2013, meaning that one in five applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2013 Entry

• GCE A-level CCD, including Maths or Physics at A-Level or BCC without Maths or Physics at A-Level (General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted).
• Irish Leaving Certificate BBCCC, including Maths or Physics at Higher Level or BBBBC without Maths or Physics.
• Scottish Advanced Highers CCD, including Maths or Physics or BCC without Maths or Physics.
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade C in Engineering, plus the Specialist Unit in Maths for Engineers at grade C along with 1 AS-level at Grade B for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM in an Engineering related subject 
• IBDP 27 Points, including Higher Level Maths or Physics or 29 Points without Higher Level Maths or Physics.
• Access Complete and pass Access to Engineering, Computing or Science course with 45 credits at Level 3 and with Merit or higher in all units.
  

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English and Maths (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.