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Engineering with an Integrated Foundation Year

Course code

H100

H101 with placement year

Start date

September

Placement available

Mode of study

4 years full-time

5 years full-time with placement

Fees

2024/25

UK £9,250

International £23,615

Entry requirements

2024/5

BBC - CCC (A-level)

MMM (BTEC)

27 (IB)

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Overview

Brunel’s Engineering Foundation Year is a one-year, full-time course that prepares you for the study of engineering at degree level.

It’s an ideal choice if you don’t have the required qualifications to begin an engineering degree straight away. This engineering foundation course will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to join the first year of your chosen engineering degree.

You will learn about basic engineering principles and study subjects including engineering mathematics, physics, mechanics, and materials science. You’ll be introduced to concepts of electronic engineering and develop your verbal, graphic and written communication skills.

During your studies, you will benefit from well-equipped technical facilities including the structures and materials laboratory where you’ll use industry standard equipment for the testing of materials. The latest computing software is available for you to use in purpose-built computer laboratories.

There are two one-week project breaks during which you’ll work in a team to gain practical knowledge of control systems, designing models, analysing design, and calculating physical parameters.

After successfully completing your engineering foundation year – with the progression grades needed for your chosen engineering course – you will start the first year of one of Brunel’s engineering degree courses with the added benefit of an optional placement year:

As an engineering with an integrated foundation year student you will be entitled to funding throughout your studies. We recommend that you apply and secure funding for the full five-year, MEng programme. This can be reduced if you decide not to take a placement year. You can also benefit from living on Brunel’s one London campus with direct access to all the University’s fantastic sporting and social facilities.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

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Course content

Course delivery is a combination of theory, hands-on practical sessions and project work. You will gain solid knowledge and understanding of engineering science and will be introduced to materials science. You’ll also develop skills in the use of computer software for communication of engineering data.

This course can be studied 4 years full-time or 5 years full-time with placement, starting in September.

Year 0

This course has a placement year option. Find out more about work placements available.

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Careers and your future

Qualified, skilled engineers are in demand - but in short supply - throughout the world. Brunel’s engineering foundation year is the first step on your journey to an exciting career in the engineering industry.

Many students progress from Brunel’s engineering foundation course to our accredited engineering degrees. They take up positions as highly capable engineers working for leading companies including Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GE Energy, Intel, Jaguar Land Rover and British Airways, to name a few.

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UK entry requirements

2024/25 entry

  • GCE A-level BBC-CCC to include Maths or Physics (General Studies not accepted).
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) MMM in an Engineering related subject to include Distinction in Further Maths for Engineering Technicians.
  • BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF) MMM in an Engineering related subject to include Distinction in Engineering Principles and Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems.
  • BTEC Level 3 Diploma (QCF)/BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (RQF) MM in an Engineering related subject with an A-Level at grade C in Maths or Physics.
  • BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)/BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (RQF) M in any subject with A-Levels grade CC to include Maths or Physics.
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma 27 Points including Higher Level Maths or Physics at Grade 4. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4
  • Obtain a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma in Engineering with 45 credits.
  • T levels : Pass (C or above on the core) . Subjects accepted : Design & Development for Engineering and Manufacturing, Engineering, Manufacturing, process and Control

A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4 or GCSE English Literature grade B or grade 5.

Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspiration of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

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EU and International entry requirements

If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
  • Pearson: 59 (59 in all sub scores)
  • BrunELT: 58% (min 55% in all areas)
  • TOEFL: 77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17) 

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.

Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 entry

UK

£9,250 full-time

International

£23,615 full-time

Home/EU undergraduate student fees for this programme are £6,350 for the foundation year (2018 entry) and £9,250 per year thereafter. From 2019, the fees for the foundation year will be £9,250.  UK Government policy currently caps Home/EU undergraduate fees at £9,250, and any future increases will be subject to changes in government policy.  International fees will increase annually in line with RPI, or 5%, whichever is the lesser.
There is a range of financial support available to help you fund your studies. Find out about foundation student funding options

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Teaching and Learning

Our engineering foundation year is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of academic staff. This means you’ll be learning from a teaching team with expertise in different subject areas of engineering. Two weeks will be allocated to supervised hands-on project work.

Study will combine lectures, seminars, small group tutorials, laboratory and workshop sessions, and group project work.

Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.

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Assessment and feedback

Your progress will be assessed via assignments, coursework portfolios, laboratory reports, presentations, project reports, computer-based testing, and written exams.

Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.

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