Engineering with an Integrated Foundation Year
- Overview
- Special Features
- Course Content
- Teaching & Assessment
- Employability
- Fees
- Entry Criteria
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.
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
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.
Ross completed his Foundation year in 2006 and is now in the third year of a BA in Industrial Design and Technology.
“When applying through UCAS I was attracted to Brunel by its history, reputation and the quality of teaching in the School of Engineering and Design. From talking to different designers and engineers I learned that Brunel graduates were successful in jobs around the country. With this in mind I visited the campus on an Open Day, and after being shown the facilities and discovering the social life, I selected Brunel as my first choice.
"Owing to the facilities, the lecturers and the course content, I learnt much more from my Foundation year than I ever did at college. My knowledge of engineering now allows me to better understand mechanisms and electronics for my Design course, and it’s given me more confidence in my studies, as well as better time management and self-discipline.
"The Foundation year isn’t an easy ride, which is a good job really. Having just got by at college level, I really had to apply myself and put in the effort to attend lectures and improve my maths and physics. I can say without a doubt that the year helped to me adjust to University life well before my degree had started. Between my studies and the massive social life, I ended up having an amazing time, only topped by an even better first year on my Design degree.
"When I leave Brunel I hope these extra qualifications will help get me the job I want.
The Foundation year is a great choice for anyone wanting to improve their skills and build on their weaknesses. If you are unsure of what type of engineer you want to be, the year would give you the perspective you need.
"After finishing the year with high grades, I went on to study Industrial Design and Technology. The Foundation year gave me the qualifications to get into my Design degree, and I don’t know where I would be without it.”
Course Content
Typical modules
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Engineering Science
- Electronic Engineering
- Materials Science
- Engineering Drawings and Communication
- Engineering Projects
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 2012/13 entry
Home/EU students: £3,500 (foundation course)
International students: £13,860 full-time
Brunel is introducing over 1000 new scholarships for 2012, meaning that one in three 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 2012 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 D for Additional and Specialist Learning.
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DMM in an Engineering related subject.
- IBDP 27 Points, including Higher Level Maths or Physics or 29 Points without Higher Level Maths or Physics.
- Foundations of Engineering Foundation courses not accepted for this course.
- Access Pass in an Engineering Subject.
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).
Entry Requirements for 2011 Entry (click to expand)
UCAS Tariff:
190 points if you have studied Maths and/or Physics at AS-level or above
230 points if you have not studied Maths and/or Physics at AS-level or above
From the following:
- GCE A and AS-level Tariff points typically from 3 A-levels, preferably including Maths and/or Physics, together with either 1 AS-level or Extended Project Qualification. General Studies not accepted; Critical Thinking accepted at AS-level only.
- Irish Tariff points from 5 subjects, preferably including Maths and/or Physics.
- Scottish Tariff points from 3 Advanced Highers, preferably including Maths and/or Physics, together with 1 Higher.
- Advanced Diploma Tariff points in Engineering or Public Services including an A-level for Additional and Specialist Learning. Other Advanced Diplomas are considered on an individual basis.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma MMM including Further Mathematics for Technicians.
IBDP or certificates with a total of 26 points.
Access Pass in Engineering.
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
- IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- TOEFL Paper test: 550 (TWE 4)
- TOEFL Internet test: 79 (R87, L17, S20, W17)
- Pearson: 51 (51 in all subscores)
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.
