Foundation Degree Engineering

The Foundation Degree in Engineering aims to allow learners to develop the knowledge, understanding, cognitive ability, professional competence, and transferrable skills to progress into successful careers in the Engineering sector. Through a combination of pathway-specific and jointly-taught modules, learners will have the opportunity to build technical expertise in their chosen Engineering discipline, whilst developing the understanding of interdisciplinarity which is vital to the modern Engineering sector. A system engineering approach, reflective of contemporary sector practice, underpins all modules, and learners will have the opportunity to develop their skills and understanding across key themes of sustainable, digital, and autonomous engineering.

The Foundation Degree includes three pathways – Aerospace, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Engineering. Students will apply for their chosen pathway, and this will remain fixed for the duration of their studies; it will not be possible for students to switch between pathways once enrolled on their course. The three pathways are made up of a combination of common shared modules, and specialist pathway-specific modules, as appropriate.

This course is available on a part-time basis, and is taught in-person at our Yeovil College campus. The part-time course is studied over 3 academic years, and students are typically timetabled for 1 day per week.

Foundation Degree Engineering (either Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing pathway, dependent upon the pathway a student selects at the point of application). Awarded by the Open University, and regulated by the Office for Students.

This course would prepare students well to work in a range of technical roles across the Engineering sector. Students who successfully complete the Foundation Degree will have demonstrated they have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making, and are able to undertake further training, develop existing skills and acquire new competences.

Upon successful completion, students would also be eligible to apply for further study, for example, undertaking the BEng (Hons) Engineering top-up degree offered at Yeovil College University Centre.

You will study a range of units that will develop your specialist knowledge and skills. Modules currently offered include:

Aerospace Pathway

Level 4:

• Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)

• Electrical and Digital Principles (15 credits)

• Material Engineering (15 credits)

• Product Design and Innovation (30 credits)

• Mechanical Principles (15 credits)

• Thermofluids (15 credits)

• Electronic Principles (15 credits)

Level 5:

• Research Project (30 credits)

• Further Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)

• Engineering Business Management (15 credits)

• Advanced Manufacturing Techniques (15 credits)

• Aircraft Aerodynamics (15 credits)

• Aircraft Electrical and Avionics Systems (15 credits)

• Aircraft Flight and Propulsion Systems (15 credits)

Mechanical Pathway

Level 4:

• Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)

• Electrical and Digital Principles (15 credits)

• Material Engineering (15 credits)

• Product Design and Innovation (30 credits)

• Mechanical Principles (15 credits)

• Thermofluids (15 credits)

• Electronic Principles (15 credits)

Level 5:

• Research Project (30 credits)

• Further Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)

• Engineering Business Management (15 credits)

• Advanced Manufacturing Techniques (15 credits)

• Further Mechanical Principles (15 credits)

• Applied Thermofluids (15 credits)

• Electrical and Digital Principles (15 credits)

Manufacturing Pathway

Level 4:

• Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)

• Mechanical Principles (15 credits)

• Material Engineering (15 credits)

• Product Design and Innovation (30 credits)

• Electrical and Digital Principles (15 credits)

• Manufacturing Processes (15 credits)

• Planning and Scheduling for Manufacturing (15 credits)

Level 5:

• Research Project (30 credits)

• Further Manufacturing Mathematics (15 credits)

• Engineering Business Management (15 credits)

• Advanced Manufacturing Techniques (15 credits)

• Quality Assurance for Manufacturing (15 credits)

• Engineering Procurement Management (15 credits)

• Business Improvement Techniques for Manufacturing (15 credits)

Alongside developing a range of subject-specific skills, this course also gives you the opportunity to develop important transferable skills such as critical analysis, academic writing, time management, and communication.

Please be aware that modules studied may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, in response to student or stakeholder feedback, or as a result of regulatory body requirements. However, no significant changes to modules would be implemented without student consultation and feedback. Enrolled students can always find the most up-to-date information about their modules and who is teaching them in their course handbook.

The course is taught by well qualified lecturers who are dedicated to ensuring student success through effective curriculum delivery and high-quality pastoral support. The team includes staff with relevant academic qualifications and sector expertise.

Learning will be achieved through a combination of class-based sessions, practical work, group activity, and independent study.

A typical week for a part-time student has around 7 to 8 hours of contact time in taught sessions, plus additional 1:1 support available by student request. As with all higher education programmes, students are required to take ownership of their learning and development, and should therefore expect to spend time studying with independence outside of lectures. Time spent studying independently may include reading journal articles and relevant books, undertaking research, and completing assignments by set deadlines.

As a rough guide, between timetabled sessions and independent work a student should expect to spend around 10 hours studying for each credit they undertake. A full-time student will typically undertake 120 credits per academic year, and a part-time student may undertake between 75-90 credits per academic year, to total the full 240 credits over the three years of study.

Tuition Fees: Full information on tuition fees, including tuition fee lists, can be found on our our Financial Support page. Please be aware that fee levels vary depending upon the year in which a student commences their studies. For more detailed information, see the YCUC (Yeovil College University Centre) HE (Higher Education) Fees Policy, available in the Policies and Reports area of our website.

Additional Costs: There are no required additional costs for the programme. Whilst some students may choose to buy their own copies of certain key texts this isn't essential as relevant resources are available through the College's Learning Resources Centre.

An assessment schedule, outlining all assessments and deadlines, will be issued to you at the start of each academic year. You will be assessed using a range of methods which will reflect the requirements of the subject, including essays, controlled assessments, presentations, assignments, and practical assessments. Feedback will be provided to you in writing, along with information reflecting your performance and recommendations for improvement.

Entry Requirements: Typical entry requirements are 48 UCAS tariff points. These could come from a relevant BTEC Level 3 qualification, a relevant T Level, an A Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in relevant subject areas, or other Level 3 qualifications such as an International Baccalaureate or an Access to HE Diploma. Grade 4 (C) or above in both GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent) is required. Grade 7 (B) or above in GCSE Maths is highly desirable owing to the mathematical content of the programme.

Mature Applicants: We operate a robust contextual admissions process for mature students (aged 21 and over as of 1st September in the academic year of admission) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants. Please email university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk to find out more.

International Applicants: International applicants will be required to evidence English language skills - this could be an IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component, a grade 4 in GCSE English (or equivalent), or having recently completed a Level 3 qualification taught and assessed in the English language. For more information, please get in touch via university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk or call 01935 845454.

Interviews: As part of the admissions process, applicants who meet the entry criteria for the course will be invited to attend an admissions interview with a member of staff from the course they are applying to. More information about the interview process can be found on the How to apply page.

Applicants who already hold a relevant Level 4 qualification (such as a HNC or CertHE in a relevant Engineering discipline) can be considered for direct entry at the start of Level 5 of the programme.

Part-time: To apply for this course on a part-time basis, you will need to submit an application form directly to the University Centre. You can find out more about this process and download a copy of the application form by visiting our How to apply page, or you can request a copy of the application form directly from the Yeovil College University Centre team via 01935 845454 or university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk.

If you have any questions, or want to know more about this course, please get in touch! You can contact us via email (university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk), phone (01935 845454), or you can fill out our Contact form.