Foundation Year
How to become an Engineer without Maths A Level
Are you one of the many people who would like to become an engineer but do not have the right qualifications? If so, at the Cardiff School of Engineering we have a course which might suit your needs. The course is called the Foundation Year and is specially designed to give you the necessary basic knowledge to enable you to cope with an engineering degree scheme.
Although the Foundation Year only last for one year, it must be considered as an entry route to one of our degree schemes. It is not a stand along year, but the initial part of a programme of study leading to a BEng or MEng degree. Providing you have successfully complete the Foundation Year you will progress to the first year of your chosen degree scheme. If you are a Home student on the Foundation Year, you will qualify for a Mandatory Local Authority Grant to cover all years of study at Cardiff.
Course Structure
The course is designed to expose students to a broad spectrum of engineering through modules consisting of lectures, tutorials and case studies. These include aspects of mathematics, physics and information technology that are relevant to engineering but omits many of the subjects taught at A level. The practical nature of the course contrasts with the way such subjects may have been presented at school. Assessment is by project work, continuous assessment and end of semester examinations.
Entry Requirements
The course is aimed at a wide range of potential applicants. For instance, if you have a GCSE pass in Mathematics and good A level passes in subjects that are not recognised for direct entry to our degree schemes, (eg. no Maths A level), the Foundation Year would be an ideal route for you to enter engineering. Likewise, if you have a BTEC or a similar vocational qualification in a non-engineering subject, an overseas Baccalaureate or School Leaving Certificate that is not recognised for direct entry, then why not consider the Foundation Year?
Special consideration is sometimes afforded to mature students who show the drive, commitment and potential necessary to complete the course and continue further to gain a degree. In these cases, formal qualifications may be waived after consideration of vocational experience, although some evidence of mathematical and scientific ability would need to be evident.
UCAS Codes
- Foundation Year
Full time - 1 years (H101)
When completing your UCAS form please indicate the engineering degree scheme you wish to study following the Foundation Year.