Birmingham City University : Engineering - Foundation



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Engineering - Foundation

Summary
  • Campus
  • City Centre , Millennium Point
  • Tariff
  • 200 - Minimum of one 6-unit A-Level (GCE or VCE) and GCSE Mathematics & English grade C.
  • Duration
  • Full Time: 1 year
  • Fees
  • 2012/13 Full Time: £8,200 per year
    2012/13 Full Time (International): £11,200

Key Facts

  • All of the Faculty’s BEng (Hons) undergraduate programmes can be studied over an extended full-time duration of four years by including a Foundation Certificate (year zero). The Foundation Certificate provides a broad study programme that underpins the continuing years of the follow-on degree. It should be noted that to progress to the next year of the degree, it is necessary to achieve a pass in all of the modules of the Foundation Certificate.
  • This course has been specifically designed for people who do not have the necessary qualifications to directly enter year one of the undergraduate programme. It is popular with mature students without formal qualifications and school leavers with inappropriate qualifications for normal direct entry.
  • Once you successfully complete the year you will automatically qualify for a place on one of these courses, which are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) as satisfying the academic requirements towards Chartered Engineer status (CEng).
  • This one year course offers valuable skills if you choose to go straight into employment, and it is also the common year zero for our four-year BEng (Hons) engineering courses.

Why Choose Us?

  • Alongside practical, technical ability, you’ll be able to put adaptability, creativity, problem solving and logical reasoning on an employer’s table.
  • Located in the prestigious £114m Millennium Point - City Centre Campus; with technology and facilities that reflect advanced professional practice.
  • The School is first UK-based academy of PTC Inc – a major business software solutions provider to the US Government; collaboration provides access to industry-standard tools such as ProE.
  • The School, in collaboration with Walker Adams Ltd, has recently launched the Birmingham City University Motorsport Team, which is open to all students and organises a range of events and visits to companies such as MIRA, Morgan Motor Company, JCB and Westfield Sports Cars.
  • Relationships with a number of sector bodies, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Accelerate Partnership and the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, directly benefits you by exposing you to ‘real’ live projects.
Course Outline

This course is the common year zero of the following four-year courses:

BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering

BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering

BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

BEng (Hons) Telecommunications and Networks

This course has a strong emphasis on equipping students with transferable, key skills. It aims to provide you with a wide range of skills and knowledge of basic principles in the relevant subject areas to prepare you for the first year of your degree.

Transfer to some of the courses on the BSc programme is also possible.

Course Structure

This course has a strong emphasis on equipping students with transferable, key skills. It aims to provide you with a wide range of skills and knowledge of basic principles in the relevant subject areas to prepare you for the first year of your degree.

The foundation year is a general foundation year for all of our BEng degree programme. It contains core subjects of mathematics, mechanical science and electrical science with a subsidiary subject of information and communication studies. The emphasis is on the mathematics and sciences in order to bring you up to A Level standard. Mathematics, mechanical science and electrical science are assessed by coursework and examination while information and communication studies are assessed by coursework.

On successfully completion of the foundation year, you will automatically qualify for a place on to one of our BEng (Hons) Engineering degree programmes.

BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering

BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering

BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

BEng (Hons) Telecommunications and Networks

Modules

Mathematics For Engineering
  • The purpose of this module is to apply mathematics to the solution of practical problems; to be able to use mathematics to communicate effectively; and to introduce the basic mathematical techniques required to solve practical engineering problems e.g. algebra, functions, matrices, trigonometry, differential calculus and integral calculus.
Mechanical Science
  • The module introduces the fundamentals of mechanics and related science required for you to progress onto an engineering based degree.
  • The module addresses fundamental mechanics but also includes basic coverage of materials structure and properties, energy, thermodynamics, waves and some aspects of engineering related to the environment and sustainability.
Electrical Science
  • The module introduces the fundamental electrical and electronic principles of analogue and digital circuit design and operation.
  • Specifically, to develop an understanding of the principles of analogue and digital circuit design, and to introduce the concepts and techniques related to electrical and electronic systems.
Information And Communication Studies
  • The module introduces a number of software packages, in order to apply these effectively in reports, presentations and project planning.
  • You are introduced to research methods and instructed in the use of the internet and library resources. Instruction and guidance is given on report writing, referencing and how to avoid plagiarism.
Year 1
Mathematics for Engineering
Mechanical Science
Electrical Science
Information and Communication Studies

 

45 Credits

 

30 Credits

 

30 Credits

 

15 Credits

Placements

Students are encouraged to further enhance their career prospects by including an industrial placement in their course. This takes place after the second year of study and extends the course duration to four years.

As well as providing the workplace experience sought by many employers, a placement provides an invaluable opportunity for students to further develop their practical expertise, earn money and try out a potential career path. The Faculty’s placements team supports students throughout the placement process.

Assessments

A range of assessment methods is used throughout the course including continuous assessment, in-class tests, examinations, laboratory exercises and project work. Using these methods, your all-round ability will be appraised providing you with the best opportunity to excel.

Your Career

Further Study Options

The Foundation Certificate in Engineering provides you with the opportunity to develop key skills in appropriate disciplines. Students who successfully complete the year automatically qualify for a place on our BEng (Hons) in Engineering degree programmes.

BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering

BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering

BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

BEng (Hons) Telecommunications and Networks

Entry Requirements & Applications

Entry Requirements

  • 200 points. Minimum of one 6-unit A-Level (GCE or VCE)
  • National Diploma with Merit Pass Pass
  • Advanced Diplomas are accepted
  • AGNVQ Pass
  • GCSE Mathematics and English grade C must be offered
  • Irish: CCC Highers. Scottish: CCC Highers, 1xB Adv.Higher. IB: 24 points

Application Details

Automotive Engineering Foundation

H338

Electronic Engineering Foundation

H609

Mechanical Engineering Foundation

H308

Telecommunications and Networks Foundation

H641

Use the course code to search for this course on UCAS

Enquiries

Prospective students from the UK or EU may enquire online by using the Course Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 5595.

Prospective students from non-EU countries may enquire via the International Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 6714.

Further Information

For general enquiries, please contact the School of Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Systems as follows:

School of Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Systems
Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment
Birmingham City University
Millennium Point
Curzon Street
Birmingham
B4 7XG

Tel: +44 (0)121 331 5400
Email: enquiries@tee.bcu.ac.uk

If you haven't already, visit the School of Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Systems website for more information.

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