Skip to content

Engineering Foundation Year

Typical offer for 2025
Duration
UCAS code

Suitable for applications.

Overview

The Bradford Engineering Foundation Year gives you the skills you need to start an Engineering degree if you do not currently have the necessary mathematics or science qualifications.

Successful completion enables you to go onto the first year of any of the following BEng courses:

If you achieve a grade of 70% or above you are able to progress directly to our four or five-year integrated Master’s programmes (MEng).

The Foundation Year gives you a strong grounding in the engineering fundamentals of mathematics, physics and materials.

You’ll get an overview of each Engineering area, enabling you to choose the right discipline for you. You’ll learn theory and apply this knowledge in varied practical work.

The curriculum is aligned with year one of our BEng programmes, ensuring a smooth transition to your degree level studies.

Professional accreditation

If you proceed onto one of our BEng (Hons) or MEng courses from the Foundation Year, these courses are accredited by the relevant professional institution.

Entry requirements

Typical offer - 72 UCAS tariff points.

A levels

DDD - there are no subject specific requirements.

T levels

Pass - Overall grading Pass (D or E in the Core) with no subject specific requirements.

BTEC Extended Diploma

MMP - there are no specific subject requirements.

If GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 has not been achieved applicants should have one of the following:

  • BTEC Extended Diploma (2010-2016) - any Engineering subject to include Mathematics for Engineering Technicians (Unit 4) at Pass
    OR
  • BTEC Extended Diploma (2010-2016) - Construction and the Built Environment to include Mathematics in Construction and the Built Environment (Unit 3) at Pass
    OR
  • BTEC Extended Diploma (2010-2016) - Applied Science to include Mathematical Calculations for Science (Unit 7) and Using Statistics in Science (Unit 8)
    OR
  • BTEC Nationals Level 3 (from 2016) - any Engineering subject to include Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems (Unit 7) at Pass

Applicants on Access Programmes

72 UCAS tariff points along with a minimum of GCSE Mathematics grade C/grade 4. There are no specific subject requirements.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

72 UCAS tariff points to include Maths at Higher Level grade 3 or Standard Level grade 4.

Plus minimum of

GCSE Mathematics grade C/grade 4 and GCSE English grade D/grade 3 (equivalents accepted).

Additional entry requirements

We welcome applications from mature students who don’t meet the entry requirements above as we will take into consideration your work and life experience and any professional qualifications you may have. 

Please contact the Admissions Team at [email protected] or 01274 236088 if you have any queries regarding your application.

You may also be eligible to apply for student finance - see further information including a link to a student finance calculator, and further advice for mature applicants can be found at UCAS.

English language requirements

For non-native English speakers, IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, and you have a UKVI approved IELTS, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

What you will study

All module information is for 2023 entry, and is subject to change.

Learning and assessment

The programme is taught in a traditional format: lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions.

We foster an active learning environment, especially in laboratory classes. Academic theory is presented though lectures, and knowledge and understanding is strengthened through the application of tutorials and example classes.

We have a mixed portfolio of assessments:

  • classroom tests
  • examinations
  • computer based tests
  • coursework
  • individual and group presentations

Many of our modules are linked, spanning two semesters.

We have specifically designed our assessment strategy to ensure that students are not heavily weighted with assessments in semester 2.

Typically for all modules there is least 15-30% given towards course work or some practical element of the module and 70% summative examination assessment.

Official programme specification

Our facilities

We have a number of specialist laboratories equipped to cover a range of engineering disciplines. You'll have a dedicated technical support team to keep everything running smoothly, and will have access to high-spec IT facilities running industry-standard engineering applications and software.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2025

  • UK: £9,535

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

Engineers are always in demand and you will find graduates in various roles across many sectors (e.g. Banking, Finance, Tech companies).

Engineers are excellent logical thinkers, have strong critical analysis skills and can make calculated decisions. This makes them versatile professionals with a strong varied skill set in high demand from employers.

An Engineering degree is a great starting point for a varied, flexible career path.

Our graduates pursue careers in all areas of engineering, automotive and manufacturing industry, but also in wider fields such as marketing, business management and public service work.

Our recent graduates have gone on to work for employers such as Ford, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, and Toyota, in roles including graduate engineer, design engineer, process engineer, and CAD engineer.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Study support

Our comprehensive support services will help you to achieve your full potential – both academically and personally. 

We provide all you need to make the very best of your time with us, and successfully progress through your studies and on into the world of graduate employment. 

Our support services include: 

  • Personal tutors 
  • Disability services 
  • Counselling services 
  • MyBradford student support centres 
  • The Students’ Union 
  • Chaplaincy and faith advisers 
  • An on-campus nursery 
  • Halls wardens 

We have well-stocked libraries and excellent IT facilities across campus. These facilities are open 24 hours a day during term time, meaning you’ll always find a place to get things done on campus. 

Our Academic Skills Advice Service will work with you to develop your academic, interpersonal and transferable skills. 

Research

Several prominent researchers are involved with the programme, including:

  • Dr Ben Whiteside of the Centre for Polymer Micro and Nano Technology
  • Dr Elaine Brown of the Centre for Advanced Materials Engineering
  • Professor Tahir Khan - 50th Anniversary Chair in Materials Engineering
This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.