Engineering Foundation

Studying Engineering at Bellerbys College 

Our Engineering Foundation will prepare you to study a range of undergraduate degrees in areas such as computer science, mechanical, electrical and aerospace engineering. You can study our Engineering Foundation at our Cambridge or Brighton Colleges. Cambridge is our specialist centre for engineering and based in the home city of one of the top 10 universities in the world. Brighton is home to many digital and technology businesses and it offers students a vibrant and dynamic place to explore your ideas and study.

Where will this Foundation take me?

Our Engineering Foundation students have gone to university to study Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Architectural Engineering and Civil Engineering.

Destination universities

You can explore a selection of university destinations that Foundation students can choose from here.

Students on this subject pathway will receive an offer of conditional progression* to study at the following universities:

  • BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) General Engineering
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematics
  • BSc (Hons) and MPhys (Hons) Physics
  • MPhys (Hons) Physics and Astronomy
  • MPhys (Hons) Theoretical Physics
  • BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
  • BEng (Hons) Mechatronics
  • BEng (Hons) Nuclear Engineering
  • BEng (Hons) Sustainable Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering MEng
  • Civil Engineering BEng
  • Computer Systems Engineering BEng
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng
  • Electrical Engineering with Space Science & Technology BEng
  • Integrated Design Engineering MEng
  • Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering MEng
  • Mechanical Engineering MEng
  • Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management MEng
  • Robotics Engineering MEng
  • Aerospace Engineering BEng
  • Civil and Railway Engineering BEng
  • Civil Engineering BEng
  • Computer Science BSc
  • Electrical and Railway Engineering BEng
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng
  • Materials Science and Engineering BEng
  • Mathematics BSc
  • Mechanical Engineering BEng
  • Mechanical Engineering (Automotive) BEng
  • Mechanical and Materials Engineering BEng
  • Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering BEng
  • Metallurgy BEng
  • Nuclear Engineering MEng
  • Physics BSc
  • BSc (Hons) Aerospace Engineering
  • BSc (Hons) Automotive Engineering
  • BSc (Hons) Biomedical Engineering
  • BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering
  • BSc (Hons) Computer and Internet Engineering
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Science
  • BSc (Hons) Computing & Information Technology
  • BSc (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • BSc (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (and variations)
  • BSc (Hons) Financial Mathematics
  • BSc (Hons) Mathematics / and Physics / with Statistics
  • BSc (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
  • BSc (Hons) Physics / with Astronomy / Nuclear Astrophysics / Quantum Technologies

Foundation key facts

Minimum age: 16.5+
Course length: 3 or 3.5 terms
Start dates: September, October, January. See term dates
Entry requirements: Satisfactory completion of secondary or high school education. 4 GCSEs at C or above, Maths B or above for Science or Engineering.
English language requirements: IELTS 4.5 (IELTS 5.0 for October and January start)
Location: Brighton, Cambridge
Tuition fees per term: £7,213 (for a complete list of prices, please visit our fees page)

Prepare for Foundation in October (3.5 term)

Start in October and you will have an extra one half of a term to prepare for the Foundation programme in January. You will receive extra English classes, extra university guidance and have more time to develop study skills.

Course modules

Pure Maths 1 and stats

Pure Maths 1 and Stats

An introduction to algebra, including transformations and logarithms; trigonometry, data handling, and calculus.

  • Algebra
  • Co-ordinate Geometry
  • Trigonometry
  • Differentiation
  • Integration
  • Trapezium Rule
  • Handling Data

Mechanics 2

Mechanics 2

Develop an understanding of further kinematics, circular motion, simple harmonic motion, moments in 2D, elasticity and further particle dynamics.

  • Collisions
  • Statics of a Rigid Body in 2-Dimensions
  • Kinematics
  • Simple Harmonic Motion
  • Static Elastic Strings & Springs and Elastic Potential Energy
  • Motion of a Particle attached to an Elastic String or Spring
  • Circular Motion

Pure Maths 2

Pure Maths 2

Develop the work covered in Pure Maths 1, including more advanced algebra (functions, trigonometric identities), differentiation (logarithmic and exponential functions), and integration (solving first order differential equations).

  • Algebra
  • Co-ordinate Geometry
  • Trigonometry
  • Differentiation
  • Integration
  • Numerical Methods

Independent Study Topics

  • Matrices
  • McLaurin’s Series
  • Further Differential Equations
  • Numerical Methods
  • Vectors

Properties of Matter and Waves

Properties of Matter and Waves

Study and gain an understanding of matter, elasticity, heat-specific and latent, gases, kinetic theory, radioactivity, fission, fusion, light, sound, interference, diffraction, electromagnetic spectrum, photoelectric effect, energy levels, excitation and ionisation.

  • Matter: Molecular Behaviour of Solids
  • Heat: Temperature and Scales
  • Gases: Ideal Gas Laws
  • Radioactivity
  • Waves

Mechanics 1

Mechanics 1

Develop an understanding of vectors in 2D; kinematics and forces in 1D and 2D through Newton's Laws of Motion; statics and equilibrium; moments; work and energy; and power.

  • Mathematical Models: Including Key Terminology
  • Kinematics
  • Dynamics
  • Statics
  • Moments
  • Further Kinematics
  • Work, Energy and Power
  • Vectors

Electricity and Fields

Electricity and Fields

Develop knowledge surrounding DC circuit theory, electric fields, electromagnetism, gravitational fields and laboratory skills. Develop the background knowledge and skills needed to progress to an engineering or physical science degree at a UK university.

  • DC Circuit Theory
  • Capacitors
  • Electric Fields
  • Electromagnetism
  • Gravitation
  • Semiconductor Theory
Core modules

Academic English Skills with IELTS

Academic English Skills with IELTS

Academic English Skills provides thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at University. Key skills include:

  • Reading effectively and critically
  • Making notes in lectures and presentations
  • Delivering presentations and participating in academic seminars
  • Researching, planning and writing academic essays
  • Students are also supported in developing the accuracy and range in written and spoken language required to express themselves effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence.

Computer Information Technology

Computer Information Technology

Improving IT literacy and creativity using MS Office, Business and Media applications; develop internet research skills.

*Offer of conditional progression is subject to meeting all academic requirements, submission of completed UCAS application, academic reference, personal statement meeting required standard, and passing the Foundation programme with the required grades and English language level. Please note that the letter in itself is not a Conditional Offer from the university. You will receive a conditional offer if you meet all the requirements through your submission of a completed UCAS application.

GCSEs

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GCSEs are taken as a course of study before taking A Levels or a Foundation pathway. We offer a 2 Year GCSE Pathway programme as well as a 3 and 4 term programme, offering students from the age of 14 years an early opportunity to establish the language, learning and cultural skills they need to succeed in the highly competitive world of higher education.

A Levels

Bellerbys Cambridge students in a Foundation Media class at the College

A Levels are British qualifications, accepted by all universities in the UK and recognised in the USA and Australia. Students who are with us for five or six terms will typically study up to four A Levels. This gives you a world of choice.

Foundation

Bellerbys London Star Student Mark Lee

A one-year course for international students that builds specialist subject knowledge and language and study skills. It is more focussed than A Levels making it good preparation for university. It is recognised for entry onto a range of degree programmes at more than 70 universities in the UK.