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Engineering Foundation

Engineering Foundation 

The UK is a fantastic place to study engineering due to our history of invention and innovation. Our Engineering Foundation will prepare you to study a range of undergraduate degrees in areas such as computer science, engineering, chemical 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.

Students study 18-25 hours per week in class. The course is modular in structure. It has core modules studied by all Foundation students with modules tailored for engineering students. You can also choose to study computing modules. The core Foundation modules develop academic and English language skills. The modules are tailored for Engineering and Computer Science students.

Where will this Foundation take me?

Our Engineering Foundation students have gone to university to study aerospace engineering, civil engineering, marine technology and mechanical engineering.

Destination universities

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

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, or IELTS 5.0 for a January start.
Location: Brighton, Cambridge
Tuition fees per term: Brighton: £7,120
Cambridge: £6,915

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

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

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).

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.

Mechanics 2

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

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.

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.

Core modules

Foundation English Skills 1

Develop the ability to read academic texts, write short academic texts, take notes from written and oral sources and use spoken English to discuss a variety of topics.

Foundation English Skills 2

Improve all the abilities in FES1, developing greater accuracy, speed, cohesion, organisation and presentation.

Foundation English Skills 3

Develop academic English skills for university. This continually assessed course module includes an extended research essay based on an aspect of British culture, debates and discussions, listening, note-taking and summarising as well as oral presentation.

Computer Information Technology

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

GCSEs

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GCSEs are taken as a course of study before taking A levels or a Foundation pathway. Our GCSE Pathway programme offers 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. Students typically study three or four subjects with exams at the end of two years.

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.