General Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng (Hons)
General Engineering
Explore this course:
You are viewing this course for 2023-24 entry. 2024-25 entry is also available.
Key details
- A Levels BBB; BBC
Other entry requirements - UCAS code H101
- 5 years / Full-time
- September start
- Find out the course fee
- FY Foundation year
Course description
If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for an engineering degree, a foundation year is for you. After successfully completing the foundation year, which has modules in mathematics, physics and chemistry, you can start either the BEng or MEng degree.
Taught by world-leading experts from our seven outstanding engineering departments, the General Engineering interdisciplinary degree will ensure you develop a broad knowledge and understanding of engineering, while developing skills in independent thinking and the professional skills necessary for a career in industry.
In an increasingly complex and challenging world, knowledge and expertise beyond a single discipline is valuable for 21st-century engineers.
During your first two years you'll study modules across all disciplines and look at engineering in an interdisciplinary context. At the end of year two, you'll choose a specialism from one of our subjects, covering a range of engineering fields.
We also offer a non-specialist stream, allowing you to continue studying a variety of disciplines.
You'll spend year three and year four studying your chosen stream. The interdisciplinary ethos of your degree will be continued in the group design project and an advanced research or industry-led final-year project.
Modules
UCAS code: H101
Years: 2022, 2023
Core modules:
- Core Foundation Mathematics
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The syllabus for MAS003 covers the common core A Level curriculum. The unit is tailored for students who have been away from mathematics for a period of time, but who will have gained some A-Level or similar qualifications. The unit covers the basic principles of algebra, geometry and calculus. Following the introduction of new material in the lectures, students have the opportunity of extensive problem solving, both in the tutorial sessions with the lecturers and in their own time.
40 credits - Introduction to Engineering
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This module will introduce the application of engineering principles to foundation year students and give the student an appreciation of the breadth of engineering activities across the faculty and identify to students what knowledge areas and skills are needed in order to contribute to their development and be successful. It will also help create links with departments and draw on the other modules that students will take in the foundation year especially maths and physics.
40 credits - Foundations of Physics
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PHY009 provides students with the foundations of Physics required to enter the first year of a regular Physics or other scientific degree course, or an engineering course where detailed knowledge of Physics is needed.
30 credits
Understanding will be developed in 3 lectures per week over a full academic year. Problem solving and example classes are integrated into lectures. The following topics will be covered: Dynamics/Mechanics; Electricity and Magnetism; Thermal Physics; Oscillations, Waves, and Optics; Properties of Matter; Atomic and Nuclear Physics.
As PHY009 teaches no practical Physics, this module is complemented by the 10 credit laboratory module FCE002 for most science foundation year students (except for foundation year students leading to a Mathematics undergraduate programme) or FCE001 for engineering foundation year students.
The greatest advances in technology have taken place in the last hundred years. In 1897 few would have imagined that the probing of materials at the atomic level would reveal so much. These early discoveries of atomic constituents and their structure would pave the way for semi-conductor electronics, develop key concepts in physical laws, and offer a replacement energy source for fossil fuels in the form of nuclear power. This course summarises key discoveries in early particle physics and combines historical background with the detailed physics understanding needed to fully appreciate the subject.
These full modules aim to provide a sound foundation in Physics in preparation for Level 1 Physics modules. It introduces (i) Properties of Matter, (ii) Oscillations, waves & optics and (iii) Atomic and Nuclear Physics. (i) Properties of Matter discusses structural, mechanical and electrical properties in terms of simple models. (ii) treats vibration and waves introducing the concepts of wavelength, frequency and wave speed. (iii) discusses the physics of the atom, including historical aspects, the electron, the photo-electric effect, Bohr¿s atomic model, nuclear structure and radioactivity. - Further Foundation Mathematics
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The syllabus for MAS004 covers important material which appears on the A level maths and further mathematics A Level curriculum. The module is for students who are taking MAS003 and need a deeper background in mathematics for their degree course. The module covers advanced principles of algebra, geometry and calculus. Following the introduction of new material, students have the opportunity of extensive problem solving, both in the problem classes with tutors and in their own time.
10 credits - Foundation Core and Enhanced Mathematics
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This module builds on the common core curriculum from A level maths (which is a prerequisite). This unit covers enhanced comprehension of topics in pure maths, statistics, probability, and numerical methods. These topics are chosen to further prepare students for their undergraduate studies in the science and engineering faculties.
40 credits
After successfully completing the foundation year, you can start your BEng or MEng degree.
Explore general engineering courses
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Learning and assessment
Learning
The following are the main learning and teaching methods implemented within the programme:
- lectures
- tutorials
- practical activities
- coursework assignments (including oral, video and poster presentations)
- online resources
Our academics are leading experts in their fields with international reputations, and their research shapes and inspires what you are taught.
Assessment
Students are assessed via a mix of the following:
- examinations
- coursework assignments
- lab work
- online tests
- reports
- group projects
- presentations
Programme specification
This tells you the aims and learning outcomes of this course and how these will be achieved and assessed.
Entry requirements
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
BBB; BBC
BBB (any A Level); BBC, including Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology
International Baccalaureate 32 (any subjects); 31, with Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology at Higher Level 5 or Standard Level 7
BTEC Extended Diploma DDD in Engineering or Applied Science + GCSE Science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A
BTEC Diploma DD in Engineering or Applied Science + A at A Level (no STEM) + GCSE Science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A; DD in Engineering or Applied Science + B in either Physics, Chemistry or Biology at A Level + GCSE Maths grade 7/A; DD in Engineering or Applied Science + C in A Level Maths + GCSE Science grade 6/B
Scottish Highers AABBB (any subjects); ABBBB, including Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels B + BB (any A Levels); B + BC in Maths and either Physics, Chemistry or Biology
Access to HE Diploma Award of Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 at Distinction (to include 12 Maths units), and 21 at Merit + GCSE Maths grade 7/A
Other requirements-
If you are studying both Maths and a science (Physics, Chemistry or Biology) at A Level or equivalent, there are no additional GCSE requirements. If you are studying any other subject combination, we require GCSE science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
Equivalent English language qualifications
Visa and immigration requirements
Other qualifications | UK and EU/international
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.
General Engineering
Sheffield is one of the UK's top engineering universities.
Gain a strong foundational knowledge of engineering disciplines from across our seven academic departments, before specialising in your area of interest in the final two years of your degree.
The majority of our engineering courses can be combined with a year in industry; this is a great way for you to boost your career prospects. You'll gain a wide range of hands-on experience and get the chance to apply what you've learnt in your studies.
The experience from a year in industry will be invaluable. It will improve your employability, you'll experience working in an industrial environment and you'll make crucial industry contacts. We'll support you in finding a year in industry or a summer placement.
When you become part of Engineering at Sheffield, you'll be taught in the best integrated engineering teaching space in the UK.
Facilities
Engineering students are mainly based in The Diamond, the University's dedicated engineering teaching facility. Here, you'll find state-of-the-art teaching and lab facilities which include cutting-edge, industry-standard equipment. You'll also have lectures and use laboratories in the Sir Robert Hadfield Building.
Science and Engineering Foundation YearWhy choose Sheffield?
The University of Sheffield
A top 100 university
QS World University Rankings 2023
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
Top 50 in the most international universities rankings
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022
No 1 Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
A top 10 university targeted by employers
The Graduate Market in 2022, High Fliers report
General Engineering
National Student Survey 2022
National Student Survey 2022
Graduate careers
General Engineering
Our courses prepare you for a career where you'll apply your creative problem-solving skills and your understanding of engineering principles to the real world, while working in multidisciplinary teams. These transferable skills can be applied in many sectors across the breadth of engineering and beyond.
Graduates from all of our courses are highly employable and work all over the world for companies such as Arup, Rolls-Royce, Boeing and IBM.
Fees and funding
Fees
Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Funding your study
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Use our Student Funding Calculator to work out what you’re eligible for.
Visit us
University open days
We host five open days each year, usually in June, July, September, October and November. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Subject tasters
If you’re considering your post-16 options, our interactive subject tasters are for you. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and you can attend sessions online or on campus.
Offer holder days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Our weekly guided tours show you what Sheffield has to offer - both on campus and beyond. You can extend your visit with tours of our city, accommodation or sport facilities.
Apply for this course
Make sure you've done everything you need to do before you apply.
How to apply When you're ready to apply, see the UCAS website:
www.ucas.com
Not ready to apply yet? You can also register your interest in this course.
Contact us
Telephone: +44 114 222 7870
Email: sefy@sheffield.ac.uk
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.