General Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng (Hons)
If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for an engineering degree, a foundation year is for you.
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A Levels
BBB; BBC -
UCAS code
H101 -
Duration
5 years -
Start date
September
- Course fee
- FY Foundation year
- Funding available
Explore this course:
Course description
Why study this course?
Sheffield is one of the top five UK universities for the subject, according to The Guardian University Guide 2025.
Study here and you have the option to specialise in 11 streams across the Faculty of Engineering – from aerospace to software engineering.
Get support from across the faculty and sample engineering from many different angles to help you decide your future engineering discipline.
Benefit from state-of-the-art laboratories across the University, including everything The Diamond has to offer.
Build the strongest foundations for your career by becoming a truly interdisciplinary engineer: study general engineering.
With a selection of modules from four engineering and a choice of 11 specialisms, you'll immerse yourself in the varied fields of engineering.
In an increasingly complex and challenging world, knowledge and expertise beyond a single discipline is invaluable for 21st century engineers.
In your foundation year, you’ll develop your skills in maths, physics and laboratory work, so you'll excel in year one of your full degree. You’ll learn from academics specialising in the subject areas, using the same delivery and assessment styles as our BEng or MEng courses. Project work, both individual and in groups, will also be led by academics.
Taught by world-leading experts from our four outstanding engineering schools, this course will ensure you develop the broadest possible understanding of the field.
In year one of your degree, you'll study modules across all disciplines, after which you’ll choose one of 11 possible specialisms - or continue studying a variety of subjects.
You’ll spend the latter stages of your degree studying your chosen stream. The interdisciplinary ethos of your degree will conclude with an industry led final-year project, where you will put your learning into practice.
Accreditation
We offer a range of fully accredited courses covering the broad range of interdisciplinary engineering. Depending on what stream you take, you'll be accredited by different organisations.
Modules
UCAS code: H101
Years: 2022, 2023, 2024
Core modules:
- 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 - Further Foundation Mathematics
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The syllabus for MPS001 covers important material which appears on the A level maths and further mathematics A Level curriculum. The module is for students who are taking MPS002 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 - Foundations of Physics
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This module 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. 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. 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 and 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.
30 credits
Optional modules:
- Core Foundation Mathematics
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The syllabus for MPS002 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 - 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 will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
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 at A Level) + GCSE Science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A; DD in Engineering or Applied Science + B in an A Level science subject (Physics, Chemistry, or Biology) + 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 Level subjects); 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
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If you are studying any other subject combination, we require GCSE Science grade 6/B (or 65 in GCSE Double Award Science) 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 school/department.
Graduate careers
School of Electrical and Electronic 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.
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
The Guardian University Guide 2025
National Student Survey (NSS) 2024
Sheffield is one of the UK's top engineering universities.
Gain a strong foundational knowledge of engineering disciplines from across our eleven specialisms, 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 an industrial placement year, in which you earn a salary and have reduced fees; 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 an industrial placement year 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.
University rankings
Number one in the Russell Group
National Student Survey 2024 (based on aggregate responses)
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
University of the Year and best for Student Life
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024
Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Number one for Students' Union
StudentCrowd 2024 University Awards
A top 20 university targeted by employers
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report
A top-100 university: 12th in the UK and 98th in the world
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
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
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
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.