Integrated Foundation - Bachelor of Engineering - Engineering (H101)

Although the Foundation scheme lasts for one year, it must be considered as an entry route to one of degree courses. It is not a stand-alone year, but the initial part of a program of study leading towards a BEng or MEng degree. Once students successfully complete the Foundation Year they will progress to the first year of their chosen degree course, as long as they achieve an average of at least 50%.

The course is designed to expose them to the broad spectrum of engineering disciplines through lectures, tutorials and case studies. These include aspects of mathematics, physics and information technology that are relevant to engineering. The practical nature of the course contrasts with the way such subjects may have been presented at school. Assessment is by project work, continuous assessment and end-of-semester examinations.

When students have successfully passed the foundation year they can choose which engineering specialism they are most interested in and they will join the first year of that course.

There is a great deal of choice available to them at the Cardiff School of Engineering as it is one of only a few schools to offer full-time MEng and BEng degree courses in various branches of engineering, such as architectural, civil, electrical, mechanical, medical and integrated engineering. Many of these offer a sandwich year option working in industry.