This Foundation Year provides an introduction to mathematics, mechanics, computer programming, electricity and electronics, and the principles of engineering.
This same Foundation Year leads onto many different undergraduate degrees (listed on the Programme Overview tab).
Introducing your
degree
If you don't have the A-level subjects or equivalent required for entry to the first year of your chosen degree, our Foundation Year is the ideal choice for you. This intensive year of study includes both theoretical and practical activities and attracts highly motivated students who want to make a change of direction in their studies.
Programme Overview
Successful completion of the one-year full-time Foundation Year can lead you to a guaranteed place on the first year of one of 17 different integrated undergraduate degrees in Engineering, Maths or Physics.
In this preliminary year you'll learn the core principles of mathematics, mechanical science, engineering principles and electricity and electronics. You'll also undertake laboratory work and a variety of assignments to develop your critical thinking and problem solving.
During your Foundation Year, you'll receive full support from subject tutors and feedback to progress your academic development.
Applicants must hold Grade B/6 in GCSE Mathematics and Grade C/4 in GCSE English language. Applicants below this GCSE standard will not normally be considered. This GCSE requirement is in addition to studying a Level 3 qualification, such as A levels, Access course, BTEC National Extended Diploma etc.
GCE A-Level
Our typical offer for students who have studied A-levels is typically ABB. Please check the table below to see if you are ineligible for the Foundation Year based on the A-level subjects or equivalent qualifications you are currently studying/have studied
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Our typical offer for the IB is 32 points overall, including 5 points in Standard or Higher Level Mathematics (Analysis and approaches or Applications and interpretation). If you are taking all the Higher Level subjects required for entry to your chosen degree, we will not normally offer you a place on our Foundation Year.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP)
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Pearson BTEC National Extended Certificate (RQF)/Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
Our typical offer is D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate* + AB at A-level (or equivalent)
Pearson BTEC National Diploma (RQF)/Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
Our typical offer is DD in the BTEC National Diploma* + B grade at A-Level (or equivalent). We only accept the following subjects: Aeronautical Engineering / Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Electrical/ Electronic Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering / Civil Engineering.
Our typical offer is DDD overall in the BTEC National Extended Diploma*. We only accept the following subjects: Aeronautical Engineering / Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Electrical/ Electronic Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering / Civil Engineering.
BTEC additional information
*Where studied, we require distinctions in the following units: Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, Further Engineering Mathematics, Mathematics for Construction or Further Mathematics for Construction.
Access to HE Diploma
Applicants must study an Engineering, Computer Science or Science Level 3 Access courses. No other Access subjects will be accepted. A typical Access offer is 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 of which at least 30 credits, including all credits from graded maths modules, must be graded Distinction with the remainder graded Merit. All applicants must offer at least one Level 3 maths module.
T-levels
Our typical offer in the Design, surveying and planning for construction T-level is Distinction, including a Core A grade in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction.Our typical offer in the Digital production, design and development T-level is Distinction, including a Core A grade in Digital Production, Design and Development
Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
Our typical offer is D in the Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Engineering** plus AB at A-level (or equivalent)
Cambridge Technical Diploma
Our typical offer is DD in the Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Engineering** plus B at A-level (or equivalent)
Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
Our typical offer is DDD in the Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering**
Cambridge Technical additional information
**Distinctions are required in both Mathematics for Engineering and Applied Mathematics for Engineering, where studied.
Other qualifications
If you have UK qualifications not listed above, your application will be considered on an individual basis. Visit our International Office pages for more information in entry requirements for international students. If you can show a proven ability in mathematics and science, but you come from a region or country where an A-Level equivalent qualification is not available, you may be considered for the Foundation Year.
English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements. For 2022 entry - IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components. For 2023 entry - IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components.
Applicants who are taking all the A-level or equivalent subjects required for entry to their chosen degree, will not normally be offered a place on our Foundation Year. Please ensure you check the table below to see if you are ineligible for the Foundation Year based on the subjects you are currently studying/have studied.
A-Level requirements
Our typical offer for students who have studied A-levels is typically ABB.
Please check the table below to see if you are ineligible for the Foundation Year based on the A-level subjects or equivalent qualifications you are currently studying/have studied.
Progression degree choice
A-level or equivalent subjects required for entry to year one of your chosen progression degree
BEng/MEng Acoustical Engineering with Foundation Year
Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry or Electronics or Further Mathematics
BEng/MEng Aeronautics and Astronautics or MMath Mathematical Physics or BEng/MEng Mechanical Engineering
Mathematics and Physics
BEng/MEng Aerospace Electronic Engineering or BEng/MEng Electrical Engineering or BEng/MEng Mechatronic Engineering
Mathematics and Physics or Further Mathematics or Electronics
BEng/MEng Biomedical Engineering
Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry or Biology
BEng/MEng Medical Engineering
Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry or Biology or Further Mathematics
BEng/MEng Biomedical Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year
Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry or Electronics or Further Mathematics or Biology
BEng/MEng Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year
Mathematics
Please note applicants must have studied Chemistry at A-level or equivalent. If you have studied Mathematics but you have not studied Chemistry, you can consider our Science Foundation Year route for this course.
BEng/MEng Civil Engineering or MEng Civil Engineering and Architecture
For 2022 entry - Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry or Biology or Geography or Geology or Further Mathematics
For 2023 entry - Mathematics
BSc/MEng Computer Science or BSc/MMath Mathematics or BEng/MEng Software Engineering
Mathematics
BEng/MEng Electrical Engineering with Foundation Year
Mathematics and Physics or Further Mathematics or Electronics
BEng/MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering or BEng/MEng Electronic Engineering
Mathematics and Physics or Further Mathematics or Electronics or Computer Science
BEng/MEng Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year
Mathematics and Physics or Further Mathematics or Computer Science or Electronics
BSc/MMath Mathematics with Foundation Year
Mathematics
BEng/MEng Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year
Mathematics and Physics
BEng/MEng Mechatronic Engineering with Foundation Year
Mathematics and Physics or Further Mathematics or Electronics
BSc/MPhys Physics with Foundation Year
Mathematics or Further Mathematics and Physics
BEng/MEng Ship Science with Foundation Year
Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry or Further Mathematics
BEng/MEng Software Engineering with Foundation Year
Mathematics
Please note that further mathematics, geology and electronics are not available to IB students.
The information in this table also applies to courses that include an Industrial Placement Year or Industrial Studies.
Selection process:
Each application is considered individually. However, all applicants will need to demonstrate an aptitude for maths, either through recent study or by taking our maths diagnostic test. Please refer to the Pre-Maths Skills' document, which provides an example of the minimum level of mathematics required to start the Foundation Year. Students who have not studied maths beyond GCSE or equivalent will normally be expected to take the maths diagnostic test once they have submitted an application for the Foundation Year.
Applicants who are taking all the A-level or equivalent subjects required for entry to their chosen degree, will not normally be offered a place on our Foundation Year. Please ensure you check the table below to see if you are ineligible for the Foundation Year based on the subjects you are currently studying/have studied.
Whatever degree you are aiming for, you will take all of the modules listed below. In addition you will be expected to complete coursework in all subjects. The year is divided into two semesters, each lasting 15 weeks. Modules last for two semesters.
Year
1
Compulsory
GENG0001Credit[?]
Credits are based on the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS).
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the
programme and the learning outcomes that a typical
student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage
of the learning opportunities that are provided.
More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide
or website).
Fees & funding
Tuition fees
The foundation year fee is separate from your undergraduate degree fees. You'll pay the fee for your foundation year, and then the yearly fee for your degree. Once you start your undergraduate degree the amount you pay each year will stay the same. You can check the fees on the individual course pages.
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250. - EU and international students pay £23,620
Please note: Fees for EU and international are not fixed with increase after 1 year.
Scholarships, bursaries or grants may be available to support you through your course. Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or your country of origin. These can be from the University or other sources.
Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such
essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the
academic requirements for each programme of study.
In some cases you'll be able to choose modules (which may have different costs associated
with that module) which will change the overall cost of a programme to you. Please also
ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and
Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.
Stationery
You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Any specialist stationery items will be specified under the Additional Costs tab of the relevant module profile.
Books
Some modules suggest reading texts as optional background reading. The library may hold copies of such texts, or alternatively you may wish to purchase your own copies. Although not essential reading, you may benefit from the additional reading materials for the module.
Equipment
Students may wish to purchase additional laboratory notebooks. Cost varies depending on personal choice.
IT: Computers suitable for completing all assessed tasks for this course are provided in the University computing suites, but students may wish to purchase their own laptop to enable them to study more effectively away from the campus.
Printing and copying
In some cases, coursework and/or projects may be submitted electronically. Where it is not possible to submit electronically students will be liable for printing costs.
Career Opportunities
Successfully completing the Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to the majority of our engineering, physics and maths courses. Our engineering courses carry professional accreditation and offer excellent career prospects.
Graduates who have entered our degrees through the Foundation Year have progressed to a variety of exciting engineering, science and technology roles in the private and public sectors, as well as to self employment and consultancy, both in the UK and overseas.
The foundation year opened up the opportunity to do any of the fantastic range of engineering degrees on offer at Southampton and that flexibility is what really appealed to me.
Learning & Assessment
Teaching and learning
Our students acquire knowledge and understanding through a combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratory experiments, coursework and individual and group assignments. You will develop the transferable skills for degree success.
Ground-breaking research
The University has an excellent reputation for research in engineering and science. You will be taught by staff at the cutting edge of their research fields in an environment that promotes and values independent enquiry and helps you to develop these skills for yourselves.
Assessment and examinations
You will be assessed through unseen written exams, short tests, assessed coursework in the form of laboratory log books and reports, problems and other set assignments.