Science and Engineering Foundation Year

Southampton, Solent University

Why study a science and engineering foundation year?

Study a science and engineering foundation year at Solent University and develop your academic and subject specific skills, before starting your degree.

Course overview

The Science and Engineering Foundation Year is the ideal way to prepare for degree study, with successful completion granting direct access to undergraduate engineering, yacht design or electronics degree courses.

By the time you start your degree course you will have acquired an essential portfolio of academic and subject specific skills, giving you the very best chance of achieving a high-level degree.

Modules of study include a group technology project, an exploration of information and analysis, a theoretical and applied look at concepts and processes within technology, and a project relating directly to your chosen degree path. The degree-related project is undertaken with the support of academics who will be teaching on the degree programme you have chosen. This ensures that the skills and knowledge you develop during the foundation year will be directly applicable to your degree studies.

Collaborative working is another key element. From the start of the year, you’ll work on both individual and group work, helping you to meet fellow students and develop group working skills. These are essential in the science and engineering industries, where cross-discipline working and teamwork are vital parts of delivering successful projects.

Who this course is for

The Science and Engineering Foundation Year is intended for students without the UCAS points for direct entry. This could be mature students returning to education, younger students without the required qualifications, or students looking to change career path after completing further education qualifications.

Throughout your time you'll benefit from a supportive and student-focused approach to learning. The course team have significant experience working with students from a diverse range of academic and professional backgrounds. Foundation years are taught in relatively small groups with a focus on individual development and 'learning by doing'. This teaching style develops through the year, gently putting the emphasis on the learner in preparation for further study at degree level.

Our foundation years are designed to offer a broad range of academic skills alongside a taste of the wider industry before you start your chosen specialist undergraduate degree. Some degrees also include a year in industry, meaning you can gain valuable first-hand work experience with a year-long full-time work placement between the second and third years of your degree.