Science and Engineering Foundation Year (SEFY) courses

If you've studied the right subjects but haven’t achieved high enough grades, or you’ve achieved good grades in unrelated subjects, this could be the route for you.

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The Science and Engineering Foundation Year is available as a full-time course. We accept applications from students with a wide variety of qualifications. 

There are a range of courses on offer in each discipline after the foundation year. On application you must confirm which discipline you intend to study but you don't have to decide on the specific programme of study, ie MEng, BEng, Year in Industry, until you've received your foundation year results.

As the foundation year is available to students accessing a range of degree courses, you'll be part of a diverse student community made up of others from different departments and faculties.

Aerospace engineering

Undergraduate

Aerospace Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H409
4 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

You’ll study the research, design, development, construction and flight of aircraft to gain a solid grounding in aerospace engineering. The foundation year will give you the essential skills and knowledge you’ll need to commence your BEng in aerospace, giving you a strong start to your degree.
Undergraduate

Aerospace Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H407
5 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

You’ll study the research, design, development, construction and flight of aircraft to gain a solid grounding in aerospace engineering. The foundation year will give you the essential skills and knowledge you’ll need to commence your MEng in aerospace, giving you a strong start to your degree.

Biomedical engineering

Undergraduate

Biomedical Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H169
4 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Biomedical Engineering is a dynamic, multidisciplinary field linking engineering and medicine to improve health and quality of life. The foundation year prepares you with essential skills and knowledge, and once successfully completed, you’ll progress onto the BEng degree.
Undergraduate

Biomedical Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H160
5 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Biomedical Engineering is a dynamic, multidisciplinary field linking engineering and medicine to improve health and quality of life. The foundation year prepares you with essential skills and knowledge, and once successfully completed, you’ll progress onto the MEng degree.

Chemical engineering

Undergraduate

Chemical Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H809
4 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Learn to create the products that shape our world, from medicines and fuels to plastics and high-tech materials. The foundation year prepares you with essential science, maths, and engineering skills. Once you’ve successfully completed the foundation year, you’ll progress onto the BEng degree.
Undergraduate

Chemical Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H801
5 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Learn to create the products that shape our world, from medicines and fuels to plastics and high-tech materials. The foundation year prepares you with essential science, maths, and engineering skills. Once you’ve successfully completed the foundation year, you’ll progress onto the MEng degree.

Civil and structural engineering

Undergraduate

Civil Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H209
4 years
/ Full-time

In civil engineering you'll study structures, water, geotechnics and environmental issues. The foundation year will give you the essential skills and knowledge you’ll need to commence your BEng in Civil Engineering, giving you a strong start to your degree.
Undergraduate

Civil and Structural Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H201
5 years

In civil engineering you'll study structures, water, geotechnics and environmental issues. The foundation year will give you the essential skills and knowledge you’ll need to commence your MEng in Civil and Structural Engineering, giving you a strong start to your degree.

Computer science

Undergraduate

Computer Science with a Foundation Year BSc

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code G409
4 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Embark on a transformative journey with our innovative and comprehensive BSc in Computer Science.
Undergraduate

Computer Science with a Foundation Year MComp

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code G401
5 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Embark on a transformative journey with our innovative and comprehensive integrated masters in Computer Science.
Undergraduate

Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) with a Foundation Year BSc

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code G709
5 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

If you want to study Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) but don't meet our standard entry requirements, our foundation year could be for you. You'll learn the fundamentals of maths, physics and engineering in a variety of innovative ways to prepare you for your degree.
Undergraduate

Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) with a Foundation Year MComp

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code G701
5 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

If you want to study Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) but don't meet our standard entry requirements, our foundation year could be for you. You'll learn the fundamentals of maths, physics and engineering in a variety of innovative ways to prepare you for your degree.
Undergraduate

Software Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code G659
4 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

If you want to study software engineering but don't meet our standard entry requirements, our foundation year could be for you. You'll learn the fundamentals of maths, physics and engineering in a variety of innovative ways to prepare you for your degree.
Undergraduate

Software Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code G651
5 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

If you want to study software engineering but don't meet our standard entry requirements, our foundation year could be for you. You'll learn the fundamentals of maths, physics and engineering in a variety of innovative ways to prepare you for your degree.

Computer systems engineering 

Undergraduate

Computer Systems Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H139
4 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Learn about the fundamental concepts in computer systems engineering, including mathematics, physics and programming. Once you’ve successfully completed the foundation year, you can start your main degree.
Undergraduate

Computer Systems Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H131
5 years
/ Full-time

Learn about the fundamental concepts in computer systems engineering, including mathematics, physics and programming. Once you’ve successfully completed the foundation year, you can start your main degree.

Electrical and electronic engineering

Undergraduate

Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H609
4 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Explore power systems, power electronics, digital electronics, circuits and devices, electrical machines and drives. Your study covers theoretical and practical aspects across the range of electronic and electrical engineering. Once you’ve successfully completed the foundation year, you can start your main degree.
Undergraduate

Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H602
5 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Explore power systems, power electronics, digital electronics, circuits and devices, electrical machines and drives. Your study covers theoretical and practical aspects across the range of electronic and electrical engineering. Once you’ve successfully completed the foundation year, you can start your main degree.

General engineering

Undergraduate

General Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H109
4 years
/ Full-time

If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for an engineering degree, a foundation year is for you.
Undergraduate

General Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H101
5 years
/ Full-time

If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for an engineering degree, a foundation year is for you.

Materials engineering

Undergraduate

Materials Science and Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code J509
4 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Materials Science and Engineering explores the principles of materials and how they are used in engineering. This foundation year is for students looking to strengthen their science skills and knowledge before starting the degree, preparing you for the BEng degree and hands-on materials projects.
Undergraduate

Materials Science and Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code J501
5 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

This course explores the principles of materials and how they are used in engineering. This foundation year is for students looking to strengthen their science skills and knowledge before starting the degree, giving a strong start and preparing you for the MEng, and hands-on materials projects.

Materials science and engineering

Undergraduate

Materials Science and Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code J509
4 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Materials Science and Engineering explores the principles of materials and how they are used in engineering. This foundation year is for students looking to strengthen their science skills and knowledge before starting the degree, preparing you for the BEng degree and hands-on materials projects.
Undergraduate

Materials Science and Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code J501
5 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

This course explores the principles of materials and how they are used in engineering. This foundation year is for students looking to strengthen their science skills and knowledge before starting the degree, giving a strong start and preparing you for the MEng, and hands-on materials projects.

Mechanical engineering

Undergraduate

Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H309
4 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Covering the fundamental principles of mechanical engineering, this degree provides a blend of theoretical learning with practical hands-on experience. The foundation year will give you the essential skills and knowledge you’ll need to commence your BEng, giving you a strong start to your degree.
Undergraduate

Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H301
5 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Covering the fundamental principles of mechanical engineering, this degree provides a blend of theoretical learning with practical hands-on experience. The foundation year will give you the essential skills and knowledge you’ll need to commence your MEng, giving you a strong start to your degree.

Mechatronic and robotic engineering

Undergraduate

Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H653
4 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Learn about the fundamental concepts in mechatronic and robotic areas, including mathematics, computing, control, electronics and embedded systems.
Undergraduate

Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering with a Foundation Year MEng

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB; BBC
UCAS code H659
5 years
/ Full-time
Accredited

Learn about the fundamental concepts in mechatronic and robotic areas, including mathematics, computing, control, electronics and embedded systems.

Physics

Undergraduate

Physics with a Foundation Year BSc

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB
UCAS code F302
4 years
/ Full-time

Gain the scientific background needed for a physics degree with our foundation year course. Study the laws that shape the Universe and gain the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to progress onto our BSc degree courses.
Undergraduate

Physics with a Foundation Year MPhys

2026-27
/ September start
A Levels BBB
UCAS code F309
5 years
/ Full-time

Gain the scientific background needed for a physics degree with our foundation year course. Study the laws that shape the Universe and gain the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to progress onto our MPhys degree courses.

Related information

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International undergraduate scholarships

We are offering scholarships of £2,500 for each year (subject to a 60% average) of your undergraduate degree. The maximum value is £10,000 for four-year programmes.

Apply now to join us in September and check if you're eligible