Electro-Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons) with foundation year

Study level: Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses
Electro-Mechanical Engineering student using machinery

The Electro-Mechanical Engineering with foundation year BEng (Hons) course aims to provide you with a solid grounding for building a career in the engineering sector.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU London (Dagenham, London)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

HH38

Start date

September 2024
November 2024
January 2025
March 2025
May 2025
June 2025

Available through Clearing

Check out our guide to Clearing, discover clearing tips, information and advice.

There may be HNC or HND versions of this course available with lower entry requirements. Contact us to discuss your options.



Course overview

Foundation year

Studying to be an engineer and gaining the right skills and the right qualifications, could see you enjoy frequent travel, passion projects and a fulfilling career. A strength of this course is the chance to prepare for a career in Electro-Mechanical Engineering, without following a more traditional route to a degree.

Degree

Practitioners of this discipline can be capable of working on significant global issues such as the effects of climate change or improving city infrastructure.

Engineering empowers you to combine creativity with precision on a daily basis. The Electro-Mechanical BEng (Hons) degree can offer you broad and diverse career options, including transport, power, vehicle, systems, design, manufacturing, mechatronics, renewable and mechanical engineering.

Engineering is an exciting subject that could see you enjoy frequent travel, passion projects and a fulfilling career. Alongside possible international opportunities2, you may get the chance to conduct critical research with our experienced staff, learn from skilled guest visitors and take part in an invaluable placement year2.

Why you should study this course

Your first year on the Electro-Mechanical Engineering with foundation year BEng (Hons) course provides you with opportunities to develop fundamental knowledge and skills in a range of mathematical and engineering principles, as well as the theories and concepts of electrical and mechanical engineering.

When you successfully complete your foundation year, you can then progress onto the Electro-Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons), which could offer you broad and diverse career options, including transport, power, vehicle, systems, design, manufacturing, mechatronics, renewable and mechanical engineering.

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What you'll study

The course focuses on the demands of the modern engineering workplace encompassing the main engineering disciplines. This will reflect contemporary practices, with an emphasis on practical skills and student employability.

High levels of support are a cornerstone of the course and you will work on diverse realistic projects throughout your final year.

With the pace of technological development, engineering should be considered as applied problem-solving. Integrating the different technologies at the heart of modern engineering, this course aims to provide a grounding in a variety of different engineering disciplines before developing skills in accessing information, converting it into knowledge and applying and evaluating it.

Successful graduates should not only gain the knowledge required for a successful career in engineering but also, the highly sought-after skills to be self-managing, self-developing individuals.

Alongside an introduction to the underpinning principles of both electrical and mechanical engineering, this course aims to help you develop proficiency in basic mathematics, science and applied knowledge. Throughout the year, you will be taught sought-after design skills by using industry-standard software. This provides you with a solid foundation for further exploration in years two and three. If you choose to leave the course after completing Year 1, you’ll be eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Electro-Mechanical Engineering.

Modules

As the course progresses, you will be expected to build on knowledge gained in Year 1 to cement a solid foundation of core principles. You are no longer working with the basics of engineering; you will now advance your knowledge of mechatronics, manufacturing, mechanical engineering and use industry-standard hardware and software4 across a wide range of applications. You will also look at the contemporary issues that tomorrow’s engineers face including renewable energy sources. If you choose to leave the course after completing Year 2, you’ll be eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Electro-Mechanical Engineering.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

In the exciting final year, you’ll aim to refine the art of independent working. You will get the opportunity2 to study the field of systems engineering and control, embedded systems and project management, with investigation and analysis into varieties of industry-standard projects and future trends. Working autonomously, you will develop the skills needed to excel in a modern engineering environment and refine your capacity to engage effectively with the application of modern technologies. When you successfully complete your final year, you’ll be awarded a BEng (Hons) degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering. 

Modules

The foundation year in Engineering aims to provide you with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed in a range of mathematical and engineering principles, as well as the theories and concepts of electrical and mechanical engineering.

Successful completion of your foundation course will provide a strong framework, should you continue to study towards your Electro-Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons) degree.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Your initial foundation year is focused on applied learning geared to high-intensity teaching and study throughout the course. The delivery of course content is a blend of lectures, tutorials and online mediums.

After your foundation year, you will have the option to do either another three years full-time or another four-year sandwich course where you undertake a work placement or study year in a related field2.

Our teaching methods for the degree courses are varied depending on which course/modules you take, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our current online learning platform, Aula.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which are more reflective of our learning model.


Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 contact hours per week each year (excluding placement year), made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake up to 30 hours of self-directed study, depending on the demands of individual modules.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, we may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended or distance learning), we may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

During your foundation year, the learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which take place at the end of each six-week block. This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending on the degree selected or the module.

Course breakdown:

  • Coursework
  • Interactive assessments
  • Phase tests

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online tutorial support, workshops and group work. We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our current online learning platform, Aula.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which are more reflective of our learning model.


Teaching contact hours

You can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which take place at the end of each six-week block.

Course Breakdown:

  • Coursework
  • Phase Tests

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Clearing places available on this course

See if you have enough points (UCAS tariff 2024)

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Additional requirements may apply

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Foundation year

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £7,950 Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Degree

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £7,950 per year Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

Tuition fees3 cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees3:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Foundation year funding

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.


Facilities

You’ll be based in the spacious Civic Centre building, which provides an outstanding learning environment. You will have access to our Library & Learning Services, which hosts multiple study areas and loanable laptops, fully-equipped seminar rooms and impressive IT suites. Our laboratories are home to industry-standard equipment, so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals4.


Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion, you should be able to:

  • critically appraise an engineering scenario with a view to apply innovative technologies to improve efficiency or effectiveness
  • explain engineering principles, solve simple, practical problems in an engineering context, show practical skills in a laboratory/workshop environment and have the educational preparation for a career as an engineering technician
  • use an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to engineering studies
  • develop practical skills to solve complex workshop based problems
  • appraise an engineering problem and debate alternative, sustainable solutions
  • key practical and transferable skills to enhance their long-term employability or to progress to specialist, postgraduate study.

Successfully completing the BEng means your chances of employment are improved and the level at which you enter the jobs market could mean a higher salary. With a demand for engineering professionals in all industries, you could have an expansive list of career paths to explore. 

Successful graduates will be knowledgeable across a range of engineering disciplines and could go on to work in a vast range of engineering sectors such as software, nuclear, textile or civil engineering. 

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates have progressed to become Engineering Technicians, Project Managers and Trainee Engineering Lecturers.

Further study

Many of our graduates have progressed to postgraduate study and are working towards a master’s qualification in fields such as petroleum engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, automotive engineering and electrical and electronic engineering.


How to apply

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