Program Overview

Introduction to the Engineering Foundation Year

The Engineering Foundation Year at University College London (UCL) is designed for individuals who aspire to become engineers but do not meet the standard entry requirements for UCL's undergraduate engineering degrees. This program is specifically tailored for people from groups underrepresented at UCL, aiming to address discrepancies in the take-up of higher education opportunities between different underrepresented groups of UK students.

Eligibility and How to Apply

To be eligible for the Engineering Foundation Year, applicants must meet a mixture of academic and non-academic eligibility criteria and be deemed eligible by UCL Admissions for UK/home fee status. The non-academic eligibility criteria are compulsory and include factors such as eligibility for free school meals, postcode criteria, and other socioeconomic factors. Applicants must apply for one of the participating UCL courses 'with Integrated Foundation Year' on UCAS.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be eligible to pay UK/home fees as determined by UCL Admissions.
• Non-academic eligibility criteria include:
  • Eligibility for free school meals
  • Postcode criteria
  • Other socioeconomic factors

Application Process

• Apply for a participating UCL course 'with Integrated Foundation Year' on UCAS.
• The course applied for will be the course the student automatically continues onto after successful completion of the Engineering Foundation Year.

What You Will Learn

The Engineering Foundation Year provides a solid grounding in the skills needed to continue onto an engineering undergraduate program at UCL. The program includes:

• Development of academic and study skills
• Subject-specific knowledge, mostly focused on mathematics and science
• Lab work using UCL's facilities at the Marshgate building at UCL East
• Hands-on projects to solve real-world problems
• Development of team working skills

Studying Engineering at UCL

Studying engineering at UCL offers a unique experience, with a focus on teaching students how to think, not what to think. The Integrated Engineering Programme model incorporates plenty of hands-on activities to help students understand how to solve real-world problems. UCL Engineering graduates are recognized as some of the most talented and well-paid across the world, progressing into a variety of sectors and workplaces.

Career Opportunities

• Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI)
• Skyscraper design and satellite construction
• And many more fields

UCL East Campus

The base of the Engineering Foundation Year is the UCL East campus, a new purpose-built campus in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This cutting-edge campus is designed to bring together students, academics, and local communities to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the planet.

Support for Students

UCL offers a package of bespoke wraparound support integrated into the Engineering Foundation Year, including:

• Mentoring
• Wellbeing support
• A buddying scheme
• Workshops
• Financial help
• Career advice

Additionally, UCL has support networks for mature students, care-experienced students, and students affected by war, conflict, and disasters, among others.

Financial Support

UCL understands concerns about student debt and offers means-tested bursaries to students beginning the Engineering Foundation Year. The university also advises on financial support from Student Finance, including the foundation year itself, which is considered a normal part of the degree.

Bursaries and Scholarships

• Means-tested bursaries available
• Other UCL awards and scholarships
• External funding opportunities

Conclusion

The Engineering Foundation Year at UCL is a unique opportunity for individuals from underrepresented groups to pursue a career in engineering. With its comprehensive support package, cutting-edge facilities, and focus on developing academic and professional skills, this program sets students up for success in their future careers.