Engineering Foundation

Program Overview

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Engineering Foundation

Overview

The demand for engineers is at an all-time high in the UK. By studying our foundation course, you’ll be taking your first step to success. We’ll prepare you for degrees in mechanical, motorsport, and automotive engineering, so you can kickstart your career and become part of this exciting industry.

Technical expertise meets creativity and imagination on this course. You'll explore the basic mathematical and scientific principles in engineering and how they apply to the real world. All of this knowledge will help you bring ideas to life.

Gaining hands-on experience will be important too. You’ll work with real engine components and take part in industry-inspired workshops, with plenty of time spent in our laboratories. At times it will be challenging, but it means you’ll feel ready to join one of our degree programmes by the end of your foundation year.

If you're a motorsports fanatic then there’s no better place to study than Oxford Brookes. We’re connected to the industry and even have our own Formula Student team which you can get involved with as a foundation student.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Oxford Brookes Racing
• At the heart of motorsport
• International experts
• Academic collaboration
• Build a foundation
• Learn a language
• Study abroad

Course Details

Course Structure

Every engineer needs excellent mathematics skills. That’s why you’ll complete a double module in maths. Don’t worry, we'll start with the basics, and gradually explore more complex areas. We also cover data analysis and statistics which are also key skills for professionals in this area.

You’ll look at the mechanical principles that underpin engineering, from forces, stresses, and strains, to kinematics, thermodynamics, and experimental techniques. We’ll also explore electronic engineering principles and how these principles come to life in engineering parts, devices, and systems.

By looking at engineering applications, you’ll understand how mechanical and electronic engineering integrate. That’s key for knowing how to use materials, build faster cars and create real change.

We’ve designed this course so you’ll be ready to move on to our degree programme when you finish. With knowledge of the key principles, you’ll be ready to take your learning to the next level and apply your skills to practical design challenges.

Learning and Teaching

Our teaching methods include:

• Lectures with question-and-answer sessions
• Demonstrations
• Small-group tutorials
• Practical work

We also use tutorial sheets and assignments to develop your abilities and provide focused feedback. As well as encourage you to work on your own and extend your understanding.

Assessment

We assess you through a combination of examination and coursework. However, some modules are based wholly on coursework.

Our assessment methods include:

• Assignments
• Library exercises
• Class tests
• Online tests
• Assessed practical work using innovative applications of IT and specialised equipment

Study Modules

Teaching for this course takes place face to face and you can expect around 11 hours of contact time per week. In addition to this, you should also anticipate a workload of 1,200 hours per year. Teaching usually takes place Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 6.00pm.

Year 1

Compulsory Modules

• Fundamentals and Applications of Technology
• Engineering Applications
• Basic Data Analysis
• Basic Mechanical Engineering Principles
• Basic Electronic Engineering Principles
• Foundation Engineering Mathematics

Careers

If you pass this foundation course, we guarantee you a place on one of our engineering degree programmes. Students who progress to a degree subject have even become members of staff for the department after graduating.

Whatever you decide to do next, you’ll get support from the University Career Service. The team can help you research companies and careers, as well as explain how to apply for jobs.

Entry Requirements

Standard Offer

• UCAS Tariff Points: 56
• A Level: CD
• IB Points: 24
• BTEC: MP or PPP

Further Offer Details

We welcome applications from candidates with alternative qualifications, and from mature students.

Specific Entry Requirements

• GCSE: Maths at grade 5/B; English Language at grade 4/C minimum normally required

English Language Requirements

Please see the University's standard English language requirements.

English Requirements for Visas

If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements.

Credit Transfer

Many of our courses consider applications for entry part-way through the course for students who have credit from previous learning or relevant professional experience.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

International Qualifications and Equivalences

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How to Apply

Application Process

• Full time Home (UK) applicants: Apply through UCAS
• Part time Home (UK) applicants: Apply direct to the University
• International applicants: Apply direct to the University

Full time international applicants can also apply through UCAS

Tuition Fees

2025 / 26

• Home (UK) full time: £9,535
• Home (UK) part time: £1,190 per single module
• International full time: £17,750

2026 / 27

• Home (UK) full time: £9,535*
• International full time: £18,250

Funding Your Studies

Financial Support and Scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

• Oxford Brookes Bursary for Continuing Students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for part-time UK students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for full-time UK students
• Undergraduate tuition fee loans for UK students
• Oxford Brookes Bursary for New Students

Additional Costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Optional Costs

• It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required.
• You may choose to purchase books to support your studies.
• Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills)
• Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs)
• Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography.
• Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes.