| UCAS code | H127 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 year integrated degree programme: 1 year Foundation year plus 3 year undergraduate degree programme |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus |
Streatham Campus (year 1) and Penryn Campus (years 2-4) |
| Discipline | Engineering |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | Eligibility: UK (Home Fee) students who fulfil the criteria as shown within our eligibility criteria below. |
|---|---|
Overview
We believe that fair access to higher education is a fundamental enabler for social mobility and are committed to delivering this through our education. We aim to widen participation and raise attainment - bridging gaps in retention, progression and success - to ensure our students enjoy the best possible outcome.
In support of the University’s Access and Participation Plan this course is only open to UK domiciled students who meet our contextual offer eligibility criteria, or are classed as Mature Students, and who may not have met the entry requirements for first year entry or have not been able to take A-level Mathematics alongside a BTEC L3 Extended Diploma. Check if you are eligible to join this programme on our contextual offer webpages.
- It covers the core mathematics required to successfully complete a Systems Engineering degree programme at the University of Exeter.
- You’ll be learning in a friendly and structured environment and will be supported academically and personally as you prepare to study a Systems Engineering undergraduate degree
- Provided you achieve the specific progression criteria, you will progress into Year 1 of the BEng Environmental Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, Systems Engineering or Mining Engineering course
- International students looking for a foundation course, please visit our INTO page.
Please note: year 1 of this course is taught at Streatham Campus in Exeter (Devon). For years 2-4 you will then move to Penryn Campus (Cornwall).
Top 10 in the UK for General Engineering
10th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and 8th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Hands-on course with an emphasis on practical project work
£6.5million investment in our teaching labs, workshop spaces and equipment
92% of our Engineering research is internationally excellent
Based on research rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021
Eligibility criteria
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | BCC | C in Maths and B in a Science. We will also accept AS Maths at A or Core Maths at A in lieu of A level Maths. |
| IB | 26/544 | Maths HL 4 and Science HL 5 |
| BTEC | DMM | Applicants studying one of the following BTEC Extended Diplomas will be considered without a GCE AL maths and science subjects – Construction and the Built Environment, Building Services Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering |
| GCSE | 4/C | Grade C or 4 in GCSE English language |
| Access to HE | 18 L3 credits at Distinction grade and 27 L3 credits at Merit grade | 12 L3 credits in Maths at Pass Grade and 12 L3 credits at Merit Grade or above in another Science subject |
| T-Levels | T-Levels not accepted | N/A |
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
In support of the University’s Access and Participation Plan this course is only open to UK domiciled students who meet our contextual offer eligibility criteria and who may not have met the entry requirements for first year entry or have not been able to take A-level Mathematics alongside a BTEC L3 Extended Diploma. Check if you are eligible to join this programme on our contextual offer webpages.
*GCE A-Level/AS sciences include: Biology/Human Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Design and Technology; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Life and Health Sciences; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Science (applied); Statistics.
Accreditation
Please note: As part of our ongoing commitment towards improving the student experience at Exeter, we are introducing a new foundation level year to our Engineering degrees from September 2022. The foundation course covers the core maths skills needed to progress onto our Year 1 of the BEng Engineering with Foundation Year programme, or have the opportunity to transfer to Year 1 of another programme with a foundation year provided you meet the entry requirements for that programme. As a result of introducing the foundation year we are currently going through a process to expand our accreditation to include this programme.
Course content
The Foundation Year is part of an integrated 4 year undergraduate degree programme. The information below relates to the Foundation Year only. Please see our 'pathways' below for further information and details of the modules available on the degree programmes you can progress to from the Foundation Year.
The course comprises of 90 credits of core maths, to elevate students’ knowledge to A-level grade A standard, plus some aspects of the further maths curriculum, but concentrating on developing core mathematical skills.
The other 30 credits comprise a project that includes key skills for university study.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
The courses listed below are the pathway options available for these integrated 4-year undergraduate degree programmes. In the second term of your Foundation Year, you will specialise in your chosen course:
Taught at Streatham Campus, Devon:
- Biomedical Engineering with Foundation Year BEng
- Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year BEng
- Civil Engineering with Foundation Year BEng
- Computer Science with Foundation Year BSc
- Data Science with Foundation Year BSc
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year BEng
- Engineering with Foundation Year BEng
- Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year BEng
- Mathematics with Foundation Year BSc
- Natural Sciences with Foundation Year BSc
- Physics with Foundation Year BSc
- Robotics and Artificial Intelligence with Foundation Year BEng
Taught at Penryn Campus, Cornwall:
Exeter’s foundation has been created to support and prepare students for the challenges of an undergraduate degree in Mathematics, Physics, Natural Sciences or Engineering.
The programme has been designed for students with the passion and aptitude for a degree, but who may have missed our standard entry criteria for various reasons, and is a call to widen participation and increase access to higher education.
Read more from Dr Houry Melkonian
Dr Houry Melkonian
Foundation Year Course Director
Fees
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
UK students: £9,535 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Learning and teaching
The way you learn at university may be different from what you have experienced before. Depending on your course, you may encounter a variety of teaching methods.
In the Foundation year of this programme, you will experience a range of teaching and learning activities including lectures, workshops, tutorials, group projects/presentations and/or seminars. The mathematics modules at this stage comprise of 90 credits in total, while the 'Science: Skills and Culture' module is 30 credits. You should expect your total workload to average about 40 hours per week during term time including guided independent study hours.
Visit the course page for BEng Systems Engineering for more details about the learning and teaching methods for the subsequent years of your degree programme.
A research and practice led culture
You will benefit from teaching by academic staff comprising of internationally recognised experts active across a wide range of topics in your chosen degree programme. As you progress through your degree, you will hear about the latest research and have opportunities (for example, the independent research project) to become involved in a research project yourself.
Private study and support
You will be allocated a personal tutor who will be happy to advise or put you in touch with support services, and we encourage you to discuss subject related questions with tutors and lecturers who advertise regular office hours. Extra support is available, for example through our peer mentor scheme, and we have an active student-staff liaison committee.
Assessment
Modules are assessed by a combination of summative assessments. You must pass your foundation year and meet the progression criteria to progress, but the results do not count towards your degree classification.
Your future
Systems engineering is an increasingly important field, driven by the complex challenges facing society. Upon graduation, you will be well-prepared to apply your systems thinking to real-world problems and to leverage your expertise in systems integration, risk management and interdisciplinary engineering.
These skills are highly sought by employers and will open doors to careers in diverse sectors, including aerospace, automotive, energy, telecommunications and manufacturing. You may find roles in systems design and development, project management and consultancy, among others.
Career support
As a University of Exeter student, you will also have access to the Career Zone, providing invaluable support and tailored guidance to help you prepare for your career after university.
Top 10 in the UK for General Engineering
10th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and 8th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Hands-on course with an emphasis on practical project work
£6.5million investment in our teaching labs, workshop spaces and equipment
92% of our Engineering research is internationally excellent
Based on research rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021
