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Mathematics with Foundation Year

Entry requirements


A level

A,B,B

ABB from 3 A-levels excluding mathematics. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Students who are highlighted in this way will receive additional scrutiny during confirmation of results If you have taken mathematics at A-level then you are not eligible for the Foundation Year.

AQA Level 3 Technical Level (720 glh)

DD

Typical entry criteria will be to achieve Distinction, Distinction in the Engineering Design or Mechatronic Engineering AQA Tech Level 3, plus grade B in one A level subject (excluding mathematics) A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. If you have taken mathematics at A-level then you are not eligible for the Foundation Year.

Access to HE Diploma

D:30,M:15

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 of which at least 30 credits, including all credits from graded maths modules, must be graded Distinction and the remainder must be graded Merit. We accept Engineering, Computer Science or Science Level 3 Access courses only. Applicants should offer at least one maths module.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,M2,M2

D3, M2, M2 in three Prinicpal Subjects, excluding mathematics. If you have taken mathematics as a Principal Subject then you are not eligible for the Foundation Year.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 6/B)

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

32

A typical offer for the IB is Pass with 32 points overall, with 16 points required at Higher Level including 5 points in Standard or Higher Level Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation). Please note that we cannot accept the combination of subjects that make you eligible for direct entry to your chosen course e.g. taking both Mathematics and Physics at Higher Level. Please refer to our website for details about subject restrictions. Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H1,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3

H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 excluding mathematics If you have taken mathematics at Higher Level then you are not eligible for the Foundation Year.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma

DD

Typical entry criteria will be to achieve grade B in one A level subject (excluding mathematics) plus Cambridge Technical Diploma in Engineering (Level 3) with overall grade of Distinction, Distinction. Additionally Distinctions are required in Maths for Engineering and Applied Maths for Engineering modules. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. If you have taken mathematics at A-level then you are not eligible for the Foundation Year.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate

D

Typical entry criteria will be to achieve AB in two A-Levels (excluding mathematics) plus Cambridge Extended Certificate in Engineering (Level 3) with Distinction. Additionally Distinctions are required in both Maths for Eng or Applied Maths for Eng (if studied). A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. If you have taken mathematics at A-level then you are not eligible for the Foundation Year.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

DDD

Typical entry criteria will be to achieve Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering (Level 3) with overall grade Distinction, Distinction, Distinction. Additionally Distinctions are required in Maths for Engineering and Applied Maths for Engineering modules.

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)

DD

DD in the BTEC Diploma, plus grade B in an A-level subject excluding mathematics. A pass in the associated A-level science Practical is required where applicable. If you have taken mathematics at A-level then you are not eligible for the Foundation Year.

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)

DDD

For the BTEC National Extended Diploma, the subject must be one of: • Aeronautical Engineering • Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • Electrical/ Electronic Engineering • Manufacturing Engineering Additionally, distinctions are required in Mathematics for Technicians and Further Mathematics for Technicians We do not accept any other BTEC subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DD

A typical offer is DD in the BTEC National Diploma, plus B in one A-level subject excluding mathematics. We also normally require distinctions in both of the following modules: Further Engineering Mathematics and Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems modules. If you are not sure if your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Team. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. If you have taken mathematics at A-level then you are not eligible for the Foundation Year.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

D

A typical offer is D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate, plus grades AB in two A-levels excluding mathematics. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. If you have taken mathematics at A-level then you are not eligible for the Foundation Year.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD

For the BTEC National Extended Diploma, the subject must be one of: • Aeronautical Engineering • Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • Electrical/ Electronic Engineering • Manufacturing Engineering Additionally, distinctions are required in Further Engineering Mathematics and Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems modules. We do not accept any other BTEC subjects.

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)

D

A typical offer is D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, plus grades AB in two A-levels excluding mathematics. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. If you have taken mathematics at A-level then you are not eligible for the Foundation Year.

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4" We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T Level

D

A Distinction, including a Core A grade, in either of the following T-levels: Digital Production, Design and Development or Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

B

ABB from 3 A levels excluding mathematics. or AB from two A levels, excluding mathematics, and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. If you have taken mathematics at A-level then you are not eligible for the Foundation Year.

UCAS Tariff

128

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

General or integrated engineering

This one-year full-time course is integrated with a further three-year undergraduate degree, and will equip you with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to successfully meet the challenges of our BSc Mathematics degree.

It is aimed at students who are highly motivated but did not choose the A level subjects required for direct entry to their chosen degree, are studying a BTEC, are an international or a mature student. Successful completion of this Foundation Year guarantees progression to one of seventeen subject areas, including Mathematics.

You will study full time through a combination of lectures, workshops, tutorials, and independent study, with three hours of laboratory practical work each week.

You will learn the core principles of mathematics, mechanical and physical science, and electricity and electronics.

You will undertake laboratory work and a variety of assignments to develop your critical thinking and problem solving and will receive full support and feedback from subject tutors to progress your academic development.

Modules

Whichever degree you are aiming for you will take these core modules: Electricity and Electronics, Engineering Principles, Coursework (including computer applications), Mathematics A and B, Mechanical Science, and Routes to Success.

Specialist Science and Engineering English language module available.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed through a combination of examinations and coursework activities such as formal reports and laboratory reports – all of which you will encounter as typical assessment methods throughout your degree.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£23,620
per year
International
£23,620
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Main Site - Highfield Campus

Department:

Foundation Year (Engineering)

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What students say


How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

General or integrated engineering

Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.


Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

78%
UK students
22%
International students
77%
Male students
23%
Female students
82%
2:1 or above
15%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
A
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Engineering (non-specific)

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£27,000
med
Average annual salary
94%
med
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

56%
Engineering professionals
9%
Information technology and telecommunications professionals
5%
Business, research and administrative professionals

As a mixed subject within engineering where students get a chance to learn from a range of disciplines, this course isn't taken by as many people as some of the more specialist disciplines. Demand for engineering skills is high, though, and so unemployment rates are low and the average starting salary was a very healthy £26,400 for 2015 graduates. Graduates are able to specialise enough to be working in jobs in engineering — especially in design and development - as well as engineering project management. IT and management consultancy were some of the more common jobs outside engineering. Bear in mind that a lot of courses are four years long, and lead to a MEng qualification — this is necessary if you want to become a Chartered Engineer.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Engineering (non-specific)

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£29k

£29k

£34k

£34k

£41k

£41k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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Course location and department:

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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