Building Services Engineering with Foundation Year

1st in the UK for continuing students in the subject area of general engineering
Complete University Guide Subject League Table 2026

Get ready for degree-level study with our degree with a foundation year. In Year 0, you’ll be part of a supportive Engineering Foundation Year community, gaining essential skills in mathematics, programming, applied science, and engineering, as well as the confidence to complete a full honours degree as part of this four-year course. You’ll be able to begin this course without needing to meet the standard Level 3 entry requirements, as Year 0 is designed to prepare you for the challenges of engineering study and help you grasp the fundamental concepts needed to progress with confidence. Successful completion of the Foundation Year means you can progress directly into Year 1 of your degree.

From there, you’ll develop the skills to design sustainable, efficient buildings through a Building Services Engineering degree at Canterbury Christ Church University. You’ll learn to balance technical knowledge with practical application, creating building systems that are functional, innovative, and designed for the future.

What you'll learn across your four-year course

• Master the technical expertise required to design sustainable, efficient, and comfortable building environments.

• Manage complex building systems, including heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure.

• Develop essential problem-solving skills through practical training and hands-on industry applications.

• Balance innovative design concepts with functional requirements for both residential and commercial projects.

• Tackle real-world engineering challenges to provide viable solutions for the modern construction sector.

• Opt for a placement year between Years 2 and 3 to gain first-hand industry experience. You can choose this option once you’ve joined us, and we’ll support you throughout, helping you develop valuable real-world experience and enhancing your employability.

Throughout the course you’ll be supported by staff and will develop your skill set through varied activities and assessments. From residential to commercial projects, this course will prepare you for a wide range of exciting career opportunities in the thriving construction industry.

You will also benefit from the engineering facilities in CCCU's STEM building, Verena Holmes. These include wind tunnels, 3D printers, a lab-based water treatment plant, bioreactor, and more. You will share this space with students from other engineering and STEM subject disciplines, enabling you to create interdisciplinary networks with your peers.

This course also offers the opportunity to study abroad between your second and third years, giving selected students the chance to study at one of our prestigious partner institutions in North America. You’ll immerse yourself in a new culture, experience a different academic environment, broaden your horizons, and help you to stand out to employers in an increasingly global world.

By the end of your degree, you'll be well-prepared to tackle complex engineering problems and contribute to real-world solutions.

Specialist facilities
Our multimillion-pound Verena Holmes building is home to our engineering workshop, mechatronics lab, makerspace and mechanical physics lab, all equipped with industry-standard technology such as wind turbines, plasma cutters, laser systems, industry-leading 3D printers, a water treatment plant, a bioreactor, a distillation column, and more.

For a list of core and likely optional modules, please visit our website.