Engineering (Mechanical)

The Foundation Degree in Engineering aims to allow learners to develop the knowledge, understanding, cognitive ability, professional competence, and transferrable skills to progress into successful careers in the Engineering sector. Through a combination of pathway-specific and jointly-taught modules, learners will have the opportunity to build technical expertise in their chosen Engineering discipline, whilst developing the understanding of interdisciplinarity which is vital to the modern Engineering sector. A system engineering approach, reflective of contemporary sector practice, underpins all modules, and learners will have the opportunity to develop their skills and understanding across key themes of sustainable, digital, and autonomous engineering.

The Foundation Degree includes different pathways – Aerospace or Mechanical. Students will apply for their chosen pathway, and this will remain fixed for the duration of their studies; it will not be possible for students to switch between pathways once enrolled on their course. The pathways are made up of a combination of common shared modules, and specialist pathway-specific modules, as appropriate.

The course is taught by well qualified lecturers who are dedicated to ensuring student success through effective curriculum delivery and high-quality pastoral support. The team includes staff with relevant academic qualifications and sector expertise.

This course is available on a full time basis, and is taught in-person at our Yeovil College campus. The full time course is studied over two years The course is also available part time over three years.

After the course
This course would prepare students well to work in a range of technical roles across the Engineering sector. Students who successfully complete the Foundation Degree will have demonstrated the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making, and are able to undertake further training, develop existing skills and acquire new competences.

Upon successful completion, students would also be eligible to apply for further study, for example, undertaking the BEng (Hons) Engineering top-up degree offered at Yeovil College University Centre.

Learning will be achieved through a combination of class-based sessions, practical work, group activity, and independent study plus additional 1:1 support available by student request. As with all higher education programmes, students are required to take ownership of their learning and development, and should therefore expect to spend time studying with independence outside of lectures. Time spent studying independently may include reading journal articles and relevant books, undertaking research, and completing assignments by set deadlines.

As a rough guide, between timetabled sessions and independent work a student should expect to spend around 10 hours studying for each credit they undertake. A full-time student will typically undertake 120 credits per academic year, and a part-time student may undertake between 75-90 credits per academic year, to total the full 240 credits over the three years of study.

You will study a range of units that will develop your specialist knowledge and skills. Modules currently offered include:
Aerospace Pathway
Level 4:
• Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)
• Electrical and Digital Principles (15 credits)
• Material Engineering (15 credits)
• Product Design and Innovation (30 credits)
• Mechanical Principles (15 credits)
• Thermofluids (15 credits)
• Electronic Principles (15 credits)

Level 5:
• Research Project (30 credits)
• Further Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)
• Engineering Business Management (15 credits)
• Advanced Manufacturing Techniques (15 credits)
• Further Mechanical Principles (15 credits)
• Applied Thermofluids (15 credits)
• Electrical and Digital Principles (15 credits)

Alongside developing a range of subject-specific skills, this course also gives you the opportunity to develop important transferable skills such as critical analysis, academic writing, time management, and communication.

Please be aware that modules studied may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, in response to student or stakeholder feedback, or as a result of regulatory body requirements. However, no significant changes to modules would be implemented without student consultation and feedback. Enrolled students can always find the most up-to-date information about their modules and who is teaching them in their course handbook.

An assessment schedule, outlining all assessments and deadlines, will be issued to you at the start of each academic year. You will be assessed using a range of methods which will reflect the requirements of the subject, including essays, controlled assessments, presentations, assignments, and practical assessments. Feedback will be provided to you in writing, along with information reflecting your performance and recommendations for improvement.