General Engineering with a Foundation Year

Build the strongest foundations for your career by becoming a truly interdisciplinary engineer: study general engineering.

With a selection of modules from four engineering schools and a choice of six specialisms, you'll immerse yourself in the varied fields of engineering.

In an increasingly complex and challenging world, knowledge and expertise beyond a single discipline is invaluable for 21st century engineers.

If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for an engineering degree, a foundation year is for you. After successfully completing the foundation year, you automatically progress onto year 1 of your chosen degree.

In your foundation year, you'll develop your skills in maths, physics and laboratory work, preparing you to excel in your degree studies. You'll learn with academics specialising in the subject areas, using the same delivery and assessment styles as our degree courses. Project work, both individual and in groups, will also be led by academics.

A foundation year is an excellent way to prepare for your chosen engineering course and gain access to a top university education.

Why study this course?

• Top five for general engineering - Sheffield is one of the top five UK universities for the subject, according to The Guardian University Guide 2025.

• Customise your degree - Study here and you have the option to specialise in 11 streams across the Faculty of Engineering – from aerospace to software engineering.

• Access expert teaching - Get support from across the faculty and sample engineering from many different angles to help you decide your future engineering discipline.

• Practical, hands-on experience - Benefit from state-of-the-art laboratories across the University, including everything The Diamond has to offer.