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  6. BEng Materials Engineering with a Foundation Year

Materials Science and Engineering with a Foundation Year, BEng (Hons)

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The Complete University Guide 2021

Key Course Details

  • UK
  • EU
  • International
4 Year Full Time
UCAS Code
J505
Mode of Study
Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents)
BBB-BCC
Location
Bay Campus
Start Date Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2021 £ 9,000
4 Year Full Time
UCAS Code
J505
Mode of Study
Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents)
BBB-BCC
Location
Bay Campus
Start Date Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2021 £ 22,650
4 Year Full Time
UCAS Code
J505
Mode of Study
Campus Based
Typical Offer
BBB-BCC - More Information
Location
Bay Campus
Start Date Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2021 £ 22,650
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Course Overview

Successful innovation depends on the selection and performance of key materials. From cars, aeroplanes and cruise ships, to sports equipment and musical instruments, the right materials can help to define technological progress. 

Materials Science and Engineering explores how the properties of matter can be controlled. It includes elements of physics and chemistry, connecting closely with most other areas of engineering.

The integrated Engineering Foundation Year programme can lead to any full engineering degree. It is not a qualification in its own right, but the first year of a four-year BEng degree.

This degree will prepare you for a rewarding career across engineering sectors including aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, sports, and energy generation.

As you progress, your developing analytical abilities will combine with hands-on experience of advanced equipment, establishing skills which are vital to securing employment in the wider aerospace industry.

Why Materials Science and Engineering with a Foundation Year at Swansea?

Engineering at Swansea University has a strong reputation and attracts students from across the world.

  • Materials Science and Engineering at Swansea is ranked 6th in the UK and 4th for Student Satisfaction by The Guardian University League Table, and 1st for Graduate Prospects by The Complete University Guide 2021.
  • Within six months of graduating, 97% of Materials Science and Engineering graduates are employed or in further study (16/17 Graduate DLHE).
  • Materials Science and Engineering at Swansea ranks Top 250 in The QS World University Rankings 2020.

 

A flexibly structured degree path means you have the opportunity to study abroad for a year or work in industry for a year. 

A selection of optional modules are offered in the later years of study, helping to closely align the degree with your interests.

Your Materials Science and Engineering with a Foundation Year Experience

As all Engineering Foundation Year students study all the same modules, there is a good rapport amongst students which creates a friendly and supportive study atmosphere.

Materials Science and Engineering with a Foundation Year Employment Opportunities

Graduates of Materials Science and Engineering at Swansea are set on course for a range of exciting career opportunities. Your future could lie in any of the following roles:

  • Metallurgist
  • Product Development Scientist
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Manufacturing Systems Engineer 
  • Patent Examiner
  • Quality Manager
  • Process Development Scientist

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Programme Specification

Modules

The Engineering integrated Foundation Year programme is a common one which leads on to any of our branches of engineering. It is not a stand-alone qualification, but is the first year of a 4-year BEng degree.

Year 0 (Level 3)

Entry Level 3 / Foundation Year
Compulsory Modules
Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule Name
EG-062 Period September-January10Development of Key Skills for Engineers
EG-065 Period September-January20Basic Engineering Analysis 1
EG-080 Period September-January10Fundamentals of Materials
EG-085 Period September-January10Foundation Chemistry
EG-086 Period September-January10Engineering Science
EG-040 Period January-June10Electricity and Magnetism
EG-060 Period January-June20Mechanics
EG-061 Period January-June10Thermofluid Mechanics
EG-066 Period January-June20Basic Engineering Analysis 2

Year 1 (Level 4)

FHEQ 4 Undergraduate / HECert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules
Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule Name
EG-126 Period September-January5Engineering for People Hackathon
EG-129 Period September-January5Critical Logic
EG-180 Period September-January10Introduction to Materials Engineering
EG-183 Period September-January10Materials Resources
EG-187 Period September-January10Engineering Analysis for Materials 1
EGA163 Period September-January10Design and Laboratory Classes 1
EG-182 Period January-June10Manufacturing Technology I
EG-184 Period January-June10Mechanical Properties of Materials
EG-185 Period January-June10Materials Practicals 1: structure / property links in metals
EG-188 Period January-June10Engineering Analysis for Materials 2
EGA110 Period January-June10Instrumental and Analytical Chemistry
EGA113 Period January-June10Case Studies in Materials
Optional Modules
 

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : If a student has done A level (or equivalent) Chemistry but not Physics they must opt for EGA106. If a student has done A level (or equivalent) Physics but not Chemistry they must opt for EGA103. If a student has done A level (or equivalent) Physics and Chemistry they must opt for EG-124 and EG-127. In the unlikely event that a student has no chemistry or physics background they would be best advised to do EGA106.

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
EG-124 Period September-January5Critical Thinking in Engineering
EG-127 Period September-January5Introduction to MATLAB for Engineers
EGA103 Period September-January10Foundation Chemistry
EGA106 Period September-January10Engineering Science

Year 2 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDip
Compulsory Modules
Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule Name
EG-279 Period September-January10Functional and Smart Materials
EG-280 Period September-January10Microstructure Evolution and Control in Metallic Materials
EG-285 Period September-January10Statistical Techniques in Engineering
EG-286 Period September-January10Materials Practicals 2a: Microstructure Development in Alloy Systems
EG-290 Period September-January10Order and Disorder in Materials
EG-292 Period September-January10Modelling and Simulation of Materials
EG-218 Period January-June10Materials for Energy
EG-281 Period January-June10Polymers: Structure and Processing
EG-282 Period January-June10Computational Materials 1
EG-283 Period January-June10Mechanical Deformation in Structural Materials
EG-284 Period January-June10Manufacturing Technology II
EG-287 Period January-June10Materials Practicals 2b: Applied examples in advanced metallic materials

Year 3 (Level 6)

FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / Honours

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules
Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule Name
EG-3071 Period September-January10Advanced Optical Materials and Devices
EG-353 Period September-June30Research Project
EG-381 Period September-January10Fracture and Fatigue
EG-386 Period September-June10Engineering Management
EG-391 Period September-January10Microstructure and Characterisation
EG-392 Period September-January10Physical Metallurgy of Steels
EG-385 Period January-June10Polymers: Properties and Design
Optional Modules
 

Choose Exactly 30 credits from the following Modules:

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
EG-383 Period January-June10Ceramics
EG-387 Period January-June10Materials Degradation and Protection
EG-397 Period January-June10Propulsion
EGA301 Period January-June10Composite Materials

Entry Requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds for the Engineering Foundation Year. Each application is considered on a case-by case basis, depending on the educational background and work experience of the applicant.

For A level or IB students, our standard offer is BBB - BCC at A level, or 26 at IB.

Students studying for BTEC or other vocational qualifications, who might not have the right pre-requisite Mathematical background for Year 1 entry, may also apply for this scheme. BTEC entry requirements for the Foundation Year are DDD, with D in all Mathematics modules.

All applicants are also expected to hold minimum B grades at GCSE (or equivalent) in Mathematics and all sciences, including at least two A grades.

Mature students with relevant work experience, or access courses with a good mathematical and science content, are also considered for this scheme; an interview may be required.

How You're Taught

Teaching during Covid19

Teaching block one (TB1) runs from September until January and during this block, for this year, this course will be taught in a 'blended' way. This means that some teaching will be done online and some will be on campus. The online teaching, where you will be physically apart from your lecturer, can be 'live' with your lecturer present and where you’ll be able to interact. Some of it may be self-directed which means that you can access the learning materials at a time to suit you.

The exact mix of these activities will vary by discipline and year; not all activities will be used in all cases.

 LIVESELF-DIRECTED
ON-LINE
  • Live streamed lectures
  • Example classes
  • PC Lab classes
  • Individual project meetings
  • Design group meetings
  • Individual mentoring meetings
  • Office hour for each module
  • Guided Learning Programme
  • Preparatory reading
  • Recorded mini-lectures
  • Recorded worked examples
  • Recorded practicals
  • Formative tests and examples
  • Individual project work
ON-CAMPUS
  • Practical classes
  • Conventional lectures
  • Example classes
  • PC Lab classes
  • Practical/PC project work
  • Subject seminars
  • Self-study in library
  • Self-study in PC Labs
  • Design group meetings

This course offers some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.

Welsh Provision

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study this subject through the medium of Welsh and our dedicated academy, Academi Hywel Teifi, is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We offer you:

  • An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
  • The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually - we will then communicate with you in your language of choice.
  • Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
  • Access to modules taught wholly or partly in Welsh.
  • The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.
  • A Welsh-speaking academic tutor.
  • One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
  • An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.

To see further details about the level of provision delivered in Welsh on this particular degree scheme, please see the Welsh-language course page for further information.

Since 2011, there has been a 40% increase in the number of students studying through the medium of Welsh at Swansea University and our TEF* data over the last two years shows that Welsh-medium students are high achievers in regards to employability (*Swansea University TEF return 2017 and 2018).

Professional Body Accreditation

As a student studying on the foundation year, don’t worry that you will miss out on an accredited engineering degree. You won’t. The courses are accredited by a range of professional institutions. Depending on which course you choose, will depend on which Professional Body accredits your degree.

The various examples of accreditation organisations include IET, IMechE, IOM3, IChemE, RAeS.

Meet Your Lecturers

The following academic staff will be teaching on the Foundation year of your Engineering degree:

  • Dr Enrico Andreoli
  • Professor Cris Arnold
  • Dr Cecile Charbonneau
  • Dr Charlie Dunnill
  • Dr Karin Ennser
  • Dr Anthony Higgins
  • Dr Stefano Taccheo
  • Dr Chengyuan Wang
  • Dr Alison Williams
  • Professor Geraint Williams
  • Dr Natalie Wint

Tuition Fees

Start Date UK EU International
September 2020 £ 9,000 £ 9,000 £ 22,000
September 2021 £ 9,000 £ 22,650 £ 22,650

Fees for full time Undergraduate UK students may be increased in subsequent years of study by an inflationary amount determined by Welsh Government.

Fees for full time Undergraduate EU/International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

EU Transitional Bursary available for September 2021.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

  • Travel to and from campus
  • Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
  • Purchase of books or texts
  • Gowns for graduation ceremonies

The tuition fees for the Materials Science and Engineering degree do not cover costs incurred personally by the student such as the purchase of books or stationery, printing or photocopying costs.

Recommended textbooks for this course are available in the library. All software needed for the course is available on the Engineering network, for use within our PC rooms at Swansea University.

Free wireless internet access is available across the whole of the University campus and halls of residence.

Careers and Employability

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

  • Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
  • Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
  • Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
  • Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
  • Advice and guidance on postgraduate study and funding
  • Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Here in the College of Engineering, we are very proud of the excellent career prospects of our Engineering graduates.

We are continually striving to improve the employability of our students, by cultivating strong relationships with graduate employers and by ensuring our students are as prepared as they can be for the world of work. Find out more about our Careers & Employability service within the College of Engineering here.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • Academic writing
  • Maths and statistics
  • Critical thinking
  • Time management
  • Digital skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Note taking
  • Revision, memory and exam techniques
  • English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Providing the best student experience possible is of the utmost importance to us at the College of Engineering, and we have well-established systems and support staff in place in order to facilitate this. We have regular Maths, Chemistry and Software Cafes for students to develop their skills within these areas. Find out more about the student support we offer here.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

Enrolment on a programme with a semester/year abroad does not guarantee you a semester/year abroad placement. Spaces are limited and subject to a competitive selection process. In the event you do not secure a semester/year abroad placement, you will be transferred to the standard variant of your degree scheme without a semester or year abroad. To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages.

International summer programmes are open to students from all colleges. Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as China, Zambia, South Korea, Japan, Canada and across Europe. For more information about programmes and eligibility visit our Summer Abroad webpages.

How to Apply

Apply now – UK, EU and international students.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

International Students

If you are an international student please find more information about our Foundation Year at The College here.

Pre-sessional Courses for those wanting to study at the College of Engineering

Materials Science and Engineering with a Foundation Year, BEng (Hons)

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Where are you applying from?

Applying as a UK or EU student?

All UK and EU based students should apply through UCAS

Go to UCAS

Applying as an international student?

We have a direct Apply System which makes application easy and fast for international students.

Go to Apply System

International students may also apply through UCAS

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