Engineering

The International Foundation Year (Science & Engineering) is ideally suited to you if you are an international student who has a science and mathematics background, but who may benefit from improving your English language and study skills before joining an undergraduate science or engineering degree course.

In addition to English language you learn mathematics, appropriate sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry & biology), and laboratory/experimental skills, including technical English.

The programme is open to you if your English is at IELTS 4.5. If your English is already at IELTS 5.5 to 6.0, you may join the programme at the beginning of part 2. Applicants with IELTS 5.5 or above and with academic qualifications in mathematics and science (chemistry, biology or physics) equivalent to A-Level could also be considered for Extended Engineering or Extended Science.

When you have successfully completed the International Foundation Year (Science & Engineering), you can join year 1 of any of the science degree courses or engineering degree courses offered by the School of Science & Engineering, as well as our specialist degree courses in Music Technology and Trading Standards and Consumer Protection.

• Engineering
• Crime Scene, Forensic Science & Consumer Protection
• Science, Sustainability & the Environment
• BSc (Hons) Music Technology

How you learn

Learning and teaching is delivered by a range of methods including:

• Taught sessions (these include lectures and tutorials, the typical length of a session is 2 hours).
• Practical exercises including laboratory and other relevant practical work.
• Collaborative systems including e-learning@tees, wikis, discussion groups
• Interactive and immersive sessions focussing on the use of information systems such as Library resources.
• Use of science and mathematics workshops

Lectures convey substantial elements of the subject content, provide core themes and explanations of concepts, and set the scene for students' independent learning.

Through lectures, you are encouraged to develop skills in listening and selective note taking, and to appreciate how information is structured and presented.

The traditional format is enhanced using computer-based and other audio-visual aids, and supported by interactive VLE-based provision of lecture notes and discussion groups focused on major topics.

Tutorials, workshops and seminars provide a context for interactive learning and allow you to explore aspects of the subject in depth.

How you are assessed

You experience a broad and balanced range of assessment methods and you are provided with an assessment brief for each task, which includes information on the specific assessment task, how it is marked, what feedback is provided, and how the assessment integrates into the wider goals of the programme.

Professional accreditation

Upon successful completion of the International Foundation Year (Science & Engineering) you have the opportunity to select from a range of professionally accredited/recognised degree courses in Science and Engineering.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities depend on the degree course that you proceed to. For further details please refer to the description of the relevant degree course.

Entry requirements

Academic criteria
You should have reached at least A1 level (AS Level) in the relevant science subjects - this normally means a good grade in mathematics and the relevant science(s) from an overseas Senior High School. For details on the suitability of individual qualifications please contact the Admissions Office in the School of Science & Engineering.

Language Criteria
There are two entry points for the IFY (Science & Engineering) depending on your level of English upon entry:

• For students with IELTS of at least 4.5, but less than 5.5 : October
• For students with IELTS of 5.5 or 6.0 : February

More information

• Engineering
  More information and courses in Engineering