BEng Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year

This Foundation Year isn’t about sitting in lectures all day and memorising equations. It’s designed to get you comfortable with university-style learning from the very start. You’ll spend time in proper labs, work on projects with classmates, and learn study techniques that will carry you confidently into your chosen degree.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Real lab work – You won’t just learn theory; modules like Science & Engineering Laboratories put you in actual university labs, giving you hands-on experience from the very beginning.

• Group projects – In modules such as Interdisciplinary Projects, you’ll work with other students to solve real engineering-style problems, developing teamwork, communication, and creative problem-solving skills.

• Small group tutorials – These are a chance to get one-on-one support, ask questions, and build study skills like problem-solving, time management, and independent learning.

• Varied assessments – Instead of just traditional exams, you’ll write lab reports, create posters, deliver presentations, and take computer-based tests—just like you’ll do in later years of study.

• Supportive environment – You’ll be taught by staff who specialise in helping students transition into university study, with plenty of personalised support and peer learning to help you settle in and succeed.

Think of this Foundation Year as your launchpad. It’s designed to get you ready—not just for university-level study, but for the careers and opportunities that come after. Once you complete the programme, you’ll move straight into a degree in subjects like Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or Chemical Engineering with the confidence that you’ve already built a strong base. From there, doors open to careers in areas like engineering design, data analysis, renewable energy, and research.

Here’s how Birmingham helps you take the next step:

• Careers support from day one – The university’s Careers Network is available to you even during the foundation year. They’ll help with CV building, interview prep, and connect you with employers through workshops and networking events.

• Great graduate outcomes – 87% of Birmingham graduates go into skilled jobs or further study within 15 months of finishing. That means you’ll be joining a community with a strong track record of success.

• Industry connections – Employers often collaborate with the University through talks, projects, and events, giving you a chance to see where your studies could lead and to make valuable contacts.

• Skill-building opportunities – Schemes like The Birmingham Award or B-Enterprising let you gain and showcase extra experience beyond your studies, boosting your CV for internships or graduate jobs later on.

• Smooth progression into your degree – Once you pass the foundation year, you’re guaranteed a place on a linked BEng or BSc degree—and depending on how you perform, you could even move onto the longer MEng or MSci pathway.

Further Academic Progression:
Completing this foundation year sets you up perfectly to continue into your chosen degree. From there, you might choose to stay on for an integrated Master’s (MEng/MSci), pursue postgraduate study, or even move into research at Birmingham or beyond.