This Foundation programme is designed to facilitate access to a wide range of full honours Engineering and Computer Science based degree programmes within Cardiff School of Technologies.
The programme provides an opportunity to widen access if your qualifications don’t meet the requirements for normal entry onto a degree course, or if you have been out of education for some time. The curriculum is designed to instil a level of confidence and readiness that will enable you to progress onto your chosen degree.
Upon successful completion, you will have a strong foundation of core knowledge that you will be able to apply to your chosen course. You will gain a thorough and practical grounding in the mathematics concepts and contemporary themes essential to technology. Optional modules will enable you to tailor your studies to your specific interests and chosen degree, and a final project will consolidate your learning. The programme will also facilitate the development of key research skills and transferable skills to aid further study, and will allow you to be fully integrated into student life prior to progressing to year 1.
Course Content
The structure of the programme has been designed so that in Term 1, students are provided with a broad introduction to the knowledge and skills needed for any Technologies degree. Term 2 allows students to tailor their studies to their specific interest and their chosen future degree programme with the completion of one 40 credit optional module and an individual project designed to consolidate learning throughout the Academic Year.
Compulsory Modules:
- Mathematics for Technology (20 credits)
- Contemporary Themes in Technology (20 credits)
- Professional and Academic Skills (20 credits)
- Individual Project (20 credits)
Optional Modules (choose one):
- Programming Skills and Statistics (40 credits)
- Physics and Electronics (40 credits)
The course links with the following honours degree programmes delivered within Cardiff School of Technologies:
Learning & Teaching
A student-centred approach to learning and teaching is encouraged through the use of a broad range of teaching strategies, such as technical labs and individual and group projects. This is further enhanced by real world case studies and guest talks from industry experts, and supported by Teams and Moodle, our virtual learning environments.
Due to the nature of the programme, online and campus-based practical workshops are key to developing students’ technical understanding and abilities, underpinned by solid theoretical foundations. Students are expected to further develop their knowledge and understanding through directed self-study and independent learning time - in additional to the timetabled delivery - so as to develop a professional portfolio of project work and software artefacts as they move into graduate employment.
Students are supported academically and pastorally by the Programme Team, led by the Programme Director. Each student is also appointed a Personal Tutor from within the School, who provides a point of contact for general academic and pastoral issues. Students are also supported by Student Coaches; the Student Coach role is for current 2nd, 3rd year and Master’s students who provide peer support in Modules.
Assessment
The assessment strategy for the programme varies to ensure the most appropriate method for each specific module and subject area. Modules are assessed through a combination of methods, such as formal examinations, practical programming assignments, written assignments, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, peer assessments and case studies.
Employability & Careers
The programme links with the following Honours Degree and Integrated Master’s programmes delivered within Cardiff School of Technologies:
For specific information on employability and careers linked to these degree programmes, please refer to the individual course pages.
Entry Requirements & How to Apply
Students should normally possess:
- a minimum of 5 GCSEs (Grades A*-C) including English Language and Mathematics* at grade C / 4 or above
-
for Computer Science degree pathways - 64 UCAS tariff points from at least 2 A levels to include CC
-
for Engineering degree pathways - 64 UCAS tariff points from at least 2 A levels to include minimum grades DD, in Mathematics, Physics or a Technology subject; or
64 UCAS tariff points from at least 2 A levels to include minimum grades CC, in non-relevant subjects
*For Welsh applicants sitting the reformed Mathematics GCSE, we will accept either GCSE
Mathematics or Mathematics – Numeracy.
If you are studying combinations of the above, or if your qualification isn’t listed, please either contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search for entry requirements. Further information on our entry requirements, including qualifications from the EU can be found by clicking here.
Candidates who do not possess normal minimum entry qualification are interviewed and considered individually on the basis of their prior learning or working background. For applicants who are only undertaking 2 A levels or equivalent, this will be considered along with the rest of the academic profile and we may issue a graded offer in lieu of an offer using the UCAS Tariff.
International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.
Selection Procedure:
Selection is usually on the basis of a completed UCAS application and where relevant, an interview.
How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made online to UCAS at
www.ucas.com. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at
www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.
Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer into year 2 & 3
If you are interested in transferring credit from another institution to study at Cardiff Met for a course which accepts entry for year 2 and/or 3, you can find further information on this and information on how to apply on the RPL page. Please contact Admissions for any queries that you have on RPL.
Mature students
A mature applicant is anyone over the ago of 21 who didn’t go to university after school or college. Cardiff Met welcomes applications from mature applicants and further advice and information can be found here.
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