Welcome you to Canterbury Christ Church University and the Product Design Engineering (BEng) with foundation course. The course will focus on an understanding of applied engineering science in relation to mechanical and electrical systems and complimentary design studies influenced by Create, Design, Implement and Operate (CDIO) projects, allowing you to build a theoretical and practical knowledge in both disciplines.
Your Course Team
Academic Calendar: Semesters
View key dates for this Academic Calendar for 2025-26 including when teaching starts and finishes and when you break for holidays.
Your Welcome Week is an essential introduction to your course and the wider university, helping you to feel confident and prepared for your studies right from the very start.
It is important to check your Course Welcome Week for all the activities you are required to attend as part of your course induction. If any of your welcome activities are in groups, your course team will contact you before you arrive to let you know which group you will be in.
In addition, check the Student Events Hub for a range of fun activities. including the Students’ Union Welcome Fair, to help you make friends and live your best CCCU student life.
Your teaching timetable
UniTimetables provides an overview of all teaching activities for a course. If your course is taught in groups, it will display information for all groups, not just the group you will be assigned to.
Learn more about timetabling for new students including user guides and videos.
The School of Engineering, Technology & Design at CCCU is a fast-growing department and an exciting place to be right now, we have a new building facility with impressive and well-equipped laboratories, workshops and classrooms.
We would encourage you to do some preparation before you start your course, so take a look at some of the well-known designers / engineers and books and references indicated below. You will find plenty of study materials online so we don’t recommend you purchase books until you talk to tutors and get their personal recommendations.
The BEng with Foundation provides you with an extra year to make sure you are fully prepared for entry onto a BEng course.
The academic year at Canterbury Christ Church University is split into two semesters – Semester 1 running from September to January and Semester 2 running from late January to May. In the first year of your degree (i.e. Foundation Year), you will complete 5 modules in total. Each module will be assessed using a variety of different methods, but we will give you all the information you need regarding these when you begin your studies with us.
Before your course commences, we would encourage you to look at the relevant pages of various online news sources (e.g. BBC News, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Engineer) to see what is being talked about in the field of design and engineering.
During welcome week you will learn a lot about studying at CCCU; so please engage with as many of the activities as you can. You will also be assigned your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), who will provide you with academic and personal support and signpost you to other relevant departments for any additional help you may need throughout your time with us.
Your welcome and induction will be w/c 15 September 2025 - we look forward to meeting you then.
On the social side, the Student Union (CCSU) has a huge range of clubs and societies – all of which have unique social calendars of their own and offer endless opportunities to make lifelong friends and discover new hobbies. And you can always create your own society and cultivate your own community!
CCSU will be hosting their Welcome Fayre on Wednesday 17 September 2025. Make sure you keep checking the CCSU website for further details and how to get involved.
We understand that you may be nervous about your first few weeks on campus but rest assured - you'll be joining a nurturing and supportive environment where diversity, equality and individuality are part of everything we do.
You can find out more about our welcoming community and making friends.
If you are an International Student joining us then please see our International Student Support pages for further information and guidance.
We recommend you take a look at the following online resources over the summer to help prepare you for your studies:
International students: don't miss out! Make sure you register for our international student success programme which provides practical advice on preparing to live and study in the UK.
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