General Engineering with Foundation Year
BEng
Undergraduate with Foundation Year
September 2025, September 2026
Overview
Become a confident and adaptable engineer with a General Engineering degree from Canterbury Christ Church University.
Master the fundamentals, and explore specialist areas, which include (but aren’t limited to) simulation, modelling, mechanics, manufacturing, and electronics.
You’ll learn how to grasp, critically analyse, and solve challenges, using mathematical, scientific, and analytical thought processes in your approach to problem solving. This project-based engineering course will teach you the essential skills you need to work in a professional setting.
With an engineering degree from CCCU, you’ll have access to industry-standard, high-spec facilities, and state-of-the-art equipment in our £65 million Verena Holmes building, such as wind turbines, plasma cutters, lasers, industry-leading 3D printers, and much more.
Not only this, but you may be able to work directly with companies who come to us with real-life problems in their business, giving you the opportunity to gain crucial experience by getting to grips with authentic issues that arise in the workplace.
By the end of your degree, you'll be well-prepared to tackle complex engineering problems and contribute to real-world solutions, and a diverse range of career paths will be open to you in fields such as aerospace, energy, and manufacturing.
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Watch on YouTubeGeneral engineering is the foundation upon which specialised engineering disciplines are built. It provides engineers with the tools and knowledge to solve problems creatively and effectively, regardless of the specific industry or application.Adil Imam, Course Director
Entry requirements
112
UCAS Tariff Points
Accepted qualifications
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | BBC |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access | 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits |
| International Baccalaureate | 29 Points |
The grades in this table provide an indication of what is required to study this course. If you have qualifications that are not present in the table or want to tell us more about you specific situation then please contact our friendly Course Enquiry Team.
Extra requirements
- Five GCSEs at Grade 4/C
- Requirement for a numerate subject at Level 3 (e.g Maths, Physics, Computer Science)
Don’t meet these entry requirements?
If you do not meet these entry requirements, a foundation year is a great way of beginning your university journey. We recommend you speak to our Course Enquiries team who will advise on a route to study that fits you.
More information
Contact us
Module information
As well as the core modules, you may also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules in your second and third year. Option modules will not be pre-selected for you. We provide examples of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. The offer of an option will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module to ensure the appropriate student experience. The offer of option modules may also be affected by staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular optional module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.
Core/optional modules
*Modules subject to approval
How you’ll learn
For each 30-credit module you will be scheduled 66 hours (6 hours per week) of contact through a variety of lectures, seminars, workshops and practical sessions with a focus on hands-on learning wherever possible. There will be extra drop-in sessions available such as help with maths and statistics, careers support and training, and open workshops where you can access the machine shop/engineering lab spaces and gain further support.
You will spend a significant portion of your time outside of scheduled classes engaging in independent learning. This involves actively reading textbooks and research articles, watching videos/tutorials to deepen your understanding of the module content. Completing assignments, such as problem sets or essays/coursework, will help you apply your knowledge and develop critical thinking skills. Effective time management will be essential as you prepare for assessments like exams or presentations.
Collaborating with peers through group work or discussions will enhance your learning experience and provide different perspectives. Supporting resources, such as reading materials, drop-in sessions for support (technical and non-technical skills such as writing or referencing), will be available to address any challenges you encounter.
To complete each 30-credit module, you can expect to dedicate a minimum of 300 hours of your time. This includes class attendance, independent study, group work, and preparation for assessments. While this may seem like a significant investment, it is important to remember that this time is crucial for developing a deep understanding of the subject matter and achieving your academic goals.
The course is delivered by a team of experienced academics combined with skilled technical staff. The majority of the teaching team are also independent researchers in their respective fields. This ensures a comprehensive learning experience, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application.
In addition to academic input, we are committed to providing you with a comprehensive understanding of industry practices. To achieve this, we incorporate guest lectures from industry who bring real-world experience and insights into the course.
PhD students, under the close supervision of academic staff, might contribute to tutorials or laboratory sessions to provide peer support and share their research insights. You could be a part of the research journey and build your skill set as you navigate through the course.
This blended approach ensures that you develop both the theoretical foundation and practical skills required to excel in your chosen career.
You'll start by collaborating on group projects to learn teamwork and problem-solving. As you progress, you'll take on individual challenges, including research projects and industry sourced CDIO projects. By the end of your degree, you'll be well-prepared to tackle complex engineering problems and contribute to real-world solutions.Adil ImamCourse Director
How you’ll be assessed
Your journey to becoming an engineer will begin by building a strong foundation in teamwork and communication, assessed through group projects, presentations, and peer evaluations. You will develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills through collaborative problem-solving activities, case studies, and individual assignments such as exams, lab reports and other coursework.
Throughout the course there will be ample formative support to help you improve and get better at presenting your work through the various modes of assessment. Time management and organisational abilities will be essential and will be developed through project planning and execution.
As you progress, you will take on leadership roles and face ethical dilemmas, which will be assessed through group projects, case studies, and class discussions. Your ability to adapt and persevere will be tested through a variety of project challenges.
In your final year, you will focus on independent learning and research, culminating in a major project dissertation. Your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, both in writing (technical reports, journal papers, lab reports, reflection etc.) and verbally (oral and poster presentations, elevators pitches, etc.) will be assessed through various means.
This diverse range of assessment methods will help you develop a well-rounded skill set and prepare you for the challenges of a professional engineering career.
Your future career
A General Engineering degree will enable you to enter a wide range of career paths. Our graduates have found roles in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, energy, manufacturing, and construction. Some of the companies our graduates are working for include BAE Systems, Network Rail and STRABAG UK.
If you wish to undertake further qualifications, you could progress on to postgraduate study and specialise in an engineering discipline like mechanical, electrical, civil, or aerospace engineering. Ultimately, a General Engineering degree offers a flexible pathway to a successful career, empowering graduates to contribute meaningfully to technological advancements and societal progress.
Key modules in science and mathematics, engineering analysis, design and innovation, engineering and society have provided essential skills applicable in the industry. Specifically, joining the tunnelling team for Highspeed 2, the design and innovation, and analysis modules were pivotal.RossTunnel Boring Machine Shift Engineer
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated. The fees represented here are for study with Canterbury Christ Church University. If you are looking to study at a partner institution, please visit their website for fees information.
Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 our undergraduate home tuition fees are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Industry Links
We continuously work with industries to help build your network and open future career opportunities. Case studies and tours have taken place with a range of organisations, including Summit Aviation, Chamber of Commerce, Lab Assets, The Senator Group, The Sublime Group, Azimuth Associates, and Orb.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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Duration:
3 yearsUCAS code:
H146Location(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
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*We are advertising this course as ‘subject to approval.’ When we add new courses or update existing courses, we advertise the course as ‘subject to approval’. We do this to let you know the University still needs to agree to run the course. It is rare for a course not to gain approval, but it is not guaranteed. There may be changes to course and module titles, content and assessment, but we will tell you about these if there is a change. You can still apply to study a course subject to approval. We have prepared some questions and answers to tell you more.