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Foundation courses//Engineering Year Zero

Key facts

Typical offer

UCAS points:

56

A Level:

56 UCAS points from at least one A level

BTEC:

MPP

Key facts

Duration:

1 yr full-time

Study mode:

Full-time

UCAS code:

H108

Institution code:

D26

See all the key facts and full entry requirements

Typical offer

UCAS points:

56

A Level:

56 UCAS points from at least one A level

BTEC:

MPP

UCAS code

H108

Duration

One year full-time

Study mode

Full-time

See all the key facts and full entry requirements

Build the skills, confidence, and knowledge you need to succeed in your engineering degree.

Overview

On completion of the Engineering Year Zero course, you can progress to one of our BEng (Hons)/MEng courses.

This course is specifically designed for those who aspire to pursue an engineering career but do not meet the entry requirements for an undergraduate degrees. Whether you’re returning to education, changing career paths, or a mature student, this course provides the perfect foundation.

This course equips you with essential skills in science, mathematics, design, and IT, while building your confidence and academic abilities. You’ll join a supportive academic community with access to specialist workshops and equipment, giving you hands-on experience from the start. Upon successful completion, you’ll gain direct entry to one of ÐßÐßÊÓƵ’s undergraduate engineering degrees, paving the way for a successful career in engineering.

You’ll also have opportunities to engage with student societies such as ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Flyers and ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Racing, connecting you with like-minded individuals and enhancing your learning experience outside of the classroom.

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What you will study

Block 1: Engineering and Academic Skills

This module provides you with basic knowledge and command of Mathematics with the key skills (both theoretical and practical) necessary to study Engineering in a university environment. The module contains well-recognised elements of foundation mathematics which universally underpin further progress to becoming a professional engineer. You will be introduced to some of the core academic study skills needed within Engineering to ensure you achieve the relevant experience and practice before starting an undergraduate degree or employment.

Block 2: Electronic and Mechanical Principles

This module builds on the mathematical and academic skills introduced in the Engineering Principles module. It introduces the basic principles of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering using real-world practical applications. Mathematical concepts are linked to covered Engineering topics. The main focus is on analysing subsystems of different components, specifically structural, electrical/electronic and mechanical. By reverse engineering different components, students will learn the principles of technical drawing, measurements, and principles of technical documentation.

Block 3: Engineering Design

This module builds on the electrical and mechanical engineering concepts introduced in the previous modules. It will introduce you to software associated with design and technology and other practical factors that are encountered when taking a product from its initial concept to a final design proposal, from both mechanical and electronic boarding perspectives. This module integrates the practical and theoretical skills learnt at this level and incorporates them in a practical way into the design work.

Block 4: Engineering Data Analysis

This module introduces advanced mathematical concepts within engineering applications using computer software. The module will focus on applying mathematical skills and techniques to solve engineering problems, such as analysing data obtained from laboratory experiments, including descriptive statistics.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

You’ll benefit from a variety of engaging teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, and laboratory classes. The course also focuses on developing key skills through independent research, presentations, and report writing. Taught by expert instructors with years of experience, this course is especially supportive for students who may find Mathematics and Physics challenging. We are dedicated to your success, providing help and guidance whenever you need it, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and develop your understanding of new concepts.

The course places a strong emphasis on continuous assessment to monitor your progress and build your confidence. Assessments include phase tests, weekly quizzes, laboratory experiments, and a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) assignment.

Each block of study requires approximately 14 hours of contact time per week, totalling 84 hours per block with an additional 120 hours of self-study expected per block.

Engineering Year Zero in the spotlight

Engineering graduate headhunted by global company

Engineering graduate headhunted by global company

Just a few years after leaving ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Leicester (ÐßÐßÊÓƵ), engineering graduate George Gentle, now works for a global company in a role that sees him travelling the world and making big career plans.

October 2023

Our facilities

Our Engineering Year Zero students have access to a range of industry-standard facilities designed to enhance practical learning and prepare you for real-world engineering challenges. These include mechanical, electrical, and electronic laboratories, advanced CAD design suites, and a purpose-built engine testing facility. Each space is equipped with specialist tools and technology, providing hands-on experience across key areas of engineering. Explore more about our workshops and labs on the dedicated facilities page.

You will have access to computer and experimental laboratory facilities throughout the course, including industry-standard 3D design and FEA Analysis software.

Electronic Engineering Laboratory

Electrical and electronic experimental facilities are divided into specialised areas: general electronics and assembly, embedded systems, digital electronics and microprocessor engineering, power electronics, electrical smart grids, control systems and communications engineering. Each facility is equipped with state-of-the-art experimental equipment appropriate to the corresponding areas of study and research. An additional CAD design suite shared with the Mechanical and Design programmes provides access to computing facilities with specialist electronics CAD tools including KiCAD, and LTSpice.

A specialised area incorporating a spacious radio frequency reverberation chamber and Faraday cage allows for experimentation in radio frequency engineering and electromagnetics supported by spectrum and network analysers. Our communication lab is equipped with National Instrument engineering laboratory devices that provides an active learning environment to teach digital and analogue communications topics.

Our Embedded Systems lab is equipped with state-of-the-art Rhode and Schwarz equipment for the design, development and testing of both analogue and microcontroller-based systems. Furthermore, each workstation is also equipped with embedded development boards for general 8-bit development, and motor control firmware development.

Our digital design suite is equipped with 8 and 32-bit embedded microprocessor platforms together with high-speed programmable logic development environments.

Power generation, transmission, distribution, conversion, drives and control are catered for in our power and control laboratories, equipped for experimentation from the component level to the systems level.

The hi-tech Smart Grid facility includes modules that simulate generation sources (thermal, hydroelectric and wind farm), transmission and distribution components of the electrical grid and microgrid units including small PV solar for domestic use.

Control laboratories are equipped with LabVIEW based control boards along with the MATLAB and Simulink package. Industrial control units, based on the Allen Bradley MicroLogix820 controller, enable students to perform a comprehensive range of PLC programming tasks using a conveyor belt/pneumatic sorting application.

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Student working with electronic device

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What makes us special

ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Racing

As a ÐßÐßÊÓƵ student, you can enhance your studies by joining ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Racing, the university’s Formula Student team. This extracurricular activity lets you apply engineering skills to a real-life project, building and racing a single-seat car. Participation in ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Racing not only boosts your employability but also provides an exciting opportunity to compete against over 130 universities worldwide at the prestigious Formula Student event at Silverstone Circuit.

Students working together ono laptops

Block teaching

With block teaching, you’ll learn in a focused format, where you study one subject at a time instead of several at once. As a result, you will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, have a more simplified timetable, and have a better study-life balance. That means more time to engage with your ÐßÐßÊÓƵ community and other rewarding aspects of university life.

Where we could take you

Students at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Careers Hub

Graduate careers

Upon successful completion of Engineering Year Zero you can progress to the first year of one of our BEng or MEng (Hons) degree programmes.

After completing a BEng or MEng (Hons) Engineering degree, you can pursue a career in your preferred field of engineering, or continue with further study.

ÐßÐßÊÓƵ-global

ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Global

Our innovative international experience programme ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Global aims to enrich studies, broaden cultural horizons and develop key skills valued by employers.

Through , we offer an exciting mix of overseas, on-campus and online international experiences, including the opportunity to study or work abroad for up to a year.

Take your next steps

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Find out about Leicester

We’re a campus-based university situated in the city centre, with the hub of activity in Leicester right on your doorstep - we’re one of the few universities in the UK where you’re getting the best of both worlds.

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Open Days - Book your place

We’d love to welcome you to one of our university Open Days where you can see for yourself what we have to offer.

How to apply

Save these details for your application.
Programme title:
Engineering Year Zero Foundation
Programme code:
H108

UCAS applications

  1. Register on UCAS Hub (create an account)
  2. Fill in your UCAS application form:
  3. Personal details (name, contact, residency)
    • More about you (any mental health conditions or long-term illnesses, parenting responsibilities, whether you’ve served in the armed forces)
    • Education history (qualifications taken or pending)
    • Employment history (if applicable)
    • Course choice
  4. Write your personal statement (why you want to study the course, skills, achievements, future goals)
  5. Get your reference (usually from a teacher/tutor/employer)
  6. Pay the UCAS fee (single choice or multiple choices)
  7. Submit the UCAS application before the deadline.
Save these details for your application.
Programme title:
Engineering Year Zero Foundation
Programme code:
H108

Apply directly as an international student

Find out more and apply
  1. Visit ÐßÐßÊÓƵ’s international section and select the course you wish to apply for as an undergraduate or postgraduate student.
  2. Prepare your documents - gather the essentials:
    • Academic transcripts and certificates
    • Personal statement
    • English language proficiency evidence (e.g., IELTS)
    • Portfolio (if required by the course)
    • Copy of your passport
  3. Complete the application - submit via the ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Online Portal
  4. Submit the application and supporting documents - you can still receive a conditional offer even if some documents will follow later
  5. Application review and offer - ÐßÐßÊÓƵ’s Admissions team will assess your application and issue:
    • A conditional offer (pending remaining docs, test results, etc.)
    • Or an unconditional offer, if all requirements are fulfilled

Key facts

Course title

Engineering Year Zero

Award

Foundation

UCAS code

H108

Institution code

D26

Study level

Foundation

Study mode

Full-time

Start date

September

Duration

One year full-time

Fees

2026/27 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2026/27 international tuition:
£17,300

*subject to a compounded annual inflationary increase announced by the government in October 2025, the amount of which is yet to be confirmed for the 2026/27 academic year

Entry requirements

Typical offer

UCAS points:

56

A Level:

56 UCAS points from at least one A level

BTEC Extended Diploma:

MPP

Contextual Offer:

This course does not provide contextual offers. To find out more about our contextual offer policy at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, head to dmu.ac.uk/contextual

T Levels:

Pass

Access to HE:

Pass

International Baccalaureate (IB):

24

GCSEs:

5 x GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including English and Maths

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.