Foundation Year A guide for students

2

Contents The Foundation Years 5Engineering/Physics/Geophysics Foundation Year 6

Science Foundation Year 7Entry Requirements 8 Money matters 10University life 10The University 10The city 10Accommodation 10

Student accommodation Montefiore House 4..

3

Our Foundation Years provide students from varied academic backgrounds with the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of our degree programmes. This entails an intense period of learning requiring commitment and effort.

The programmes are aimed at capable motivated students who have not taken the typical A Level route or who have not taken the A Level subjects normally required for direct entry to our degree programmes.

It may suit you if you are:

– A capable student studying A Levels but not in the subjects required for direct entry to your chosen degree

– A suitably experienced mature student

– A capable student studying a BTEC National Diploma or other vocational award who has not yet studied theory to a sufficient depth for direct entry to our degrees

4

“The Foundation Year was an excellent introduction to university life and the interesting and diverse collection of students on the course means that I have made several strong and lasting friendships which I am very grateful for.”

Max Carey | Engineering/Physics/Geophysics Foundation Year

Experimenting in the lab

5

The Foundation YearsOur Foundation Years offer the opportunity to develop a solid grounding for further study at undergraduate level. Our data shows that students who successfully complete a Foundation Year at Southampton are often able to achieve outstanding results in their degree.

The Foundation Year forms the initial year of a 4 or 5 year undergraduate degree.

By the end of the Foundation Year you will have gained:

– An introduction to the key concepts of your chosen degree subject

– The language skills needed for successful undergraduate study

– Effective academic skills

– An understanding of the demands and requirements of university life

Take a look at the table below to find out which Foundation Year is appropriate for your preferred degree programme.

Engineering/Physics/Geophysics Foundation Year

Acoustical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Civil or Environmental Engineering

Computer Science

Electrical Engineering

Electronic Engineering

Electro-Mechanical Engineering

Geophysics

Mechanical Engineering

Physics

Ship Science

Science Foundation Year

Biochemistry

Biology

Biomedical Sciences

Chemistry

Environmental Sciences

Geology

Marine Biology

Oceanography

Pharmacology

Zoology

6

Engineering/Physics/Geophysics Foundation YearThroughout the year you will build an understanding of maths, mechanics, electricity and electronics and engineering principles. In addition the Foundation Year seeks to hone the academic skills that you will need during your degree.

You will be taught, with a high level of learning support, on our main Highfield Campus. You will study full-time through a combination of lectures, workshops, laboratory practicals and private study. Assessment is mainly by written examination and by a variety of coursework assignments.

The Foundation Year fosters the development of a close-knit, keen group of students with common objectives; enduring friendship groups are often formed during the year.

Key facts

Guaranteed progression onto chosen undergraduate degree (providing students achieve minimum progression grades)

Taught on campus by university academics

More than fifty undergraduate subject options to choose from

All engineering subjects are ranked within the top 15 in the UK

Over 100 specialist teaching and testing laboratories

Programme structure

The Foundation Year is a 1 year full time course integrated with a further 3 or 4 year degree programme. Whichever degree you are aiming for, you will take all of the modules listed below:

– Mathematics A and B– Mechanical Science– Coursework (including computer applications)– Routes to success– Engineering principles– Electricity/Electronic

“I think that the Foundation Year prepared me for my course better than A-levels. The base concepts needed to study physics were gone over in more detail, and already having a year on campus made sure there was no time wasted settling in once my undergraduate degree started.”

David Hardcastle | Engineering/Physics/Geophysics Foundation Year student

7

Science Foundation Year

The Foundation Year provides a rapid introduction to biology, chemistry and mathematics, which will prepare you for your chosen undergraduate degree. In addition the year also seeks to hone the academic skills that you will need during your degree course.

You will be taught in small groups with a high level of learning support on our Highfield and Waterfront campuses. You will study full-time through a combination of lectures, group discussions, laboratory practicals and private study. Assessment is mainly by written examination and by a variety of coursework assignments.

The Foundation Year fosters the development of a close-knit, keen group with common objectives; enduring friendships are often formed within the group.

.

Key facts

Guaranteed progression onto chosen undergraduate degree (providing students achieve minimum progression grades)

Taught on campus by university academics in our state-of-the-art facilities

More than thirty undergraduate subject options to choose from

All science subjects are ranked within the top 10 in the UK

Programme structure

The programme is a 1 year full time course integrated with a further 3 or 4 year degree programme. Whichever degree course you are aiming for, you will take all the modules listed below. All modules are studied for the whole year and assessment is through a combination of coursework and examination.

– Biology– Chemistry– Mathematics– Coursework– Routes to Success

8

How to applyEntry Requirements For entry requirements please refer to the website: www.southampton.ac.uk/foundationyear .

How to applyApplications are normally through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) www.ucas.com however if you have any questions you would like to ask us prior to application we would be happy to help.

Most people apply directly for a course with Foundation Year. Some people who may need a Foundation Year apply to the discipline that they are interested in. If the admissions tutor feels they may benefit from a Foundation Year then they are contacted to discuss this. Whichever entry route you take we will make sure that you are offered the best course for your skills and experience.

Money mattersFor the latest funding information please visit: www.soton.ac.uk/study/feesandfunding/index.shtml

UCAS Codes:

Engineering/Physics/Geophysics Foundation Year

Engineering with Foundation Year H008 (code also used for progression to Computer Science degrees.)

Physics with Foundation Year F301

Geophysics with Foundation Year F662

Science Foundation Year

BSc Biology C108

BSc Zoology C108

BSc Biochemistry CB71

BSc Biomedical Sciences CB71

BSc Pharmacology CB71

BSc/MChem Chemistry F108

BSc/MEnv Environmental Sciences F903

BSc/MGeolg Geology F602

BSc/MOcean Oceanography F701

MMarBiol Marine Biology F705

9Testing designs in the wind tunnel

10

Students relaxing on campus

Student life

University lifeThe University of Southampton has a global reputation for academic excellence, attracting students and researchers from across the world.

The UniversityWith over 20,000 students and 5,000 staff, life at the University is lively and exciting. In addition to our six campuses, three major libraries and 20 halls of residence, the University has a Students’ Union for social events and advice, a modern sports complex and indoor swimming pool, a theatre, a concert hall and an art gallery. You will study on the Highfield and Avenue Campuses, which are just outside the city centre in a safe residential area next to a huge green park, ‘the Common’.

The citySouthampton is a dynamic modern city. It is one of southern England’s top leisure and shopping destinations.

It is just over an hour from central London and Heathrow airport. It has excellent road, rail, sea and air links with the rest of the UK and the world. The University’s own award-winning Uni-link bus service connects all Southampton’s campuses with the city centre.

AccommodationStudents who apply for accommodation before 1st August are guaranteed accommodation (subject to criteria) in the University’s modern halls of residence. More information about University accommodation is available in our accommodation guide.

www.southampton.ac.uk/accomodation

Relevant web links are shown throughout the Foundation Year Guide. Please also consult: www.southampton.ac.uk/foundationyear online for further details and/or any changes which have appeared since first publication of the Foundation Year Guide.

Disclaimer

The University of Southampton will use all reasonable efforts to deliver advertised programmes and other services and facilities in accordance with the descriptions set out in its prospectuses, student handbooks, welcome guides and website. It will provide students with the tuition, learning support, services and facilities so described with reasonable care and skill.

The University, therefore, reserves the right if it considers it to be necessary to alter the timetable, location, content or method of delivery of events provided such alterations are reasonable.

Financial or other losses

The University will not be held liable for any direct or indirect financial or other losses or damage arising from changes made to the event timetable, location, content or method of delivery of various services and facilities set out herein.

Force majeure

The University will not be held liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from any delay, variation or failure in the provision of services and facilities set out herein, arising from circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control, including (but not limited to) war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, interruption in power supplies or other services for any reason, fire, boycott and telecommunications failure.

In the event that such circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the University arise, it will use all reasonable endeavours to minimise disruption as far as it is practical to do so.

© University of Southampton 2012

This information can be made available, on request, in alternative formats such as electronic, large print, Braille or audio tape, and in some cases, other languages. Please call +44 (0)23 8059 7726 to request an alternative format.

Published by Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton

Designed by WAX sii, Winchester UK

www.southampton.ac.uk/foundationyear foundyr@southampton.ac.uk +44 (0) 23 8059 3113