Technology Foundation Programme

Start date: You can start this course in January (full time only) or September (full time or part time).

Course length: If you start the course in September you will full time for one year or study part time for two years.

Campus: Markeaton Street site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

Students starting this course in January will study over the summer and complete the course in only eight months. Provided you have successfully completed the course, you can then begin studying the appropriate bachelors degree in September .

This course is academically challenging and vocationally orientated, and will provide you with a range of knowledge, experience and skills.

You'll be introduced to concepts in electrical, civil or mechanical engineering, product design, or architectural technology. You'll also learn how to write reports, essays and provide presentations of a reasonable standard on a subject within your chosen field.

You'll develop the knowledge, experience and skills you'll need to move on to one of these degrees:

• BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Technology
• BA (Hons) Popular Music with Music Technology  
• BSc (Hons) Music Technology and Production
• BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering    
• BEng (Hons) Civil and Infrastructure Engineering  
• BEng (Hons) Manufacturing and Production Engineering
• BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering  
• BEng (Hons) Motorsport Engineering
• BEng (Hons) Motorcycle Engineering 
• BSc (Hons) Product Design    
• BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology and Practice

You'll study modules such as:

•     Preliminary Mathematics
•     Event and Media Technology
•     Technology Project (double module)
•     Foundation Electrical and Electronic Principles and Theory
•     Introduction to Design
•     Structural Analysis and Dynamics
•     Study and Technical Skills
•     Engineering Science

Our entry requirements are usually 160 UCAS points, of which at least 120 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

Fees for 2013/14

This is a classroom based course.

UK/EU students

• Full time: £7,700 (each year)
• £965 per module (you usually take 18 of these modules in total)

International students

• Full time: £9,945 (per year)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

You'll have workshops and practical sessions, so you'll be able to use specialist equipment and software. There are several different ways we test your understanding and competence. These include lab work, written report writing, presentations, case studies, computer based exercises and exams.

When you've successfully completed this course, you can go on to the appropriate bachelors degree.