Best access/ foundational course for an engineering degree?

I am from the UK and got my A-Levels in Maths, Chemistry and Physics at grade BCC.
I had originally been offered to study electrical/ electronic engineering at Leeds Uni for 2022, however due to the grades I achieved, I missed my offer and instead opted to head straight into work.

Initially I tried my hand at data science bootcamps but couldn't get past the coding, for which for around the last 2-3 years, I worked several different customer service and admin jobs.

I say all this to say I wish to get back into studying engineering to get a degree, as it was my passion for a long time and I don't want to let the grades I achieved at A-level define where I am in life.

I am currently exploring several options as a mature student who is currently aged 21 (turning 22 this june) however rather than simply resitting all 3 A-Level subjects, I was wondering if an access/ foundational course is a better route to do an additional year so I am guaranteed to study to bachelors degree level and I was wondering what are the best providers online or in Leeds for this type of course?

Reply 1

Muttley79

Original post by MonoAno555

I am from the UK and got my A-Levels in Maths, Chemistry and Physics at grade BCC.
I had originally been offered to study electrical/ electronic engineering at Leeds Uni for 2022, however due to the grades I achieved, I missed my offer and instead opted to head straight into work.
Initially I tried my hand at data science bootcamps but couldn't get past the coding, for which for around the last 2-3 years, I worked several different customer service and admin jobs.
I say all this to say I wish to get back into studying engineering to get a degree, as it was my passion for a long time and I don't want to let the grades I achieved at A-level define where I am in life.
I am currently exploring several options as a mature student who is currently aged 21 (turning 22 this june) however rather than simply resitting all 3 A-Level subjects, I was wondering if an access/ foundational course is a better route to do an additional year so I am guaranteed to study to bachelors degree level and I was wondering what are the best providers online or in Leeds for this type of course?

Many foundation years only allow you into the dgree of that university so do you want to go to Leeds uni?

Reply 2

Arden University

Official Rep

Original post by MonoAno555

I am from the UK and got my A-Levels in Maths, Chemistry and Physics at grade BCC.
I had originally been offered to study electrical/ electronic engineering at Leeds Uni for 2022, however due to the grades I achieved, I missed my offer and instead opted to head straight into work.
Initially I tried my hand at data science bootcamps but couldn't get past the coding, for which for around the last 2-3 years, I worked several different customer service and admin jobs.
I say all this to say I wish to get back into studying engineering to get a degree, as it was my passion for a long time and I don't want to let the grades I achieved at A-level define where I am in life.
I am currently exploring several options as a mature student who is currently aged 21 (turning 22 this june) however rather than simply resitting all 3 A-Level subjects, I was wondering if an access/ foundational course is a better route to do an additional year so I am guaranteed to study to bachelors degree level and I was wondering what are the best providers online or in Leeds for this type of course?

@MonoAno555
Hi, I've taught on Access for over 10 years, and I can give you some advice on the practicalities which are a little dull but important to consider.

If you do an Access to HE course, you will have to take our an advanced learner loan to pay for the course, as you have used up your level 3 allocation with your a levels. However, a unique selling point of access is that the loan is written off when you complete your chosen degree. The Governments Auger review of F.E/H.E stated that this was good value for money about 4 years ago.

A foundation year, may be your best option depending on guidance from someone who knows about engineering routes (I don't, social sciences is my background) but you will need to take out a student loan for this which will need to be paid back.

I've met many Access Engineering students and their classes sound really fun

Marc
Arden University Student Ambasssador

Reply 3

ErasistratusV

What kind of engineering do you want to be involved with and at what level?

Reply 4

MonoAno555

Original post by ErasistratusV

What kind of engineering do you want to be involved with and at what level?

Electrical engineering is what I was originally going to study, I've also considered mechanical. I want to study them to bachelor's level

Reply 5

ErasistratusV

Original post by MonoAno555

Electrical engineering is what I was originally going to study, I've also considered mechanical. I want to study them to bachelor's level

Sorry, my post wasn't the clearest, what position or role do you desire to work within? What kind of field specifically? Have you researched companies involved in these fields or applications and if so what sort of qualifications or other considerations do they want? I'd be talking to companies ahead of time with a view to finding employment with them at some stage. I know two people who are engineers (not electrical though) who went to work for companies who eventually paid for them to be trained formally and so they obtained their qualifications basically without paying a penny.

Reply 6

Girl Friday

Original post by MonoAno555

I am from the UK and got my A-Levels in Maths, Chemistry and Physics at grade BCC.
I had originally been offered to study electrical/ electronic engineering at Leeds Uni for 2022, however due to the grades I achieved, I missed my offer and instead opted to head straight into work.
Initially I tried my hand at data science bootcamps but couldn't get past the coding, for which for around the last 2-3 years, I worked several different customer service and admin jobs.
I say all this to say I wish to get back into studying engineering to get a degree, as it was my passion for a long time and I don't want to let the grades I achieved at A-level define where I am in life.
I am currently exploring several options as a mature student who is currently aged 21 (turning 22 this june) however rather than simply resitting all 3 A-Level subjects, I was wondering if an access/ foundational course is a better route to do an additional year so I am guaranteed to study to bachelors degree level and I was wondering what are the best providers online or in Leeds for this type of course?

Surrey University offer a good Foundation Year at CCC for engineering. You do 2 modules, maths and physics, aimed at getting you to the required A level that is relevant and also covering some of the first degree year too so you go into the degree confident. You also take part in Univ life to the full and you do an engineering project with other foundation year students.

Reply 7

Muttley79

Original post by Girl Friday

Surrey isn't near Leeds though

Reply 8

Girl Friday

Original post by Muttley79

Surrey isn't near Leeds though

But they have accommodation!

Reply 9

Muttley79

Original post by Girl Friday

But they have accommodation!

Read wgat the OP asks though 'was wondering what are the best providers online or in Leeds for this type of course?'

Reply 10

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

Original post by MonoAno555

I am from the UK and got my A-Levels in Maths, Chemistry and Physics at grade BCC.
I had originally been offered to study electrical/ electronic engineering at Leeds Uni for 2022, however due to the grades I achieved, I missed my offer and instead opted to head straight into work.
Initially I tried my hand at data science bootcamps but couldn't get past the coding, for which for around the last 2-3 years, I worked several different customer service and admin jobs.
I say all this to say I wish to get back into studying engineering to get a degree, as it was my passion for a long time and I don't want to let the grades I achieved at A-level define where I am in life.
I am currently exploring several options as a mature student who is currently aged 21 (turning 22 this june) however rather than simply resitting all 3 A-Level subjects, I was wondering if an access/ foundational course is a better route to do an additional year so I am guaranteed to study to bachelors degree level and I was wondering what are the best providers online or in Leeds for this type of course?

Hi,
May I suggest you look at doing an Engineering foundation year at CU Coventry University. We offer a wide range of foundational courses in all types of engineering courses from more general forms like Mechanical and Electronic to more specific Aerospace and Motorsport. These foundation years will cover all the necessary base A level style content needed to then progress into a full time degree at Coventry.
https://www.coventry.ac.uk/cuc/study/courses-designed-to-suit-you/foundation-years/
https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/e29baa8f-0475-44c6-a07d-4e63d7f93c4a?academicYearId=2025
Hope this helps
Dan - Student Ambassador

Reply 11

Girl Friday

Original post by Muttley79

Read wgat the OP asks though 'was wondering what are the best providers online or in Leeds for this type of course?'

Agreed, but it is still a good idea to think more widely when reviewing options and whether other possibilities are actually impossible for you as you may first think. I was leaving OP to draw their own conclusions for their own situation from the extra information I had provided.