Foundation Degree (FdEng) Civil Engineering

Key Details

Available at:
Rhos-on-Sea
Study Mode:
Part-time, Full-time
Course Length:
2-4 years
UCAS Codes:
H200

Foundation Degree (FdEng) Civil Engineering

Degrees (Higher Education)

Please contact us for further information about applying for this course.

Course Description

Would you like to start a successful and rewarding career in engineering? Do you already work in a related profession, but want the skills and qualification to progress? This course prepares you for employment in the areas of civil, environmental and structural engineering. It also enables continuous professional development for individuals already employed in the sector.

This qualification is approved as fully satisfying the educational base for an Engineering Technician (EngTech).

Modules include:

Year 1 (Level 4)

Environmental Science and Materials
Hand Drafting and CAD
Mathematics for the Built Environment
Site Surveying
Civil Engineering Site Operations
Structural Analysis
Geology

Year 2 (Level 5)

Civil Engineering Technology
Surveying Techniques
Development of the Built Environment
Engineering Mathematics and Science
Geotechnics
Hydraulics and Fluid Dynamics
Management procedures
Building Information Modelling

Additional information

More detailed information on Modules is to be found in the ‘Additional Campus/Course Information’ section.

Entry Criteria

Language Requirements:

GCSE in Welsh or English as first language, grade C/4 (or equivalent) or above
Any degrees, diplomas or certificates eligible should have been taught and assessed in Welsh or English
For overseas applicants, for entry onto Level 4, English fluency to IELTS 5.5 or higher (with no element less than 5.0)
For overseas applicants, for entry onto Levels 5 or above, English fluency to IELTS 6.0 or higher (with no element less than 5.5)

Academic requirements:

a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points in a main level 3 qualification, gaining a pass, grade C or higher in at least one relevant subject which could include: A Levels, BTEC, International Baccalaureate, ACCESS to HE; many additional qualifications from Wales, England and Scotland are accepted to support the UCAS points in addition to the relevant subject, such as the Welsh Baccalaureate.
GCSE Mathematics/Numeracy, grade C/4 or above, or Key/Essential Skill equivalent level.

For applicants without these qualifications, evidence of numeracy skills at a suitable level to meet the demands of the programme successfully, will need to be demonstrated.

Equivalent international qualifications are acceptable.

Examples of acceptable academic entry requirements include:

Two A levels, gaining a pass in at least one relevant A2 subject at grade C or higher. Minimum grades accepted D. Examples of A Levels appropriate for the course entry are the following: Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Design Technology, Geography, Geology, Economics, Business.
Or a BTEC Extended Diploma or equivalent with grade MPP or higher.
Or a BTEC Diploma or above, or equivalent with grade MM or higher with 2 years industry experience.
Or a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma or above, or equivalent with grade M or higher with 3 years industry experience.
Or experience in the industry of more than 5 years that show competent managerial expertise

For individuals who do not meet the above academic requirements, we will consider a wide range of non-standard or professional qualifications and experience through the submission of a portfolio for accreditation of prior learning (APL/APEL/RPEL), in accordance with GLLM regulations and policies.

Direct entry onto level 5 of the GLLM Construction or Civil Engineering Foundation Degree will be considered for those progressing students who have successfully completed the respective Construction or Civil Engineering GLLM Certificate of HE, or successful completion of 120 credits from a relevant HNC.

Where students take a break from their studies following completion of their Certificate of Higher Education, applications for direct entry should be made via the Credit Transfer process.

If your qualifications do not meet the entry requirements listed above, we would still encourage you to apply for the course you're interested in, as many of our courses will consider learners based on their previous work and skills experience rather than their qualifications.

Delivery

The course is delivered through a blend of the following:

Lectures
Workshops
Tutorials
Employment based modules
Guest speakers
Virtual learning environment (MOODLE)

Students are responsible for organising their own work experience if it is a requirement on their programme, and they will be supported by the course team.

Timetable:

Full-time: 2 years, 2 days per week (typically 9am-5pm)
Part-time: 4 years, 1 day per week (typically 9am-5pm)

Fees

Visit our course fees page for information on full and part-time degree course fees.

Financial Support

Visit our financial support page for information on the range of support available.

Additional costs:

Additional costs may be associated with the following:

Materials for independent study, such as laptop or desktop computer
Textbooks that are considered essential reading
External visits such as construction sites, city centres, monuments, stadia, museums/galleries/exhibitions.
Software to be able to work from home
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), budget estimate £30 - £150
Scientific Calculator
Apps which are generally free but have costs for upgraded versions

More detailed information on other costs associated with your course and work placements/work experience (if applicable) will be outlined in the programme validation document and explained to you at your interview.

Module information

More detailed information on modules is to be found in the ‘Additional Campus / Course Information’ section.

Start date

September

Contact:

For specific course enquiries, please contact:

Dave Roberto (Programme Leader): robert1d@gllm.ac.uk

Grace Gregson (Administration): gregso1g@gllm.ac.uk

For general enquiries about our degrees, please contact: degrees@gllm.ac.uk

Assessment

The course is assessed through a blend of the following:

Individual portfolios
Essays
Reports
Case studies
Presentations (individual and group)
Time-constrained assessments (open and closed book)

Feedback

Where relevant, assessments will be marked and returned to students with constructive and developmental feedback. Effective feedback combines information which enables students to understand the strengths and limitations of their past performance, and information which enables them to recognise how future performance can be improved. Students will be provided with feedback in a timely manner and this feedback will justify how the grade has been awarded. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on the feedback given and identify their strengths, things they found challenging and areas for development that they will feed forward to their next assessment. Feedback will include linking evidence to assessment criteria to demonstrate how the student will have met the learning outcomes.

Progression

Completing this course will provide you with a range of employment and education options.

The Foundation Degree Civil Engineering course allows you to proceed to a full Level 6 degree. Other graduates will begin their engineering careers or seek an enhanced role in their existing organisations. Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work as Quantity Surveyors, Architectural and Engineering Technicians, Building Control Officers and Environmental Services Officers, among other roles in both the public and private sectors.

Campus Information Rhos-on-Sea

This Foundation Degree has been designed to focus on the education and training of Civil Engineers for a variety of technical roles.

The course aims to meet the engineering industry's need for appropriately qualified staff by giving you the necessary expertise and employability. During the course you will study a range of engineering concepts and practices, underpinned by fundamentals of science and mathematics.

You will gain knowledge of current developments in civil engineering, as well as enhancing your understanding of management processes. As well as learning about theoretical aspects of engineering, you will understand how to apply them to practical, workplace situations.

You will look at solving problems and dealing with unpredictable situations in engineering contexts, and you will develop your ability to take on managerial responsibility. The course will enable you to understand principles of engineering and how they have developed.

It will also enhance your skills of analysing information, communicating clear arguments and working independently.

Unit Information

For every 10 credits, students should engage with around 100 notional hours of learning. This will be approximately 30% direct learning contact and 70% independent student learning.

The course consists of the following modules:

Year 1 (Level 4)

Employer Based Learning (10 credits, compulsory)

The construction industry is constantly changing in terms of technology, materials, processes, legislation and practice. Learners have the opportunity to reflect upon and contextualise the learning that they gain from working within the industry to assess their personal learning needs in order to plan for the future. (Portfolio 100%)

Environmental Science and Materials (20 credits, compulsory)

This unit supports learners to select and evaluate material choices to achieve the desired outcomes of a brief. It will enable them to justify if materials being fit for purpose; as defined by testing standards and properties and their impact on providing the human comfort requirement. Demonstrate awareness of the environmental impact and sustainability of materials and the health and safety considerations to meet current legislative requirements. (Presentation / proposal / poster 40%, Case study 60%)

Hand Drafting and CAD (10 credits, compulsory)

This module is one of the Employer Based Modules. It aims to enable learners’ to develop their understanding of construction principles and methods associated with low rise domestic buildings using the vehicle of hand sketching and technical drawing skills suitable for communication on site and with clients’ during stages 0 to 1 of the RIBA POW (Plan Of Work). (Presentation / proposal / poster 100%)

Mathematics for the Built Environment (20 credits, core)

This module aims to provide students with confidence in numeracy and mathematics by reinforcing and revising basic numeracy and being able to transform and resolve equations algebraically and graphically. (Exam 40%, Exam 60%)

Research and Study Skills (10 credits, compulsory)

This unit will enable you to identify and develop academic writing and information research skills, apply a range of research methodologies and instruments. (Portfolio 100%)

Site Surveying (10 credits, compulsory)

This practical module is designed to provide the student with the ability to use modern surveying equipment and to undertake a range of site surveying procedures typical of today’s construction industry. (Report 50%, Exam 50%)

Civil Engineering Site Operations (20 credits, core)

This module aims to introduce students to the fundamental aspects of developing and operating a major civil engineering operation. Modern construction techniques together with health, safety, welfare and environmental legislation applicable to the construction process will be included. (Report 75%, Proposal presentation 25%)

Structural Analysis (10 credits, compulsory)

Structural principles such as the mechanics and physics of structures will be explored. The behaviour of structures that are determinate will be analysed and as part of that calculating bending moments, shear forces, torsions and deflections in a variety of simple structures. (Portfolio x 2 100%)

Geology (10 credits, compulsory)

This module will enable students to differentiate between the formation of common rock types, their classification, mineralogy and their geological distribution. (Report 100%)

Year 2 (Level 5)

Civil Engineering Technology (20 credits, core):

This module introduces you to the fundamental aspects of specialised, major civil engineering operations such as highway construction, tunnelling activities and marine structures. (Portfolio 100%)

Surveying Techniques (10 credits, compulsory)

This practical module is designed to provide the learner with the ability to use modern surveying equipment and to undertake a range of site surveying procedures typical of today’s construction industry. (Report 50%, Exam 50%)

Development of the Built Environment (10 credits, compulsory):

This module aims to provide the student with an understanding of the built environment, its historic development and its context in modern society. (Presentation 50%, Essay 50%)

Engineering Mathematics and Science (10 credits, compulsory):

This module aims to reinforce and advance the students’ knowledge and understanding of the principles of mathematics that engineering is based upon. (Exam 40%, Exam 60%)

Geotechnics (10 credits, compulsory):

This introduces the fundamental aspects of Geology and Geographical materials used in the construction industry. You will learn ground investigation techniques and interpret data from soil tests. (Report 60%, Report 40%)

Hydraulics and Fluid Dynamics (10 credits, compulsory):

This module looks at hydrostatics and explains numerous topics such as fluid kinetics and hydraulic structures. You will undertake experiments to put the ideas into practice. (Report 50%, Exam 50%)

Group Project (20 credits, core):

The module aims to enable students to create a comprehensive and relevant personal enhancement plan by identifying a range of academic and specialist developmental needs. (Group presentation 50%, Essay 50%)

Management procedures (10 credits, compulsory):

This module will cover the internal operation of organisations and the affect their strategic decisions have on their overall market position. (Report 100%)

Building Information Modelling (10 credits, compulsory)

Learners will use BIM compatible software to create a data rich model from which standard construction documentation can be compiled and schedule information extracted. (Report 30%, Presentation 70%)

Research and Study Skills 2 (10 credits, compulsory)

The module aims to consolidate, further develop and extend the student’s capacity to apply a range of academic skills appropriately within discipline of the Built Environment. (Portfolio 100%)