Aston Foundation Centre

Find out more about our department.

Welcome

Welcome to the Aston Foundation Centre. We are an interdisciplinary and innovative department of academics, supporting students transition to university study. We deliver a suite of Foundation Programmes which lead into Year 1 of study within the College of Engineering and Physical Science.

About us

Our department specialises in supporting students who have either not achieved the required grades or who want to change the direction of their study and have not studied the requisite subjects for admission to the first year of their chosen Engineering and Physical Science degree course.Our department has an excellent track record in teaching and student support, as well as an active scholarship and pedagogic research culture, meaning that we are always looking for innovative ways to improve the student experience. We offer a supportive environment for students, taking feedback seriously and nurturing the curiosity and analytical mindset that engineers and scientists require.

Our teaching

We are a team of teaching focused academics, with expertise across a range of engineering and science fields. This enables us to provide interdisciplinary teaching with expertise across disciplines, mirroring real-life projects. In addition to technical experience, our team also provides pastoral support to ensure that students are holistically supported as they transition to studying in Higher Education. Our students particularly appreciate the 1-2-1 and small group support that our team offer throughout the year, both with an academic and a pastoral focus, as well as the variety of learning opportunities that are delivered within our programmes. Our supportive staff members ensure students have everything they need to achieve their potential and progress onto Year 1 of their degree programme with a sense of achievement, confidence, and purpose.

Foundation programmes

Foundation Programme: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Foundation Programme: Computer Science Foundation Programme: Cybersecurity

Foundation Programme: Biomedical Engineering Foundation Programme: Chemical Engineering Foundation Programme: Design Engineering Foundation Programme: Electrical and Electronic Engineering Foundation Programme: Electronic Engineering and Computer Science Foundation Programme: Mathematics Foundation Programme: Mathematics with Economics Foundation Programme: Mechanical Engineering Foundation Programme: Product Design and Innovation

Foundation Programme: Business and Supply Chain Management Foundation Programme: Civil Engineering Foundation Programme: Construction Project Management Foundation Programme: Logistics with Supply Chain Management Foundation Programme: Quantity Surveying

Why choose an EPS Aston University Foundation Programme? 

We have a dedicated teaching focused, foundation team who specialise in large and small group teaching and personalised support. The team has subject-specific expertise to support your academic journey. As an Aston University student, you will have access to a range of university facilities, including academic support, workshops, one-to-one tutoring and PAL (Peer-Assisted Learning) sessions delivered by the Learning Development Centre.

You will also become a member of the Aston Students’ Union and have access to the support and student societies offered. Our programmes focus on building confident, technically competent students with a love of learning. We use interactive teaching methods, flexible learning opportunities, hands-on experiments and group projects that apply learning to practical scenarios. Technical and transferrable skills are enhanced through individual and group work, and we utilise a range of assessment formats to prepare our students for success in their degree and future career.

For more information about the course structure, delivery, and progression, please see our FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a foundation programme, and who is it for?

A foundation programme is a one-year course designed to bridge the gap between secondary education and university-level study. It's ideal for: 


•    Students who narrowly missed the required grades for direct undergraduate entry.
•    Individuals changing their intended field of study and lacking the necessary subject background.
•    Mature students returning to education.


At Aston University, the Aston Foundation Centre offers such programmes to help students transition smoothly into undergraduate studies within the College of Engineering and Physical Science.

What is the structure and content of a foundation programme at Aston University?

On the EPS foundation programmes, you will study some modules alongside all our students, no matter which EPS foundation programme they are studying, and some subject-specific modules taken by students on similar programmes of study. All the modules you study are designed to support your intended undergraduate degree.


In addition to technical content, you will also develop academic skills, such as referencing, report writing, and project management.


For more information about the structure of the specific foundation programme courses, see the Foundation Programmes pages and select the individual programme you are interested in.

How are foundation programmes at Aston University taught?

Our teaching methods range from engaging lectures and tutorials to interactive workshops to online activities. All the EPS foundation programmes also include collaborative project-based learning to mimic real-life working and start to build your employability skills. You will be engaged with learning theory and will also dive into real-world projects that challenge and inspire you through hands-on work, where you will put theory into practice.


Your weekly timetable will be specific to your programme and will reflect the different learning opportunities provided for your modules. You can find more information about the modules for a programme on the programme-specific information page

Does completing an Aston University foundation programme guarantee progression to an undergraduate degree?

Progression depends on meeting the academic performance criteria set by the programme, however if you successfully complete your foundation programme at Aston University then you are guaranteed progression into Year 1 of your degree programme. You will automatically progress into Year 1 and will not have to reapply via UCAS.


Please note that you are only guaranteed progression into the degree programme aligned with your foundation programme. If you want to discuss the option of transferring to another programme whilst studying at Aston University, you will need to talk to your Programme Director.

Is there a foundation programme for all courses at Aston University?

No, there are only programmes for specific courses. The Aston Foundation Centre only provides routes into the courses offered by the College of Engineering and Physical Science.


There is a Foundation Programme in Business and Social Science which leads onto courses in the College of Business and Social Science

I’m an international student, can I study a foundation programme?

Only UK students are eligible to take one of the foundation programmes offered through Aston Foundation Centre. If you are an international student interested in a foundation programme, please visit OnCampus Aston.

What support is available during the Foundation Year at Aston University?

As a Foundation Year student at Aston University you have access to the same support as any undergraduate student. This includes:

•    Access to university facilities (library, IT services, Sports Centre).
•    A personal tutor.
•    Academic support from module leads.
•    Academic support from the Learning Development Centre.
•    Access to the Students Union.
•    Opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities through student clubs and societies.
•    Access to wellbeing support.

In addition, Foundation Year students also have access to a range of tailored support delivered through the Aston Foundation Centre and Learning Development Centre.

What is personal tutoring and how does this work in the Aston Foundation Centre?

Every student at Aston University is assigned a Personal Tutor. During your foundation programme you will have a personal tutor who is a member of the Aston Foundation Centre. The role of the personal tutor is to support your academic, personal and professional development. To do this they will meet with you at various times throughout the year in either a group or 1-2-1 setting. You can contact your personal tutor to arrange meetings yourself and you can ask them any questions you have throughout the year.

I don’t have a strong background in maths or physics. What support will I get on the Foundation Year?

Many of the students studying on our foundation programmes have not studied maths or physics since GCSE but we are here to support them every step of the way. 


During your Foundation Year, you will be able to access lots of different support, including:


•    A team of experienced maths tutors who develop innovative and interactive mathematics teaching resources.
•    A team of experienced physics tutors who develop hands-on physics teaching resources.
•    All staff in the Aston Foundation Centre offer individual meetings to provide personalised academic support.
•    Specialist maths support through the Learning Development Centre (LDC).
•    PAL (Peer-Assisted Learning) sessions led by trained students.
•    A dedicated personal tutor to support both your academic journey and wellbeing.


We’ll help you build confidence and develop the skills you need to succeed in your degree and beyond.
 

Will I still be able to take a placement year if I study a foundation programme?

Yes, if your desired degree programme includes a placement year then you will still be able to complete this as part of your degree studies following successful completion of your foundation programme. The Careers and Placements team at Aston University provide support preparing for placements and are involved in delivering some of the content you will encounter in an Engineering and Physical Sciences foundation programme.

Can I join student societies or take part in extracurricular activities at Aston University whilst in the foundation programme?

Yes, you will have access to all the societies and opportunities offered by the Students’ Union.

Can I work part-time while studying the foundation year?

We have many students who have balanced part-time work with their studies, however we would always recommend exercising caution when taking on or continuing a part-time job when starting your studies. The foundation programmes are full time programmes and you will need to dedicate time to your studies. The Careers and Placements team provides is support for finding part-time roles that will work alongside your studies.

Can I change my intended degree after the foundation year?

At Aston University you are only guaranteed progression into the degree programme aligned with your foundation programme. The programmes delivered within the Aston Foundation Centre 
If you want to discuss the option of transferring to another programme whilst studying at Aston University, you will need to talk to your Programme Director.

Can I use a foundation year from one university to apply to another?

It is possible but it is not guaranteed. If you plan to apply elsewhere after completing your foundation programme at Aston University, you will need to ensure that the programme is recognised by the other university and aligns with their entry requirements. 

What if I decide that university isn’t for me after completing the foundation programme?

Each year we have some students who decide that they do not want to continue to study at university for a variety of reasons. Students usually discuss this with their personal tutor or Programme Director to ensure that they can make an informed decision about their next steps.