Foundation Year

• Explore technical and non-technical skills required within engineering and technology including physics, mathematics, communication, collaboration and digital skills.  
• Carry out engineering testing, and work with models of real structures and moving artefacts such as buildings and transport. 
• Develop your understanding of how engineering and technology fit within a wider societal context, through the solving of a systems-based problem that would pose real-world repercussions.  
• Apply your learning across the year to an individual project, finding out about various engineering and technology disciplines and the roles they play in different industries and business sectors – while considering your own future career options  
• Receive support, whenever needed - 1:1 support through your allocated Personal Tutor, access to the Academic Skills and Knowhow Centre, and Student Services.  

Work on real-world challenges at every stage of your learning, connecting with employers of varying sizes and from a multitude of sectors including security, health, energy, sustainability, food production and infrastructure.  

Our partners will enrich your learning tenfold and will help you to develop the skills and tools you need to succeed in your chosen career. You'll be provided with real-world challenges to work on and with real-world resources to utilise. You can be confident that your learning will reflect modern-day needs; you’ll also build an extensive professional network while you’re here.  

On successful completion of the NMITE Foundation Year, you’ll be able to progress onto your chosen NMITE technical degree.  

 Did you know? 

The average salary for a graduate engineer in the UK is impressive, currently sitting at £34,128 per year (Glassdoor, 2023). 

We welcome applications from students from all backgrounds. 

• Either: two A-levels in any subject and at any pass grade (or equivalent qualifications such as a BTEC National Diploma or Level 3 Apprenticeship) 
• Or: demonstrable experience, interest in and flair for your chosen subject. 
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4 or above. 
• Students must be at least 18 years of age by the time the course begins. 

Current IELTS requirement for students whose first language is not English:

• Applicants with an existing English Language qualification (equivalent to FHEQ Level 2): IELTS band 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent)
• Applicants without an existing English Language qualification (equivalent to FHEQ Level 2): IELTS band 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent)
• Click here for a list of approved English language tests

Discover more about our admissions process.

The NMITE Foundation Year includes compulsory modules, designed to develop your knowledge and skills so that you can successfully progress onto your chosen NMITE degree. 

The course is taught one module (30 credits) at a time, with each module taught in an 8-week block. An academic year comprises 4 modules x 8 weeks (32 taught weeks). Modules are as follows:

• Creativity and Fundamental Engineering Skills - Explore the range of technical and non-technical skills required within engineering and technology including laws of physics, principles mathematics, and communication, collaboration and digital skills.  
• Engineered Structures and Mechanisms - Investigate different types of engineered objects and how they work. You'll carry out tests, and work with models of real structures and moving artefacts such as buildings and transport. 
• Engineering and Technology as Problem-solving - Develop your understanding of how engineering and technology fit within a wider societal context, through the solving of a systems-based problem that would pose real-world repercussions. Along the way, you'll further develop your skills in maths, modelling, producing graphs and using digital tools. 
• Engineering and Technology Project - Apply your learning across the year to an individual project, finding out about various engineering and technology disciplines and the roles they play in different industries and business sectors, and considering your own future career options. 

Study style

You'll be introduced to the fundamentals of engineering and technology through challenge-based learning, beginning your journey with an orientation into profession and practice. You'll work in teams to solve problems, developing the skills and experience you need to progress onto the first year of an NMITE degree. Focus will be on learning by doing - part of our unique educational approach.

Learning timetable 

Learning takes place within the hours of 9-5, Monday-Friday. Your own time is just that, undisturbed for you to enjoy. 

Academic calendar 

View term dates via the link below.

Here we answer the most pressing questions we receive about the NMITE Foundation Year. If you have something else to ask, simply get in touch. 

What is a Foundation Year? 

A Foundation Year is an extra year of study at the start of a degree course that allows students who don’t have the required entry requirements or experience to study a degree on successful completion. 

How do Foundation Years work? 

A Foundation Year will give you the opportunity to learn more about your subject and develop the necessary skills for your degree. The teaching on our NMITE Foundation Year is exactly the same as on our degrees: Monday-Friday; industry-focused, practical and collaborative; with no traditional lecture theatres and no traditional exams. You will all study on the Foundation Year together and then progress onto your chosen degree.

Who is the Foundation Year at NMITE for? 

The NMITE Foundation Year is ideal for you, if: 

• you did not get the grades you needed to progress directly into degree-level study 
• you want to change your career, entering the exciting and rewarding world of engineering or built environment
• you did not follow traditional routes into university-level study 

What are the entry requirements? 

At NMITE, we simply ask that individuals have two A-levels or equivalent at any pass grade, GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths at Grade 4 or above, OR relevant experience. We also ask international students to evidence IELTS grade 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component or an alternative acceptable qualification. Discover more on the relevant undergraduate course page. 

What do you do at the end of the Foundation Year? 

At the end of the year, so long as you’ve met specific requirements, you’ll progress onto the first year of your NMITE degree. You will have the opportunity to change your degree whilst on your Foundation Year, if you decide you would like to study a different degree.

Can I get student finance?  

UK-based students studying a Foundation Year can still access tuition fee and maintenance loans to help cover the cost of their Foundation Year. UK-based and international students can also access NMITE bursaries and scholarships to support them during their studies.

Where will I live? 

As an NMITE Foundation Year student, you’ll be guaranteed student accommodation for your first year. You can choose to live in our modern halls-of-residence in the city of Hereford or off campus.  

You’ll be supported fully throughout your time with us (and beyond as you become an NMITE Alumni).  Discover our network of student support and wellbeing services.

Tuition fees (2025 entry)

• UK students: £9,275 per year
• International students: £18,000 per year

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

NMITE bursaries and scholarships

We know that going to university is a financial commitment. That is why we are dedicated to easing the financial burden for our students through our bursaries and scholarships. We have several financial awards available for future and existing students.

Our student accommodation is in the heart of Hereford city, a stone’s throw from our campuses. Rooms are fully furnished, en-suite and cleaned weekly. Connect instantly with new friends, joining a ready-made family of like-minded students.

Oh, and accommodation is guaranteed for all first-year students.