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Robotics with a Foundation Year

  • BEng (Hon)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 29/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
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Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Learn about the fundamental concepts in mechatronic and robotic areas, including mathematics, computing, control, electronics and embedded systems.

Become an expert in robotics on this BEng course in mechatronic and robotic engineering, starting with a foundation year.

If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for an engineering degree, a foundation year is for you. After successfully completing the foundation year, you’ll be able to progress to your main degree courses.

In your foundation year, you'll develop your skills in maths, physics and laboratory work, preparing you to excel in your degree studies. You'll learn with academics specialising in the subject areas, using the same delivery and assessment styles as our degree courses. Project work, both individual and in groups, will also be led by academics.

At the end of your foundation year, you can choose whether to progress to a full degree course in mechatronics, robotics and computer systems engineering. You'll also have the opportunity to put what you have learned into practice during an optional industrial placement year.

A foundation year is an excellent way to prepare for your chosen engineering course and gain access to a top university education.

This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institute of Measurement and Control.

Why study this course?

  • Take your ideas from paper to reality: Work collaboratively with other student engineers to create the most effective robotics with autonomous technology.

  • Go on to great things: 92% of students from our school go on to work or further study for companies including Rolls-Royce, Siemens and Airbus.

  • Study with the experts: Our academic staff have direct research experience in the robotics industry and specialise in programming, intelligent systems and cybersecurity.

  • Learn to use industry standard tech: Thanks to our industry standard facilities including 3D CAD tools, 3D printers and advanced manufacturing technologies.

  • Get noticed by future employers: Study modules designed with our industry partners – spanning topics such as robotics and artificial intelligence, industrial control and advanced manufacturing.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BEng (Hon) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 29/09/2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
H653
Institution code:
S18
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Foundation

University of Sheffield has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
H653
Institution code:
S18
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff

Not accepted

A level

BBB - BBC
BBB (any A Level); BBC including Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD
in Engineering or Applied Science + GCSE Science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A

Access to HE Diploma

D: 24 credits M: 21 credits P: 0 credits
Award of Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 at Distinction (to include 12 Maths units), and 21 at Merit + GCSE Maths grade 7/A

Scottish Higher

AABBB - ABBBB
AABBB (any subjects); ABBBB including Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DD
in Engineering or Applied Science + A at A Level (no STEM at A Level) + GCSE Science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A; DD in Engineering or Applied Science + B in an A Level science subject (Physics, Chemistry or Biology) + GCSE Maths grade 7/A; DD in Engineering or Applied Science + C in A Level Maths + GCSE Science grade 6/B

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

31 - 32 points
32 (any subjects); 31, with Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology at either Higher Level 5 or Standard Level 7

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

B
+ BB at A Level (any subjects): B + BC in Maths and either Physics, Chemistry or Biology at A Level

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 - H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3
H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 (any subjects); H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 H3 including Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology

GCSE/National 4/National 5

If you are studying both Maths and a science (Physics, Chemistry or Biology) at A Level or equivalent, we have no additional GCSE requirements. If you are studying any other subject combination, we require GCSE Science grade 6/B and Maths grade 7/A.

To find out if you're eligible for additional consideration or an alternative offer, visit: ww.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/access-sheffield

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

English language requirements

You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

English language requirements for undergraduates https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/english-language

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The entry grades data only represents a proportion of our cohort. We accept a broad range of qualifications on our degrees and we're committed to ensuring all students with the potential to succeed at Sheffield are informed and feel encouraged to apply. If you meet one or more of our Access Sheffield criteria, we may be able to give your application additional consideration when we receive it and when exam results are released.

Learn more on the University of Sheffield website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
International£30570Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider. Further guidance can be found here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-costs

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