Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a Foundation Year

Explore power systems, power electronics, digital electronics, circuits and devices, electrical machines and drives. Your study covers theoretical and practical aspects across the range of electronic and electrical engineering. Once you’ve successfully completed the foundation year, you can start your main degree.

Open your pathway to becoming an expert in robotics or specialising in the devices and systems that power modern life with a degree in electronic and electrical engineering 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 can start a BEng or MEng degree.

From electrical machines powering the National Grid to the latest technologies like 5G networks, the world runs on electrical and electronic engineering. Throughout your course, you'll explore the theoretical and practical aspects of these devices and systems across a wide range of core and optional modules.

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 any of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering's full degree courses. You'll also be able 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.

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Why study this course?

UK top 10 for electrical and electronic engineering: As rated by The Guardian University Guide 2025 and The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

Specialist teaching facilities: 'Learning by doing' is the reason The Diamond was built. Dedicated to engineering, this state-of-the-art electronics laboratory and semiconductor cleanroom is where you’ll apply the theory you learn in lectures – consolidating your understanding alongside students from other disciplines, and beyond the bounds of the curriculum.

Total flexibility: At the end of your foundation year, you'll be able to choose to go into year one of any of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering's undergraduate degree courses.

World-leading researchers: Our academics tackle major scientific and technological challenges that have a positive impact on the world, ranging from improving the flow of data via wireless communications, renewable energy production and storage, improved efficiency and accuracy of manufacturing and the electrification of transport. Their research, which has been rated as internationally excellent, is what informs the content of your course.

Industrial placement year: You have the option to either study abroad for a year or spend a year working in industry, gaining real-world experience and connections. Links with partners such as Siemens Gamesa and Rolls-Royce make Sheffield the right choice if you want to do a placement year – and mean we have world-famous companies joining us on campus for employability fairs and networking sessions.