Programme Specification for the 2025/6 academic year
BEng (Hons) Environmental Engineering with Foundation Year
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | BEng (Hons) Environmental Engineering with Foundation Year | Programme code | UFN4ENEENECA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Campus(es) | Cornwall Campus |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 6 (Honours) |
2. Description of the Programme
This is a 4-year undergraduate degree programme with a fully embedded Foundation year. During the Foundation year, students will develop their academic skills and subject knowledge at Exeter on the Streatham campus. In the following year, students will join the first year of a BEng in Environmental Engineering degree programme on Penryn campus in Cornwall subject to successful completion of the Foundation year.
At stage zero 0 (the foundation year) of the programme, you can progress to stage 1 of the BEng Environmental Engineering programme once the 120 credits have been passed, and provided that an average of at least 55% has been achieved over the 120 credits of assessments for this stage.
The protection and enhancement of our natural environment sits at the heart of the sustainability agenda, and environmental engineers are key to this work. Alongside developing core engineering knowledge and key skills in team working and project-based learning you will also apply your skillset to significant environmental challenges around issues such as contaminated land and water management in a unique programme that links decades of experience in mining and mineral extraction to the future challenges of sustainability and net-zero. The location of this programme in the heart of Cornwall’s industrial heritage provides extensive opportunities for real-world case studies and field trips to gains first-hand experience of the challenges and how these can be addressed.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The Foundation year of the ‘BEng Environmental Engineering with Foundation Year’ programme aims to help you meet the academic requirements for progression to the first, and subsequent, stages of your degree programme. It is also designed to help you to develop the necessary study skills and approaches to learning required for successful undergraduate study as well as to introduce you to the culture of academic study in a UK Higher Education institution.
The BEng Environmental Engineering degree programme is designed to deliver all of the required learning outcomes as set out in UK-SPEC for a bachelor’s degree and hence contributes towards graduates becoming professionally qualified engineers in the UK, with international recognition.
This programme aims to produce graduates who can practice professionally in environmental engineering roles with a specific focus on development of clean energy technologies and mining and mineral extraction. This is dependent upon appropriate training: broad engineering principles, applied environmental sciences, project management and policy; and exposure to real-world industry challenges. This programme aims to provide core knowledge and understanding across all these areas, but also, through the options you select, the programme will provide you with the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding in specific areas of the discipline.
Whilst enrolling upon the programme you may regard it as a vocational degree, however, the scientific, engineering and socio-economic training received will facilitate careers in many fields outside the sector. In addition, the programme aims to develop the transferable 21st-century transferable skills sought by potential employers.
This programme aims to develop:
- a pragmatic and rational outlook to design and problem solving that encourages and capitalises on the use of creativity and innovation, properly founded on engineering and scientific principles
- an ability to formulate the practical steps required for a concept to become a reality
- levels of numeracy and computer literacy commensurate with full command of state-of-the-art design and analysis tools
- cost, value and quality consciousness and understanding of business
- full commitment to social, cultural and environmental issues and a responsibility to deal with these both ethically and professionally.
Through this programme, the Engineering Department will provide you with: learning opportunities to match your abilities and aspirations, personal academic support and pastoral support through your university career, appropriate methods of teaching and assessment and a programme of study that you find demanding, interesting and intellectually stimulating, while allowing you to enjoy other aspects of university life. The Department will also seek to promote the role of industry and engineering institutions and the benefits that they can provide to you by promoting student membership of and active participation within said engineering institutions.
Through this, the programme aims to enable you to become:
a) a flexible and autonomous environmental engineering specialist equipped to adopt key roles within multi-disciplinary industrial teams, research and development groups, legislative and financial organisations.
b) sought after for your leadership contributions, capacity for analytical and original thought and discipline specific expertise. This includes a holistic understanding of the context within which you work, ability and innate desire to support the work of others and take full responsibility, demonstrating self-motivation for your own personal and professional development.
c) socially and personally responsible, reflective and accurate decision makers and problem solvers, whether working individually or as part of a group.
d) academically qualified to become a chartered engineer within the appropriate engineering industry at the earliest opportunity.
e) aware of the environmental, economic, social and sustainability issues that are an integral part of the professional engineer's role in society.
You will have also benefited from employability skills acquired through participation in industrial visits, field trips and the optional industry placement.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
The BEng Environmental Engineering with Foundation Year programme is a four-year full-time programme of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level six (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into four stages. Each stage is normally equivalent to an academic year. The programme is also divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.
The foundation year (stage 0) is studied at our Streatham Campus in Exeter. Once this foundation year is completed and the progression threshold is met, you will transfer to Penryn (the Cornwall Campus of the University of Exeter) for the remaining three years of your study.
Stage 1 of the Environmental Engineering programme is shared with all engineering disciplines and strikes a balance between providing core engineering and mathematical knowledge and making the learning experience engaging and exciting. A year-long multi-disciplinary group project provides an over-arching vehicle for project-based learning (PBL) and a means of putting core knowledge into practice in a collaborative group setting. Project briefs are developed in response to the core module content. To support the students’ project work they undertake workshops in sketching, report / technical writing and study / research skills. Students develop essential knowledge in Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing through a year-long module. By combining mathematics and programming, students develop both the mathematical knowledge that underpins engineering science and also the skills to put this knowledge to use by harnessing the power of programming. The first year also includes four 15-credit modules, ‘Fundamentals of Engineering’, 'Fundamentals of Mechanics', 'Fundamentals of Materials', and 'Fundamentals of Electronics'. All modules are delivered using a PBL framework that encourages students to become independent learners.
Stage 2 continues in the same vein as the first with a combination of project work and core modules. A group project again provides context and motivation for the theory taught in the second year. This project is environmental engineering-specific and centres on a real-world challenge that allows students to draw on the skills and knowledge gained in the first years. Core engineering and mathematics skills continue to be developed, alongside environmentally focused modules addressing topics such as impact assessment and key software skills with GIS. Optional modules allow students to start to specialise in areas of interest.
The focus in Stage 3 is on acquiring further core environmental engineering knowledge but also applying this in wider contexts through the optional modules offered. Students will complete a research-focused dissertation and also complete a further group project, focused on a consultancy-style exercise for a real-world client. Students have the option to complete an industry placement in the summer before stage 3.
For any student with mobility or health disabilities that prevent them from undertaking intensive fieldwork and/or practical engineering exercises, reasonable adjustments and/or alternative assessment will be considered in agreement with the Director of Education and Student Experience.
Interim / Exit Awards
Interim Awards:
If you do not complete the programme you may be able to exit with a lower qualification. At stage zero of the programme, If you have achieved 120 credits with an overall average of at least 40% and less than 55% at Level 3, you may be awarded a Foundation year Certificate as an exit award, and if you achieve 120 credits with an overall average of 55% or above, you will progress to stage 1 of the BEng Mining Engineering programme.
With the requisite number of credits a student may qualify for a Certificate of Higher Education or a Diploma of Higher Education.
Stage 1
120 credits of compulsory modules.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTH0001 | Principles of Pure Mathematics | 30 | Yes |
| MTH0003 | Exploring Mathematics | 15 | No |
| MTH0004 | Foundation Statistics | 15 | Yes |
| MTH0005 | Science: Skills and Culture | 30 | No |
| MTH0006 | Applied Mathematics | 15 | Yes |
| MTH0007 | Programming Skills | 15 | Yes |
Stage 2
120 credits of compulsory modules.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENE1011 | Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing | 30 | Yes |
| ENE1012 | Multi-Disciplinary Group Challenge Project | 30 | Yes |
| ENE1017 | Fundamentals of Engineering | 15 | Yes |
| ENE1014 | Fundamentals of Mechanics | 15 | Yes |
| ENE1015 | Fundamentals of Materials | 15 | Yes |
| ENE1016 | Fundamentals of Electronics | 15 | Yes |
Stage 3
105 credits of compulsory modules, 15 credits of optional modules.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENE2020 | Discipline Group Challenge Project | 15 | Yes |
| ENE2014 | Energy Policy, Markets and Law | 15 | Yes |
| ENE2006 | Applied Thermodynamics | 15 | Yes |
| ENE2018 | Fluid Mechanics | 15 | Yes |
| ENE2019 | Environmental Engineering and Impact Assessment | 15 | Yes |
| ECM2906 | Data, Signals and Systems | 15 | Yes |
| CSM3047 | GIS for Geologists | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSM2185 | Geotechnics | 15 | Yes |
| GEO2441 | Remote Sensing for Environmental Management | 15 | Yes |
| GEO2450 | Biogeography | 15 | Yes |
Stage 4
90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENE3024 | Environmental Engineering Consultancy Project | 15 | Yes |
| ENE3023 | Dissertation Project | 30 | Yes |
| ENE3004 | Life Cycle Analysis | 15 | Yes |
| ENE3018 | Risk, Reliability Systems and Safety Management | 15 | Yes |
| CSM3152 | Hydrogeology | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENE3010 | Sustainable Architecture | 15 | No |
| ENE3005 | Wind Energy | 15 | No |
| ENE3022 | Industry Summer Placement | 15 | No |
| EMG3006 | Applied AI and Control | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Apply knowledge of mathematics and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems (C1) | Stage 0 of this programme aims to?lay foundations of skills in mathematics, engineering, and sciences for more advanced studies, by bringing students to a level of knowledge and competence equivalent to pre-requisites for Stage 1 of their chosen degree. It provides students with skills bridging the gap between the material covered prior to a university level and that of a first-year degree programme.? At Stage 0 of the programme, knowledge and skills are primarily provided through formal lectures supported by regular problem sheets for students to tackle on their own.?Students will be encouraged to develop solutions for the formative exercises in the class while working in small groups.?Lectures are reinforced by regular tutorial groups in which assistance with, and feedback on, problem sheets is given.?Students will be provided with learning materials, worked examples, exercise sheet and solutions via the Virtual Learning Environment.? At subsequent stages, specialised skills and knowledge are delivered through lecture-based sessions, with material re-enforced through tutorial sessions and workshops. Students also build on knowledge through lab-based and IT-based practical sessions. Group project work allows knowledge to be applied to real-world problems. The intended learning outcomes (ILOs) are developed and assessed in the following modules: ILO1: ENE1011, ENE1014, ENE1015, ENE1016, ENE1017, ENE2018, ENE2006, ENE2019, ECM2906 ILO2: ENE1011, ENE1014, ENE1015, ENE1016, ENE1017, ENE2006, ENE2015, ENE2018, CSM3047, ECM2906, CSM3152 ILO3: ENE1011, ENE1015, CSM3047, ECM2906, CSM3152, ENE3004 ILO4: ENE1014, ENE2018, ENE2006, ENE2014, ENE2019 ENE3004, ENE3023 ILO5: ENE1012, ENE22019, ENE2020, ENE3018, ENE3019 ILO6: ENE1012, ENE2014, ENE2015, ENE2018, ENE2020, ENE3019, ENE3023. | At Stage 0 of the programme, most Knowledge is tested through examinations in addition to other forms of summative assessments including?class-tests, online quizzes, project reports/essays, group projects or presentations. Skills will be assessed directly and indirectly at various stages of each module through coursework, tests, presentations, and written projects, as well as final examinations. At subsequent stages:
- problem sheets - laboratory reports - computer exercises - group or individual project reports - reports or essays based on directed reading, research or field activities - poster and oral presentations
|
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
8. Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct (C8) | By the end of Stage 0 of the programme the students will be able to: Skills (a-e) are developed through most of the modules at Stage 0 of the programme, and those skills are reinforced through individual and group project work and presentations as well as through guided reading and seminar sessions. At subsequent stages, discipline-specific core skills and knowledge continue to be developed through lecture and tutorial sessions, with practical sessions continuing to be used to support learning. Skills around project development and management are developed through project work and group work, often with a practical component and utilising the student workshop. The ILOs are developed and assessed in the following modules: ILO8: ENE3018, ENE3019, ENE3023 ILO9: ENE2020, ENE3018, ENE3023 ILO10: ENE1012, ENE2014, ENE3018 ILO11: ENE1012, ENE2020 ILO12: ENE1014, ENE1015, ENE1016, ENE1017, ENE2006, ENE2018, ENE2020 ILO13: ENE1015, ENE2020 ILO14: ENE2020, ENE3019. | Skills (a-e) are developed through most of the modules at Stage 0 of the programme, and those skills are reinforced through individual and group project work and presentations as well as through formative and summative coursework, online quizzes and class-tests. At subsequent stages:
- problem sheets - laboratory reports - computer exercises - group or individual project reports - reports or essays based on directed reading, research or field activities - poster and oral presentations
|
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
By the end of Stage 0 of the programme the students will be able to: (a) formulate and solve problems and communicate reasoning and solutions effectively in writing. Skills (a-e) are developed through most of the modules at Stage 0 of the programme. At subsequent stages, personal and transferable skills are primarily developed through individual and group project work. All group works includes an element of peer assessment to enable students to develop their group work and collaboration skills. Presentations, in a range of formats, provide students with an opportunity to develop their communication skills. The ILOs are developed and assessed in the following modules: ILO15: ENE3019, ENE3023 ILO16: ENE1012, ENE2006, ENE2020, ECM2906, ENE3019 ILO17: ENE1012, ENE2019, ENE2014, ENE2020, ENE3019, ENE3023 ILO18: ENE1012, ENE3023. | Skills (a-e) are developed through most of the modules at Stage 0 of the programme. At subsequent stages:
- problem sheets - laboratory reports - computer exercises - group or individual project reports - reports or essays based on directed reading, research or field activities - poster and oral presentations
| |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Academic and personal tutors. It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with academic advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
Computing and library facilities. Students have access to good computing and library facilities on the Penryn campus. Computer-based exercises and web-based learning materials are a feature of the programme, which can be accessed via the internet. IT Services provide a range of central services, including open and training clusters of PCs (available on a 24/7 basis) within the Centre. Wireless network access is available from all rooms in the hall of residence on site. On the Penryn campus in Cornwall, the Learning Resource Centre contains a library of 70,000 volumes and some specialist collections. In addition, students have full access to the central University of Exeter library, including the electronic library resources.
Online study resources available through the University’s virtual learning environment, ELE, provide materials for modules that you are registered for, in addition to useful subject and IT resources. Generic study support resources, library and research skills, past exam papers, and the 'Academic Honesty and Plagiarism' module are also available through ELE (http://ele.exeter.ac.uk)
Engineering Teaching Laboratory (ETL). The ETL supports teaching in renewable energy-focused modules and is located on the top floor of the Du Maurier building at the Penryn campus. In addition to providing experimental rigs and demonstration space to support core Engineering modules, it also provides a suite of
computers with specialist engineering software, space for group and project work, and a dedicated digital maker space shared with other STEM disciplines. Access to these facilities will be available to all Engineering students, including out of hours on request.
Renewable Energy Engineering Facility (REEF) / MakerSpace. In 2018, the department opened a new-build specialist engineering workshop, REEF. This facility, equipped with a wide range of prototyping and workshop tools and facilities, including 3D printing, provides the location for design and build practical-based project work. All students are fully inducted in the use of the workshop equipment, and a dedicated technician is available to support course-based and extra-curricular practical projects.
Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy (ESE)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
Not applicable to this programme.
18. Final Award
BEng (Hons) Environmental Engineering with Foundation Year
19. UCAS Code
H125
20. NQF Level of Final Award
6 (Honours)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 480 |
ECTS credits | 240 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
Level 1
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 03/10/2024 |
Date of last revision | 07/08/2025 |
|---|
