International Study Centre

International Year One in Engineering

International Year One in Computing

Studying Engineering

The International Year One in Engineering is your route to a variety of Engineering degrees at the University of Sussex. You will study a range of modules, totalling 120 credits, that will give you the academic and study skills you need to succeed in your degree.

In semester two you can choose your academic modules based on your intended progression degree. This ensures you gain the specialist knowledge you need to excel in your undergraduate degree.

Why study the International Year One in Engineering with us?

There are many reasons to study this preparational programme and progress straight to the second year of one of 20 exciting undergraduate degrees. These include:

  • The University of Sussex is ranked among the top 20 in the UK for Engineering and Technology (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2022)
  • Sussex is ranked 12th in the UK for Mechanical Engineering (The Guardian University Guide 2022)
  • 90% of Sussex’s research was categorised as world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent UK Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014)

Discover more about Engineering

If you're interested in studying engineering at university, read more about your degree options and related career opportunities on our dedicated Engineering subject page.

What you’ll study

Semester one modules

In semester one, you will study four academic modules, each worth 15 credits.

This module aims to equip you with a theoretical understanding of the analysis and design of basic electronic circuits for engineering applications.

This module aims to equip you with the mathematical knowledge and skills required to apply the rules of differential and integral calculus to one or more variables and to solve vector and complex number problems within engineering.

In this module you will learn how to approach engineering problems from first principles. You will also learn how to critically evaluate solutions to engineering and design problems.

You will develop an understanding of the behaviour of materials under load, and learn how to select certain materials to do certain jobs using software. You will also learn how to undertake manufacturing processes.

Semester two modules

In semester two, you will study four academic modules, each worth 15 credits. All students study Engineering Mechanics, Engineering Mathematics, Electrodynamics, and Engineering Thermodynamics, plus one module based on your intended progression degree.

This module aims to equip you with a working knowledge concerning the following areas: electric and magnetic fields; electric and magnetic materials; electro-magnetic induction and its applications; 3-phase AC systems and an introduction to electric motors.

This module aims to equip you with a working knowledge concerning the following areas: electric and magnetic fields; electric and magnetic materials; electro-magnetic induction and its applications; 3-phase AC systems and an introduction to electric motors.

This module is studied by all students.

This module aims to equip you with the knowledge to be able, as a member of a team, to design and build a prototype of an electrical circuit, test it, analyse its performance, write a report on the project and give a presentation.

This module is studied by students who intend to progress to undergraduate study in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

This module aims to equip you with the mathematical knowledge and skills required to manipulate complex algebra, including matrices and expressions involving more than one variable in up to three dimensions in engineering applications.

This module is studied by all students.

The aim of this module is to introduce the fundamentals of mechanical engineering practice. You will learn how to approach and solve problems in mechanics from first principles. You will also learn to apply the theories of mechanics on mechanical engineering problems. You will develop the skills to give critical evaluation to solutions in mechanical engineering and design problems.

This module is studied by students who intend to progress to undergraduate study in Automotive Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.

This module will equip you with an understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of thermodynamics. You will also learn how to show a critical understanding of engineering problems and evaluate their solutions. You will also learn how to show critical understanding of engineering problems with evaluation to solutions.

This module is studied by all students.

This module introduces you to the programming skills that will be useful in the rest of your degree and your professional life. You will learn to program in MATLAB and Simulink, a powerful environment used by solve engineering problems. You will also learn how to program in C, a language that is widely used to program embedded microcontrollers in digital circuits.

This module introduces you to core engineering skills that will be useful in the rest of your degree and your professional life as an engineer. You will learn how apply programming skills to solve engineering problems, create technical drawings and compare manual and computer-aided methods of producing engineering drawings.

Semester one and two modules

Academic English Skills aims to provide you with a thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable you to best achieve your academic potential at University. These skills include the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures.

You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

This module provides you with an opportunity to work in groups with first year University of Sussex students. The module is activity based, with facilitated workshops in which teams work to design solutions to real-world challenges. You will develop skills relevant to global industries, particularly through problem-solving, informed discussion, researching, group work, making an oral presentation and self-management.

This module will be studied in Semester 1 if you start your course in January, and will be studied in Semester 2 if you start your course in September.

  • Students progressing to BEng/ MEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering, or BEng/MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering must take Engineering Thermodynamics, Engineering Mechanics, and Technical Drawing, CAD and Programming
  • Students progressing to BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering must take Electromagnetism and Introduction to Electrical Machines, Electronic Devices & Circuit Prototyping and Programming for Electronic Engineering.

Your degree at Sussex

This course can lead to the second year of an undergraduate degree listed below (subject to meeting the grades outlined). The degrees and grades listed are valid for 2021/22 intakes only and are subject to change.

Degree Programmes Award Overall Grade English Grade Additional Grade
Mechanical Engineering with Robotics (with an industrial placement year) MEng (Hons) 40% 60% (60% writing, 50% other skills) Min. 40% in all academic modules
Mechanical Engineering with Robotics (with an industrial placement year) BEng (Hons) 40% 60% (60% writing, 50% other skills) Min. 40% in all academic modules
Automotive Engineering BEng (Hons) 40% 60% (60% writing, 50% other skills) Min. 40% in all academic modules
Automotive Engineering MEng (Hons) 40% 60% (60% writing, 50% other skills) Min. 40% in all academic modules
Automotive Engineering with an industrial placement year MEng (Hons) 40% 60% (60% writing, 50% other skills) Min. 40% in all academic modules
Automotive Engineering with an industrial placement year BEng (Hons) 40% 60% (60% writing, 50% other skills) Min. 40% in all academic modules
Electrical and Electronic Engineering MEng (Hons) 40% 60% (60% writing, 50% other skills) Min. 40% in all academic modules
Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng (Hons) 40% 60% (60% writing, 50% other skills) Min. 40% in all academic modules
Electrical and Electronic Engineering with an industrial placement year BEng (Hons) 40% 60% (60% writing, 50% other skills) Min. 40% in all academic modules
Electrical and Electronic Engineering with an industrial placement year MEng (Hons) 40% 60% (60% writing, 50% other skills) Min. 40% in all academic modules

Please note:

BEng and MEng Automotive Engineering and Automotive Engineering with Industrial Placement Year

  • ISC entry Sept 2023, progression degree title changes to Sustainable Automotive Engineering
  • ISC entry Sept 2023, progression degree title changes to Sustainable Automotive Engineering with Industrial Placement Year

Entry requirements

Discover the entry requirements for studying the International Year One in Engineering.

English Course

Need to improve your English? You can study a range of English language courses at the International Study Centre.

Fees

Learn more about the tuition fees for your course, as well as any additional costs for studying at Sussex.

Find out more about starting your studies or check the latest COVID-19 information.