STEM (CertHE)

UWTSD has a long history of "Reaching Wider" and we appreciate the challenges that students can face, often through no fault of their own. We also appreciate the challenges presented to individuals wishing to change career. This programme is intended to address and resolve any deficiencies in students' skills in order to meet the entry requirements for our degree.

We have a friendly team of academics who are dedicated to the well-being and academic progress of our students and offer excellent support to students during this Foundation Year.

Cert HE STEM (Computing)

• Academic Skills (20 credits; compulsory)
• Analysing and Solving Problems (20 credits; compulsory)
• Integrating Project (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Computer Programming (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Computer Systems (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Mathematics and Science (20 credits; compulsory).

Cert HE STEM (Electronics)

• Academic Skills (20 credits; compulsory)
• Analysing and Solving Problems (20 credits; compulsory)
• Integrating Project (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Computer Systems (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Electronics (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Mathematics and Science (20 credits; compulsory).

Cert HE STEM (Environmental)

• Academic Skills (20 credits; compulsory)
• Environmental Science (20 credits; compulsory)
• Fieldwork Studies (20 credits; compulsory)
• Further Mathematics (20 credits; compulsory)
• Integrating Project (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Mathematics and Science (20 credits; compulsory)

Our aim is to generate work that is mainly student-driven, individual, reflective and vocationally orientated. Feedback to students will occur early in the study period and continue over the whole study session, allowing for greater value added to the student’s learning.

UWTSD has a principle of purchasing industry-standard facilities. Examples include our 5 axis CNC machining centre, Composites Autoclave, Engine dynamometers, Thermographic cameras, GIS mapping systems, and leading software from Solidworks, Siemens NX, ANSYS Fluent, Mapinfo,  MATLAB, AutoCAD and many other specialist applications.

It is a principle of the university that students have access to all facilities. This principle often generates exciting cross-disciplinary project work.

Our computing students have access to state of the art High-Performance Computing (HPC) facilities, as well as leading edge development systems for computer games and mobile application development.

• Beverley Holland
• Gaynor Thomas
• Gordon Dickers
• Tim Bashford
• Richard Sutton

Our offers are based on 32 UCAS points. We will not specify the subject matter required. We will accept A levels, National Diplomas, Certificates, National Awards or equivalent, including NVQ Level 3, 14-19 Diploma and Access courses. Providing you achieve the points required, one A level would be sufficient. GCSE Maths at grade C or above is also required.

Our offers are not solely based on academic results. We take your skills, achievements and life experience into consideration. In such cases, they must provide evidence of the capacity to pursue the course successfully. We like to give such applicants every opportunity to show that they have the motivation and ability to succeed in their chosen programme.

‘40,000 extra graduates in STEM are needed each year to meet demand.’

Nida Broughton, Skills shortages holding back the UK’s economic recovery

‘Every single type of engineering is in short supply, from mechanical to software, civil to electrical.’

Matthew Wall, Business reporter, BBC News

There are no additional costs for this course.

The Certificate of Higher Education in STEM provides you with the correct entry requirements to progress onto any of our BSc and BEng degrees.

The Computing Stream could progress onto: 

• Applied Computing (BSc, HND, HNC, Foundation Entry)
• Computing (Computer Networks and Cybersecurity) (BSc, HND, HNC, Foundation Entry)
• Computing (Data and Information Systems) (BSc, HND, HNC, Foundation Entry)
• Computing (Games Development) (BSc, HND, HNC, Foundation Entry)
• Computing (Software Engineering) (BSc, HND, HNC, Foundation Entry)
• Computing (Web Development) (BSc, HND, HNC, Foundation Entry)

The Electronics Stream could progress onto:

• Embedded Electronics Systems (BEng, HND, HNC)
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering (BEng, HND, Foundation Entry)

The Environmental Stream could progress onto:

• Energy and Environmental Engineering (BEng)

Craig Shreeves, former foundation student | BEng Motorcycle Engineering graduate

“The foundation year really helped me to catch up with the maths and science aspect of the degree, and because of the head start that the foundation year gave me, I found time to get involved with extra-curricular projects in my first year.”

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions related to the University or to this course in particular.