Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation (integrated honours programme) - U7UENGPSF

Required subjects

A level grades BBB/ABC, including maths and physics if taken

Excluded subjects

General studies, critical studies, citizenship studies, global perspectives and research, thinking skills

GCSEs

GCSE maths grade 6 (B); GCSE physics grade 5 (B) or GCSE science grade 5 (B) and GCSE additional science grade 5 (B); GCSE English grade 4 (C)

IB score

28 points overall or 555 in 3 HL certificates

IB requirements

Minimum 4 in maths and physics if taken at standard or higher level

If you have already achieved your EPQ at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject.

If you are still studying for your EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ.

If you qualify for a contextual offer, your EPQ will be taken into consideration and the appropriate adjustment will be made to your offer.

Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer, your EPQ will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

BTEC Nationals

• RQF Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma - DDM in any subject plus GCSE maths at grade 6 (B) and physics at grade 5 (B). Please see below for alternative qualifications acceptable in lieu of GCSE requirements. 
• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma – DM in any subject plus A level grade B in any subject plus GCSE maths at grade 6 (B) and physics at grade 5 (B). Please see below for alternative qualifications acceptable in lieu of GCSE requirements.
• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate - D in any subject plus two A level grades BC in any subjects plus GCSE maths at grade 6 (B) and physics at grade 5 (B). Please see below for alternative qualifications acceptable in lieu of GCSE requirements. 
  

GCSE maths and physics compensation

If applicants don’t meet our GCSE maths or physics criteria this can be compensated by the below qualifications:

GCSE maths compensation:

• AQA Core Maths – grade C
• BTEC Engineering module – Further Engineering Mathematics – passed with Distinction

GCSE physics compensation:

• GCSE combined science - grades BB
• GCSE science plus additional science - grades BB
• Overall performance (DDM) in RQF Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma Engineering
• Overall performance (DDM) in RQF Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma Applied Science

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE Diploma in any subject - 21 Level 3 credits at Distinction, 18 Level 3 credits at Merit and 6 at Pass, plus GCSE maths at grade 6 (B) and physics at grade 5 (B). Please see below for alternative qualifications acceptable in lieu of GCSE requirements.

GCSE maths compensation:

• AQA Core Maths – grade C
• 15 level 3  mathematics credits taken as part of Access to HE Diploma

GCSE physics compensation:

• GCSE combined science - grades BB
• GCSE science plus additional science - grades BB
• Overall performance (21 Level 3 Distinctions, 18 Level 3 Merits and 6 Level 3 Passes) in Access to HE Diploma Engineering
• Overall performance (21 Level 3 Distinctions, 18 Level 3 Merits and 6 Level 3 Passes) in Access to HE Diploma Science

We make contextual offers to students who may have experienced barriers that have restricted progress at school or college. Our standard contextual offer is usually one grade lower than the advertised entry requirements, and our enhanced contextual offer is usually two grades lower than the advertised entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must have Home/UK fee status and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

This is a one-year, full-time foundation course. 

2026/27 (UK undergraduate students)

This is the UK undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 25/26. It may increase for the academic year 26/27 and we will update our information once we have received confirmation of the fee from the UK Government.

For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses:

• Books - You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, and all material for the course will be provided electronically
• Printing – Black and white printing costs 4p per side
• PPE – The department shall provide eye protection and lab coats as required, for use within the laboratory facilities
• Laptops – Although there are PCs available for your use in our computer labs, you may wish to purchase your own laptop, read more about our recommended specification
• Calculator - While the calculator you used for your former study is usually sufficient some students will choose to purchase a new calculator which will cost around £10

Please note that these figures are approximate and subject to change.

There may also be costs issued by the university for replacement student ID cards, additional transcripts or certification letters, reassessments and library fines.

The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.

Home students

Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.

A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.