Join the next generation of audio engineers
Year of entry: 2025/26
H662
Y50
4 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
BBB (full entry requirements)
September 2025 (semester dates)
If you're returning to education, or didn't study maths at A level, our foundation year will give you the maths and physics knowledge you need to progress on to our BEng Music Technology Systems course.
You'll spend your first year learning maths and physics content to A level standard, and you'll begin to develop your practical skills in the electronics lab.
If you successfully complete the foundation year you'll automatically continue onto the first year of our degree in Music Technology Systems. You'll explore topics including synthesiser technology, MIDI, sampling and audio signal processing, and learn how this technology is applied in recording studios and field recording projects. You'll use your expertise to create innovative and optimised designs, addressing real-world problems.
With individual and group projects at every stage of the degree to develop practical, organisational, management and business skills, you'll graduate with the abilities and approaches you will need to operate with confidence – as a researcher, expert designer or technical manager - in this exciting field.
You can instead choose to transfer onto any of our other BEng courses within the department. In addition, if you achieve a high score in the Foundation Year exams you will have the opportunity to transfer onto one of our MEng courses.
All of our courses are available with a year in industry, which gives you the opportunity to gain vital experience in the workplace and find out more about your career options. The year in industry is generally taken in the year prior to your final year of study.
The School will help you to find a suitable placement. You will be fully supported by an academic member of staff who will visit you in the workplace and meet you regularly to discuss your placement work.
This course is fully accredited by the IET and counts towards the training requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. Our courses have been continually accredited for 25 years.
As I was returning to education, the Foundation Year was brilliant, providing a solid grounding in higher level Maths and Physics, and confirming Electronic Engineering was for me. It has been enjoyable and a fantastic challenge to study at the University of York and the city is a delightful place to call home.Richard, BEng Electronic Engineering with a Foundation Year
You may be able to change course, add a year in industry or change between MEng and BEng. Just ask us for more details.
You don't need any formal qualifications in maths or physics to be accepted for our foundation year.
You'll study the principles and practicalities of electronic engineering, as well as honing essential skills in mathematics and computer programming. Alongside electronic engineering, you will study specialist music technology modules from your very first week in areas such as audio programming, recording studio techniques and acoustics.
As you progress, you'll cover topics such as electronic hardware design, software programming, signal processing and analysis, microprocessor interfacing, engineering construction and design, feedback and computer control. In your final year, advanced option modules allow you to specialise according to your own developing interests, in areas from digital communications to nanoelectronics.
Throughout your course you'll have opportunities to apply your learning in our well-equipped labs. Individual and group projects will see you design, build and test products using state-of-the-art hardware, software and fabrication facilities.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
The foundation year is based on the A level curricula for maths and physics.
The first part of the course starts at an early secondary school level and progresses through to A level standard over the year. There is also a practical electronics element, where you'll learn about electronic circuits in a well-equipped laboratory.
Your modules will cover topics such as:
In addition to the foundation year teaching outlined above, you'll also complete a range of activities related to Music Technology. These include:
You'll also receive music technology mentoring in:
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
You will study one option module. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
We will help you to become an employment-ready, motivated graduate, with skills in the latest developments in engineering such as robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and immersive technology.
Our programme involves group work to allow you to experience the management, coordination and decision-making processes required by engineers. We structure this throughout the programme so that you develop key transferable and managerial skills.
We offer all students free membership of the York Engineering Society (our student engineering society) and student membership of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) while you are at York.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £31,100 |
Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
There is no compulsory purchase of equipment or books necessary for this course. Lecture notes will be provided by staff, and you will be given a generous printing allowance.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
Foundation Year Bursary
UK and EU students on this course will receive a fee waiver which will reduce the cost of studying during the Foundation Year:
The School of Physics, Engineering and Technology offers a number of scholarships for the best performing foundation year students, after the first semester of the course.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Our courses are highly intensive. Your timetabled activities each week will include:
You'll also be expected to spend time studying independently. As you progress through the course you'll take on more independent study, guiding your own learning and developing your project management skills.
An academic member of staff will help guide you through your final-year individual project, ensuring that you are able to combine the knowledge and skills you have learned throughout the course to successfully undertake an engineering project tailored to your interests and career goals.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 15 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Workshops | 2 hours per week |
| Practicals | 25 hours per week |
| Optional activities | 0-2 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
You can find detailed descriptions of our facilities on our website, including laboratory space, recording studios, clean room and computing classrooms.
You will be based in the School of Physics, Engineering & Technology on Campus West.
Most of your contact hours will be in the School of Physics, Engineering & Technology, with some additional teaching on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
Your assignments will be designed not just to test you but for you to creatively apply what you've learned, and to stretch you to supply novel solutions. We use a variety of assessment styles, including exams, coursework and practical engineering tasks. You'll encounter all of them during your course, but the exact balance will depend on the modules you choose:
You'll receive written feedback on work you hand in to help you understand your grade and develop your skills. For your final-year individual project you'll produce a written report, have a viva (a presentation and question/answer session) and also show your project on our demo day, which our external advisory board attend.
The staff are friendly and helpful, and if you put yourself out there you'll feel like part of the family. I honestly can't praise them enough regarding the support they provide me, and my university experience is one I will never forgetPippa, BEng Electronic Engineering with Music Technology Systems
The growth of the electronics industry means demand for new engineers is always high. Our students enter a wide range of jobs, not just in electronic engineering, but in a variety of related fields such as software programming and hardware development
For those wishing to take different career paths, the transferable skills you'll develop are highly valuable. Mathematics, programming, team working and technical management are sought after in a huge range of sectors, from media to financial services. Recent employers have included Jaguar Land Rover, IBM, Qinetiq, ARM, BBC, BT and Network Rail. Find out more about our graduate destinations and graduate profiles.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | BBB If you already have, or are currently studying towards, A level Maths you should apply for one of our degree programmes without a foundation year. |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 21 credits at Distinction and 24 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDM in any subject |
| Cambridge Pre-U | M2, M2, M2. If you are studying Maths please apply for one of our degree courses without a foundation year. |
| International Baccalaureate | 31 points. If you are studying Mathematics - Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level or Mathematics - Analysis and Approaches at Standard Level or Higher Level, please apply for one of our degree courses without a foundation year. |
| T levels | We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Scottish Highers - BBBBB Advanced Highers - not required for entry We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
All applicants should have GCSE Maths B/5. We consider applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and holding combinations of qualifications. Please get in touch with us for an informal discussion if you are interested in our foundation year but are unsure whether you meet our criteria.
Applicants are usually interviewed and we will look for evidence during our discussion that you are capable of dealing with the workload of the foundation year.
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | We recognise the value of this qualification although it will not be included as a condition of entry. It may be taken into consideration when you receive your results. |
| Core Maths | If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 169, with a minimum of 162 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 6, with a minimum of 5 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 126, with a minimum of 116 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 105, minimum 95 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 25/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 444 Main Flight score with 410 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Pass with Merit overall, with Pass in each component |
| PTE Academic | 55, with a minimum of 51 in each component |
| TOEFL | 79 overall, with a minimum of 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing |
| Trinity ISE III | Pass in all components |
| Other English language qualifications | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
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