• Entry to the Foundation Degree Building Services with Sustainable Energy programme requires applicants to have studied at level 3 or above for a minimum of two years.
• Applicants should possess a minimum of five GCSEs with grades A-C, including GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4 (grade C) or above. (Level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications are also accepted), in addition to one of the following:
• successful completion of an advanced diploma equating to 48 UCAS points.
• successful completion of a BTEC Extended Diploma /Diploma/Sub Diploma/ Certificate in a related subject equating to 48 UCAS points.
• Level 3 Cambridge (OCR) Technical certificates equating to 48 UCAS points.
• Completion of A-level study equating to a minimum of 48 UCAS points.
• equivalent qualifications such as Scottish Certificate of Education or International Baccalaureate, a European Baccalaureate, Irish Leaving Certificate with grade C or above in four subjects at higher level equating to 48 UCAS points.
• qualifications deemed equivalent to the above;

UCAS tariff score of 48 or above is desired for entry to this program entry can also be made from national certificate/diploma, HE access, NVQ’s (students who hold relevant NVQ level 3 qualification will be considered for admission that is supported by experiential learning) or by the colleges policy relating to APEL.

Where an applicant does not hold the formal academic requirements for entry to the programme but can demonstrate relevant experiential learning across a range of industries, they may apply for admission through the College Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) process. In such cases, contact the Course Director for the programme who will advise further.

• To be eligible to commence study on the HLA pathway, applicants must have secured full-time paid employment in a relevant industry sector.
• Applicants must have reached the age of 18 years on admission.

Entry Requirements for International Students

International students must meet the general entrance requirements for admission to any College First Degree, Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma.

Students, for whom English is not their first language, must demonstrate their competence in written and spoken English at IELTS – Academic 6.0, with minimum 5.5 in all four elements of the test.

Assessment will be carried out via a variety of assessment methods which includes the use of coursework assignments, class tests, practical assessments, end of module examinations, group activities and professional presentations to an industrial panel. You will also be assessed in the workplace as part of your industrial placement.

Upon successful completion of the Foundation Degree Building Services with Sustainable Energy programme, graduates may consider entering into employment within the mechanical, electrical or energy industries or continuing to study by applying for a place on a BEng programme in a relevant discipline, including BEng (Hons) Building Services with Sustainable Energy (Top-up) (Validated by The Open University) at South West College.

2025/26 fees:

Full-Time: £2,800 per year

Part-Time: £285 per 20-credit module. £570 for 40-credit Work-Based Learning module

HLA: N/A

Skills Focus funding may be available towards course fees for eligible employers to upskill staff or for self-employed students. Please ask for further details.

Other Fees Associated with the Course

During your course you may be required to purchase course textbooks or specific software and incur additional costs for printing, photocopying and binding. The overall additional costs incurred to support your studies may be in the region of £100 or more per year.

Teaching Delivery Statement

The teaching and learning strategy within this programme will comprise of a range of delivery methods such as face to face, online and blended. All methods used have the full agreement of students, external examiners and awarding body partners.

Please note the programme will be delivered at Dungannon/Enniskillen (subject to number of applicants)