Sandwich course fees

Any help the IMechE could provide to help cover these costs, or campaign against them would be hugely beneficial to prospective engineers

In response to FT Murphy's questions about the cost and state of 'sandwich' degree courses in engineering degrees (Letters, PE December), I am pleased to say, yes, these courses do still exist!

I am an undergraduate engineering student at Oxford Brookes University, currently on my sandwich year with local company YASA Motors. As far as I know, there are multiple universities that offer or encourage industrial placement modules, and these strength of industry links was an important factor in my applying to Oxford Brookes.

With respect to fees, I pay the 'old' fees of around £3,200 pa for tuition, with my placement year costing £665. However, as I have no doubt PE readers will be aware, tuition fees for undergraduates starting their degree courses in September 2012 will pay up to £9,000, and this is the case at Oxford Brookes. The cost of a years tuition on a year in industry will then be £2,000! This may not be the case at other institutions, and this information should be easily available online.

Any help the IMechE could provide to help cover those costs, or campaign against them would be hugely beneficial to prospective engineers and to engineering companies large and small.

Tom Driscoll, Oxford, Oxon

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