Evaluating the performance of engineering undergraduates who entered without A-level mathematics via a specialist six-week “bridging technology” programme

This study reports on the progress ofundergraduate students who, duringthe summer of 2005, participated ina top-up mathematics programme atthe University of Glamorgan. BridgingTechnology with Mathematics wasdeveloped to improve the mathematicalpreparedness of prospective studentsfor the mathematical demands ofengineering in Higher Education (HE).The course was designed in responseto a serious decline in students’ masteryof basic mathematical skills and levelof preparation for mathematics-baseddegree courses.This paper evaluates whether the coursewas able to provide students withsufficient mathematical competence/understanding to successfullycomplete the mathematical elementsof their degree courses. Opinions andexperiences regarding the BridgingTechnology with Mathematics programmewere also sought from engineeringlecturers and the students themselves.Findings show that students whoentered engineering degree programmesthrough the Bridging Technology withMathematics route performed better thantheir fellow students in both mathematicaland non-mathematical moduleassessments. The programme providedthe additional benefits of improvingstudents’ mathematical competenceand confidence, academic motivation,preparedness for HE and conviction thatthey had chosen the correct course.