Engineering education is being reviewed worldwide, for its approach to developing adaptive, creative, communicative engineers who can work effectively in a team and be aware of the broader implications of engineering on society. The first year has been a focus for many courses for several reasons, and this paper attempts to collate various approaches which have been made across the world relating to first-year issues. The literature is reviewed and discussed alongside the results of a survey, exploring the various difficulties faced in first-year courses and how the different institutions have addressed these concerns. Six major categories were identified: creating a short introductory course; additional help with one aspect of the course; developing a new or overhauled subject; introducing an entire curriculum change; mentoring/ tutoring by staff; peer tutoring. The effectiveness of such approaches is discussed alongside issues regarding implementation.