Electrical and electronic engineering

Single Honours 

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering 

• Embedded Systems 

• Signal Processing  

• Engineering Mathematics 

• Telecommunications  

Joint Honours 

• Electrical and Mechanical Engineering  

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Business Management 

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Computer Science 

• Physics with Electrical and Electronic Engineering 

SOURCE: COMMON DEGREE TITLES FROM WHATUNI

 Alternative options 

• Foundation years A foundation year helps students catch up with course material if they fall short of the entry requirements for their degree course. It’s also an opportunity to get a head start on course content for the first year of undergraduate study. 

• Sandwich degrees Extending an undergraduate degree by an additional year offers the chance to accumulate valuable work experience prior to graduation or engage in a study abroad program to experience new cultures. 

• Integrated Master’s By extending undergraduate studies with an integrated Master's degree, students can achieve a postgraduate qualification at a relatively low extra cost. These courses typically extend the duration of studies by one year. 

• Degree apprenticeships Lasting between three and six years, degree apprenticeships enable students to earn a salary while acquiring new skills. Tuition fees for these programs are typically covered by employers. 

SOURCE: WHATUNI

Electronic and electrical engineering requires a strong technical foundation, and while the grades required for undergraduate study can vary quite significantly between universities with different levels of competitiveness, you will be required to have A-levels (or equivalent) in mathematics and/or physics, and additional subjects within the STEM field such as further mathematics, chemistry, computer science, and technology are strongly preferred. General studies and critical thinking are not accepted for most courses. 

There are countless types of electrical systems and electronic devices which power our world, and similarly there is a wide spectrum of electrical and electronic engineering specialisms in which professionals can work as experts and consultants. These specialist areas can include various aspects of industry such as power systems, control systems, telecommunications, and signal processing, or advanced research topics like semiconductor devices, electromagnetic fields, and renewable energy systems, contributing to innovations in both industrial and academic spheres. Some of these specialisms include: 

• Semiconductor device engineering Focuses on designing and fabricating semiconductor devices like transistors and diodes, crucial for electronics. Engineers work to scale down device size and enhance functionality, driving advancements in computing, telecommunications, and renewable energy. 

• Renewable energy integration Involves incorporating sustainable energy sources like solar and wind power into existing grids. Engineers develop systems to efficiently harness, store, and distribute renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels while ensuring grid stability. 

• Nanoelectronics and nanotechnology Engineers create incredibly small electronic devices, innovating in materials science and fabrication techniques to develop nanoscale components like transistors and memory storage, enabling advancements in computing power and energy efficiency. 

• Photonics and optical communication Focuses on transmitting data using light signals instead of electrical signals. Engineers design lasers, optic fibres, and detectors for high-speed, long-distance communication networks, enabling faster internet speeds, and more efficient data transmission. 

• Biomedical electronics Merges engineering principles with biology and medicine to develop devices for healthcare applications. Engineers design medical devices like pacemakers, prosthetics, and diagnostic tools to improve patient outcomes, enhance quality of life, and advance medical research. 

• Quantum computing Engineering harness quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement to process information exponentially faster than classical computers. This has huge implication for cryptography, systems optimisation, and simulation, paving the way for advancements in computing power and problem-solving capabilities. 

• Circuit analysis and design 

• Analog electronics 

• Signal processing 

• Electromagnetic field theory 

• Semiconductor devices and integrated circuits 

• Renewable energy systems 

• Wireless and mobile communications 

•  Robotics and automation 

• Nanotechnology 

• Electric vehicles 

Studying electrical and electronic engineering at university teaches a range of subject-specific skills and knowledge into various aspects of technology, with topics such as circuit theory, digital electronics, digital logic circuits, binary systems, signal processing, amplification applications, automation, semiconductors and integrated circuits and much more. Students learn a strong fundamental level of mathematics and logic, which is widely applicable in many professional fields. You’ll engage in laboratory work, advanced data analysis, and computational modelling, and will gain experience working on both individual and group projects. 

Additionally, students develop a range of transferrable skills which will be useful in many workplace environments. These skills include: 

• Time management 

• Quantitative skills 

• Teamwork 

• Laboratory skills 

In the UK, there are several professional accreditation bodies that play an important role in ensuring the quality and standards of electrical and electronic engineering degrees. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is one of the most significant organisation for electrical engineers, and collaborates with universities and colleges, providing accreditation to programs that meet rigorous academic criteria and industry standards.  

IET accreditation signifies that graduates are equipped with the skills and competencies required for successful careers in the field of electrical engineering, and additionally, the Engineering Council oversees the regulation of engineering professions in general. 

Electrical and electronic engineering requires a lot of core scientific and technical study, and if you’re particularly interested in any of these parallel regions within the subject, then you might also consider researching the following degrees: 

• Mechanical engineering 

• Mathematics 

• Software engineering 

• Control systems engineering 

• Telecommunications 

• Computer science 

• Physics 

With an electrical and electronic engineering degree, you’ll have a significant range of career opportunities in technology, innovation, and industry. You can work as a professional electrical engineer, designing and developing electrical systems for various applications, including power generation, telecommunications, and electronics manufacturing, or you could also branch out into adjacent areas such as research, product development, and data science. With the expertise gained from an electrical and electronic engineering degree, graduates play a vital role in shaping the future of technology and improving lives through innovation. Potential career roles: 

• Electrical engineer 

• Electronic engineer 

• Control systems analyst 

• Power systems consultant 

• Telecommunications engineer 

• Robotics researcher 

• Renewable energy specialist 

• Hardware engineer 

These are just a few of the most common job roles. You’ll find plenty of other options available to you, and you can also continue your studies by completing a postgraduate degree in electrical and electronic engineering or a related subject.