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Study Electrical & Electronic Engineering, why & how to study

Electrical & Electronic Engineering is a broad and fascinating field. It's all about how electrical systems and devices work.

Electronics engineer works with robot soldering wires and circuits

CONTENTS

  1. What’s Electrical & Electronic Engineering?

  2. What Electrical & Electronic Engineering degrees can you study?

  3. What do you need to get onto an Electrical & Electronic Engineering degree?

  4. What topics does an Electrical & Electronic Engineering degree cover?

  5. How will you be assessed?

  6. Why study Electrical & Electronic Engineering?

  7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying an Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree?
  8. What do Electrical & Electronic Engineering graduates earn?

  9. What jobs can you get as an Electrical & Electronic Engineering graduate?

  10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

  11. Similar subjects to Electrical & Electronic Engineering

  12. Have any questions?

What’s Electrical & Electronic Engineering?

Electrical & Electronic Engineering is the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism.

Electrical engineering is the broader field of engineering. The electronic element of the subject is specific to circuits, devices and systems.

Practised since the 1800s, it's at the forefront of new technologies in several industries. Think transport, healthcare, construction and robotics.

Take a look at our university league table for Electrical & Electronic Engineering.

What Electrical & Electronic Engineering degrees can you study?

Electrical & Electronic Engineering BEng/MEng

Common undergraduate degrees in this subject area are:

  • Electrical & Electronic Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronics

These degrees are usually awarded with a BEng or MEng. The BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) is typically a three-year course. The MEng (Master of Engineering) typically lasts four years.

Search for Electrical & Electronic Engineering courses.

Other options

Electronic Engineering comes in combination with other subjects. Joint honours degrees let you study electronics alongside other disciplines. Some examples are:

  • Computer Science
  • Software Engineering
  • Business & Management

Universities often offer degrees that include an integrated foundation year. Industrial placements and year abroad options are also available.

What do you need to get onto an Electrical & Electronic Engineering degree?

Must have

Entry requirements for an Electrical & Electronic Engineering degree range from 88–160 UCAS points. This could include:

  • A Levels: A*A*A–CCD
  • BTECs: D*D*D*–MMP
  • Scottish Highers: AAAAA–BBBC (Advanced Highers: AAB–AA)
  • International Baccalaureate: 40–26
  • Universities usually ask that you have studied: maths at A Level (or equivalent) and a science or technology-based subject
  • Interview and entry assessments may be required by some universities 

Good to have

  • Physics, chemistry, further maths, electronics, design and technology to at least GCSE level
  • Shadowing an engineer to gain insights into their day-to-day work
  • Extending your engineering skills through challenges, competitions, online courses or MOOCs
  • Further research into areas of interest. You could look at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) website series on Thought Leadership, for example. Or listen to podcasts or read engineering magazines
  • STEM summer schools, if available, such as the Sutton Trust or UNIQ

What topics does an Electrical & Electronic Engineering degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

  • Circuits and analysis
  • Electrical and information engineering
  • Electrical power and machines
  • Electromagnetism
  • Engineering computation
  • Mathematics for engineers and scientists
  • Semiconductor electronics
  • Structures and mechanics
  • Structures, materials and dynamics

How will you be assessed?

Assessments may be carried out by a mixture of the following, and will vary from module to module:

  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Lab observations
  • Presentations
  • Project reports

Why study Electrical & Electronic Engineering?

You may want to study this subject area if you enjoy mathematics and science. You may be fascinated by energy and electronic gadgets. Or you want to design and invent things that benefit others. Whatever the reason, you'll develop highly sought-after skills and could make a difference in society.

Career-specific skills:

  • Knowledge of engineering, electronic systems and circuits, software, manufacturing and more
  • Practical skills in design and testing
  • Digital skills and data handling

Transferable skills:

  • Creative problem-solving
  • Critical thinking and analysis
  • Decision making
  • Programming
  • Strong maths skills
  • Team working

Professional accreditation:

Degrees may be accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Other accreditations may include the Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

You may be able to register as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), and partially register as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

  1. GO TO
  2. Five reasons to study Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants to encourage access. It’s worth seeing if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers e.g., materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.  

What do Electrical & Electronic Engineering graduates earn?

Electrical & Electronic Engineering graduates can expect an entry-level salary of £21,000–£25,000. 

With experience, an average salary for a senior engineer in the telecoms, utilities or electronics sector will be around £50,000. Chartered engineers may earn more. It could depend on where you’re based in the UK – in this sector, the highest salaries may be found outside England.

What jobs can you get as an Electrical & Electronic Engineering graduate?

With the rapid expansion of the technology sector, the demand for graduates in this field is high. 

Job areas include aerospace, broadcasting, control, and electrical, electronic and network engineering. Your skills will be useful in many areas.

Roles might include: 

  • Avionic systems engineer
  • Broadcast engineer
  • Cybersecurity engineer
  • Design engineer
  • Engineering consultant
  • Engineering manager
  • Generator engineer
  • IT consultant
  • Lecturer
  • Mechanical engineer
  • Software and systems engineer
  • Subsea engineer
  • Systems analyst

Read about how to become an electrical engineer.

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

If you have a first degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or a related area, you can take a postgraduate degree to specialise. Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

  • Big Data and Digital Futures PGDip/MSc
  • Communications and Signal Processing MSc
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering MPhil/PhD
  • Future Power Networks MSc
  • Robotics and Autonomous Systems MSc

Similar subjects to Electrical & Electronic Engineering

If you’re interested in engineering or electrical systems, you could consider:

Search for undergraduate Electrical & Electronic Engineering now!

Have any questions?

Ask our experts! You can email ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your question about studying Electrical & Electronic Engineering. We’ll be happy to hear from you.

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