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Electronic and electrical engineering courses

The skills and expertise you'll develop as an electrical engineer will help you to deal with the daily challenges faced to keep the nation's electricity supply running smoothly and reliably, through to the design of efficient and innovative electronic systems for use in communications, manufacturing and the transport industries. Many courses involve work placements and sandwich years for on-the-job training, but you'll also spend your time in labs and working with computers.
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Studying electronic and electrical engineering at university

Example course modules

  • Analogue electronics
  • Analysis of circuits
  • Digital electronics
  • Electrical and electronics fundamentals
  • Sensing and signals
  • Computers and control
  • Transport technology
  • Energy, chemical and sustainable engineering
  • Embedded hardware and software
  • Motor Control

Teaching hours / week

Average for this subject

20
Hours
5
14
Hours

Average for all subjects

Average hours for this subject: 20 (Low N/A - High N/A). Average hours for all subjects: 14.

The time you'll spend in lectures and seminars each week will vary from university to university, so use this as a guide.

More on studying and contact hours at uni

Who studies this subject

  • Female : 13%
    Male : 87%
  • Mature : 25%
    School leaver : 75%
  • Full-time : 83%
    Part-time : 17%

What students say about electronic and electrical engineering

What you need to get on a course

Subjects you need

A-levels (or equivalent) usually required

  • Maths
  • Physics

Useful to have

  • Further maths
  • Design technology

Application checklist

Here's a guide to what to expect from the application process - also check individual university entry requirements, as these may differ.

  • January application
  • October application
  • Personal statement
  • Portfolio
  • Interview
  • Entry test
  • Work experience
  • Audition

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement is a core part of your university application, and getting it just right takes time. Before you start work on yours, take a look at our five quick tips on writing a personal statement. We'll help you past that writer's block!

Career prospects

Sources: HECSU & KIS
The recession has made things difficult for graduates in this subject and you would normally expect a lower unemployment rate – but most graduates do get jobs quite quickly after university, and starting salaries are pretty good. The most common jobs are in telecommunications, electrical and electronic engineering, but there is some crossover with the computing industry, so many graduates start work in IT and computing jobs. At the moment, there's a particular demand for electrical engineers in the oil and gas industries, electronics and the car and aerospace industries. Bear in mind that a lot of courses are four years long, and lead to an MEng qualification – this is necessary if you want to become a Chartered Engineer.
Professional and accrediting bodies:

Six months after graduating

Sources: DLHE & Graduate prospects
Typical graduate job areas
  • Science, engineering and production technicians

Longer term career paths

Jobs where this degree is useful

  • Electrical engineer
  • Broadcast engineer
  • Telecommunications engineer

Other real-life job examples

  • Network engineer
  • Sound or video editor
  • Avionics engineer

What employers like about this subject

Students taking a degree in electrical and electronic engineering will develop subject-specific skills including current electrical or electronic engineering theory and practice; maths and the principles of signal processing and device and circuit operation. Transferable skills you can develop include team-working, problem-solving, time and project management and communication skills. Industries that recruit electronic engineers include electronics, vehicle manufacture, aerospace, oil, gas and mining, computing, electricity generation and supply, the water industry, construction, finance, advertising, the Armed Forces and telecoms.

Related subjects to explore

Chemical engineering

Civil engineering

Mechanical engineering

Maths

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Where we get our info about subjects

The Uni Guide and The Student Room are both part of The Student Room Group.

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