Electronic Engineering
University of Portsmouth
UCAS Code: H610 | Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) - BEng (Hon)
Entry requirements
A level
We also accept other combinations equivalent to 104-120 Tariff points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, to include Mathematics, plus a relevant subject.
106-122 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma (Mathematics based).
Cambridge Pre-U score of 44-50, to include Mathematics, plus a relevant subject.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
3 GCSEs at grade C or above to include English and Mathematics/3 GCSEs at grade 4 or above to include English and Mathematics.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
25 points from the IB Diploma, to include 3 Higher Level subjects, with Mathematics plus a relevant subject at Higher Level.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3,H3,H3,H4,H4-H3,H3,H3,H3,H3
To include Higher Level Mathematics, plus a relevant subject.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
Must be in a relevant subject.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
Must be in a relevant subject.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Must be in a relevant subject.
104-120 Tariff points, to include Mathematics, plus a relevant subject.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
**Overview**
Advances in electronic technology have a significant impact on the world, from games consoles, digital cameras and smartphones to drones and self-driving cars.
If you're interested in a career designing, developing and manufacturing electronic equipment and devices, this Electronic Engineering degree is the first step to achieving your ambition. You can study it as a Bachelor's degree over 3 years (BEng) or integrated Master's degree over 4 years (MEng).
You’ll examine the theory and design of electronic systems, devices and circuits and learn how electronic engineering contributes to the wider field of electrical engineering.
You’ll work with analogue and digital components such as microprocessors, microcontrollers and programmable devices, using sophisticated facilities and technology. In years 2 and 3, you can study specialist topics that match your interests and ambitions, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and telecommunications.
You’ll apply your skills on projects that solve the types of challenges you’ll face in your career. This includes the option to be part of one of the University’s Formula Student racing teams, where you can specialise in design, production, costing or manufacture of a racing car.
You can also get valuable professional experience by spending a sandwich year working in industry.
The course opens doors to a career as a professional electronics engineer and puts you on the path towards Chartered Engineer status.
**MEng and BEng differences**
The 3-year Bachelor's degree (BEng) and 4-year integrated Master's degree (MEng) share the same modules in years 1–3. The MEng allows you to achieve a Master’s level degree with an extra year of undergraduate study, which can further enhance your career prospects.
**Transferring to the MEng or BEng**
If you study the BEng, you can transfer to the MEng if you progress well and achieve good grades. You can also transfer from the MEng to the BEng if you change your mind once you start the course.
**Accredited by:**
This course is accredited by the Accreditation of European Engineering Programmes (EUR-ACE) and Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). The MEng meets in full the academic requirement for registration as CEng (Chartered Engineer), while the BEng partially meets these requirements.
100% Graduates in work or further study (DLHE, 2017)
94% Overall student satisfaction (NSS, 2018)
**What you'll experience**
On this degree course you’ll:
- Get theoretical and practical knowledge in the design of electronic systems
- Use the latest equipment for analysing and measuring electronics
- Use experimental kits, such as ServoSET servo-mechanism and superheterodyne radio receivers.
- Tailor your studies, choosing module options that match your interests and career ambitions
**Careers and opportunities**
Electronic engineering has a significant impact on our lives, from telecommunication systems bringing people together to medical technology looking after our health.
Due to the ongoing demand for innovation in medical technology devices, and consumer electronics such as mobile phones and televisions, there's high demand for skilled electronic engineers.
Previous students have gone on to work in the following areas, many on graduate training programmes:
- Defence electronics
- Aerospace
- Product design
- Robotics
- Broadcasting
- Telecommunications
- Advanced product manufacturing
When you finish the BEng course successfully, you'll meet the educational requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status. Once you've met the work experience requirements for IEng status, you can progress to Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with further study and experience.
IEng and CEng status demonstrate your expertise and can include benefits such as improved career prospects and earning potential.
Modules
Year 1
Core modules in this year include:
- Engineering Sciences
- Introduction to Algorithms and Programming
- Introduction to Analogue Circuits
- Mathematical Principles
- Principles of Digital Systems
- Writing and Research in the Workplace
There are no optional modules in this year.
Year 2
Core modules in this year include:
- Analogue Analysis and Design
- Engineering Mathematics
- Group Design Project
- Microcontrollers and Programmable Logic
Optional modules in this year currently include:
- Control Systems Analysis
- Institution-wide Language Programme (IWLP)
- Telecommunication Principles
Placement year (optional)
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry.Students have completed work placements at organisations including: XMOS Core, Airbus, Portsmouth Water, Spirent, IBM, Apollo Fire Detectors. Many students have gone on to work for their placement employer after the course.
We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.
Year 3
Core modules in this year include:
- Individual Bachelor's project
- Advanced Electronic Systems
- VHDL and FPGA Systems
- Digital Signal Processing
- Real-Time Embedded Systems
There are no optional modules in this year.
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Assessment methods
You’ll be assessed through:
written examinations
coursework
practical tests
project work
presentations
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You will get feedback on all formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:
Year 1 students: 55% by exam and 45% by coursework
Year 2 students: 62% by exam 38% by coursework
Year 3 students: 33% by exam and 67% by coursework
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
University of Portsmouth
Faculty of Technology
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Electrical and electronic engineering
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Electrical and electronic engineering
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is one of the more popular areas to study engineering and there is not quite such a serious shortage of electrical engineers as there is of other engineering subjects - but there's still plenty of demand. 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 electronics, and the car and aerospace industries, and also in defence, and salaries can vary across the country depending on the industry you start in. 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.
Electronic & electrical engineering
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is one of the more popular areas to study engineering and there is not quite such a serious shortage of electrical engineers as there is of other engineering subjects - but there's still plenty of demand. 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 electronics, and the car and aerospace industries, and also in defence, and salaries can vary across the country depending on the industry you start in. 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.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Engineering
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£27k
£33k
£37k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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