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Electrical Engineering Degrees
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Electrical engineering has transformed society during the 20th and 21st centuries. A degree in electrical or electronic engineering provides students with in-depth knowledge of how the industry works and allows them to contribute to the continuous development of electrical products and systems. Read our guide to studying electrical and electronic engineering at university, including an overview of common course topics, specialisations, and career options.
Course Content
Students of electrical and electronic engineering can expect to study a range of topics. The similarities between electrical engineering and electronic engineering mean that the two subjects will often have a lot of overlap in the individual topics and modules that they include.
The exact modules that students will study varies depending on the university. They may include subjects such as:
Communications systems
Cyber security
Renewable energies
Medical technology
Coding
Computer programming
Signals and systems
Electrical circuits
Robotics
Digital electronics
Transport technology
Motor control
Hardware and software
Entry Requirements
Like any highly demanding university course, a basic qualification, for example, a passing grade at GCSE, in maths and English, or the national equivalent, is required.
The subjects that universities are most interested in when considering prospective students, are maths and physics. High grades in these subjects will give students a better chance at being accepted onto a university programme. Other desirable subjects include the other sciences, biology and chemistry, and technology.
Some university courses will also accept vocational qualifications such as a BTEC. These vocational courses allow hopeful students to specialise in electronics, giving them a strong foundation of knowledge as well as experience in a professional environment.
Course Structure and Assessment Methods
An electrical or electronic engineering course will generally consist of both compulsory and elective modules. This means that students can expect to receive a basic knowledge of the subject which they can build upon by choosing an area of specialisation and tailoring their course towards their career ambitions or personal interests.
Assessment methods will generally be a combination of coursework, both practical projects and long-form research essays, practical work under observation, and traditional written examination papers.
Specialisations
Specialisations for a degree in electrical or electronic engineering include:
Communication – focuses on the development of communication devices and platforms.
Computers – focuses on the development of computer hardware and software. Looks at the application of computers in different situations and companies and how they can be more useful and efficient.
Control Systems – focuses on the electrical components of vehicles from cars to ships and spacecraft.
Power Systems – focuses on systems that generate energy such as solar panels, nuclear power plants, energy transmitters and power lines which connect individual buildings to power storage facilities.
Career Options
Many students choose to study electrical or electronic engineering because they aspire to be an electrical engineer or an electronics engineer. It is important to note that, because the subjects are very similar, both career options will be available to graduates of either degree. They may also choose to explore other careers such as:
Aerospace engineer – the design and operation of machinery that flies outside of the earth's atmosphere. This could include different kinds of spacecraft and satellites.
Aeronautical engineer – the design and operation of machinery that flies inside the earth’s atmosphere. This could include aeroplanes, helicopters, military equipment and drones.
CAD technician – uses computer aided design software to design buildings, machinery, and products.
Design engineer – someone involved in the design process of a project. They may work on a variety of projects, from built environment to vehicles and electrical products.
Nuclear engineer – the construction and maintenance of nuclear power stations.
Software engineer – applying electrical knowledge to build software that will aid in the use of computer systems.
Project manager – managing the design, testing and construction phases of a project that aims to develop an electrical product.
Management consultant – advising businesses within the field of engineering regarding the development of products, customer support, business strategy and marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Electrical engineering focuses on the construction and repair of computer components in large electrical systems.
The role of an electrical engineer covers all aspects of a computer system’s life cycle, including designing, testing, construction, installation, maintenance, and customer service.
Electronic engineering focuses on the individual electronic components of small-scale computerised systems.
Much like an electrical engineer, an electronic engineer will follow the entire life cycle of the products that they are working with. They will be involved in the design, testing, construction, and maintenance of a product as well as communicating with stakeholders to update them on the company’s recent product developments.
While the two subjects are very similar, electrical engineering often works on electrical systems of large-scale projects such as power plants, or buildings. Electronic engineering focuses on smaller and more specific parts of computerised systems such as circuit boards or wiring.
One benefit of a career in this industry is job security. In a world that is increasingly reliant on technology and interested in technological development, there is a high demand for electrical and electronic engineers. Many companies will also offer a high salary and employee benefits to attract highly qualified and skilled engineers. The work can also be very mentally stimulating and allows workers to have a sense of flexibility as they will often be working on more than one project at one time.
According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, the top-ranking school to study electrical and electronic engineering is Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There are also high-ranking universities across the world such as University of Cambridge (4th) in the UK, National University of Singapore (6th) in Singapore, Universidade de São Paulo (75th) in Brazil and University of New South Wales (36th) in Australia.
Electrical or electronic engineering students may choose to pursue any of the following career options:
Electrical engineer
Electronic engineer
Aerospace engineer
Aeronautical engineer
CAD technician
Design engineer
Nuclear engineer
Software engineer
Project manager
Management consultant
The be an electrical or electronic engineer, you will need a bachelor’s degree in the subject. A bachelor’s degree at many universities will take three years to complete. Hopeful engineers may also find that a master’s degree will also help their career prospects. This will generally take another year to complete depending on the specific course and university.
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