Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): H617 (full-time); H620 (sandwich)
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: Three years full-time / four years with a placement
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
- Campus: Clifton Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
We believe in putting theoretical knowledge to the practical test by giving you hands-on opportunities you need to really embed your skills. You’ll have opportunities to take part in our industry Grand Challenge, go on a work placement and learn how to develop creative and effective solutions for engineering problems – these all go towards developing you as a rounded, work-ready engineering graduate.
It’s impossible to imagine a world without electronic and electrical engineering. It covers everything from tiny integrated circuits in household items and mobile phones to the large-scale utilities that power our homes. The industry is fast-paced and rapidly changing with a focus on renewable and sustainable energy sources. An electronic and electrical degree from NTU can put you at the forefront of this exciting technological revolution by providing the skills and knowledge needed to be a great engineer.
As well as building your fundamental engineering skills, the course considers both the sustainability and environmental issues that are becoming increasingly important. Plus, you’ll be doing it all for real in our rooftop renewable energy lab.
Recently students have worked on projects such as designing an energy harvester, reverse engineering everyday objects and using industry standard software packages to design integrated circuits.
With the focus firmly on problem-solving and live project work, we aim to give you three to four years of industry experience before you graduate. Who wouldn’t want that on their CV?
Foundation Year
We offer BEng (Hons) Electronic and Electrical Engineering (with foundation year) which you can apply for if you don't meet the entry criteria for this course. See our course page for foundation modules. This extra year will give you a solid foundation in maths, engineering and science, allowing you to progress on to any of our mathematics or engineering courses within the School of Science and Technology.
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Top 10 for student satisfaction in Electrical and electronic engineering (National Student Survey, 2022) -
Top 20 in the UK for General Engineering (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023).
What you’ll study
Each year you'll take a combination of core modules to give you a solid grounding in engineering, specialist modules where you'll gain the specific skills needed for your particular subject area, and practical and project modules where you'll work on a task or project set by the industry.
You’ll be taught through problem-solving and developing your engineering skills by taking part in several industry-led projects. These give you an experience of what it is like to work as a professional engineer.
Recent projects have included reverse engineering everyday objects, designing an energy harvester, and using industry standard software packages to design and build a model bridge. The first year ends with a project set by the industry, where you’ll work in small teams competing to come up with a winning concept to win the Grand Challenge - an engineering problem posed by the industry.
Engineering Science Fundamentals
Study the aspects of materials, from a macroscopic perspective, including their key properties, and develop the core knowledge and skills that are essential to engineers and to engineering.
Engineering Mathematics and Technical Computing
Gain the relevant mathematical and computational skills for analysis and design that underpin many areas of engineering. These core mathematical skills will inform the discipline specific mathematics and computing skills you will use in the design, manufacture of testing of engineered products in the coming years.
Innovation and Engineering Solutions
Learn the physical and IT workshop skills required in the design and manufacture of products, including basic design methods and fabrication. In Terms One and Two the module is taught through a series of lectures and short projects and includes industry training in Autodesk Fusion 360. In Term Three the module will culminate in a three-week Grand Challenge group project in which you will bring together the skills and techniques learned in this, and other, modules to solve an engineering challenge.
Principles of Electronics and Electronic Systems
Learn about the aspects of electrical components, electrical circuits and their properties, digital logic, and the fundamentals of microprocessor and programmable logic devices and their applications.
Electronic Devices and Materials Technology
Develop your understanding of the key underpinning scientific principles, operational and performance aspects of electronic devices and the electronic materials from which they are constructed.
Digital Systems and Computer Engineering
Examine the theory of digital systems and gain hands-on experience integrating computing and electronics in order to solve practical problems.
Engineering Modelling and Simulation Techniques
Study a range of analytical and numerical techniques that are needed to solve mathematical models including the approximation of functions using series; Fourier analysis; numerical integration and differentiation methods; and solutions of ordinary and partial differential equations.
Industrial Design and Product Case Studies
Develop the knowledge and skills learned in the first year module, Laboratory Analysis and Product Case studies by investigating a number of products to identify build considerations such as design and manufacture processes, materials and preparation, assembly, efficiency and business and consumer needs.
Integrated Group Design Project
This module is a practical project-based module, where you will immerse yourself in engineering projects and product analysis. You will use the practical and project related skills you’ve developed so far, alongside necessary project management skills to design and produce components and/or products.
Control Systems and Engineering
Gain a sound understanding of the control theory applied to the design of systems that control the behaviour of devices such as cars, aircrafts, air handling units and robots.
Power Electronics and Systems Engineering
Modern electric power systems are changing to make sure they are efficient and sustainable. In this module, you’ll cover power systems, from generation, transmission and distribution to end users, and the power electronics used to control them.
Optional year-long work placement. If you are not taking a placement, you will progress directly to your final year in year three.
Core modules:
Performance Engineering
Determine appropriate methods during the product life cycle and measure their effectiveness to reproduce products that perform the design function repeatedly, produce products that are right first time and meet the customer requirements.
Individual Engineering Project
Bring together the knowledge, understanding and skills developed during the course of your degree to undertake an individual industrial or research project of your own choosing. You will investigate an engineering problem, implement solutions, critically evaluate and reflect on your work, and develop your abilities to communicate, self-organise and manage.
Renewable Energy Technologies and Smart Grids
You’ll learn the fundamental aspects of renewable energy technologies and smart grids, and their integration into energy systems.
Year Three options – choose two from:
Wireless and RF Communications
Acquire the underpinning knowledge and skills required to understand the technologies and constraints of wireless communications and apply them to simulated and/or practical design and implementation scenarios.
Sensors and Embedded Electronics
Gain a deeper understanding of electronic devices and sensor systems, from semiconductor technology through data acquisition and control to the design of embedded systems.
Human Factors Engineering
All too often, the most brilliant technical products are not used to their full potential because their users are unable to operate them. This modules will give you an understanding of what limits human performance including physical capability, mental agility and organisational systems.
Electrical Machines and Electronic Drives
Understanding the underpinning principles and operational characteristics of common electrical machines and associated drive systems and apply these ideas to the operation and application of rotating electric machines and transformers.
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How you’re taught
You will be taught through a variety of teaching and learning experiences which will include:
- lectures
- workshops
- seminars
- visits
- group projects
- case studies
- oral presentations
- laboratory assessments and reports.
All our engineering courses are taught through problem-solving and developing the right abilities to make you the very best engineer you can be. This is achieved by developing your engineering skills and knowledge through participation in several industry-led projects each year. These projects are put forward by the industry to make you think, work and behave like a professional engineer. You'll also get to use the equipment used by engineering organisations across the globe.
These projects will inspire your creativity and give you experience in taking your idea from concept through to production. Year One projects include:
RevEng – Reverse Engineering
You will deconstruct everyday objects in order to gain an understanding of design principles and consider potential improvements in terms of sustainability, manufacturing processes and cost.
Autodesk – Design Challenge
A three-day CAD training course on Autodesk Fusion, a powerful industry standard software package, followed by a Design Challenge set by the industry. You will work in groups, applying the CAD skills you gained, to meet the brief set by the industry.
Mars Lander
Design a landing system to carry a given payload from orbit to the surface of Mars, using the engineering fundamental principles you have learned during your Year One modules.
Laser cutting, 3D printing (Bridge, Light Pier support)
An industry standard software package will be used to design and model a bridge and a light pier support structure. You will be trained in using laser cutting and 3D printing, to build prototypes. Using the skills you gained during your modules you will make structures to withstand a given load.
Grand Challenge
Mark the end of your first year with this concept design project set by the industry. You’ll present your results at an end of year show.
Contact hours
Year 1 - lectures/seminars/workshops (27%) and independent study (73%)
Year 2 - lectures/seminars/workshops (25%) and independent study (75%)
Year 3 - lectures/seminars/workshops (22%) and independent study (78%)
A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study
How you’re assessed
Year 1 - coursework (58%) and written (42%)
Year 2 - coursework (52%) and written (48%)
Year 3 - coursework (75%) and written (25%)
A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study
Careers and employability
Placements
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.
On this course, after your second year, you will have the opportunity to take a year's work placement (sandwich placement). This will give you the chance to gain vital experience and put your knowledge into practice. You're also twice as likely to secure a graduate job within six months if you take a work placement.
Our recent Engineering students have taken placements across a wide range of companies including Pirelli, Mercedes and the Government Operational Research Service. They secured varied roles such as Operational and Research Assistant, Quality Engineer and Engineering Assistant.
You'll be supported and assessed throughout your placement year and will write a reflective report and diary at the end of your placement. When you successfully complete your placement, you will be eligible to receive an additional award of a Diploma in Professional Practice.
Find out more about work placements.
Careers
You’ve probably already got some idea of the career path you want to take. Many of our graduates go on to work in engineering-based roles, but it’s worth remembering that the skills you learn on an engineering degree are transferable to a variety of careers. Research, presentation, team working and analytical skills are highly valued by employers in various professions, both related and unrelated to engineering.
Engineering graduates are in demand as they are attractive to a wide range of employers due to their analytical thinking, problem-solving, and strong numeracy skills. You’ll be well-placed to secure a career in a range of sectors, including the armed forces, logistics, teaching, IT, and banking. Recent NTU graduates have gone onto engineering positions in a variety of organisations including Pitney Bowes, the RAF, Rolls Royce, and Siemens.
Many graduates also choose to undertake further study on Masters-level courses, or MPhil and PhD research degrees.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
Take your first step to becoming an engineer with hands-on learning in our state-of-the-art Engineering Building. You’ll benefit directly from using some of the very latest cutting-edge facilities and equipment.
We’ve worked with engineering companies to find out the very latest techniques and equipment they’d want top-class graduates to have experience of. Armed with this knowledge, we’ve designed our dedicated electronic and electrical engineering facilities that are filled with the equipment you’ll need to become an accomplished engineer in your field.
Entry requirements
- 112 - 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications including A-level equivalent Maths grade C
- GCSEs – English and Maths grade C / 4
We accept the BTEC Extended Diplomas below. If you are taking a different BTEC Extended Diploma you will also need a suitable level 3 Mathematics qualification.
- Extended Diploma in Engineering
- Extended Diploma in Electronic Engineering
- Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
- 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications including A-level equivalent Maths grade C
- GCSEs – English and Maths grade C / 4
We accept the BTEC Extended Diplomas below. If you are taking a different BTEC Extended Diploma you will also need a suitable level 3 Mathematics qualification.
- Extended Diploma in Engineering
- Extended Diploma in Electronic Engineering
- Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential textbooks, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Students will also be required to pay additional costs for printing, poster preparation and final dissertation copies in their final year - estimated costs of approximately £20 - £50.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service on telephone +44 (0)115 848 2494.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government. See our fees.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
What do the course fees cover?
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential textbooks, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Students will also be required to pay additional costs for printing, poster preparation and final dissertation copies in their final year - estimated costs of approximately £20 - £50.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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