BSc (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering

KEY FACTS

Title
BSc (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Course type
Full-time
Duration
3 years (optional placement)
Award
Bachelor of Science - BSc (Hons)
Faculty
Faculty of Science and Technology
School
School of Computing and Mathematics
UCAS codes
Institution P60
Course H622
Location
Plymouth

Academic Excellence Awards associated with this course

BSc (hons) electrical and electronic engineering

The challenge for electrical and electronic systems engineers is to integrate smarter devices into more efficient systems that can do more but use less energy. This may be new style domestic appliances for 'smart' houses or remote actuation of renewable energy plants. This is a broad, application-based course.

The continued worldwide growth in all aspects of electrical and electronic technology means that our graduates are able to pursue an extensive and exciting range of engineering and other professional careers.

You will be well placed to contribute to the growing requirement to reduce energy consumption and produce less environmental pollution. Using your knowledge you will be able to think creatively and laterally and help secure the future of the next generation.

Professional accreditation

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) to meet the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer status after some additional learning, either work-based or further advanced study.

IET Scholarships

All of our electronics and robotics programmes are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET); any student embarking on our courses are eligible to apply for a number of IET engineering scholarships. Amounts can vary between £1,000 and £3,000 per annum, and closing dates for applications are usually at the end of June. For more information on the different scholarships available, details on how to apply and confirmed closing dates for applications, please visit the IET Awards and Scholarships web pages.

Resources

Our School houses a number of up to date well equipped specialist laboratories in addition to our excellent general computing and library provision.

An open access laboratory with state of the art electronic equipment and a suite of computers with specialist CAD software is available for practicals and outside scheduled sessions.

Course highlights

We have links with many sectors of Industry and benefit from their participation in course development, delivery and project sponsorship
Our final year student project open day showcases the excellence of the engineering skills development and the high levels of achievement of our undergraduates, with many industrially sponsored prizes awarded.
Emphasis on highly practical skills and learning through doing
A comprehensive range of knowledge and skills to support the understanding and practical application of electronics in industry
Paid industrial placements in UK and Europe (typically 11K-18K/year)
Access to a wide variety of electronics, specialist software, tools and up-to-date facilities, including a dedicated PCB manufacture facility and RF laboratory.

Facilities

PCB manufacturing - we have a specialist PCB manufacturing facility which can build up to six layers.

Clean Room - We have a class 100 and a class 10 Clean Room. These form the Wolfson Nanomagnetics Laboratory - a cleanroom based lab for research and student projects in nanospintronics, multifunctional material/devices and biosensors.

Laboratory space - The general laboratory facilities provide power supplies, soldering facilities and compiler facilities for a hands-on student experience.

RF laboratory - Our RF laboratory has a full range of industry standard test equipment operating up to 4 GHz, including signal generators, vector network analysers, spectrum analysers and high speed oscilloscopes. Students are able to build and test RF systems from discrete component level through to interfacing multi-band communication chip-sets commonly used in consumer electronics. A range of directed projects throughout the course develop the necessary design, test and measurement skills required by this competitive industry.

Computing facilities - General PC facilities with specialist software are availble in a number of rooms.

Mechanical workshop facilities - These provide general mechancial engienering facilities including 3D printing.

What our students say

"I chose Plymouth University because it was in my home town, but also because of the great success rate of the graduates who obtain full-time employment afterwards. The degree course gave me many opportunities to network and plan my career. I met and worked with some great people."

Louise Wilkinson
Business Development Manager, British Telecommunications

"Successful completion of the foundation degree meant that I was able to progress to the final year of the BSc (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Systems* degree at Plymouth University. For this I decided to take a one-year sabbatical from South West Water so that I could concentrate on the course full time. I graduated with a first class honours.

As a result of my success I received promotion at work where I am now Energy Engineer, working as part of a team that manages South West Water's significant energy consumption and efficiency."

Ray Arrell
Energy Engineer, South West Water

"The best thing about my course so far is the workshop facilities; I can do my own project in the lab and there is a lot of equipment available to help me.

I live with several local students and they have really helped me to adjust to the culture, alongside assistance and advice from my supervisor and the student gateway service."

Zhiheng Wu
BSc (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (stage 4), Plymouth University

Photo of Yanshan Li
"As an international student from China I found Plymouth very friendly and had a great time. I learnt a lot but also made many friends. The city itself has a lot to offer and the University organises many social activities to ensure overseas students are made welcome. I also had some very helpful and resourceful lecturers to guide me along the way."

Yanshan Li
Assistant Engineer, Parsons Brinckerhoff

Leading Edge Research

The Centre for Security, Communications and Network Research is an established multidisciplinary group, applying academic expertise to the needs of industry and society. Themes within the Centre include: information systems security; fixed, mobile and satellite communications; and network technologies.

Researched-informed teaching - we are actively involved with local industry through consultancy and KTP projects (e.g. Bombardier). This allows our students to work in industry and also study real life research applications.

BSc or BEng?

Both our BSc and BEng programmes are accredited by the IET, the BSc for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and the BEng for partial accreditation to Chartered Engineer (CEng). CEng can be achieved from either BSc or BEng with additional learning and industrial experience.

The BSc is more practically oriented with the required mathematics integrated within the taught modules, in a more intuitive, learn-by-doing manner. This allows students with a less mathematical background and more practical skills to successfully study an engineering degree which normally requires a high level of mathematics.

If you later find that you prefer a more theoretical approach, transfer to BEng is possible after the first year, provided you have demonstrated very good mathematical skills.

Watch our podcasts

Watch our students talking about their final year project.

KEY FACTS

​BSc (hons) electrical and electronic engineering

​Professional accreditation