BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
When can you start this course? | UCAS code | Fees | Course length | Entry requirements
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You can also start this course in January |
Why choose this course?
It's a broad-based introduction to electrical/electronic engineering, with the opportunity for you to enjoy extensive hands-on experience. There's also an energetic staff team who have received impressive recognition for their expertise.
It makes sense to keep your options open in the early stages as we'll give you a broad introduction to the subject in the first year, but then let you specialise in areas you find interesting.
About the course
In electrical engineering, we apply the fact that electricity can be used to transport and deliver energy. It lights our homes, runs many of our domestic gadgets, and keeps the wheels of industry turning. It is such an established and reliable part of our lives that we too often take it for granted, yet it remains a fascinating and developing field of study. Electrical engineering deals with the study of motors and generators and their control, power transmission and distribution systems, and the principles that underlie them.
In electronic engineering, we apply electricity to carry, process and store information. This is the driving force behind today's information revolution, and forms the basis of everyday devices like the mobile phone and the computer, as well as a huge range of systems used in commerce and industry. Electronics depends heavily on semiconductor technology, which has led to the invention of the famous microchip. Both electrical and electronic engineering depend on the same fundamental scientific laws, but diverge widely beyond these basics.
This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and The Engineering Council.
It is one of a suite offered by the Electronics and Sound subject group. The courses are closely related, and each one benefits from its links with the others, so you will work closely with other people who aspire to work in either multimedia, music production or live event technology. You'll all benefit from a learning environment which is challenging, stimulating and creative.
If you don't have the appropriate qualifications to start this course, you can study the Technology Foundation Programme for a year first.
Your career
You'll have a wide range of employment opportunities in electrical and electronic engineering when you graduate. You could move into areas as diverse as avionics, medical electronics, automotive electrical and electronic systems, electrical power generation, the rail industry or music and entertainment.
The numeracy and problem solving skills you'll develop during this course will also give you a wide range of alternative career options, including teaching, banking, accountancy, technical sales or management.
You could also go on to further study by taking our MSc Control and Instrumentation degree.
Recent graduates have moved into electrical or electronic system design, installation and commissioning, programming, maintenance, and related activities. Derby graduates can be found developing climate data loggers, micro processor systems in cars, safety systems for forklift trucks or railway signals.
What our students say
'...my time spent within the Division of Electronic Systems [now Electronics and Sound] has successfully equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in an area that several years ago I knew nothing about. I found the University's working relationship with local industries to be particularly useful...'
Vote of thanks, Graduation 2003.
How you'll learn
The programme is taught through a mix of lectures, tutorials, and laboratory work. The timetable contains around 16 hours of contact with staff a week, with around the same amount of time as "directed study". All modules are supported through UDo, the University of Derby Online, so you have access to essential support materials at any time of the day or night.
How you're assessed
This is by a careful blend of assignment and examination. Assignments may relate to work at the computer or in the laboratory, or may be a piece of written or analytical work. Mini-projects are also used, and these are really popular with our students, as a hands-on way of learning real skills.
Fieldtrips
There are no field trips as such, but industrial visits are arranged from time to time.
Work placements
There are no formal work placements. However we do encourage you to get relevant work experience. You can get tutor support for this, which can lead to academic credit. For example, a suitable work placement which you undertake over the summer could be assessed, and then recognised as part of your programme of study, so you gain marks towards your final degree classification.
Anything else?
International students can study this course full time on an accelerated basis. This means that you will start your studies in January 2012, and then continue with your second semester over the summer. You will then join the second year of the course in September 2012.
Start dates
If you're from the UK or EU you can apply to study this course in September 2012 (full and part time)
If you're from a country outside the EU you can apply to study this course full time in September 2012
UCAS code
H600
H601 with Technology Foundation Year
Fees
This is a resource intensive course.
UK/EU students
- Full time: £7,495 (each year)
- Part time: £935 per module (you usually take 18 of these modules in total).
International students
- Full time: £9,975 (each year)
*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2012 and August 2013. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.
More information about our fees for September 2012 and the support available
Course length
Full time: 3 years or 4 years with a Technology Foundation Year.
Part time: 5 years minimum.
Direct entry into later stages of the course is available if you've got a relevant HND or equivalent qualifications.
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are usually 280 UCAS points from A levels or equivalent ...
