Electrical and Electronic Engineering - your questions answered
In the below video, Associate Professor, Dr Ahmad Kharaz, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Derby. You can also watch exclusive subject content by signing up to Derby on Demand.
Electricity lights our homes, runs many of our domestic gadgets, and keeps the wheels of industry turning. We often take it for granted, yet it remains a fascinating and developing field of study – all captured in our distinctive BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Build a broad set of skills
On this course, you will study both electrical engineering - where electricity is used to transport and deliver energy - and electronic engineering, where electricity can be used to process, transmit and store information.
Electrical engineering deals with the study of motors and generators and their control, power transmission and distribution systems, as well as the principles that underpin them.
Electronic engineering depends heavily on semiconductor technology, which has advanced significantly since the invention of the transistor, leading to the so-called microchip, the world of mobile phones and laptops, and the Internet of Things. Both electrical and electronic engineering are underpinned by the same fundamental scientific laws, but diverge widely beyond those basics.
Your studies will feature practical learning and experiments in our specialist laboratories dedicated to electrical and electronic engineering.
Vital practical experience
We give you the opportunity to take a placement year in industry as part of this degree. This experience, which takes place between the second and final stage of your honours degree studies, will greatly enhance your career prospects after graduation. A large number of companies seek placement students each year.
In addition, we offer extensive support to boost your employability while you are studying with us: for more information, contact our Careers and Employment Service.
BEng vs BSc – what is the difference?
We offer both a BEng (Hons) and a BSc (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Each provides an excellent route into professional practice and recognition as a qualified electrical or electronic engineer. The two courses are similar, but the BEng features more analytical study and deeper scientific underpinning.
Both courses are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), under strict rules laid down by the Engineering Council UK. They therefore help prepare you to work either as an Incorporated Engineer or as a Chartered Engineer. See the Engineering Council website for a full definition of these roles.
While the BSc provides the educational requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer, the BEng provides part of the educational requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). The full educational requirement for CEng is met by completing accredited postgraduate study, for example our MSc in Control and Instrumentation.
Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more
Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.
Our facilities
Your studies will feature practical learning and experiments in our specialist laboratories. Areas include:
- Electronics Project Developments and Innovations Lab: In this lab you’ll learn practical skills covering basic hand tools and soldering skills, as well as electronic component identification, following circuit schematics and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layouts, simple design of PCBs, and the complete build and commission of a project
- Multi-Channel Sound Lab: The Multi-Channel Sound Lab is a Dante audio equipped room containing 32 loudspeakers used for investigative future immersive audio applications
- Electronic Principles Lab: Featuring a range of test equipment, demonstration boards, and equipment used to conduct investigative experiments on common electronic circuits as well as more advanced systems, you’ll hone your understanding of circuit behaviour in a safe and supportive environment. The computers are also equipped with the latest simulation software from Matlab, Microchip and National Instruments
- Electrical Power, Sustainable and Renewable Energies Lab: The lab has a range of renewable technologies and a variety of DC and AC electrical machines test rigs
- Multipurpose Lab: This lab doubles as an experimental lab, with several permanently installed tests, and a programming suite for both audio and lighting. Our lighting simulation programme will allow you to view 3D simulations of a lighting design
- Multipurpose Lab: Our other multipurpose lab is used for small scale audio testing. Containing a very small anechoic chamber, a vintage hearing test booth and a selection of loudspeakers in different stages of deconstruction
You'll also have access to our Makerspace - a place where you can work on any project and turn your ideas into a prototype. Equipment in the Makerspace includes a laser cutter, 3D printers, soldering irons and CNC machines. All students across the University can use this space and it is a fantastic way of sharing knowledge and skills with one another.
Learn from the experts
The Electrical and Electronic Engineering teaching team have a wide range of research interests and expertise that they bring into their teaching. They include:
- Dr Ahmad Kharaz: Ahmad is the programme leader for the course and is a reader in intelligent instrumentation. He has industrial experience in instrumentation and control and his research areas span low power embedded systems and power quality
- Dr Amar Bousbaine: Amar is a reader in power electronics and an active researcher in several areas including renewable energy sources and autonomous control of drones. He teaches on both of our Electrical and Electronic Engineering courses and is the programme leader for our MSc Control and Instrumentation degree
- Dr Uchenna Diala: Uchenna is a member of several respected institutions including the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Nigerian Society of Engineers. His research interests include renewable and smart energy systems, energy harvesting and smart systems and structures
- Dr Mahmoud Shafik: Mahmoud is a reader in intelligent mechatronics systems and technology. He is an international expert in this area with more than 20-years of industrially applied research experience
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Alongside practical work in the labs, you will learn through a mixture of lectures and tutorials.
How you are assessed
You will be assessed through a blend of assignments and examinations. Assignments may relate to work at the computer or in the laboratory, or may entail a piece of written or analytical work.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
2022 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2022 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 72 |
| A-levels | DDD |
| BTEC | MPP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English grade 4/C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2 |
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
2021/22 Fees (August 2021 - July 2022)
| | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £9,250 per year | N/A |
| International/EU | £14,045 per year | N/A |
Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.
Additional costs and optional extras
This course opens doors to a wide range of employment opportunities in electrical and electronic engineering.
You could move into development, installation or maintenance roles in areas as diverse as avionics, medical electronics, automotive electrical and electronic systems, electrical power generation, mining or the rail industry. It may not be long before you become a team or project leader, managing significant budgets as well as the work of others.
Derby graduates can be found working in railway signalling, train construction and maintenance; managing oilfield instrumentation systems; and developing microprocessor systems in cars, safety systems for forklift trucks or aircraft engine controls.
The numeracy and problem-solving skills you develop during our BSc (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering will also pave the way to a wide range of alternative career options, including teaching, banking, accountancy, technical sales or management.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
Please also note that due to the current Covid-19 situation, if your course offers fieldtrips, the location of these may change or be cancelled. If this happens, you will be communicated to in advance and we will do our very best to seek out other practical opportunities to ensure your experience is not affected.
The information below is correct for entry in the academic year September 2021 - August 2022 only. Entry for future academic years may be subject to change.
Included in your fees
- Use of resources such as computer rooms, workshops and laboratories
- Software to install on own devices such as NI suite including Multisim, Ultiboard and Labview and the student version of Matlab
- Student membership of IET
- Study trips to places such as power stations, NPL and Mitsubishi
- Allowance for final year project
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Any cost for final year project over £75
- Printing approx. £100
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
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