Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons)

• Prepare to achieve Incorporated Engineer status: accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology to ensure this course gives you the relevant recognition
• Develop your practical skills working with machines, electronic circuits, microprocessors, simulation software and renewable energy equipment
• Study in an inspirational learning environment at our Markeaton Street site, home to our impressive STEM Centre and fully equipped with laboratories, workshops and the latest technology
• Enjoy valuable industry experience on an optional work placement as part of your studies
• Take the chance to get involved in far-reaching projects such as the ALICE experiment, on which we are working in partnership with leading organisations at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research
• Prepare for careers where you can lead demanding projects in areas as diverse as avionics, medical electronics, automotive systems, electrical power generation, mining or the rail industry.

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.

Prepare for success with a foundation year

Taking a foundation year first is an ideal choice if you have the potential and ambition to study this BEng (Hons) programme but lack the formal entry requirements or feel you are not quite ready to embark on a full honours degree right now.

It is also a smart move if you have changed your mind about your career direction since you chose your A-levels or BTECs and need to improve your skills in a different subject area.

The foundation year will cover general concepts in subjects such as engineering science and electrical and electronic principles. You will also gain essential scholarship skills for technologists, including areas like writing reports and giving presentations.

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.

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.

September 2021 typical entry requirements

Alternative entry qualifications:

• BTEC - MPP
• Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2

2022 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2022 entry.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2021/22 Fees (August 2021 - July 2022)

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

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. 

Contact us

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.

Additional information about your studies

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.

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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