Electronic Engineering
Factfile
| Typical Entry Requirements | MEng: A level grades AAA (360 points) or AAB (340 points) if A level Physics or other suitable science or technology-related subject is included BEng: A level grades AAB (340 points) or ABB (320 points) if A level Physics or other suitable science or technology-related subject is included |
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| Required Subjects | Mathematics required for all programmes. |
| English Language Requirements | An IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent for non-native-English-speaking applicants. |
| Other Suitable Qualifications | Higher grades refer to MEng programmes BTEC National Diploma - DDD-DDM (depending on subjects and appropriate mathematics qualifications) International Baccalaureate - 36-34 points European Baccalaureate - 76-74% A wide range of other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis such as Access to Higher Education Diplomas, Cambridge Pre-U, Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish qualifications and Foundation courses. |
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| Selection Process | Suitable applicants are invited for interview and a departmental visit before an offer is made. Overseas candidates, unable to visit, will be made offers based on their UCAS form. |
| Professional Recognition | The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has accredited all our degrees as contributing towards professional registration. MEng programmes fully satisfy the educational requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer. |
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Do you want to design the next generation of mobile phones or game consoles? Do you want to work at the forefront of electronics, computing or communications? Our degrees develop the knowledge and professional skills for careers leading the future development of electronic, communication and computing technologies. You will be taught to apply theory to real systems, with hands-on experience of the latest technologies in electronics, space, communication and media.
Surrey is the only UK university to design and build satellites, and we also have some of Europe's leading expertise and facilities in communications, electronic devices, nanotechnology, optoelectronics and audiovisual media. Our students gain first-hand experience of these technologies, providing the foundation for future careers in industry.
Further information
Degree Programmes
BEng (Hons) Degrees
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| BEng (Hons) Electronics and Computer Engineering | H630 | 4* years |
| BEng (Hons) Electronics and Computer Engineering | H632 | 3 years |
| BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering | H604 | 4* years |
| BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering | H606 | 3 years |
| BEng (Hons) Telecommunications Systems | H646 | 4* years |
| BEng (Hons) Telecommunications Systems | H647 | 3 years |
MEng Degrees
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| MEng Electronic Engineering | H614 | 4 years |
| MEng Electronic Engineering | H615 | 5* years |
| MEng Electronics with Satellite Engineering | H621 | 4 years |
| MEng Electronics with Satellite Engineering | H627 | 5* years |
| MEng Electronics and Computer Engineering | H631 | 5* years |
| MEng Electronics and Computer Engineering | H633 | 4 years |
| MEng Telecommunications Systems | H636 | 5* years |
| MEng Telecommunications Systems | H641 | 4 years |
Our Degrees
The flexible structure of our degrees, with a wide range of options, allows you to focus your degree towards your interests and career foundations. It is also possible to transfer between all programmes in the first year and related programmes in subsequent years. All degree programmes include an optional professional training year in industry to gain real experience and apply your knowledge. We have a strong track record in actively helping students to obtain placements in industry that suit their interests and ambitions.
Your learning will be based on the application of theory to real engineering problems and technologies. Practical laboratories and project work will underpin your understanding of the design and implementation of real systems. Individual and group project work allows you to develop novel technologies in optical and nanotechnology, computing, communications, satellites, media production and robotics.
We offer both MEng and BEng degrees in Electronic Engineering. The MEng degree offers the benefit of an additional year of advanced specialist modules together with a multidisciplinary group project. This provides an opportunity to work on an industry-specified group project, developing your professional teamwork and project management experience. The Royal Academy of Engineering has recognised the multidisciplinary project as 'the best example of its kind in the UK'. All our degree programmes provide a rigorous, professionally accredited engineering education, ensuring that our graduate engineers have the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in industry, developing future information and communication technologies.
MEng/BEng Electronic Engineering
Our degrees in Electronic Engineering aim to provide you with the engineering and professional skills required to pursue a diverse range of careers across the electronics industry, from designing consumer electronic devices to the forefront of novel optical and nanoelectronics.
The programme comprises a core of engineering mathematics, analogue and digital electronics, and computing hardware and software leading to a wide range of options. Options in the second, third and fourth year of the degree allow you to select between hardware electronics, communications, computing systems and software, or a mixture of these topics to tailor your degree to your interests and career aspirations.
If you choose to specialise in hardware electronics, you may choose options in electronic and photonic devices, nanotechnology and optoelectronics, and your project work will involve developing novel electronic systems.
MEng/BEng Electronics and Computer Engineering
The Electronics and Computer Engineering programmes will provide you with the knowledge of both electronics and its application to computer systems that is required to pursue a career in the information technology and computing industries.
Following a common core in electronics and computing, specialist material taught includes computer programming, operating systems, computer architectures, networking and the Internet, enabling you to develop a thorough understanding of modern computer systems and their operation. Advanced options are available in your third and fourth years covering topics such as mobile devices, multimedia systems, image processing, speech analysis, graphics, computer vision, concurrent systems and machine intelligence.
Individual project work utilises state-of-the-art computing and audiovisual processing facilities and access to the latest mobile computing devices. If you have an interest in audio or video technologies, you may also be interested in our Media Engineering programmes.
MEng/BEng Telecommunications Systems
Telecommunications Systems develops engineers to work at the forefront of the communications industry, developing technologies for mobile and high-speed communication. These programmes enable you to build on a common foundation in electronics and computing by introducing specialist modules from your second year. These modules cover topics in networking, digital communication, signal processing, mobile devices, web technologies, wireless and satellite communication.
The teaching of telecommunications at Surrey is excellently placed to keep pace with the rapidly evolving field of mobile communications, having the leading European research activity in this area. You will be exposed to the latest advances through both up-to-date modules and project work, utilising advanced communications technologies.
MEng Electronics with Satellite Engineering
The Electronics with Satellite Engineering programme, together with the recently introduced Space Technology and Planetary Exploration degree, allows you to gain knowledge and experience at the forefront of space technology. Surrey is the only UK university to design and build real satellites. You will gain first-hand experience of the technologies which go into satellites and the planning of space missions. Design and implementation of satellite systems require a diverse range of knowledge, from microelectronics and computing systems through to control engineering for guidance and navigation.
The programme adopts a systematic approach to introducing fundamentals of space systems and space mission design based on a core in electronics and computing, in conjunction with practical experience of their application to real-world space engineering through project work. If you are interested in this programme, you may also be interested in our Space Technology and Planetary Exploration programmes.
BEng/MEng Transfer
Direct entry to the MEng programmes requires higher entry qualifications than the corresponding BEng programmes. Transfer from the BEng to the MEng is possible during the degree programme, depending on academic performance. This transfer would normally happen after the end of the first year (Level 1), after the end of the second year (Level 2), or after the professional training year if a placement is taken. Transfer is also possible from a three-year BEng or four-year MEng to the corresponding programme incorporating a professional training year.
Programme Overview
Level 1 is common to all programmes. A typical week in the first year consists of approximately twelve hours of lectures, two hours of tutorials and problem classes, six hours of laboratory work, three hours of programming experience and one hour of professional skills (including report writing, data presentation, oral presentation). During laboratory classes experiments are conducted in pairs. This helps our students to get to know and learn from each other.
Level 2 builds on Level 1 and if you are studying the Electronics and Computer Engineering programmes, you will follow some software-related modules. If you are studying on the Electronic Engineering or the Telecommunications Systems programmes, you will follow modules appropriate to those specialist pathways. Whichever programme you are studying, you will take a short course that teaches the elements of team- building, leadership and problem solving. Taught subjects and laboratories aim to provide the basis for specialisation at Level 3.
Level P is the optional professional training year which starts at the end of the second academic year.
At Level 3 a wide range of specialised modules is available and students will select those appropriate to their degree title and their own areas of interest. Every student completes a year long individual project. Our strength in research will allow you to conduct an innovative project in your chosen area. Projects are normally associated with our research centres using state-of-the-art specialist facilities, and are conducted in parallel with taught modules.
At Level M (MEng only) the material provides advanced specialist knowledge. MEng students will also join with students from other departments in an interdisciplinary design project, sponsored by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Programme Structure
Level 1
Subjects taught include:
- Mathematics
- Circuit Analysis
- Electronic Engineering Science
- Programming
- Computer Systems and Networks
- Signals and Communications
- Analogue Electronics
- Digital Logic
- Engineering Design and Professional Studies
- Electronics Laboratories
- Acoustics
- Signal Processing
Level 2
Subjects taught include:
- Engineering Mathematics
- Software Analysis and Design
- Communication Systems
- Linear Systems Analysis
- Object-oriented Software Engineering
- Analogue Electronics
- Digital Engineering
- Engineering Design and Professional Studies
- Electronics Laboratories
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Network and Data Communication
- Electromagnetism
- Electronic and Photonic Devices
- Power Conversion
- Computer Graphics and Vision
Level P
- Optional professional training year
Level 3
Subjects taught include:
- Individual Project
Options:
- Business Administration
- Computer Architectures
- Digital Signal Processing
- Digital Communications
- Nanotechnology
- Object-oriented Design and C++
- Power Electronics
- RF Electronics
- Silicon Devices and Technology
- Concurrent Systems
- Control Engineering
- Data and Internet Networking
- ASIC Design and VLSI Systems
- Optoelectronics
- Machine Intelligence
- Microwave Engineering
- Switched Mode Power
- Web Technologies
- European Business Studies
- Product Engineering and Management
Electronics with Satellite Engineering Options:
- Space Missions
- Spacecraft Bus Subsystems
Level M
MEng pathways:
- Multidisciplinary Design Project
Options:
- Image Processing and Vision
- Computer Graphics
- Multimedia Systems
- AI and AI Programming
- Image and Video Compression
- Advanced Signal Processing
- Mobile Communications
- Telecom and Packet Networks
- Antennas and Propagation
- Satellite Communications
- Speech and Audio Processing
- Operating Systems for Mobile Systems
- Speech Recognition
- Nanoelectronics
- Frontiers of Nanotechnology
- Nanoelectronics and Devices
- Satellite Remote Sensing
- Theory of Interplanetary Exploration
- Advanced Guidance, Navigation and Control
Professional Training
Whereas a university degree in itself opens the door to many careers, the professional training that is offered as part of our degree programmes provides an extra dimension to the qualification. The industry experience that professional training affords gives our students insights into both their subject, and their career potential that cannot be gained by academic study alone. We believe that professional training is a key element that ensures Surrey graduates are consistently at the top in terms of graduate employability.
Professional training is fully integrated into our sandwich degree programmes and counts towards the final degree mark. In addition, the placement period can subsequently be used in partial fulfilment of the training component for Chartered Engineer status.
The professional training year starts at the end of the second academic year when students have sufficient knowledge and practical experience to join companies as practicing ‘junior engineers’. Students are assisted to find appropriate placements in industry and we endeavour to ensure that each placement matches the student’s interests and aspirations. Over many years, we have established strong relationships with industry and hence there is a great demand for our students. This ensures that there are many interesting and challenging opportunities on offer. In recent years we have had students in placements with over 60 different companies.
During the professional training year the student remains a member of the University but is also a paid, full-time company employee. The student is visited regularly by an academic member of staff who monitors their progress and, in discussion with the company, decides on a programme of work that will develop their expertise.
Well known companies that have participated in professional training include BAE Systems, Sony, Mitsubishi, Intel, Logica, Nokia, Samsung, Microsoft, Sharp, the BBC and Surrey Satellite Technology. In addition, we have contacts with many smaller companies that provide excellent placement opportunities.
“My placement year involved developing embedded C software to control a RF transceiver, and moved onto RF and digital hardware design, also gaining experience in project management. The placement was amazing – I learnt so much from working with experienced engineers, I have personally matured and I have returned to university with greater motivation.”
Owen Coombs
Ten reasons to study Electronic Engineering at Surrey
- Department ranked second in 2008 UK National Student Survey
- Second highest in the 2008 UK university Research Assessment Exercise in electronic engineering
- Teaching based on world-leading expertise in electronics, communications, space and media
- A flexible degree structure with a wide range of specialist options
- Learning with hands-on experience of cutting-edge technology
- Up-to-date degree programmes covering the latest advances in technology
- A professional training year in industry
- Professionally accredited degrees
- Outstanding graduate employment prospects
Top for Jobs
Recent graduates entered employment in roles such as:
- BAe Systems Avionics Ltd – Electronic Hardware Engineer
- Motorola – Graduate Software Engineer
- QinetiQ – Research Scientist
- Sony – Graduate Engineer
- Ministry of Defence – Graduate Engineer
- Thales – Graduate Engineer
- Cable and Wireless – Energy Engineer
- Ericsson Technology – Graduate RF Engineer
- Logica – Software Development
Career Opportunities
A career in electronic engineering offers variety, challenge and stimulation. Studying for a degree in electronic engineering is not just the pathway to a rewarding career but offers an intellectually demanding and exciting opportunity to break through new boundaries in research. Many of the most remarkable advancements in the past 50 years have only been possible through the curiosity and ingenuity of the electronic engineer.
Graduate electronic engineers are in demand not only in research and development but also in technical sales, quality control, management, and government and public services. Our graduates have a consistently strong record in gaining employment.
Employers value the skills and experience that enable our graduates to make a positive contribution in their jobs from day one. Our graduates are employed by companies across the electronics, information technology and communications industries. Recent employers include BAe Systems, the BBC, BT, Philips, Hewlett Packard, Logica, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, NEC Technologies, Nokia, Nortel Networks, Red Hat and Sony.
Teaching
Teaching styles vary from large group lectures to small group tutorials and laboratory sessions. The tutorial system within the Department underpins all our teaching activities and ensures individual attention when needed. In the first year, our students meet once a week with their personal tutor, in small groups (up to five students), to establish an effective but informal working relationship. These regular meetings continue throughout the students time at Surrey. Although the Department is large, our staff are approachable and friendly, and we pride ourselves on the rapport we have with our students.
Facilities
Extensive teaching laboratories and networked computer suites with 24-hour access are available to all undergraduate students in the Department. Access to state-of-the-art research facilities is available at Level 3 for students undertaking a project linked to one of our research centres in electronics, communications, audiovisual media and space.
Assessment
You will study modules worth 120 credits over the academic year, split between two semesters, including some core modules such as Mathematics. You are expected to obtain a minimum number of credits to enable you to continue into the following year of the programme.
Students are assessed through examinations and by coursework, which is about 30 per cent of the total mark. Examinations take place at the end of the year. Marks from the second academic year onwards count towards the final total, forming the basis of the degree award. Students who undertake the professional training year are also assessed on their performance during this stage of their degree. As well as counting towards the final degree total, this can lead to additional recognition on the degree certificate, enhancing employment prospects.
Contact Details
T: 0800 980 3200 or +44 (0)1483 681681
What our students say
Graduate Profile: Richard Hughes
MEng Electronics and Computer Engineering
Surrey was my first choice for my engineering degree due to its strong reputation. The on-campus accommodation is modern, clean and has en suite facilities, and the general vibe of the campus is really good. After completing my first year on the BEng programme in Electronic Engineering, I switched to the MEng programme in Electronics and Computer Engineering, allowing me to choose more of the computing modules that I found interesting, and was good at! I spent the professional training year at BAe Systems, working in small teams, developing systems and software for Eurofighter Typhoon, EA6B and HAWK.
As a result of the placement, I was made a conditional job offer and two years’ financial sponsorship for the remainder of my degree. In my final year I worked part time as a consultant to OLPC and Nokia on open source power-saving solutions. I also did an internship at Redhat UK over the summer.
Being a student at Surrey has been fantastic. The social life is very busy and there are clubs and societies for every imaginable hobby. Lectures are top class, taught by people leading the way in all aspects of engineering. This means that modules are very up-to-date and relevant to the ever-changing world of electronics and computing. The flexibility of the modular structure and the high-quality teaching have made it very easy to succeed at Surrey, and have hopefully given me a good start to my career in engineering.
Student Profile: Affan Shaukat
BEng Electronic Engineering, Level M
The modules I have studied here have been really interesting and the lecturers are kind and helpful, which is important for an international student like me. The guidance and help from my personal tutor made it really easy for me to take the initiative in group discussions and work out solutions to problems.
The undergraduate laboratories are modern, and the laboratory technicians have always been helpful - I have never known important experimental equipment to be unavailable.
The campus as a whole is really beautiful, but the lakeside has always been my favourite spot. I like the idea of meeting people belonging to different cultures and nationalities, and the on-campus cafés, restaurants and clubs have made my university life so refreshing – I would never have imagined my university experience would be so exciting.
