Undergraduate course
BEng (Hons)
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
From designing and coding to prototyping and manufacturing, gain hands-on experience in our cutting-edge labs from day one. You’ll build the skills, confidence and experience to stand out as an engineer ready to make an impact and thrive in industry.
Our typical offer
112 UCAS points
Hands-on learning
From the very start of your studies, you'll gain practical experience using cutting-edge labs, workshops and tools, ensuring you're well-prepared for industry challenges.
Strong industry connections
Build valuable professional relationships through live consultancy projects, networking events and collaborations with local businesses and social enterprises.
Tackle the challenges of tomorrow
Experience a forward-thinking curriculum that integrates the latest advancements in electrical and electronic engineering, readying you for emerging trends and technologies in the field.
About
Some of the biggest medical breakthroughs have been in electronics including medical imaging, robot surgery and stenting – and your work can make a real difference to society. As a Plymouth student, it’s an exciting opportunity to develop your technical and design skills and build connections with industry who are keen to discover your inventions. Previous student projects have included developing bionic arms for amputees or working in international organisations like the European Space Agency designing satellite systems.
Dr Ian Howard
Associate Professor Computational Neuroscience
This course is for you if...
you're curious and keen to try new ideas
you can't wait to put ideas into practice
your inventive nature drives your ambition
you get a buzz from solving problems for others
Details
Year 1
From day one of your studies, you will find there is an emphasis on learning by doing. The first year will equip you with the tools to build tomorrow’s technology. Analogue to sense or affect our physical environment, digital to add logic and intelligence to act upon information, and embedded systems to tie these together with computing power. All learned through experience in labs and projects.
Core modules
BPIE112
Stage 1 Electrical/Robotics Placement Preparation
0 credits
Undertaking a sandwich-year placement (also known as an industrial or work placement) offers many benefits, including valuable hands-on work-experience and enhanced employability. This module is for first-year students who may undertake a placement in their third year. It is designed to support students in exploring placement opportunities and developing the skills and knowledge required to successfully secure one.
ELEC141
Analogue Electronics
20 credits
Our world is analogue, so understanding how to take information in the form of electronics signals and amplify, filter and measure them before sampling to the digital domain is key to all our modern technologies. In reverse digital signals also need analogue circuits to affect our physical world. You'll design, build and test circuits to give you this understanding.
60% Examinations
40% Coursework
ELEC142
Digital Electronics
20 credits
Learn about the internal workings of any processor and digital embedded system. From the language of logic to the implementation of digital circuits, this module will provide the theory and practice necessary to develop the skills of a true embedded programmer.
60% Examinations
40% Coursework
ELEC144
Electrical Principles and Machines
20 credits
Have you ever wondered how electronics works or why Ohm's Law is at the heart of electronics? These and many more questions will be explored in this exciting first year module. We will explore our knowledge of the world of atoms to the edge of the known universe, all made possible by electronics. Through electronics, Quantum Computers, AI, Nano- and Bio-technologies of the future will further revolutionise our lives.
100% Coursework
PROJ100
Embedded System Design and Build
40 credits
Design and build an autonomous buggy learning embedded programming, 3D design and electronics as you do so. Compete in the bead pushing contest to show off your design.
100% Coursework
MATH191
Engineering Mathematics
20 credits
Build the maths skills every engineer needs. Want to design bridges, launch rockets, or create the next big tech breakthrough? It all starts here. This module gives you the core math skills and problem-solving techniques every engineer relies on. It’s the foundation for everything you'll build in your engineering journey.
70% Coursework
30% Examinations
Year 2
In Year 2 you will develop a greater understanding of underlying engineering principles and circuit design methods. You’ll take the tools and skills you learnt in your first year and start using them to design technology for communications, power systems and robotics through practical experience in the labs. At the core of these are embedded systems providing the intelligence and interactive features and the heart of the second-year project.
Core modules
BPIE212
Stage 2 Electrical/Robotics Placement Preparation
0 credits
A year-long work placement is a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop skills that will enhance future career prospects. This module prepares students to begin their placement search by providing practical guidance on where to look, how to apply, and how to present themselves effectively to potential employers; featuring insights from students who have recently returned from their own placements.
ELEC237
Power Electronics and Generation
20 credits
Electrical systems are the backbones of the modern civilization. You will be introduced in this module to different electrical devices including power electronics, transformers, and machines. You will explore how to control the electrical power through its different forms. Besides, you will have the opportunity to build your switched mode power supply as well as design a soft starter for three phase induction motors.
60% Examinations
40% Coursework
ELEC239
Communication Systems
20 credits
Learn to implement communications between mobile systems, using wireless techniques based on ultrasound. From the key theory of information and channel capacity to practical implementation of an ultrasound communication system, this module provides the hands on experience to become a skilled telecommunications engineer.
70% Examinations
30% Coursework
MATH237
Engineering Mathematics and Statistics
20 credits
In electronic and communications engineering, mathematical and statistical methods are used to obtain solutions. You'll learn and use the techniques to solve engineering problems, including transforms which are needed to study linear time-invariant systems. Descriptive statistics and probability will be introduced, and then you'll learn the more advanced topics of reliability and quality control.
80% Examinations
20% Coursework
ROCO219
Control Engineering
20 credits
This module introduces the basic ideas behind how we control machines that involve both electrical and mechanical parts. It covers how to make systems behave in a stable and predictable way. For example, it might involve keeping a Segway upright while it moves, or guiding a robotic arm smoothly to a target without shaking or going past the intended position.
70% Examinations
30% Coursework
PROJ200
Real Time Systems Project
40 credits
Microprocessors are at the core of our modern world and control much in our day to day lives. The project builds on your coding and design skills connecting micro controllers to sensors, devices motors and other interfaces to the real world to realise and intelligent system.
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
Optional placement year
Gain relevant experience and an excellent opportunity to seek final year sponsorship. Many of our graduates are offered permanent jobs with their placement company. We can help you find industrial placement opportunities in the UK, France, Germany and Japan. Your optional work placement experience gives you opportunities to put theory into practice. This means you are well prepared for your final year of academic study and your specialist, individual project.
Core modules
BPIE332
Electrical Industrial Placement
A year-long work-placement, undertaken with an approved placement provider and in a role relevant to the students programme. Students will leave with practical and relevant work experience, where they put theory into practice. This module is attached to the Placement and provides students with a single digital space to refer to for key reminders, FAQs, contact details, top tips and their Placement-year handbook.
Final year
Your final year has modules based around industrial skills and topics, and gives you an exciting opportunity to develop an individual project, consolidate your knowledge, explore, and evaluate new technologies. It can be based on one of our research areas or a personal interest. Machine vision for rock climbing analysis, A data logger and emergency system for a motorbike, a Mars rover, and an autonomous navigation system for drones.
Your achievements will be showcased during the project open day, with visitors from thirty to forty tech companies and sponsored prizes awarded.
Your achievements will be showcased during the project open day, with visitors from thirty to forty tech companies and sponsored prizes awarded.
Core modules
ELEC347
Information and Communication Signal Processing
20 credits
This module is the reason so many of our students work in the audio industry with companies like Allen & Heaths having gained a practical understanding of basic and advanced signal processing. With a comprehensive understanding of how to filter, manipulate and encode signals from audio to radio frequencies you will find a wide range of careers opening up to you.
80% Examinations
10% Coursework
10% Practicals
ELEC349
Design and Control of Renewable Energy Technology
20 credits
As power electronics are the key players for energy decarbonization, this module focuses on the application of power electronics in the renewable energy sector. You will explore the solar photovoltaic technology and how it generates electricity. You will also have the opportunity to design and build a power converter to utilize and control the generated energy to achieve the maximum extracted power from the solar panels.
60% Coursework
40% Tests
ELEC351
Advanced Embedded Programming
20 credits
The module aims to develop skills in embedded programming by making use of advanced features of high-level programming languages, deepening your knowledge of modern programming techniques used in embedded systems at the heart of vehicles, consumer goods and modern technology. The module has a strong practical bias where students are required to understand real time and safety critical systems.
60% Coursework
40% Examinations
PROJ300
Individual Project
40 credits
Take on a research project, design project or build something you've always dreamed of. Motorbike safety system and data logger. Renewable energy portable charger. Analogue and Digital mixing board. Hybrid valve guitar pre-amp. Autonomous Robot.
70% Coursework
30% Practicals
Optional modules
ELEC345
High Speed Communications
20 credits
Explore radio propagation, antenna design and how cellular systems and Wi-Fi achieve high data rates supporting gaming and video alongside audio. You'll design and test RF circuits using a range of high end test equipment gaining skills that make you highly employable.
70% Examinations
30% Coursework
ROCO351
Machine Learning for Robotics
20 credits
This module introduces the basics of machine learning - a fast-growing area of computer science where computers learn to do tasks on their own, without being directly programmed. It's used in many areas, from recognizing images and sounds to helping control robots.
70% Examinations
30% Coursework
Optional pathways
Our flexible courses offer the opportunity to choose an integrated masters (MEng) and enrich your undergraduate degree with an additional year at postgraduate level.
We also offer a foundation year to gain further knowledge of a subject before starting a full degree course.
What’s the difference between BEng and MEng?
BEng (Hons)
- A three year degree, with the potential for it to be four years with a placement year
- Accredited by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
MEng (Hons)
- A four year integrated masters, with the potential for it to be five years with a placement year
- Accredited by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) accredited degree
Course-specific academic regulations
This course has unique rules relating to:
- Compensation of marks
- Passing a module
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
Experience
High-spec industry facilities
You’ll become an expert in using all our specialist equipment in our innovative laboratories, which includes the
Nanomaterials and Devices Laboratory
, so you’ll graduate with sought-after knowledge and experience.
Expand your knowledge
Using specialist equipment in our Communications and Power Lab, you'll be able to learn how to maximise the energy we get from solar panels.
Compete in challenges
Opportunity to compete in fun challenges such as our first year students taking part in the buggy challenge. Using our labs students designed and built a buggy to complete widths of an arena.
Get hands-on
Learn about nanotechnology and nanoelectronics by getting hands-on experience on projects with cutting-edge staff.
Take a walk through our labs
You can access our cutting-edge laboratories to enhance your learning experience and provide you with the ability to focus on industrial and intellectual robotic systems and high frequency electronics.
Dr Toby Whitley walks through the Electrical and Electronic Engineering lab facilities
Thriving industry connections
We have a long history of working with industry experts to provide you with the connections and opportunities you’ll need to begin your career.
Our relationship with a range of industries, and our local Industry Advisory Group ensure our courses are relevant to industry needs.
Put learning into practice
Take a paid year in industry to help consolidate and develop your engineering knowledge – many of our students receive job offers or sponsorship as a result of their placements.
- From BMW to Babcock, EDF Energy to the Science and Technology Facilities Council, our placement opportunities will help you get a professional confidence and make better career decisions.
- You could earn £15,000 a year or more, and possibly gain sponsorship through your final year(s) at university.
- Build a network of contacts and connections and gain experience that will help you find a job when you graduate.
“I gained a wealth of experience and it gave me the confidence and knowledge to make me more employable.”
Research-informed teaching
Learn from professionals with industry and research expertise.
Benefit from our industry expertise and study a course that is influenced by our innovative research.
Our collaborative and interdisciplinary community of world-leading academics and researchers is focused upon the creation of knowledge and innovative solutions that have a positive impact upon society.
Our
technical staff
are integral to the delivery of all our programmes and bring a diverse range of expertise and skills to support students in laboratories and workshops.
Dr Adrian Ambroze
Associate Professor of Digital Communications Engineering
Dr David Jenkins
Associate Professor of Nanomaterials and Devices
Dr Toby Whitley
Associate Head of School (Engagement)
Make friends and meet like-minded people
The University's Engineering Society provides a platform for you to meet, socialise with and learn from from fellow students across all engineering disciplines.
Socials and events are hosted throughout the year including site visits, guest lectures from industry experts, networking events, workshops, and hands-on projects. These events not only complement your studies but also provide valuable insights into the engineering profession.
Plymouth Engineering Society (EngSoc)
Life in Plymouth
Plymouth's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Jenna
Current student
Current student
Life in the city
Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Get involved with one of our many student groups
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene
Careers
Sam Duffield is shaping the future of engineering – and those who will build it
“I loved my studies in Plymouth… the hands-on experience, the amazing lecturers, and every opportunity they created shaped the engineer I am today. That combination of experience and enthusiasm is something I definitely hope to pass on.”
A Plymouth-born engineer whose career has taken him from global defence projects to cutting-edge consumer tech and strategic IoT leadership, Sam Duffield now drives innovation at Balena, chairs the IET’s Young Professionals Committee, and returns to the University as an Honorary Professor to inspire the next generation.
The employment fairs organised by the University were an incredible platform from which to start creating a professional network and where to find inspiration for my future after graduation. The support from lecturers and the modules studied gave me all the necessary requirements to be offered a place at ETH Zurich.
Chiara Rivetti, BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduate
Open the door to a successful future
Your degree opens doors to sectors as diverse as aerospace, defence, electronics and manufacturing.
Our graduates have gone on to work for Babcock International, Collins Aerospace, Dyson, Hoare Lea, Network Rail, Marlborough Communications Ltd and Leonardo UK.
Discover things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after studying a electrical and electronic engineering degree.
The thing that I enjoy most – and which attracted me to the course – was the amount of practical work. You learn a lot more from actually building and testing a circuit than just learning the theory.
Mathew Hodgett, graduate
*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for new full-time students starting in
Full-time study
£9,790 per year
£9,790 per year
Part-time study
£815 per 10 credits
£815 per 10 credits
Tuition fee price changes
The Government has announced that tuition fees from Academic Year 28/29 onwards will be subject to automatic annual inflationary increases, which we believe will be at a similar rate to the recent annual increases to fees, and may continue to be inflation based. The University may increase annual tuition fees in line with the Student Contract and the maximum tuition fee caps set by the Government from time to time.
We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies and we advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.
More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2025-2026 academic year.
Full-time study
£18,650 per year
£18,650 per year
Optional placement year completed in the UK
£1,955
Optional placement year completed outside the UK
£1,465
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2026-2027 academic year.
Full-time study
£19,200 per year
£19,200 per year
Optional placement year completed in the UK
£1,955
Optional placement year completed outside the UK
£1,465
Tuition fee price changes
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
UK Government announcement on tuition fees
The UK Government has announced that a levy on tuition fee income in the region of 6% of an international student’s tuition fees may be introduced. If implemented, the University reserves the right to increase your tuition fees accordingly. The Government has made it clear that it has not officially decided on its stance and it is possible that the eventual levy amount or arrangements may differ from the initial proposal. Therefore, the University reserves the right to adjust tuition fees in accordance with the Government’s final position on this levy.
We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies. Therefore, please note that the tuition fee shown on this page may change as a result of the introduction of a levy. We advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.
Additional costs
This course is delivered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Studying a course in this faculty may incur additional costs relating to field-based activities or equipment requirements.
Fund your studies
As an undergraduate at Plymouth, there are plenty of funding options available, including tuition fee loans, living cost loans, scholarships, bursaries and support funds.
The Tamar Engineering Project
The Tamar Engineering Project is for ambitious students who want to embark on a career in engineering and who have shown potential for high academic achievement at A level, but whose background or personal circumstances may be a barrier to university study.
Successful applicants will receive:
- £3,000 per annum towards living costs for the duration of the taught element of their degree (usually three years)
- £1,500 fee waiver per annum
- one-to-one mentoring from an industry expert.
Supporting students with the cost of living
The cost of living in the UK has risen faster than household income, meaning that most people will have less to spend on essential goods and services. This is an ongoing situation that is likely to affect everyone in some way.
The University provides advice and guidance and has a range of services, facilities and offers to help students with rising everyday costs.
Apply
Entry requirements
Our typical offer
112 UCAS points
112 UCAS points
You may be eligible for a contextual offer
A levels
112 points to include grade C in A level mathematics and grade E from a second relevant subject. Relevant subjects include applied ICT, applied science, applied science (DA), biology, chemistry, computing/computer science, DT (product design resistant materials), DT (systems and control tech) DT product design (textiles tech), electronics, engineering, environmental science, geography, geology, further maths/use of, statistics, music technology, physics, technology and design.
BTEC RQF National Extended Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
DMM in a relevant science subject to include Merit in a Maths module.
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.
International Baccalaureate
28 points overall to include 5 in Higher Level Maths 3 in a second relevant Higher Level subject.
Irish Leaving Certificate
112 points, including H4 in Maths and H5 in a second relevant Higher Level subject.
GCSE equivalent English and Maths accepted within.
SQA Advanced Higher
112 points, including grade C in Advanced Higher Maths and Grade E in a second relevant Advanced Higher subject.
GCSE equivalent English and Maths accepted within.
All Access courses
The tutor will look at Access on an individual basis. Please contact the admissions team at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
Extended entry requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
Ready to apply?
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS.com. Please refer to the course facts below when completing your application for this course.
UCAS course code
H604
H604
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
3 years
(+ optional placement)
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Other routes into this course
The following courses are available as routes into this programme.
BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year
Gain a solid grounding in electronic and electrical engineering with a foundation year. Through lectures and lab based practicals you'll build confidence in applied mathematics, physics and electronic engineering, ready to take on the full degree.
Entry requirements
We welcome applicants with international qualifications and we accept a range of qualifications from across the globe.
Our typical offer
112 UCAS points
112 UCAS points
BSearch entry requirements for your country
5
English language requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
Ready to apply?
As an international student, you can apply for this course through UCAS or an agent in your country.
Need support with your application?
- Personal statement guidance
- student visa support
- travel and arrival information
- and more.
UCAS course code
H604
H604
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
3 years
(+ optional placement)
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Other routes to this course
The University of Plymouth International College (UPIC) offers foundation, first-year and pre-masters programmes that lead to University of Plymouth degrees. Courses are specially designed for EU and international students who are missing the grades for direct entry to the University, and include full duration visa sponsorship. You can start in January, May or September, benefitting from small class sizes, top-quality tuition and 24/7 student support.
Find out more at plymouth.ac.uk/upic or contact our team at info@upic.plymouth.ac.uk
Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day
Open days are the best way to get a feel for studying an undergraduate degree at the University of Plymouth.
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*These are the latest results from the National Student Survey. Please note that the data published on Discover Uni is updated annually in September. The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) and the Graduate Outcomes survey (GO) are made available to prospective students and their advisors through the Unistats website.