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School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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UCAS tariff 112 - 128 Contextual offers
A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes personal circumstances that may affect grades into account.
UCAS course code H604
Institution code P60
Duration

3 years

(+ optional placement)
Course type

Full-time
Study location Plymouth

Become a practised, confident engineer who will stand out to employers by gaining hands-on experience with our cutting-edge labs, workshops and tools. From week one you will design, code, prototype and manufacture, testing your knowledge and gaining skills in industry-leading engineering practice. As a graduate Plymouth engineer, you’ll be equipped with the practical experience necessary to thrive in the industry, tackle real-world problems and apply your expert solutions.

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.

This course is for you if...

  • you love understanding how things work
  • 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

Careers with this subject
Discover employment and further study opportunities that you could consider once you graduate with an electrical and electronic engineering degree.

Key features

Facilities at your fingertips

From the start of your studies at Plymouth, you'll be in the labs and using industry equipment to apply your skills with confidence

Connected for careers

Industry contact throughout your course means you'll be connected and ready for you career

Qualified and professional

As a graduate from this Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) accredited programme, you'll be sought after as an Incorporated Engineer, and on your way to Chartered Engineer status

Get ahead in your career

Spend an optional placement year working as a paid student engineer – a great opportunity to further your knowledge and make important industry contacts

Course details

  • What will I study?

  • Study a range of topics from electrical and electronics, power, communications and microprocessors, with opportunities to build and program embedded systems, advanced mobile communications devices, and solar power systems.
    Specialise in your final year and develop an original system or device on the theme of your choice.
    Your achievements will be showcased in a student project open day, with many industrially sponsored prizes awarded.

    Year 1

    From the start of your studies, you will find that there is an emphasis on learning by doing. Group project work will enable you to develop your problem solving and communication skills and you'll use our well-equipped laboratories to develop your knowledge and practical problem solving skills. In our integrating project you'll bring together structured design procedures for both hardware and software.

    Core modules

    BPIE112
    Stage 1 Electrical/Robotics Placement Preparation 0 credits

    This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

    ELEC141
    Analogue Electronics 20 credits

    This module provides an overview of analogue circuit characterisation, analysis and design, linking theory to practice. It will examine how common analogue systems are constructed from elementary components.

    60% Examinations

    40% Coursework

    ELEC142
    Digital Electronics 20 credits

    This is a foundation module in digital electronics and computer control, which introduces digital devices and provides a background in the principles, design and applications of combinational and sequential logic circuits.

    60% Examinations

    40% Coursework

    ELEC144
    Electrical Principles and Machines 20 credits

    This module gives an introduction to the electrical properties of materials, capacitance, Inductance, and electromagnetism. Basic circuit principles and their application in dc and ac circuit analysis are then applied to electrical machines, transformers and energy conversion.

    100% Coursework

    PROJ100
    Embedded System Design and Build 40 credits

    The module enables students to work collectively to build prototype solutions to real-world problems using both software and hardware. This will include development and verification skills in both hardware and software.

    100% Coursework

    MATH191
    Engineering Mathematics 20 credits

    This module provides students with a number of fundamental mathematical skills, and techniques, which are essential for the analysis of engineering problems.

    70% Coursework

    30% Examinations

  • Year 2

  • In Year 2 you will develop a greater understanding of underlying engineering principles and circuit design methods. Again, there is an emphasis on team work and you will have opportunity to do both group and individual presentations of your projects. You'll have the opportunity to use industrial standard software tools for design and simulation, which is great preparation for your final year individual project or for a placement year.

    Core modules

    BPIE212
    Stage 2 Electrical/Robotics Placement Preparation 0 credits

    This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed build on the Level 1 module (BPIE111) and to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

    ELEC237
    Power Electronics and Generation 20 credits

    This module introduces power electronics devices and motors. Students will build switching power systems and also build and interface motor drive systems and generators.

    60% Examinations

    40% Coursework

    ELEC239
    Communication Systems 20 credits

    This module extends the student's knowledge and understanding of electrical engineering in order to develop a deeper understanding of electronic engineering principles and their application to electronic and communication engineering.

    70% Examinations

    30% Coursework

    MATH237
    Engineering Mathematics and Statistics 20 credits

    This module provides an introduction to mathematical and statistical methods that are important in the study of electronic and communications engineering. The mathematical techniques (transforms) are central to the study of linear, time-invariant systems. As well as introducing descriptive statistics, basic probability distributions, the module also considers the more advanced topics of reliability and quality control.

    80% Examinations

    20% Coursework

    ROCO219
    Control Engineering 20 credits

    This module introduces basic concepts in how to control systems that have dynamics. This can involve making an unstable system stable, like balancing a Segway transporter to ensure it always remains upright. Or to get a system to follow a desired input and reach the desired goal. For example, controlling a robot arm so it moves directly to a target location without oscillating or overshooting.

    70% Examinations

    30% Coursework

    PROJ200
    Real Time Systems Project 40 credits

    The module enables students to build robust and scalable real-time solutions to real-world problems using both Microcontroller and FPGA technologies. This will include both hardware and firmware development skills.

    50% Coursework

    50% Practicals

  • Optional placement year

  • Enhance your studies with 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 48-week period of professional training spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company. This provides an opportunity for the student to gain relevant industrial experience to consolidate the first two stages of study and to prepare for the final stage and employment after graduation.

  • Final year

  • Your final year gives you an exciting opportunity to develop an individual project, consolidate your knowledge, explore and evaluate new technologies. You'll demonstrate your communication skills in the oral and written presentation of your project and refine the independent learning skills vital for your continuing professional development in your chosen career path.

    Core modules

    ELEC345
    High Speed Communications 20 credits

    A circuit and system design module covering analogue and high frequency techniques and their place in modern communications systems.

    70% Examinations

    30% Coursework

    ELEC347
    Information and Communication Signal Processing 20 credits

    This module provides a thorough understanding of basic and advanced signal processing and coding techniques. This will equip students with knowledge that is vital for the processing, manipulation, encoding and transmission and efficient storage of information in most areas of IT, electronics and communications.

    80% Examinations

    10% Coursework

    10% Practicals

    ELEC349
    Design and Control of Renewable Energy Technology 20 credits

    The focus of this module is on the generation of energy using solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. The effect of the environment, the PV material characteristics and the technology to achieve maximum power point tracking (MPPT) are described.

    60% Coursework

    40% Tests

    ELEC351
    Advanced Embedded Programming 20 credits

    The module aims to develop programming skills in embedded programming, by making use of advanced features of high-level programming languages and by deepening the knowledge of modern programming techniques in embedded systems. The module has a strong practical bias where students are required to solve various problems by programming existing microcontroller hardware.

    60% Coursework

    40% Examinations

    PROJ300
    Individual Project 40 credits

    Investigate problems from industry or current research, define the problem boundaries, investigate possible solutions and present your results. You’ll have the chance to demonstrate a wide range of skills in project management, ethics, IP, research, critical thinking, engineering decisions, hardware, electrical/electronic and mechanical, design and simulation, software implementation, schematic capture and testing.

    70% Coursework

    30% Practicals

Course-specific academic regulations

This course has unique rules relating to:

  • Compensation of marks
  • Passing a module
View the full regulations for this course
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.

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

112 - 128

Contextual offers: Typically, the contextual offer for this course is 8 points below the advertised tariff. A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university.

Check your eligibility for a contextual offer

A level
To include C at A level Mathematics and grade C at second relevant subject. Relevant subjects include design technology, electronics, engineering, further mathematics, physics, pure mathematics, statistics, use of mathematics, computer science OR chemistry. Excluding general studies.
BTEC
18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: DDM in engineering/science/technology BTEC. To include merit in mathematics as a core module: mathematics for technicians, mathematics for engineering.
BTEC National Diploma modules
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.
All Access courses
The tutor will look at Access on an individual basis. Please contact the admissions team at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
International Baccalaureate
28 to 32 overall to include 4 at Higher Level mathematics and 4 at Higher Level relevant second science/technology subject. English and mathematics must be included.
Other qualifications considered, please enquire for further details.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our
UCAS tariff glossary .

Fees, costs and funding
2024-2025 2025-2026 *
Home £9,250 £9,535
International £18,100 £18,650
Part time (Home) £770 £795
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

*UK Government announcement on tuition fees

Following an announcement in November, the government has confirmed its intention to increase undergraduate tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.

Subject to final Parliamentary approval (expected in early March 2025), the tuition fee for UK students is increasing to a maximum of £9,535 from 1 August 2025. This change applies to current and new students at the University of Plymouth. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has confirmed loans for tuition fees will be increased accordingly.

IET Awards and Scholarships

All our electronics and robotics courses are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET); any student embarking on our courses are eligible to apply for a number of IET engineering scholarships. Amounts can vary between £1,000 and £3,000 per annum, and closing dates for applications are usually at the end of June. For more information on the different scholarships available, details on how to apply and confirmed closing dates for applications, please visit IET Awards and Scholarships.

Undergraduate scholarships for international students

To reward outstanding achievement the University of Plymouth offers scholarship schemes to help towards funding your studies.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Additional fieldwork and equipment costs .

Tuition fees for optional placement years

The fee for all undergraduate students completing any part of their placement year in the UK in 2024/2025 is £1,850.
The fee for all undergraduate students completing their whole placement year outside the UK in 2024/2025 is £1,385.
 Learn more about placement year tuition fees
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship
The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship is a national programme aimed at supporting women A level and BTEC/OCR (or Scottish equivalent) students from low-income households who wish to study computer science or related engineering courses at UK universities.
Applications are open
Deadline: 13 May 2025, 4pm

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Progression routes

International progression routes

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

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
MEng (Hons)
  • A four year integrated masters, with the potential for it to be five years with a placement year

Engineering a more energy efficient future

Develop your technical and design ability and get placements and jobs in top companies, whose recruiters are keen to discover your inventions.
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.
Previous student projects have included developing bionic arms for amputees or working in international organisations like the European Space Agency designing satellite systems.

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
 

Benefits of a placement year

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.
“I gained a wealth of experience and it gave me the confidence and knowledge to make me more employable.”
Student Placements - Josh Sullivan

Industry connections

As a course focused on employability, we’ve developed a number of relationships with industry to help provide you with the connections and opportunities you need to begin your career.

Nora Schillinger
Put learning into practice

Take a paid year in industry to help consolidate and develop your engineering knowledge.
Participants of the Babcock Mentoring Scheme
Industry mentors

Our industry partners offer placements and visits; support and sponsorship for project work; and graduate employment.
PEMC Working with Industry
Relevant, contemporary learning

Our relationship with a range of industries, and our local Industry Advisory Group ensure our courses are relevant to industry needs.
 

Take a walk through our labs

As part of our offering to you as a student, we have a range of facilities 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
Plymouth Engineering Society

Your clubs and societies

UPSU offer a range of opportunities for you to connect with others. We're sure there will be a group for you, if it’s about your course, passion or just trying something completely new.
The University's Engineering Society provides a platform for you to meet, socialise with and learn from from fellow students.
The club aims to promote links across all engineering disciplines and between all year groups from foundation year to masters year.
Socials and events are hosted throughout the year so come and get involved.

What our students say

"I choose the course because it is more hands-on, with lots of practical work, which I found helped to enhance my understanding"
Yassin Rostom
"Group work is one of the best opportunities to experience real life challenges. Working together to achieve the best possible success are skills to learn and constantly develop".
Chiara Rivetti

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.
Tamar Bridge looking towards Cornwall

Meet your expert teaching staff

Meet our school technical staff

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.
*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.