Electronic Engineering - BEng (Hons) / MEng
Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry. Switch to 2024/25 Entry
Do you want to work at the forefront of industry? Our BEng (Hons) / MEng Electronic Engineering course will teach you a broad range of skills, helping you to become a rounded electrical engineer....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City Centre
- Award BEng (Hons) / MEng
- Start date September 2023
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Engineering and the Built Environment
- Faculty Faculty of Computing, Engineering and The Built Environment
Overview
Do you want to work at the forefront of industry? Our BEng (Hons) / MEng Electronic Engineering course will teach you a broad range of skills, helping you to become a rounded electrical engineer.
Throughout your degree study, you’ll have access to our state-of-the-art technology and resources, plus you’ll have the opportunity to secure yourself an industry placement, giving you instrumental electrical engineering work experience.
What's covered in this course?
The Electronic Engineering will give you an understanding of the social, commercial, legal, ethical, economic and environmental factors associated with engineering, as well as comprehensive knowledge of the science and mathematics associated with the discipline.
You will also develop the key transferrable skills that modern employers require, such as problem solving, project planning, presentation and communication. Our competitions, such as the annual Engineering Show, which includes the international micro-mouse competition, gives you the opportunity to participate in a range of competitions centered on autonomous and non-autonomous robotic vehicles.
Our engineering courses focus on project-based activities, giving you lots of opportunity to work in teams on projects from design to implementation. This will give you practical experience of applying engineering science to real world problems, working in multidisciplinary teams to develop your interpersonal skills, and prepare you for a key aspect of modern engineering practice.
You’ll also have the option of a placement during your course, either through a summer internship or year-long sandwich placement, which will provide you with the real-life skills and experience you’ll need to stand out from the crowd upon graduation. This has helped former graduates progress into roles within companies such as UTC Aerospace and Vector GB.
Professional Placement Year
This course offers a professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, between the second and third years of your degree, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.
The University will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. If you do not find a suitable placement, you will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.
Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year (£1,850 for UK students).
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
The course provided a great balance of theoretical and practical learning along with project management and professional practice, which immensely improved my technical knowledge and skills required for different sectors of the industry. My studies have helped me to discover and apply new knowledge, understand complex contexts and solve problems, develop critical thinking and questioning, and design and build new devices.
Zeeshan Mustafa Latif Ansari
Why Choose Us?
- Accredited course - This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
- Industrial placement year option - Gain desirable employability skills and work experience with the option of an industrial placement year, that will take place between your second and final year of the course.
- State-of-the-art facilities - You will be based at our Millennium Point campus in City Centre, where our facilities have undergone a £6.5 million investment with a new maker area, engineering labs/equipment and IT equipment to provide you with the very best learning experience. You will also use our industry-standard equipment and resources, including rapid prototyping, laser-cutting and CNC machining.
- £1.1 million investment in new facilities from the IoT – The Institute of Technology (IoT) has invested in brand-new equipment and facilities, including an Electric Vehicle (EV) Test Rig, an Additive Manufacturing Machine (3D printer) and a material testing-split zone furnace - all industry grade technology that will advance your skills, making you more employable.
- Engineering Leaders Scholarship (ELS) - All second year Engineering students can apply for this scholarship from the Royal Academy of Engineers to receive an accelerated personal development programme of support including £5,000 to use on career development activities, access to alumni for advice and support and attend annual networking event.
- Employable graduates - Our graduates have progressed into roles with companies such as UTC Aerospace and Vector GB.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person. You'll get the chance to learn about courses in subject talks, chat to students and explore our campus and accommodation. We'll post you a detailed event programme to help plan your day and find your way.
Next Open Day: Saturday 24 June 2023
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2023/24.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BEng (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2023
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,250 in 2023/24
- Apply via UCAS
- Full Time
- 4 years with Professional Placement
- Show fees
- Apply via UCAS
- Study Year (2023/24) £9,250
Professional Placement Fees
The tuition fee for your first year of study at the university is shown here. Full-time courses with a Professional Placement also incur a fee during the placement year. The fee for your placement year will be £1,850, which is equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee.
Award: MEng
Starting: Sep 2023
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
- £9,250 in 2023/24
- Apply via UCAS
- Full Time
- 5 years with Professional Placement
- Show fees
- Apply via UCAS
- Study Year (2023/24) £9,250
Professional Placement Fees
The tuition fee for your first year of study at the university is shown here. Full-time courses with a Professional Placement also incur a fee during the placement year. The fee for your placement year will be £1,850, which is equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee.
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BEng (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2023
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £13,980 in 2023/24
Award: MEng
Starting: Sep 2023
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
- £13,980 in 2023/24
Part-time study
The part-time route on this course is available for advanced entry, from year 3 onwards. If you already hold – or are working towards – an HNC or HND in a related subject, you may be eligible to study this course part-time. To find out more, visit our part-time study webpages.
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Personal statement
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
- Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
- Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
- Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
- School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
- Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Course in Depth
First Year
In order to complete this programme you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
The module aims to provide the underpinning knowledge and problem solving skills in engineering science to enable you to progress to the next module in the theme, Engineering Principles II, and then on to the second year of a range of engineering degrees.
As the practical aspects of engineering science are delivered in another theme of the common first year, the Engineering Principles modules concentrate on the theoretical aspects. The subject material will be delivered in two coherent streams one of which contains predominantly mechanical science and the other contains predominantly electrical science.
Mathematics plays a key role in establishing and grounding the skills of an engineer, and the ability to communicate the ideas of engineering that are expected of an engineering graduates.
The primary aim of this module is to provide the fundamental mathematical knowledge and techniques needed in order to enable you to use and apply such mathematical techniques for the evaluation, analysis, modelling and solution of realistic engineering problems. Application of these data sets has to include their interpretation both to and from the mathematical language. In addition, this module will introduce students to mathematical modelling software package. This will be used to plot, annotate basic signals and write simple programs to compute mathematical problems.
This module will develop your ability to both work on and communicate engineering realities to a wider audience, at a professional standard.
The module aims to provide the professional skills needed to enable you to progress to the next stage of the practical theme, onto your next module: Integrated Engineering Project, and then into the second year of an engineering degree.
The subject material will be delivered in two core streams: a PC-based stream, which will include the use of software to support project planning, communication and analysis, and a project-space stream, where you have the opportunity to integrate learning from across all elements of the semester.
You will develop practical professional engineering skills; including skills required for conceiving, designing, implementing and operating (CDIO) engineering solutions.
This module will interact with modules in the other two themes in the first year, relying on the knowledge of mathematical techniques, and the theoretical underpinning of the engineering principles, design and professional skills.
The module aims to provide the underpinning knowledge and problem solving skills in engineering science to enable you to progress to the second year of a wide range of engineering degrees. As the practical aspects of engineering science are delivered in another theme of the common first year, the Engineering Principles modules concentrate on the theoretical aspects. The subject material will be delivered in two coherent streams one of which contains predominantly mechanical science and the other contains predominantly electrical science.
This module will focus on introducing and building on well-established techniques for mathematically modelling dynamic systems (systems of interest for engineering) for contextualised engineering applications. The module will include an introduction to sophisticated signal analysis technique, Fourier series which is used to transform time-domain signals into their frequency spectra. The module is structured to include a mixture of lectures, tutorials and PC-based laboratories. The lectures will formally introduce material, in tutorials students will work through questions with tutor. The PC laboratories will involve using mathematical modelling software packages to implement mathematical operations.
The module aims to provide the practical and professional skills to enable you to progress on to the second year of an engineering degree. As the theoretical aspects of physical science and maths are delivered in other themes of the first year, the Practical Skills modules concentrate on the practical aspects.
Second Year
In order to complete this programme you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Information is the basic thread of life and signals are the medium by which information is passed. This module will focus on classifying and mathematical modelling of signals and systems in the context of Electrical and Biomedical engineering.
During the module analytical techniques will be introduced used to transform signals from one domain to another and vice versa. While mathematical techniques will be used and contextualised for actual system hardware.
At the end of this module you will be able to determine a systems response and their applications in electronics and Biomedical engineering.
This module introduces you to the fundamentals of analogue and digital electronics using a circuit approach. It has been designed to give you a usable level of electronics theory to demonstrate key concepts.
The MEng Electronic Engineering programme is designed to produce graduates with highly developed skills both in theory and practice. This module will focus on contextualising the theory gained in Analogue and Digital electronics as well introducing embedded systems for both electronic engineering and biomedical applications.
An interdisciplinary module, you will work with students from all fields of engineering to develop skills in engineering leadership and experience creating a purposeful vision and delivering on that vision. This will set the professional skills for business in context by combining your technical course-specific knowledge with professional skills
The development of knowledge in analogue and digital electronics, real-time embedded systems and programming, and robotics and control is specified in the aims of the programme. Microcontroller System Design and Programming is an introduction to programming in the C language, and to hardware and software tools and techniques for embedded systems design with microcontrollers.
The MEng Electronic Engineering programme is designed to produce graduates with highly developed skills in electronic systems design, who will have the technical and management capability required by employers in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
The aim of this module is to integrate skills and knowledge gained from your course into one practical project. The endpoint of this project will be wheeled robot capable of competing in a robotic competition, with the intention of entering a national or international competition.
Professional Placement (Optional)
In order to qualify for the award of Bachelor of Engineering, Electronic Engineering with Professional Placement Year, or Integrated Masters of Engineering Electronic Engineering with Professional Placement Year, you must successfully complete all of the modules listed as well as the following module.
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40- week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree.
The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
Final Year (BEng)
In order to complete this programme you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Digital filters have numerous advantages compared to analogue filters. These filters are implemented using hardware and firmware compared to analogue filters which are implemented solely on hardware.
Successful completion of this module will allow you to be able to analyse the magnitude and phase responses of filters. Whilst this module is rich in analytical techniques and concepts, it will be contextualised at all times for practical hardware examples.
The MEng Electronic Engineering Programme aims to develop an understanding of the broad nature of electronic engineering through a themed approach encompassing analogue electronics, digital electronics, communications, embedded systems and business.
The aim of this module is to develop an appropriate knowledge of embedded systems such that on completion of the module you are able to specify, design, implement and test microprocessor-based hardware and software for real-time applications.
Embedded Systems and Control gives in-depth practical experience of designing and building realtime embedded systems, from both hardware and software perspectives. It has been designed to provide a high level of practical embedded systems knowledge which, when combined with the digital and analogue electronics knowledge gained from underpinning and parallel modules, will produce graduate electronic engineers capable of having an immediate impact in the industry.
The module provides you with an understanding and knowledge in the principles and applications of telecommunications and information networks. The module will focus on case studies of particular applications in wired and wireless communications systems and in high speed networking. Telecommunication and networking technologies are key components of modern revolutionary technologies. This module provides you with the knowledge to understand modern communication systems and the functions of the Internet. In addition, you will gain related analytical skills that can be applied in designing modern communication systems and information networks.
This module provides an introduction to the principles of high frequency electronics and to familiarise you with the theory and application of analogue building blocks for high-frequency applications.
It will enable you to gain an in-depth understanding of power electronic devices and analysing power electronic circuits.
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
At this level, you will be expected to work independently but you will receive additional one-to-one support from your supervisor, who will be familiar with your chosen topic area. As you progress on the module, extra support will be available and this may take the form of group seminars, workshops and online materials that will help to develop your project.
MEng
In order to complete this programme you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
The aim of this module is to allow you to develop an appropriate knowledge of the use of hardware description languages for digital design such that on completion of the module you will able to specify, design, implement and test digital circuitry implemented in FPGA, CPLD and other programmable digital devices. The module has been designed to provide you with a high level of practical work to consolidate the theoretical aspects and improve employment options.
The module utilises the mathematical concepts such as transform calculus and matrix theory used to model systems using both the transfer function and state-space paradigms. You will then be able to design controllers for linear systems using time and frequency response methods, in particular, pole placement techniques will be applied using both input-output and state-feedback approaches. These will then be extended to observer design and LQR optimization.
This module introduces the key integrated circuit techniques for BJT and MOS design, starting with transistor circuits (current mirrors, long tail pairs, amplifier stages, buffers) and extend your knowledge and expertise into analyse and design basic analogue microelectronic building blocks at the circuit level, with an emphasis towards integrated circuit architecture with applications in communications circuits. The circuits will be developed using schematic and simulation design techniques to enable analogue circuits and systems to be implemented. The circuit elements will then be extended to cover current sources, CMOS and BiCMOS circuits and current mode circuits. These building blocks will then be expanded into useful system level blocks such as phase locked loops, integrated circuit architecture and communications IC architecture. Fundamentally important issues such as noise, IC architecture and power consumption will also be covered in this module.
Digital Signal Processing is an emerging field in electronic engineering which has been rapidly growing over the last few decades. In DSP data is converted from the continuous domain into the discrete domain and processed as scalar dimensionless values. This when compared to Analogue (continuous time) processing Digital (discrete time) processing has a number of tangible benefits including but not limited to, repeatability, cost, response which is a closer approximation to ideal characteristics. DSP has applications in wide range of disciplines ranging from biomedical electronics and media.
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed group project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, your group will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your group’s topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
Download course specification
Download nowImportant Course Accreditation Information*
Students completing an IET accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry.
BEng Accreditation Information
In order for you to achieve professional accreditation, you must have, on top of your academic qualifications, a minimum of 4 years relevant industrial engineering experience at the appropriate level.
Our current BEng courses are accredited at Partial CEng level, meaning that provided you have the relevant industrial experience, you may be eligible to apply for Incorporated Engineer Level.
Should you wish to apply for CEng Engineer level, there will be requirement for further learning at PG level, for example, an accredited MSc in the relevant subject. Our MSc courses are accredited at full CEng level.
MEng Accreditation Information
The accredited MEng will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MEng graduates who also have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.
It should be noted that graduates from an accredited MEng programme that do not also have an appropriately accredited Honours degree, will not be regarded as having the exemplifying qualifications for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council; and will need to have their qualifications individually assessed through the Individual Case Procedure if they wish to progress to CEng.
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
CEng accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), fulfilling the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer when presented with an accredited MSc. In addition, the programme meets the educational requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer.
Employability
We will provide you with the attributes you need to be successful in employment. Upon graduating, you’ll be able to demonstrate professionalism at all levels, as well as being a creative problem solver with innovative ideas, a global outlook and an open-minded, diverse personality.
Birmingham City University also has the Graduate+ scheme and you could also gain work experience with OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus.
Placements
You have the option to conduct an industrial placement year, gaining valuable work experience in a real-life company. You’ll be supported by a placement officer, who will assist you in finding a placement and applying for the position.
Thanks to our excellent partnerships and working relationships with some of the UK’s leading companies, our students have previously worked with General Electric, UTC Aerospace and Bosch.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
The Department of Engineering provides the perfect setting for practical work with modern day teaching and learning facilities. We pride ourselves on equipping our students with the skill set that they need not only working on industry standard equipment, but having industrial links, which set them up perfectly for a career in engineering.
We are currently undertaking a £340 million investment programme in our facilities, including a major expansion of our City Centre Campus. As part of this, our facilities in Millennium Point have undergone a £6.5 million investment to include a new maker area, engineering labs and equipment.
We have invested in industry-standard facilities to support the practice-based elements of our Engineering courses and give students as much practical learning as possible, to prepare for industry placements and job opportunities after graduation. Students have access to our facilities during classes, and can book out of class sessions with our specialist technicians.
We are a partner of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) and have secured £1.1 million of government funding for investment in brand-new equipment and facilities. Funding of £808,000 from the Department for Education has supported our development of an Electric Vehicle (EV) Test Rig, an Additive Manufacturing Machine (3D printer) and a material testing-split zone furnace.
The IoT has enabled procurement of new technologies for material testing, electronics prototyping and production and 3D scanning to compliment computer aided design for manufacture
Our staff
Dr Fawaz Annaz
Reader in Mechatronics
Dr. Fawaz Annaz had a long international career in Mechatronics Engineering, where has taught and conducted research in many countries including the UK, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and Brunei.
More about FawazGurvinder Dubb
Senior Lecturer, BEng Electronic Engineering
Electronic and Communications Engineer with over nine years of industrial experience in hardware design and development and network testing and 11 years of experience as a lecturer and senior lecturer. Currently Course Director for BEng (Hons) in Communications and Networks Engineering and Electronic Engineering, delivering modules in...
More about GurvinderProfessor Wenyan Wu
Professor in Advanced System Engineering
Professor Wenyan Wu has extensive interdisciplinary teaching and research experience across Engineering, Computing, and Technology throughout the UK and abroad. Her knowledge and expertise span the following areas: electronic engineering, informatics, water and environmental engineering, sensor technology, smart sensing and communication for...
More about WenyanDr Waheb Abdullah
Associate Professor in Electrical / Electronic Engineering
Waheb Abdullah is an Electrical Engineer with a PhD in Electrical, Electronic, and Systems Engineering combined with over 15 years of expertise in industry and academia. He received the BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Basrah, Iraq, in 2001, the Master of Engineering in Communication & Computer Engineering and the PhD in...
More about WahebDr Mario de Oliveira
Senior Lecturer in Electrical/Electronic Engineering
Dr Mario de Oliveira is a Senior Lecturer in Electrical/Electronic Engineering. He has extensive cross-disciplinarily research and teaching experience across Computing, Engineering and Technology. Mario’s knowledge and expertise are across boundaries of electronic, biomedical, structural health monitoring systems (SHM), signal processing, embedded...
More about Mario