Electronic & Computer Engineering BEng (Hons)
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UCAS Code: S2D5|Duration: 3 years|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Electronic and Computer Engineering is an exciting and rapidly developing area that is increasingly affecting every aspect of our lives. Many everyday objects with which we interact, such as mobile phones, tablets and games consoles, need to be designed and programmed. This degree reflects recent Software and Hardware technological advances and exposes you to new, much sought-after skills and up-to-date areas of research.
You will learn the fundamentals of the subject, including Analogue and Digital Electronics, Programming, Software Development and more specialized topics such as Embedded Systems, Mobile Devices and Robotics. The degree has a good balance of academic theory and practical ‘hands-on’ project work. You will work in purpose-built laboratories, using the very latest equipment.
The degree includes recent technological advances in areas such as Embedded Systems, Intelligent Systems and Mechatronics. You will experiment and interact with specialist software, hardware interfaces and systems, as well as exotic robots and fabrication facilities. You will be taught by academics whose research is rated as internationally excellent by the latest Research Excellence Framework in areas including Robotics and Intelligent Systems.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars of smaller groups of around 15-20 students, and tutorials which typically have no more than 10 students.
In your first year of study, there are approximately 12 teaching hours each week, which reduces to approximately 10 teaching hours in your second and third years. As well as teaching hours, you are also expected to spend a number of hours each week studying independently, as well as in groups to prepare for any group assessments you may have.
Assessment and feedback
During each year you will have a variety of assessments, including written exams and portfolios, and coursework that closely relates to the practical aspects you have studied. In your final year, you complete a research project or a dissertation that is prepared for in the first years of your degree.
You will be given written feedback on your assessments, and you will have the opportunity to discuss this with your tutor in more detail.
Year One
In the first year, you will develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that underpin Electronics and Computer Engineering. Topics studied include:
- Engineering Principles: This provides the fundamental blocks for the curriculum and covers topics such as electromagnetism, circuit theory, analogue and digital electronics, mathematics and engineering programming. You will also develop a small microcontroller based robotics project.
- Computing Principles & Professional Development: Professional Development prepares you for learning and study in an engineering discipline and also introduces the fundamental practices, values and expectations of an engineer. Computing principles introduces the fundamental aspects of computer systems and databases along with the principles of algorithm design and programming.
Year Two
In the second year, you will develop a broader understanding and knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of Electronics and Computer Engineering. You study:
- Applied electronics: In this block of study you will learn about semiconductor devices and circuit applications, control systems, mechatronics and computer networks.
- Networks: You study the key components of the internet and the key protocols that modern software solutions use over the internet.
- Control theory: Control systems are fundamental to the stable and reliable operation of electronic and electromechanical systems.
- Microcontrollers: Microcontrollers are everywhere and are fundamental to your course. Being able to program microcontrollers and interface them to sensors and actuators are critical skills.
- Object-oriented Programming with C++ : You will not only learn the C++ programming language in depth, but use it as a vehicle for the more general skills of object-oriented coding and design. In particular, you will learn Unified Modeling Language (UML) for designing and managing large projects for industry.
- Software Engineering: This block of study complements the skills you learn for object-oriented coding, but uses the Java programming language. It is far from just about coding though, and teaches you how to work as part of a team and the different approaches to project management that are available, as well as the latest technology being used in industry.
- Web development: This block of study provides an overview of website development, including client-side programming with HTML, CSS, and Javascript, as well as server-side programming with PHP and an in-depth look at MySQL.
- Human-computer interaction: This block of study focuses on the design, evaluation, and implementation of interactive computing systems used by humans.
- Professional Skills: A range of topics are covered in this block, more generally equipping you for working in industry.
Year Three
In your third year, the curriculum focuses on employability and is more influenced by staff expertise and research. Here, you will develop a deeper understanding of the theoretical aspects of Electronic and Computer Engineering.
Topics will depend on latest developments but will include areas such as:
- Immersive technologies (VR/AR and MR): You will learn using the software commonly used for virtual reality development, i.e. Unity and Unreal Engine, but also touch upon other technologies, such as for VR in the browser. You will also have access to cutting edge technology to test out your creations.
- Machine learning hardware: You will study the use of hardware systems to accelerate machine learning algorithms using computing architectures that are more appropriate for artificial intelligence.
- Internet of Things (IoT): You will broaden your knowledge to the emerging internet-of-things, whereby physical things in the world are part of the internet. As with VR, you will have access to a range of technologies on which to develop and test your ideas.
- Advanced Web Technologies: This part of your course will focus on the Javascript language, which has emerged as one of the world’s most popular languages. It will focus on client-side development of web applications using various libraries and the latest technologies, such as Node.JS (for server-side) and React.
- Intelligent Systems: The course focuses on artificial intelligence, with a particular emphasis on machine learning. You will begin with foundational knowledge of different ML models, moving toward metaheuristics (genetic algorithms) and reinforcement learning. You will then move toward natural language processing and more exotic models within machine learning, such as meta-learning and semi-supervised learning.
- Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing: The main emphasis of this part of the course is on Android application development, using Android Studio and the Java programming language.
- Project: You will carry out a major, independent project that allows you to draw on your skills and learning and focus on an area of interest to you.
Entry requirements
2024 Entry
Clearing is now open, over this period we can offer some flexibility on our entry requirements for courses that still have vacancies.
We are also offering a Foundation Year on many of our courses for students who have the ability and enthusiasm to study for a degree, but do not yet have the qualification level to enter directly into our degree programmes.
Whether you already have your results or are waiting for them please call us to discuss the options available to you: 0151 291 3636
Careers
A degree in Electronic and Computer Engineering will make you highly employable, having developed specific skills in electronic systems design. There is a skills gap in this area, and we constantly seek to give our graduates an ‘edge’ by examining emerging and cutting-edge technologies. You will be ideally placed to gain employment in high-demand roles such as Design Engineer across a range of sectors including Consumer Electronics and Computer Engineering. Examples of recent graduate appointments include Technical Engineer and Systems Engineers.
Many of our graduates also go on to further study at postgraduate level.
Enhancement opportunities
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2024/25 academic year are £9,250 for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,250.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
Additional costs
As well as your tuition fees, you will need approximately £250 to buy key textbooks, hardware, software, and general computer consumables.
You will also need to consider the cost of your accommodation each year whilst you study at university. Visit our accommodation pages for further details about our Halls of Residence.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2024/25 are £13,000.
Visit our International fees page for more information.