LIBT Brunel University

Course Details

Electronic and Communications Engineering BEng

Course Description

Electronics equipment and products are becoming a vital part of our daily lives, from simple MP3 players, mobile phones and computers to highly sophisticated diagnostic equipment used in hospitals and state-of the-art fibre optic communications systems. Computers, telecommunication systems and consumer electronics are advancing at a fast pace. This is a traditional and broad-based course which aims to produce well-rounded engineers with a high level of analytical and engineering design skills. From calculators to supercomputers, from telephones to global satellite communications, from dynamos to the national grid, you will gain key knowledge and understanding. As well as an invaluable overview of this field, you will also have the opportunity to specialise in Communications Systems in your final year. This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). About the Electronic and Computer Engineering Department at Brunel At Brunel, our degree programmes will teach you about state-of-the-art technology, which means our graduates can work at the forefront of all the major areas of electronic engineering. We adopt a teaching style that is research-led, so the latest cutting-edge technologies will be taught as part of the course. Our courses combine theory with practical and project work – an approach which can help you to turn ideas into real systems – and our students are regularly awarded national and international prizes. Our undergradute electornics degrees have a common first year during which you will study all of the main specialisms. Based on your own personal learning experiences of these subjects, you will be able to re-evaluate your original degree choice at this level and switch to a related course if you want. Our Undergraduate courses are featured by a number of activities that are summarised at Course Highlights. Read more about our Electronic and Computer Engineering courses. Is this degree right for me? You must have engineering potential and be someone who is analytical, creative, logical, a problem solver, a realist, versatile and forward thinking. You should be interested in understanding about the big picture as well as becoming a specialist in your chosen area. Intellectual challenge is important to you, as is hands-on experience, and you want to work alongside other high achievers. Maybe you know what engineering area you want to specialise in already and realise that a broad degree can provide you with an invaluable springboard to any number of careers. You don’t want to limit your options. Maybe you are seeking a broad-based engineering degree to explore your interests and strengths in variety of exciting fields, all of which are of crucial importance in today’s world. Aims Developed in response to the needs of industry, this degree will give you advanced level knowledge and skills in the design of complex electronic and communication systems. We aim to produce graduates who are part of a high-tech elite - greatly sought after professionals with specialist understanding and skills in communication, but who also have a solid knowledge of electronic engineering as a whole. The world of electronics is evolving so rapidly that the devices and techniques that are new today will be tools you are expected to understand and use by the time you graduate. Because of the relentless drive of technological evolution, you need to understand the fundamental principles underlying the technologies in order to be skilled in their application and to be able to adapt rapidly to technological changes throughout your career.

Course Duration

NumberDuration
3year

Career outcomes

Despite our size, there is a relaxed and friendly relationship between students and staff and we take a genuine interest and pride in the success of our students and graduates. Careers Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey Electronic and Computer Engineering graduates have a range of employment options open to them. The course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) which provides a platform to build on for those who wish to achieve Chartered Engineering status. In 2011/12, six months after graduating: * 71.4% of graduates with a first degree were in employment * 10.7% were in full-time further study Read more about graduate destinations for this subject area Whichever Electronic Engineering course you follow, you will have a wide choice of careers in mainstream electrical/electronic/microelectronic industries and in other engineering and ‘high-tech’ fields. The majority of our graduates move into research, development or manufacturing companies – a choice many make when accepting sponsorship from a company – but opportunities do exist in most other professional spheres such as computing, medicine, finance, management and the media. Recent graduates have gone on to work for companies including the BBC, Virgin Airways, Siemens and a variety of design companies. Placements You have the opportunity to undertake high quality work placements within prestigious organisations such as Intel, 3M, Group 4 Technology, BP and Ultra Electronics. Increasingly, students are selecting smaller companies to obtain a more flexible placement opportunity. The University maintains close contact with you during your placement year. The industrial placement year is assessed and contributes to your degree – students who successfully complete the placement year graduate with ‘Professional Development’ as part of their degree title in recognition of their time spent in industry. You will be required to keep a record of your training and of work undertaken throughout the year and to submit coursework to demonstrate the placement learning you have undertaken. Some of the benefits of a work placement to students include: experience in a relevant business area; the chance to develop the work-related skills demanded by the majority of graduate employers, and which will dramatically enhance your overall employability; personal development including building self-confidence, self-discipline and responsibility attributes; and financial rewards since placements are paid. Brunel has a dedicated Placement and Careers Centre with over 30 staff, including specialist industry consultants. Each course has a dedicated placement officer who supports students through the placement process. The service includes CV writing, one-to-one guidance and mock interviews. Brunel was named ‘Best University Placement Service’ at the Rate My Placement Awards 2010.

Electronic and Communications Engineering BEng LIBT Brunel University