Electrical Engineering Subject Guide

Thinking about taking a postgraduate level electrical engineering degree? This fascinating course can help students to build upon engineering understanding and expertise, and help people on their way to becoming a chartered engineer.  

It can be confusing to know where to look and what to do when considering electrical engineering courses in the UK. Many people will also want to know what you do on electrical engineering courses and how they might be assessed.  

To help with this, we have created a handy guide to postgraduate degrees in electrical engineering. Read on to find out everything students need to know about this exciting subject. 

CONTENTS

• Why do an electrical engineering degree?
• What qualifications can you get?
• What jobs can you do with an electrical engineering degree?
• What are the electrical engineering degree entry requirements?
• What electrical engineering courses are there?
• What topics does an electrical engineering degree cover?
• How will you be taught and assessed?
• How long is an electrical engineering degree?
• Where can you study electrical engineering?
• What similar subjects are there to electrical engineering?

Why do an electrical engineering degree? 

Electrical engineering offers students the chance to explore a constantly evolving subject that will appeal to people who enjoy investigating the technical details of electronic systems. It involves a balanced mix of knowledge building and practical interaction, meaning students will end up with a varied skill set by the end of a course. 

Students may choose to take an electrical engineering degree to further their experience in the field, proving to employers that they have the prerequisite skills to be accomplished at their job. The course will also feature up-to-date information, meaning students will be able to utilise the most recent discoveries and technology available. 

What qualifications can you get? 

Students looking to take a taught course in electrical engineering will most likely be taking an MSc. These courses are available at universities across the UK, and will offer the chance to learn from lecturers and practical tutorials on a variety of topics. This could include machines, sensors, microwaves, power systems and more. 

There are also research-based doctorates, most of which are PhDs, though there are some MPhil courses available too. These would suit a student looking to delve deep into a certain topic in electrical engineering, independently researching to make discoveries that could push the field forward. 

What jobs can you do with an electrical engineering degree? 

Gaining a postgraduate degree in electrical engineering can prove to employers that the graduate has an impressive level of knowledge and skill in the area, making them an attractive hiring prospect. Jobs that would benefit from an electrical engineering degree include... 

• Electrical engineer 
• IT manager 
• Systems analyst 
• Mechanical engineer 
• Robotics engineer 
• Electrician 
• Technology consultant 
• Sound engineer 

What are the electrical engineering degree entry requirements? 

Many universities will request that you have a 2:2 honours degree in a related subject to be accepted onto a postgraduate electrical engineering course. However, some institutions will accept students from other disciplines if they have ample relevant experience, either in education or employment. 

What electrical engineering courses are there? 

Universities across the country offer electrical engineering courses which award different qualifications at the end. Some may be broad in scope, whereas others can offer specialties in certain areas. Examples of these courses include... 

• Electronic and Electrical Engineering MSc 
• Advanced Electronic and Electrical Engineering MSc 
• Electrical Automotive Engineering MSc 
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering PhD 
• Electrical Engineering for Sustainable and Renewable Energy MSc 

What topics does an electrical engineering degree cover? 

The modules featured on electrical engineering courses will vary from university to university, but students can expect to study a selection of topics across the field. Examples of electrical engineering modules include... 

• FPGA-based Digital System Design 
• Microwave and High-Speed Digital Design 
• Power Systems Analysis 
• Sensors and Measurement Systems 
• Technology Integration and Interfacing 

How will you be taught and assessed? 

Degrees in electrical engineering will feature both theory and practical aspects, with lectures and tutorials taking place regularly. Universities that specialise in engineering subjects will often have bespoke facilities for students to hone their skills. Some courses will also feature work placements for more skill development. Assessments will usually come in the form of coursework and projects. 

How long is an electrical engineering degree? 

If studied full-time, master’s degrees in electrical engineering can take up to one to two years, while PhD courses in the subject can take up to four years. Students looking to study part-time can expect these estimates to be doubled in length. 

Where can you study electrical engineering? 

Universities across the UK offer courses in electrical engineering. To find out where you could study, please use our handy course search tool, which can be filtered by location, course type, start date and more. 

What similar subjects are there to electrical engineering? 

There are several subjects that are similar to electrical engineering available to study at the postgraduate level, including... 

• Mechanical engineering 
• Technology management 
• Aerospace engineering 
• Telecommunications 
• Energy engineering 

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