BE Electrical and Electronic Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University College Cork UCC

Program Overview

The BE (Honours) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University College Cork prepares students to design, analyse, and develop electrical and electronic systems that underpin modern industries, from energy generation and smart grids to electronics, communications, and automation. This programme is ideal for students who enjoy applying mathematics and physics to real-world engineering challenges and want strong career prospects in high-impact technical fields.

Curriculum Structure

Years 1 & 2 — Engineering Foundations
In the first two years, students build a strong grounding in engineering mathematics, physics, computing, and core electrical principles. These years introduce fundamental concepts in electrical circuits, materials, signals, and problem-solving, while also developing practical laboratory and teamwork skills essential for professional engineering.

Year 3 — Core Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Third year focuses on the core technical areas of the discipline. Students study electronic circuit design, analogue and digital electronics, embedded systems, control engineering, telecommunications, power systems, signal processing, electromagnetics, and electrical machines, developing the ability to analyse and design complex electrical and electronic systems.

Year 4 — Advanced Study and Capstone Project
In the final year, students deepen their expertise through advanced modules and independent learning. A major engineering capstone project forms the centrepiece of the year, requiring students to research, design, and implement a substantial engineering solution. Optional modules allow specialisation in areas such as renewable energy systems, industrial automation, photonics, power electronics, robotics, biomedical engineering, and integrated circuit design.

(Eligible students may progress to an integrated Master of Engineering (ME) for advanced technical and professional development.)

Focus areas:
Electrical power systems • Renewable and sustainable energy • Electronic circuit design • Embedded and control systems • Telecommunications • Signal processing • Automation and robotics • Engineering innovation and design

Learning outcomes:
Graduates develop strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, competence in modern engineering tools and laboratories, the ability to design and evaluate electrical and electronic systems, effective teamwork and communication skills, and a professional and ethical approach to engineering practice.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The BE (Honours) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering aligns with recognised professional engineering education standards and supports progression toward chartered or professional engineer status in Ireland and internationally.

Reputation (employability & standing):
University College Cork is a highly respected research-led university with a strong reputation in engineering and technology. Graduates from Electrical and Electronic Engineering are highly employable and work across sectors such as renewable energy, electronics manufacturing, telecommunications, automation, power engineering, and advanced technology research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At University College Cork, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering is built around hands-on engineering practice and strong industry engagement. From the first year, students actively apply theory through laboratory work, engineering design tasks, and real system analysis. The programme combines core electrical and electronic engineering principles with professional experience, ensuring graduates develop both technical expertise and workplace readiness. With a strong emphasis on applied learning and a compulsory industry placement, this degree prepares students for successful careers in modern engineering sectors or progression to advanced study.

Here’s how experiential learning is embedded throughout the degree:

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Laboratories
Students work regularly in specialist labs where they design, build, and test electrical circuits, electronic systems, digital devices, embedded controllers, and signal processing applications using professional equipment.
Design-Led Engineering Projects
Project work is integrated into modules across all years, allowing students to solve real engineering problems, develop creativity, and strengthen teamwork, communication, and technical reporting skills.
Industry-Standard Digital Tools & Simulation
You gain experience using professional engineering software for modelling, simulation, and system analysis, helping you understand system behaviour before physical implementation and aligning learning with industry practice.
Five-Month Professional Work Placement
A key feature of the programme is a structured, paid work placement completed between third and final year. This placement allows students to apply engineering knowledge in a real workplace while gaining hands-on industry experience and professional confidence.
Specialised Final-Year Options
In the final year, students can tailor their studies by choosing technical modules in areas such as power systems, control engineering, telecommunications, embedded systems, digital signal processing, automation, and renewable energy technologies.
Final-Year Capstone Engineering Project
Each student completes a substantial individual project that integrates theory, experimentation, and design. Projects typically involve building, testing, and evaluating an electrical or electronic engineering solution to a real-world problem.
Research-Informed Teaching & Industry Collaboration
Teaching is delivered within a research-active environment, ensuring exposure to modern technologies and engineering challenges. Industry collaboration helps keep course content relevant and career-focused.
International & Global Engineering Exposure
Opportunities may be available to gain international experience through study or work abroad, adding a global perspective to your engineering education.

Facilities & Practical Resources (Official):
Dedicated electrical and electronic engineering laboratories, embedded systems and power engineering facilities, digital simulation and design suites, project and prototyping spaces, professional placement support services, and access to UCC’s engineering computing and library resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BE in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University College Cork (UCC) prepares you for a broad and future-focused engineering career — from power systems and renewable energy to embedded systems, telecommunications and electronics design. Graduates typically step into professional roles such as Electrical/Electronic Engineer, Embedded Systems Engineer, Controls & Automation Engineer, and Power Systems/Instrumentation Engineer, with strong demand from industry and technology sectors for the skills developed through this programme:

• University Services to Support Employability: UCC’s Careers Service provides tailored career advice, CV and interview preparation, industry networking events, internships and placement opportunities, and access to employer engagement specifically for engineering students — giving you support as you transition into the professional world.
• Employment Outcomes & Salary Prospects: Graduates in electrical and electronic engineering enjoy high employability across diverse sectors, with many securing relevant roles soon after graduation. The combination of strong technical grounding and practical experience supports competitive starting salaries in Ireland and internationally.
• University–Industry Engagement: The programme benefits from UCC’s strong connections with industry partners, offering opportunities to work on real-world projects, engage with current engineering challenges, and build professional networks that can lead to internships and graduate roles.
• Long-Term Accreditation Value: The BE in Electrical and Electronic Engineering is structured to meet professional engineering education standards, giving you a solid foundation for progression toward Chartered Engineer status — a respected qualification recognised internationally that boosts your long-term career mobility.
• Graduation Outcomes: Graduates contribute to the design, testing, implementation and optimisation of electronic and electrical systems across sectors such as energy, telecommunications, automation, smart devices, instrumentation and control technologies.

Typical roles graduates move into include:

Electrical/Electronic Engineer – designing and implementing electrical and electronic systems.
Embedded Systems & IoT Engineer – building and testing smart, connected devices.
Controls & Automation Engineer – developing automated systems for industry.
Power Systems & Instrumentation Engineer – supporting energy generation, distribution and measurement systems.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BE in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, you can deepen your expertise and expand your career options through postgraduate study. Many graduates choose Master’s degrees in specialist areas such as communications engineering, power and energy systems, control systems, embedded systems, or sustainable technologies to develop advanced technical knowledge. Others pursue PhD research in cutting-edge areas of electrical and electronic engineering, positioning themselves for careers in research, innovation, or academia. Postgraduate qualifications also strengthen eligibility for professional engineering accreditation and leadership roles in industry and technology.