BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Here’s how the BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Heriot-Watt University brings hands-on, practical engineering to life. From your first year, you’ll be learning by doing: course structure, labs, real-world projects, and facilities are all designed to help you build tangible skills in electronics, power systems, computing, and embedded technologies.

Experiential Learning Highlights:

“Learning by doing” is built into the philosophy.
The programme is designed to go beyond theory—classrooms and assignments are structured for practical, real-world problem solving. You’ll start working on individual and group projects by your third year. One standout example: students once developed an electronic egg to monitor penguin incubation.

The GRID: your project and lab hub
Heriot-Watt’s new GRID is designed specifically to enable hands-on work across electronics, power engineering, computing, robotics, communications, and mechanical prototyping. It’s a space built for teamwork, innovation, and creativity—modeling real workplace environments.

Capstone and real-world collaboration
By later years, your learning will shift toward solving real-life problems in both solo and team-based projects—mirroring industry workflows.

Access to industry-quality tools and labs
The GRID grants you access to labs covering electrical power systems, embedded systems, robotics, and more—so your work isn't just theory, but physical and interactive.

Accredited and career-ready
This programme is fully accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)—a key step toward becoming a Chartered Engineer, and proof of the course’s professional relevance.

Strong outcomes and alumni paths
Graduates have gone on to roles at top organisations including Bosch, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo, Mott MacDonald, BP, and Texas Instruments—testifying to both the quality of learning and its alignment with industry needs.

Graduates of Heriot-Watt University's BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering are highly employable, moving into roles such as power systems engineer, electronics design specialist, control systems engineer, telecommunications consultant, and embedded systems developer. Many alumni also pursue further study in engineering disciplines or work in sectors including energy, manufacturing, robotics, and emerging technologies.

Here's how Heriot-Watt specifically supports your future:

Career Services & Experiential Learning:
The four-year BEng programme (following the Scottish university system) offers opportunities for industrial placements with leading engineering firms. Students gain hands-on experience through laboratory sessions in Heriot-Watt's £35m GRID facility, including the Electrical Power Laboratory and Control Engineering Lab. The curriculum includes a major individual project in the final year where students tackle real-world engineering challenges. The university's Careers Service provides dedicated engineering career support, including industry networking events and one-to-one guidance throughout the degree.

Industry Partnerships & Research:
The programme benefits from Heriot-Watt's strong industry connections with companies like ScottishPower, Leonardo, and Wood Group, as well as research collaborations with the Institute of Sensors, Signals & Systems. Students access cutting-edge facilities including high-voltage labs, power electronics suites, and embedded systems workstations. The curriculum incorporates current research in areas like renewable energy integration, smart grid technologies, industrial automation, and wireless communications.

Graduate Outcomes:
Students develop strong technical skills in power systems, electronic circuit design, control engineering, and digital systems - competencies that are valued across multiple engineering sectors. Recent graduates have secured positions with leading employers including National Grid, Rolls-Royce, and Babcock International.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates of the BEng programme have several progression pathways available. They can enter professional engineering roles directly, pursue standalone master's degrees in specialized fields, or transfer to Heriot-Watt's integrated MEng programme (subject to academic performance) to work towards Chartered Engineer status. The programme's strong industry links and research-led approach provide excellent foundations for both professional practice and further academic study.