BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Here’s how your degree in Electronic & Electrical Engineering (BEng) at the University of Birmingham will give you serious hands‑on experience from day one—with outstanding facilities and tools to help you innovate:

You’ll learn by doing—soldering, testing circuits, building embedded systems, simulating signal processing, and working alongside staff who are actively shaping fields like power systems and communications. The School of Engineering includes a Makerspace, Electronics Labs, a pantograph test rig and even a full‑size model railway control system—all within a building opened in 2021.

From early labs to final projects, you’ll hone teamwork, systems thinking, and soft skills employers demand. The programme’s IET accreditation means graduates are well‑regarded—already prepared to meet professional engineering standards upon graduation.

Here are the main highlights you can look forward to:

Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) – From Year 1, you’ll work in a 170‑seat lab equipped with National Instruments gear (ELVIS/myDAQ etc.). These stations let you design, build and measure electronics experiments just like engineers do in industry.

Electronics Project Lab & Makerspace – In later years, you’ll get access to a dedicated project space with stronger bench power supplies, high‑speed oscilloscopes, soldering bays and digital fabrication tools like PCB printers, 3D printers and a laser cutter.

Integrated Design Projects (IDP 1‑3) – Team‑based modules in Years 1, 2 and 3 bring real‑world challenges. You’ll collaborate with mechanical and civil engineers on interdisciplinary tasks, turning theory into working systems.

Final Year Individual Project – Worth a third of your grade, this advanced, staff‑supervised design or research assignment gives you ownership over everything from sensor arrays to IoT or power‑electronics systems.

Software & Data Acquisition Tools – Alongside hardware labs, you’ll use industry‑standard platforms including National Instruments hardware paired with simulation and measurement software like LabVIEW and Multisim—helping you design, verify and automate test procedures.

Industrial Engagement and Placements – Through the School of Engineering Employability Network (SEEN) and University Careers Network, you can apply for highly competitive year‑long placements with top firms (IBM, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Renesas, Cadence, Rolls‑Royce etc.), even as standard BEng students.

B‑Experienced Internships – The University-run “B‑Experienced” scheme offers short‑term paid placements (10‑ or 20‑day, part‑ or full‑time) at Birmingham or with external partners across different sectors—tailored to fit around your studies.

Research Environment & Laboratories – The Department is ranked top‑10 in the UK for engineering research (REF 2021). You can work in active labs (Smart Grid, Communications & Sensing, Cryogenic Energy Storage), gaining exposure to real research problems.

State‑of‑the‑Art Campus – The Engineering building (completed in 2021) features a model railway test track, full‑size pantograph rig, and close ties with UK Railway Research & Innovation Network (UKRRIN), giving you direct access to railway control and simulation systems.

Graduates of University of Birmingham’s BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering are highly employable, moving into roles such as electronics engineer, embedded systems developer, power systems engineer, design engineer, analyst, control systems specialist, and technical consultant. Many alumni also pursue further study in engineering, physics, data science, or related fields, or work in sectors including renewable energy, telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, technology, and infrastructure.

Here’s how Birmingham specifically supports your future:

Career Services & Experiential Learning:
Right from your first day, the departmental Industrial Liaison Officer and careers staff guide you through placements, technical writing, presentations, CV-building, and recruitment preparation. You have access to the university-wide Careers Network for one-to-one advice and employability workshops. The degree offers a strong option to include an Industrial Year where you gain hands‑on experience at leading firms such as IBM, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Siemens, National Grid, and Rolls‑Royce. Integrated Design Projects run throughout Years 1–3, building your teamwork and multidisciplinary engineering skills.

Industry Partnerships & Research:
Birmingham’s Department of Electronic, Electrical & Systems Engineering is research‑intensive, with most research rated world‑leading or internationally excellent. You learn from active researchers working in areas like renewable energy, smart grids, sensor tech, automation, embedded systems, IoT and power electronics. Employer testimonials highlight Birmingham’s effective practical training bridging academia and industry.

Accreditation:
This BEng degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council, fully meeting requirements for Incorporated Engineer registration and partly for Chartered Engineer status with further study.

Graduate Outcomes:
90–95% of graduates enter work or further study within 15 months, with 85–90% in highly skilled roles. Around 55% go into engineering roles, 30% into IT, and the rest into finance or project management. Median starting salaries are about £30,000 to £32,000 at 15 months, rising to £34,000+ at three years and approx. £40,000 by five years.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates are well‑prepared for further study such as MEng or MSc programmes, or professional pathways leading to chartered engineers. The programme’s solid theoretical, practical, and research foundations support transitions into advanced roles or further qualification.