BEng Hons Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year

Students in the BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree at the University of Plymouth gain career-ready practical skills through immersive, real-world learning. You’re not just studying theory—you’ll be building, testing, and innovating from your very first day. The university’s advanced labs, team projects, optional placements, and research-active culture combine to make learning hands-on and future-focused.

Here’s what your experiential learning journey looks like:

Experiential learning from Day 1
From the outset, the course focuses on practical work—designing, building, testing, and prototyping in state-of-the-art labs and workshops. Early group projects integrate both hardware and software design tasks.

World-class lab facilities and tools

• PCB manufacturing lab with in-house surface mount technology for producing up to six-layer circuit boards.

• Wolfson Nanomagnetics Clean Room Suite (class 100 and class 10) for advanced research in spintronics, nanotechnology, biosensors, and multifunctional devices.

• Communications lab with high-frequency test equipment for developing and testing wireless systems, from discrete circuits to integrated chip-sets (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).

• Mechanical workshops with 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics benches, and specialist software such as Proteus, LabVIEW, Quartus, MATLAB, and Keil uVision.

Research-informed teaching
The learning environment is driven by leading research in nanotechnology, biosensors, telecommunications, and renewable energy. Industry-linked projects, including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), provide direct exposure to real-world innovation.

Optional placement year
In Year 3, students can undertake a 48-week industry placement in the UK or abroad. Placement tutors provide support and assessment, and many students return with final-year project sponsorship or job offers.

Project-led progression

• Year 1: Group projects, such as embedded system builds combining hardware and software skills.

• Year 2: Modules in Power Electronics & Generation, Communication Systems, Control Engineering, and a Real-Time Systems Project focusing on microcontrollers and FPGA development.

• Final Year: An individual capstone project presented at the Student Project Open Day, with opportunities to win industrially sponsored prizes.

Graduates of the University of Plymouth’s BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering are highly employable, moving into roles such as electrical engineer, electronics design engineer, control systems engineer, power systems analyst, and telecommunications specialist. Many alumni also pursue further study in engineering, renewable energy, or related fields, or work in sectors including energy, marine technology, aerospace, robotics, and automation.

Here’s how Plymouth specifically supports your future:

Career Services & Experiential Learning: 
The program offers opportunities for an optional placement year, allowing you to gain practical experience with industry leaders. Teaching combines lectures, laboratory sessions, simulations, and project work, emphasizing real-world problem-solving and teamwork. The university’s Careers Service provides tailored support, including CV clinics, industry networking events, and access to graduate job opportunities, ensuring you’re career-ready upon graduation.

Industry Partnerships & Research: 
Plymouth’s School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics collaborates with companies like Babcock International, Siemens, and the UK Ministry of Defence. Students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, including high-voltage labs, control engineering labs, and robotics suites. The curriculum integrates research in areas like renewable energy systems, smart grids, embedded systems, and marine electronics. Industry partners value the strong technical, analytical, and design skills developed in this program, which are applicable across sectors such as energy, defense, and transport.

Graduate Outcomes: 
Students graduate with expertise in circuit design, power electronics, digital systems, and engineering management, alongside hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like MATLAB and CAD software. These skills are highly sought after by employers in engineering consultancies, utilities, and technology firms.

Further Academic Progression: 
After your BEng at Plymouth, you can progress to an MSc or MEng in electrical engineering, robotics, or renewable energy, or enter professional roles in design, project engineering, or technical consultancy—supported by the program’s industry links, practical focus, and accreditation.