BEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (with Foundation Year)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of the West of England

Program Overview

UWE Bristol’s BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
This four-year foundation route into UWE Bristol’s BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering provides a structured scaffold for students who may not yet meet direct entry requirements—but who’re eager to build a strong engineering future. It’s ideal if you're ready to engage with hands-on technology and want a foundation that sets you up confidently for the full degree ahead.

Curriculum Structure

Year Zero (Foundation Year)
If you don’t meet the direct entry requirements, the foundation year provides the essential knowledge and skills to succeed in engineering. You’ll study Engineering Experimentation, Foundation Group Project, Foundation Mechanics, Foundation Mathematics: Algebra and Calculus, and Introduction to Mechatronics—developing analytical, practical, and teamwork skills. You normally need to pass your foundation year before progressing into Year One of the degree.

Year 1
You’ll build a solid foundation in the fundamentals of electrical and electronic engineering while developing the professional skills employers value. Core modules such as Professional Skills for Engineers, Mathematics for Electrical Engineers, Applied Electronics, Principles of Electrical Engineering, and Programming for Engineers will introduce you to circuit design, programming, and analytical problem-solving, supported by extensive lab work.

Year 2
This year takes you deeper into specialist areas, combining practical hardware work with advanced systems thinking. You’ll study Project Management for Engineers, Digital System Design, Analogue Electronic Systems, Electrical Machines and Power Systems, Embedded Systems, and Signals and Systems—gaining the ability to design, program, and integrate complex electronic systems.

Placement Year (optional)
If you choose the four-year sandwich route, you’ll spend your third year in a paid work placement, applying your skills in a professional engineering environment. This year also includes a Placement Learning module, ensuring your industry experience directly supports your academic and career progression.

Final Year
Your final year consolidates everything you’ve learned with advanced technical study and a major Engineering Project, showcasing your ability to solve real-world problems from concept to implementation. You’ll also complete Control Systems Design and Power Electronics and Energy Systems, alongside Engineering in Society (unless you’ve completed a placement year). In addition, you’ll choose one module from Digital Signal Processing or Electromagnetic Fields and Waves, and one from Communications or Introduction to CMOS IC Design—tailoring your degree to your career interests.

Focus Areas

Applied electronics; digital and analogue system design; embedded systems; control systems; power electronics and energy systems; communications; project management; professional engineering skills.

Learning Outcomes
Design, analyse, and integrate electrical and electronic systems; apply project management and engineering principles to real-world challenges; use programming and embedded systems to create intelligent solutions; operate professionally within industry standards and societal expectations.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), this programme meets the academic requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) registration and, when combined with further accredited study, progression toward Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

  • 91% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months (Graduate Outcomes Survey).
  • UWE Bristol holds a Gold rating in the UK’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) for outstanding teaching, learning, and graduate prospects.
  • Developed with input from employers and IET, ensuring teaching content matches industry needs and emerging technologies.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) experience immersive, real-world learning:
You’ll be working with real tools and real challenges from day one—immersed in a purpose-built engineering building and supported by a curriculum that believes in "learning by doing." From circuit boards and embedded systems to control systems and energy technologies, you’ll tackle hands-on projects, one step at a time, all in spaces built to spark innovation and teamwork.

Here’s what the experiential learning looks like:

State-of-the-art, hands-on facilities:
You'll learn in a modern School of Engineering, featuring engine test cells, subsonic and supersonic wind tunnels, electronics and embedded systems labs, collaborative zones, and robotic assembly cells. Ideal for inventing, testing, and iterating real systems.

Hardware fabrication and prototyping tools:
Build circuit boards, connectors, and leads using fully equipped fabrication facilities—complete with test equipment, oscilloscopes, and monitors.

Project-led learning integrated into every year:
From Applied Electronics and Programming for Engineers in Year 1, to Digital System Design, Embedded Systems, Control Systems Design, and the Engineering Project in your final year, your learning is built around designing and implementing real solutions.

Accreditation that counts:
The programme is fully accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), setting you firmly on the path to becoming an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Placement-driven employability:
Opt for the four-year sandwich route and spend Year 3 in industry—earning credits while gaining real experience. UWE’s industry links include EDF Energy, GE Power, NPower, Airbus, Dyson, Rolls-Royce, and others. Some students have even worked on systems for Range Rovers or fuel systems for Airbus.

Fieldwork and professional exposure:
You’ll go on factory visits, receive tours, and hear from industry professionals—bringing context and clarity to what you build in the lab.

Showcasing your work:
At your final-year degree show, you’ll present your engineering projects to employers, peers, and the public—offering a real sense of professional visibility.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of  UWE Bristol’s BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering are highly employable, progressing into roles such as electrical design engineer, control systems specialist, power electronics engineer, telecommunications technician, and renewable energy consultant. Many alumni also pursue postgraduate study or work in sectors including energy, transport, manufacturing, and smart technologies.

Here’s how UWE Bristol specifically prepares you for success:

Career Services & Experiential Learning:
The course offers a guaranteed placement year with industry partners like Airbus, Renishaw, and National Grid. You’ll gain hands-on experience through UWE’s specialist engineering labs, including the Electrical Machines Lab and Power Electronics Lab. The university’s award-winning careers service provides dedicated engineering employment support, from placement matching to graduate recruitment schemes.

Industry Partnerships & Research:
UWE Bristol maintains strong collaborations with major employers including Rolls-Royce, Dyson, and the Ministry of Defence. The program benefits from the university’s £16 million Engineering building, featuring industry-standard power systems and electronics test equipment. Students engage with current research in sustainable energy, smart grids, and industrial automation through project work.

Graduate Outcomes:
You’ll develop expertise in circuit design, power systems analysis, control engineering, and embedded systems, with practical skills in MATLAB, Simulink, and CAD tools. These capabilities are particularly valued by employers in the energy, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can progress to UWE’s MEng program or specialist MSc courses in Electrical Power Systems or Robotics. Many students secure roles with placement employers or move into design, testing, or project engineering positions, supported by UWE’s strong industry network in the Bristol tech sector.

Program Key Stats

£16,000
Rolling


Eligibility Criteria

CDD
2.8
26 - 28
70

1050
19
6.0
80

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • Electrical Engineer
  • Electronics Engineer
  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Broadcast Engineer
  • Control and Instrumentation Engineer
  • Design Engineer
  • Electrical Project Manager
  • Robotics Engineer
  • IoT Solutions Architect
  • Power Systems Engineer

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