4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
Electronics and Computer Engineering with Industrial Project MEng Honours – Newcastle University
A four‑year, full‑time integrated master’s degree that includes a mandatory industrial placement and a defining 40‑credit Industrial Project. Tailored for students seeking advanced roles in embedded systems, computer-integrated electronics, robotics, signal processing, and technical leadership within industry and research contexts.
Curriculum structure:
Year 1 (Stage 1):
Students begin with fundamentals including programming (Java, C, Python via microcontrollers Raspberry Pi/Arduino), Engineering Mathematics I, Electrical and Magnetic Systems, Electronics & Sensors, Properties & Behaviour of Engineering Materials, and Sustainable Design, Creativity & Professionalism—all focused on building analytical, circuit, programming, and project‑based engineering skills.
Year 2 (Stage 2):
The second year covers Security Programming, Project and Professional Issues, Signals and Communications, Semiconductor Devices and Analogue Electronics, the Engineering Internet-of-Things Project, Computer Programming and Organisation, and Digital Electronics—advancing system design, communications, programming, and teamwork through laboratory and design-based modules.
Year 3 (Stage 3):
In Stage 3, students take mandatory System and Network Security, Signal Processing & Machine Learning, Business & Law for Engineers, and the Individual Project & Technical Report. They also select options such as Digital Communication Systems, Electronic Devices & Semiconductor Technology, or Integrated Circuit Design & Embedded Systems to specialise in computing‑electronic integration.
Year 4 (Stage 4 – final year for MEng):
This final stage integrates the critical 40‑credit Industrial Project, the key reason the programme includes “with Industrial Project” in its title. Students work on a real‑world project often in partnership with industry, applying knowledge from prior stages. Alongside this, they complete a 30‑credit Group Design Project and a 10‑credit Engineering Study Project, which together account for most of the credits. Students also choose two specialist 20‑credit electives from options including Reconfigurable Hardware Design, Software Tools for Digital System Design, Low‑Power VLSI Design, and Communication Networks & Security.
Optional extended pathway (five‑year route):
After Stage 3, students may undertake a Careers Placement Year, spending 9–12 months in a paid industrial placement before returning to complete Stage 4. This is a 120‑credit, pass/fail module (NCL3000), formally recorded on both the transcript and degree certificate as “with Placement Year”
Focus areas:
The course merges electronics with computer engineering disciplines—with strong emphasis on embedded systems, real-time programming, hardware‑software integration, control systems, and system-on-chip design. Industry placement and the substantial Industrial Project ensure graduates gain practical experience aligned with professional engineering standards.
Learning outcomes:
Graduates develop expertise in system design, embedded computing, and signal processing, coupled with hands-on programming and engineering lab-based skills. They gain commercial project management experience and are well-prepared for roles in robotics, automation, telecommunications, control engineering, and advanced electronics industries.
Professional alignment (accreditation):
The degree is professionally accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council, providing a pathway toward Chartered Engineer (CEng) status—with full eligibility available via further postgraduate study.
Reputation (employability & rankings):
Newcastle University ranks among the UK’s leading institutions for engineering, with Electrical Engineering achieving 93% student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2016) and top‑10 UK research impact (REF 2014). The programme benefits from partnerships with industry through the E3 Academy, UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF), and sponsorship via DTUS, enhancing employability and placement opportunities.
At Newcastle, we don't just teach engineering - we let you live it. Our Electrical and Electronic Engineering program puts you at the heart of real-world engineering challenges, with hands-on experience in industry-standard facilities from your very first year. You'll work with the same equipment used by professional engineers while developing solutions to today's biggest technological challenges.
Here's how you'll gain the practical skills that set Newcastle graduates apart:
Power engineering labs: Get hands-on with our high-voltage equipment and smart grid technology, including working models of transmission systems and protection relays
Renewable energy systems: Experiment with our wind turbine test rigs and solar power arrays in the dedicated Renewable Energy Laboratory
Industry-grade electronics labs: Use professional oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators in our newly refurbished electronics workspace
Robotics and control systems: Program industrial PLC systems and work with ABB robotics arms in our automation lab
Digital design suite: Develop circuit boards using Cadence tools and Xilinx FPGA development kits
Group design challenges: Solve real industry problems - recent projects have included electric vehicle charging systems and smart building energy management
Year in Industry: Gain valuable experience with top employers like Siemens Energy or Northern Powergrid
Research projects: Contribute to work in our Smart Grid Lab or Communications, Sensors and Signal Processing Group
Professional connections: Attend guest lectures from companies like Nissan and Rolls-Royce, with site visits to local engineering firms
You'll graduate not just with a degree, but with proven hands-on experience that employers actively look for.
Graduates of Newcastle University's MEng Honours Electronics and Computer Engineering with Industrial Project are highly employable, moving into roles such as senior embedded systems architect, hardware-software integration lead, robotics solutions engineer, IoT systems designer, and technical project manager. Many alumni also pursue PhD research or work in cutting-edge sectors including autonomous systems, smart technologies, aerospace electronics, and next-generation computing.
Here's how Newcastle specifically supports your future:
Career Services & Experiential Learning:
The four-year integrated MEng programme includes a dedicated industrial project year, where students work directly with leading technology firms on real-world engineering challenges. Students gain extensive practical experience through advanced laboratory work in Newcastle's £20m Stephenson Building facilities, including the Embedded Systems Research Lab and Robotics Innovation Centre. The programme culminates in a substantial group design project solving complex industry problems, with support from the university's award-winning Careers Service which provides exclusive tech employer events and leadership development workshops.
Industry Partnerships & Research:
The programme benefits from Newcastle's world-class research partnerships with organisations like ARM, Thales, and Siemens Energy, as well as collaborations with the Centre for Cyber Security and the Emerging Technologies and Materials Group. Students access cutting-edge facilities including the Microelectronics Research Suite, the IoT Innovation Lab, and dedicated robotics testing environments. The curriculum integrates current research in transformative areas like edge computing, industrial automation, smart sensor networks, and next-generation computer architectures.
Graduate Outcomes:
Students develop expert-level competencies in system-on-chip design, real-time embedded systems, robotics programming, and engineering project leadership—skills that command premium positions in the global technology sector.
Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MEng, graduates can progress directly to PhD research in specialist engineering fields or move into senior technical roles with major technology corporations—supported by the programme's outstanding industry reputation and research-led approach to solving complex hardware-software engineering challenges. The industrial project year provides exceptional professional experience that gives graduates a competitive edge in the job market.
Embark on your educational journey with confidence! Our team of admission experts is here to guide you through the process. Book a free session now to receive personalized advice, assistance with applications, and insights into your dream school. Whether you're applying to college, graduate school, or specialized programs, we're here to help you succeed.