BEng/BSc Electronic & Software Engineering

Here’s how students on the Electronic & Software Engineering BEng/BSc at the University of Glasgow build real-world skills from day one—through hands-on labs, expert-led workshops, collaborative projects, and industry engagement. In Year 1, you’ll spend dedicated lab time working with real analogue and digital circuits in the Electronic Engineering 1X course (with a weekly three‑hour lab session), giving you the practical experience to translate theory into functioning hardware. As you progress into Years 2 and 3, the programme integrates increasingly complex design and programming challenges—from microcontrollers in Embedded Processors 2 to advanced programming and electronics in Real‑Time Computer Systems 3—all supported by the University’s Engineering IT Labs, loaded with industry tools like MATLAB, Cadence/OrCAD, Arduino and Raspberry Pi, along with PCB design suites and technical computing environments, available free to all students on dual‑screen PCs.

The School also hosts high‑tech innovation spaces like the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre, where eligible students can prototype circuit boards and sensors, and the Software Engineering Laboratory in Computing Science, which runs real client‑facing software services—providing you with a professional environment to apply agile methods, code reviews, and user testing skills while you study with and learn from practising engineers.

Here’s how your experiential learning journey unfolds, year by year:

Year 1 – Electronic Engineering 1X (Level 1, ENG1021):
Weekly three‑hour lab sessions push you to build and test analogue and digital circuits using PC‑based logic trainers and tools such as oscilloscopes, breadboards, and introductory CAD software. You’re expected to draw, wire, measure and debug real circuits—not just simulate them.

Year 2 – Electronic Design Project 2 (20‑credit team project):
Collaborative labs where you conceive, prototype and evaluate a self‑contained hardware‑software system—running from concept through PCB layout and code deployment on microcontrollers. This is group‑based design in action.

Years 2 & 3 – Embedded Processors 2 & Real‑Time Computer Systems 3:
These modules teach you to write and debug firmware in C/C++ on platforms like ARM and Raspberry Pi, mastering peripheral interfacing (SPI, I²C, Ethernet) under real‑time constraints—including threads, events, latency budgets and system optimisation.

Year 3 – Team Project ESE (Honours-level group design):
You work in self‑organised teams on a year‑long engineering challenge—defining requirements, managing tasks and delivering a prototype that addresses a real problem (e.g. wearables, robotics, automation), with internal budget and technical supervision.

Year 3 to 4 – Summer Placement – Software Engineering Summer Placement (COMPSCI4046):
Over a minimum of eight weeks, you work in the electronics or software industry—gaining exposure to real engineering workflows, documentation and workplace communication—and get credit towards your degree.

Final Year (Level 4) – Final Year Individual Project ESE4 (40 credits):
Whether you pursue the BEng/BSc or transfer to the MEng, you undertake a substantial solo project under one-to-one supervision—delivering both a live demonstration and a technical report, assessed on design, implementation, analysis and presentation (65 % report, 20 % practical, 15 % oral).

Software & digital tools:
Throughout the course, you continuously use professional software–licensed versions of MATLAB/Simulink, Cadence/OrCAD PCB, Java/Eclipse, Git, relational databases, and operating‑system debugging suites, all in fully supported labs.

Nanofabrication & electronics workshops:
The James Watt Nanofabrication Centre houses cleanrooms, photolithography, wire‑bonding, PCB milling and testing equipment. While primarily for postgraduate research, undergraduates working on prototype hardware can book access via course supervisors.

Software Engineering Laboratory (School of Computing Science):
This student-led development unit takes on real projects, providing peer‑reviewed experience in agile development, continuous integration and deployment—giving you insight into professional software‑engineering workflows.

Study Abroad & Global Internships:
Whether taking a third‑year placement abroad or steps towards an integrated MEng system design project, you’ll benefit from international labs and industry links. Credits earned overseas count fully towards your degree and may count towards your final honours classification.

Graduates of the University of Glasgow's BEng/BSc (Hons) Electronic & Software Engineering are highly employable, moving into roles such as embedded systems engineer, software developer, IoT specialist, robotics programmer, and electronics designer. Many alumni also pursue further study in computer engineering, artificial intelligence, or related fields, or work in sectors including tech, automotive, aerospace, and telecommunications.

Here's how Glasgow specifically supports your future:

Career Services & Experiential Learning:
The program offers opportunities for industrial placements and study abroad, combining hands-on electronics training with advanced software development. Students learn through a mix of lectures, lab sessions, and project work, gaining expertise in both hardware design (circuits, microcontrollers) and software engineering (C++, Python, Java). The University's dedicated Careers Service provides industry networking events, coding bootcamps, and 1:1 career guidance to prepare students for the tech job market.

Industry Partnerships & Research:
The James Watt School of Engineering collaborates with major employers like ARM, IBM, and Leonardo, offering students access to cutting-edge projects in areas like embedded systems, machine learning, and cybersecurity. Students benefit from world-class facilities including the Electronics Design Studio and Software Lab, working alongside researchers in fields such as autonomous systems, digital signal processing, and renewable energy tech.

Accreditation:
The degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), meeting standards for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status, with pathways to Chartered Engineer (CEng). The dual focus on electronics and software ensures graduates meet industry demands for cross-disciplinary engineers.

Graduate Outcomes:
Students graduate with rare combined expertise in both electronic systems and software development, making them particularly valuable in emerging fields like IoT, robotics, and smart devices. Recent graduates have joined companies such as Google, Amazon Web Services, and Dyson, with others launching tech startups through the University's innovation programs.

Further Academic Progression:
After graduation, students can pursue master's degrees in areas like AI, robotics, or advanced computing, or enter directly into roles at the intersection of hardware and software development. Glasgow's strong industry ties and research excellence in both engineering and computing provide exceptional opportunities for specialization.