BEng Electronics with Music

Here’s how the Electronics with Music BEng at the University of Glasgow delivers highly practical, studio- and lab-based learning: you’ll start building real‑world electronics and creative audio systems right from Year 1, using departmental electronics labs and music studios. In Year 3, you’ll collaborate on an engineering Team Design Project, and by Year 4 you’ll work on a substantial Individual Project, often incorporating DSP, microcontrollers or physical sound design. Throughout, you’ll have dedicated access to facilities, tools, and software that bring the course to life.

What this means for you in practice:

Electronics & Engineering IT labs (James Watt South and Rankine Building):
Sessions twice a week from Year 1 onward, where you build, measure and test analogue/digital circuits using PCBs, oscilloscopes, soldering stations and microcontroller boards. You also have access to engineering-standard software like MATLAB, PSpice, AutoDESK Fusion 360, Ansys, Cadence Orcad and remote High‑Performance Workstations for simulation work.

Year 3 Team Design Project (EE3):
A semester-long group project where you design, prototype, troubleshoot, and present a complete electronics system—from concept through testing—learning project planning, budgeting, documentation and team collaboration, just as in industry.

Year 4 Individual Project (Acoustics & Audio Technology):
For BEng students, this personal project involves designing audio hardware or systems (e.g. loudspeaker design, acoustic measurement rigs), supported by bespoke labs and equipment.

Audio Lab & Music Studios:
As a music module student you get full access to the School of Culture & Creative Arts Audio Lab with 12 Apple iMacs, Avid audio interfaces, MIDI keyboards and software including Reaper + VSTs (GRM Tools, Cycling ’74), Max, Pure Data, Ableton Live, Arduino IDE, Processing, Sibelius, Finale and Adobe Creative Cloud. Studios connect via audio tie-lines into the University Concert Hall and allow spatial diffusion performances.

University Concert Hall & Diffusion System:
Regular access to Glasgow’s main performance hall (Steinway grand pianos, harpsichords, percussion, etc.) equipped with an 8‑channel sound diffusion system and large‑venue acoustic training sessions.

Music Practice Rooms & Reference Library:
Access to 10 soundproof practice rooms across the Gilmorehill campus, including a “Club Room” with a baby grand piano; alongside the small music library, MIDI‑enabled PC workstations and microfiche scanner.

Microcontroller & Physical Computing Option:
Optional modules explore electronics-to-sound interfacing with microcontrollers and physical sound installation design, where students build and evaluate prototype devices using practical electronics and audio synthesis techniques.

Future‑focused support (Centre for Advanced Electronics):
While not required, you can observe and benefit from research projects in sustainable electronics, flexible electronics and RF systems through the Centre for Advanced Electronics, which provides state‑of‑the‑art labs and fabrication facilities for higher‑level projects and internships.

Graduates of the University of Glasgow's unique BEng (Hons) Electronics with Music program are highly employable, moving into specialized roles such as audio systems engineer, music technology developer, acoustic consultant, and embedded systems designer. Many alumni also pursue further study in audio engineering, sound design, or related fields, or work across creative industries including music production, broadcast media, and live event technology.

Here's how Glasgow specifically supports your future:

Career Services & Experiential Learning:
The program combines rigorous electronics training with practical music technology applications, offering opportunities for industry placements and collaborative projects with Glasgow's vibrant music scene. Students learn through hands-on work in electronics labs and music studios, gaining expertise in circuit design, digital signal processing, and audio software development. The University's Careers Service provides specialized support for creative technology careers, including networking events with audio equipment manufacturers and media companies.

Industry Partnerships & Research:
The James Watt School of Engineering collaborates with leading music tech companies like Mogwai, BBC Scotland, and Linn Products, giving students access to real-world audio engineering challenges. The program benefits from Glasgow's status as a UNESCO City of Music and facilities including the Sonic Arts Research Lab and Electronics Design Studio, where students work on projects ranging from instrument design to immersive sound systems.

Accreditation:
The degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), meeting standards for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status. This unique combination of engineering accreditation with creative arts application ensures graduates stand out in both technical and music industry job markets.

Graduate Outcomes:
Students develop a rare blend of technical and creative skills, with recent graduates working at companies like Focusrite, Ableton, and the National Theatre, while others have launched successful music tech startups. The program's interdisciplinary approach produces engineers who can bridge the gap between technology and artistic practice.

Further Academic Progression:
After graduation, students can pursue master's degrees in audio technology, human-computer interaction, or electronics, or enter directly into roles at the intersection of engineering and the creative industries. Glasgow's strong connections to both the engineering and arts sectors provide exceptional opportunities for career development.