BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a Year in Industry

The BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a Year in Industry at Cardiff University blends cutting-edge theory with practical application, giving you access to industry-standard facilities and real-world projects that prepare you for the fast-moving tech sector. From day one, you’ll be immersed in practical engineering—tackling circuit design, simulations, and prototyping in real laboratories, and gaining experience that goes far beyond lectures.

Here’s how the experiential learning unfolds for you:

Hands-on labs and makerspace access:
From your first year, practical lab sessions let you apply concepts from lectures to real electrical and electronic systems. Cardiff’s open-access makerspace offers space to design, create, and experiment collaboratively.

Real-world group challenges:
You’ll tackle authentic engineering problems alongside peers—team projects mirror real-world relationships and help sharpen communication and teamwork skills.

Industrial placement opportunity (sandwich year):
On the four-year with Year in Industry track, you'll spend Year 3 in a paid placement, putting theory into action with employers in the UK or abroad. Cardiff supports you in securing and succeeding in this experience.

Strong industry connections and scholarships:
Cardiff partners with leading engineering organizations—students have landed placements at Jaguar Land Rover, Network Rail, Siemens, Keysight, and National Grid. You’re also eligible for scholarships via the UK Power Academy and UK Electronic Skills Foundation (UKESF).

Industry-led, accredited curriculum:
The course is professionally accredited by the IET and informed by active collaboration with industry, ensuring modules reflect current practice and prepare you for the workplace.

Graduates of Cardiff University’s BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering are highly employable, moving into roles such as electrical engineer, electronics engineer, systems engineer, and specialists in areas like telecommunications, renewable energy, automotive, manufacturing, and automation. Many also pursue further study in engineering, research, or technology‑related fields.

Here's how Cardiff specifically supports your future:

Career Services & Experiential Learning:
The three-year BEng programme offers opportunities for an industrial placement year with leading engineering firms. Students gain hands-on experience through laboratory sessions in Cardiff's state-of-the-art facilities, including the Electrical Power Laboratory and the Control and Robotics Lab. The curriculum includes a major third-year project where students tackle real engineering challenges. The university's Careers and Employability Service provides dedicated engineering career support, including industry networking events and one-to-one guidance throughout the degree.

Industry Partnerships & Research:
The programme benefits from Cardiff's strong industry connections with companies like Siemens, National Grid, and ARM, as well as research collaborations with the Centre for Energy Systems and the Smart Grid Laboratory. Students access excellent facilities including high-voltage labs, power electronics suites, and embedded systems workstations. The curriculum incorporates current research in areas like renewable energy systems, smart grids, industrial automation, and wireless communications.

Graduate Outcomes:
Students develop strong technical skills in power systems, electronic circuit design, control engineering, and digital systems—competencies that are valued across multiple engineering sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BEng at Cardiff, graduates can progress to the MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering or pursue master's study in specialised fields. Alternatively, they can enter professional roles in power engineering, electronics design, or technical consultancy—supported by the programme's industry-relevant training and strong employer connections.