Electronic Engineering Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

Electronic Engineering Studies in The United Kingdom

Electronic engineering in the United Kingdom is taught as a bachelor's degree (BEng) or as an integrated master's degree (MEng), usually under the name Electronic Engineering or Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Students learn to design, build and test electronic systems, from circuits and embedded software to communications and control. Most degrees are accredited by a professional body, which matters for anyone who later wants to register as a professional engineer.

In this directory, London has the most schools for the subject, followed by Glasgow and Manchester.

How the degree is organised

There are two main undergraduate routes:

• BEng (Hons): a bachelor's degree with honours, normally three years of full-time study in England. The University of Southampton, the University of Surrey and Newcastle University all list 3 years
• MEng: an integrated master's degree that adds a fourth year of advanced study. Imperial College London and the University of Southampton list 4 years

Many universities add an optional placement year in industry. At the University of Surrey the BEng takes 4 years with a placement and the MEng 5 years, and Southampton offers its MEng with a paid industrial studies placement year. Some universities also offer a foundation year for applicants without the required subjects.

The first years cover the common core. At Southampton, the first year has core modules in mathematics, physics, electronics and programming; at the University of Strathclyde, first-year classes include mathematics, engineering science, analogue and digital circuits, software design and computing. Later years allow specialisation through optional modules and a major project. In Scotland, Strathclyde publishes separate requirements for Year 1 entry and for direct entry to Year 2.

Accreditation and professional registration

Engineering degrees are accredited by professional engineering institutions licensed by the Engineering Council; for electronics this is usually the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). According to the Engineering Council, most accredited degrees are Bachelors, Honours or MEng, and accredited programmes are listed in its accredited courses database.

The level of accreditation differs between the two routes. Southampton's BEng is accredited as fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partly meeting the requirement for Chartered Engineer (CEng), while its MEng and Imperial's MEng fully meet the academic requirement for CEng. The Engineering Council names two standard academic routes to CEng: an accredited integrated MEng degree, or an accredited bachelor's degree with honours plus an appropriate accredited master's degree or equivalent further learning. Registration also requires professional experience after graduation.

Admission and language

Applications for full-time undergraduate courses go through UCAS, with a maximum of five choices; the equal consideration date for most courses starting in 2027 is 13 January 2027. Universities ask for mathematics and usually physics. Examples:

• Southampton BEng: AAA at A level, including mathematics and either physics, electronics, further mathematics or computer science
• Imperial College London MEng: a minimum of A*A*A or A*AAA at A level, or 40 points in the International Baccalaureate
• University of Surrey BEng: a typical offer of ABB

Equivalent qualifications from other countries can be used. Teaching is in English. For a Student visa, degree-level study requires English equivalent to CEFR level B2; Southampton asks for an overall IELTS score of 6.5 for its BEng.

Costs and visa

Each university sets its own tuition fees, and international students pay more than home students. For 2027 entry, the University of Surrey lists £10,050 a year for UK students and £28,100 for overseas students, and Newcastle University lists £30,700 for international students in the first year. The University of Strathclyde lists an international fee of £31,100 for 2027/28.

Students who need a visa must show funds of £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to 9 months, and the Student visa application costs £558 from outside the UK. Students doing a master's degree or above may also need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, which applies to certain sensitive technology-related fields. Nationals of some countries, including Spain and the United States of America, do not need one.

Careers

According to the University of Southampton, graduates of its electronic engineering degree commonly work in sectors including information and communication, manufacturing, education, finance and insurance, and public administration and defence. Roles it lists as directly related include electronics engineer, design and development engineer, systems engineer, telecommunications engineer and robotics engineer. After graduation, the Graduate visa allows a stay of 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a BEng and an MEng?

A BEng is a bachelor's degree, normally three years in England. An MEng is an integrated master's degree with an extra year, and an accredited MEng fully meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Are UK electronic engineering degrees accredited?

Many are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council. Check each course in the Engineering Council's accredited courses database.

Which school subjects do I need?

Mathematics is required, usually with physics or a related subject. Southampton, for example, asks for AAA including mathematics and either physics, electronics, further mathematics or computer science.

Do I need an ATAS certificate to study electronic engineering?

Possibly, if you study at master's level or above in a sensitive technology-related field and your nationality is not exempt. Check the official ATAS guidance before applying for the visa.