Key information
- UCAS code
- H605
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MEng
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 5 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Overview of Programme
MEng (hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering provides you with a broad-based education in the subject, and develops your critical understanding of the core theories, principles and concepts relating to the use of engineering and computer technology. You’ll integrate engineering principles with the knowledge and understanding of mathematics, science, and management to adopt a holistic approach to solve current and emerging electrical engineering problems.
During the first three years students study topics from low current electronics to high power systems. During the 4th and 5th years, your technical studies are advanced to a Masters level and the syllabus is greatly extended in the area of engineering management. You will also have the opportunity to complete a six-month industry placement during your final two years, and complete advanced courses in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering.
The undergraduate programme will make you aware of the range of functions a qualified engineer can fulfil, whilst exploring industry-specific design techniques and software packages. You’ll analyse economic and commercial aspects of business, and develop the skills to create solutions to the current and emerging general and specialist problems in electrical engineering.
During your studies, you will apply our ‘learning by doing’ philosophy by practically developing your skills beyond traditional academic content. You’ll work on both individual and group projects from third year onwards, gaining valuable hands-on experience. The projects challenge you to solve a 'real life' problem – such as the project in which our students helped design an electronic egg to monitor penguin incubation. You will be taught how to use industry-standard equipment and facilities, and will be supported and encouraged by staff to use the equipment to further your studies, innovate creative engineering solutions in your personal time, and apply your knowledge to relevant socities and extracurricular team competitions, including CanSat, and Formula Student.
Upon completion of the programme, you will develop the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills required by industry, making you highly employable and sought after by electrical engineering companies world-wide.
Your student experience
Our Expertise
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active robotics and electrical and electronic engineers and academics.
96% of Heriot-Watt University’s engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh.
Our MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering draws upon the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt as part of the Research Institute of Signals, Sensors and Systems (ISSS). The ISSS is one of five Research Institutes forming the research infrastructure of the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences (EPS). The ISSS has expertise in the fields of signal and image processing, novel manufacturing technologies, microsystems, microwave engineering, mobile communications systems, and autonomous systems.
You will also benefit from the work completed by the on-campus National Robotarium. The multimillion-pound UK innovation hub for robotics and autonomous systems has been built in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and delivers leading research and support for business creation and growth. The presence of the National Robotarium provides you with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills at the forefront of robotics and AI.
The research relevance of this undergraduate programme ensures your studies remain cutting-edge and industry focused.
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
European Exchange
Worldwide Exchange
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Circuit Theory, Digital Design, Mathematics, Computer Programming and Electronic Design form the core subjects. In addition, students choose an elective option from a list that includes Mechanics and Physics.
Mandatory September
- Mechanics, Fields and Forces
- Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Praxis Electronic Design
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 1
Mandatory January
- Waves and Matter
- Praxis Programming
- Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 2
Year 2
Further study of Electronic Design, Digital Design, Embedded Programming and Mathematics is complemented by introductions to Signals and Electromechanical Systems supported by appropriate lab and project work.
Mandatory September
- Digital Design and Programming
- Sustainable Development and Engineering Management
- Circuits and Analysis
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 3
Mandatory January
- Computer Architecture and Embedded Systems
- Electrical Power and Machines
- Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 4
Year 3
Emphasis turns to design synthesis. Subjects include Energy Systems, Analogue Electronics, Electromagnetics, Physical Electronics and Communications. A quarter of the year is spent working on a large team-based project, incorporating Digital and Software Design, Mechanics and Management.
Mandatory September
- Probability, Statistics, and Information Theory
- Electrical Energy Systems
- Signals and Systems
- Semiconductor Electronics
Mandatory January
- Electromagnetism
- Time and Frequency Signal Analysis
- System Project
Year 4
Students work on a group project during both semesters and select taught topics from a list that includes Embedded Systems, Sustainable Energy and Power Systems, Communications, Image Processing, RF Communications, Analogue Electronics and Microwave Techniques.
Mandatory September
- Group Project I
- Professional and Industrial Studies
Optional September
- Advanced Analogue Electronics
- Linear Control
- Microwave Techniques
- Embedded Systems
- Electrical Power Systems
- Digital Signal Processing
Mandatory January
- Group Project II
Optional January
- Sustainable Energy and Power Systems
- Communication Devices and Systems
- Advanced Digital Electronics
- Image Processing
Year 5
The summer and the first semester form a six-month industrial placement. During the second semester students choose from a range of advanced Electrical and Electronic Engineering topics.
Optional January
- Machine Vision
- Advanced Digital Electronics
- Embedded Software
- Distributed generation
- Renewable Generation and Conversion
- Advanced Reading
- Image Processing
- RF Mobile Communication Systems
- Principles of Mobile Communications
- Demand Management and Energy Storage
- Games Programming
Optional September
- Project Placement or Research
Programme Video
Engineering at Heriot-Watt University
Fees and funding
| Status | Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paid by SAAS |
| England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | £9,535 |
| International | £25,008 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers AAAB (over two sittings). Must include Maths and one of Physics, Technological Studies or Engineering Science, with one required subject achieved at A.
- A-Levels BBB-AAB. Must include Maths and either Physics or Electronics, with required subjects at BB.
- International Baccalaureate 30 points. Must include Physics and Maths, both at Higher Level 5.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths.
- HNC A in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths. All HNCs must include Engineering Maths 1 and one of Engineering Maths 2 or 3.
- HND BB in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths. All HNDs must include Engineering Maths 1 and one of Engineering Maths 2 or 3.
Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Minimum entry requirements *
- Highers BBBC (over two sittings). Must include Maths at B and further B in one of Physics, Technological Studies or Engineering Science
- A-Levels BCC. Must include Maths and either Physics or Electronics, with one required subject at B.
- International Baccalaureate 28 points. Must include Physics and Maths, both at Higher Level 5.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DMM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths.
- HNC A in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths. Graded Unit at B will be considered if additional maths has been achieved. All HNCs must include Engineering Maths 1 and one of Engineering Maths 2 or 3.
- HND BB in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths. All HNDs must include Engineering Maths 1 and one of Engineering Maths 2 or 3.
* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish and Rest of UK status students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or POLAR4 Quintile 1 regions (RUK)
- or are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements.
Year 2
- Advanced Highers AB. Must include Advanced Higher Physics and Maths, and meet Year 1 Higher AAAB requirements.
- A-Levels AAB. Must include Physics and Maths with one at A.
- International Baccalaureate 34 points. Must include Physics and Maths at HL 6.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDD. Must be in relevant science subject, including sufficient Physics and Maths.
- HNC A in graded unit with 120 SCQF credit points. HNC must include sufficient Physics and Maths, including SQA units Engineering Maths, 1, 2 & 3. Year 2 entry with HNC is only available to applicants eligible for a minimum offer.
- HND AA (standard entry) or AB / BA (minimum offer eligible only). Must include sufficient Physics and Maths including Engineering Maths 1,2 & 3. HND BB will potentially be considered for minimum eligible applicants who have achieved additional suitable maths qualification.
- Global College Successful completion of our Engineering with Accelerator Programme
Year 3
Entry to Year 3 is only available via our associate student college partnership route.
Additional information
- For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- For applicants studying HNC, HND or BTEC qualifications, when submitting your application please ensure you list in full all the units you are currently studying, as specific units (e.g. in Maths) may be required.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Employability
Work and study
Salary
Potential career paths
- Engineering professionals
- Information technology and telecommunications professionals
Student life
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