MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering
The course
- UCAS code
- H605
- Duration
- 5 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time
Heriot-Watt ranked 1st in Scotland and 4th in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering by the Times and Sunday Times 2021. From smartphones and household appliances, to robotics and energy production, this subject is essential to our daily lives.
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
The MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering is a 5-year programme, which shares a common structure with the BEng degree for the first 3 years. Students study a broad-based range of topics from low current electronics to high power systems. At the end of year 3, candidates are selected to progress to the MEng course for a further 2 years of study.
During the 4th and 5th years, technical studies are advanced to a Masters level and the syllabus is greatly extended in the area of engineering management. A six-month industrial placement takes place over summer, after 4th year, and runs until the end of the first semester of the final year.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Research
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.
The Research Institute of Signals, Sensors and Systems (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.
Our teaching philosophy
The philosophy behind all of our programmes is 'learning by doing'. Our programmes are designed to be practical and allow students to develop skills beyond traditional academic content.
Students work on both individual and group projects from the third year onwards, providing them with 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.
Facilities
Heriot-Watt's new GRID will be the hub for all of our undergraduate project and laboratory work. This specially designed centre has innovative labs that exemplify our learning-by-doing approach, offering facilities for electronics, electrical power, computing, embedded systems, communications, robotics and mechanical prototyping. This will enable you to undertake a wide range of learning activities and to progressively develop your skills and knowledge throughout the degree programme.
GRID will also foster multi-disciplinary working and will provide you with experience of working in project teams, similar to being in the actual workplace. In addition, the facilities are available for students who want to work on their own projects either individually or as part of student societies.
Heriot-Watt IEEE student chapter
The Heriot-Watt IEEE student branch is very active and organises events and activities for all EECE students, whilst encouraging students to join the IEEE. A variety of academic and social events are held throughout the semester including industrial seminars and soft skills workshops to improve career opportunities. Find out more on the IEEE student chaper Facebook page.
Graduate destinations
Our Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduates are highly employable and have progressed to careers in a wide range of industries, working for organisations such as Bosch, Rolls Royce, Leonardo, Mott MacDonald, BP and Texas Instruments. Explore our alumni profiles to find out more about electronic engineering graduate destinations.
Global College pathway for this degree
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, have a look at Heriot-Watt Global College, where you can follow an accelerated pathway which will get you onto the second year of this degree.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
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
This Exchange Programme enables you to study or work in Europe as part of your degree programme, usually for a full academic year.
-
Non-European Exchange
This Exchange Programme enables you to study outside of Europe as part of your degree programme, usually for a full academic year.
Course content
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Discover Uni course data
Discover Uni provides data on each university's degree courses across a range of measures including student satisfaction, graduate jobs and salaries.
Employability
Work and study
This is what our MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering students are doing 15 months after graduating:
- 70% are working
- 10% are studying
- 0% are working and studying.
Salary
- The average salary of students 15 months after graduating: £27000
- The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course: £28000
Jobs
These are the most common high skilled jobs students go into 15 months after graduating:
- Engineering professionals
- Information technology and telecommunications professionals
Entry requirements
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers AABB (to include AB / BA in Mathematics and one of Physics, Technological Studies or Engineering Science - Physics is preferred)
- A-Levels BBC - ABB (including Mathematics and Physics with one at B)
- IB 30 (with Mathematics and Physics at Higher Level 5)
- BTEC DDM in relevant subject
- HNC A in graded unit in relevant HNC with additional Mathematics
Minimum entry requirements*
- Highers BBBC (to include Mathematics plus Physics, Technological Studies or Engineering Science at B)
- A-Levels CCC (to include Mathematics and Physics)
* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish 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
- 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 BB (Mathematics and Physics plus AABB Highers)
- A-Levels ABB (including Mathematics and Physics with one at A)
- HND AA in graded units in relevant HND with additional Mathematics
- BTEC DDD in relevant subject
- IB 33 (include Higher Level 6 Physics and Maths)
- Global College Successful completion of Bachelors Degree Accelerator Foundation - Engineering and Science
Year 3
Entry to Year 3 is only available via our associate student college partnership route.
Additional information
- This degree is available through a partnership route with Edinburgh College and Forth Valley College. For more information, please contact studentrecruitment@hw.ac.uk.
- 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
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
English language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you have to show that your English is good enough to succeed on your course. Please see our English language requirements.
Fees
| Status* | Scotland | England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | International** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Paid by SAAS | £9,250 | £22,264 |
* 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. Find out more about tuition fees.
** '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). Read more about the application process for EU nationals.
Additional costs
You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.
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)
View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.