BEng (Hons) / MEng Electrical Engineering (partnership college route)
Saturday 30 September and 28 October.
Get a feel for undergraduate life and study at our Edinburgh campus. Attend subject talks, explore our facilities and speak to our friendly and knowledgeable students and staff.
Book your place
The course
- Duration
- 5 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time
Study our BEng (Hons) or MEng degree in Electrical Engineering in partnership with Forth Valley College. Students complete an HND Electrical Engineering in the first 2 years at college, which enables direct entry to Year 3 at Heriot-Watt University.
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
Our electrical engineering degrees provide a broad-based education in electrical and electronic engineering. During the first three years, students study topics from low current electronics to high power systems. In Year 4 you can choose from a set of specialist courses to complement your thesis topic selection.
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.
Programme structure
Years 1 and 2: Forth Valley College
The course is delivered for the first two years at Forth Valley College, where you will study the fundamental principles of electrical engineering technologies. In the second semester of Year 2, Forth Valley College students participate in a design project at Heriot-Watt.
Years 3 to 5: Heriot-Watt University
Forth Valley College students will transfer into the third year of the Heriot-Watt BEng/MEng Electrical Engineering programme and follow its programme structure for the remainder of the degree.
During the first three years students study topics from low current electronics to high power systems. In Year 4 you can choose from a set of specialist courses to complement your thesis topic selection.
Our teaching philosophy
The philosophy behind our teaching 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.
Forth Valley entry requirements
The entry requirements for the Forth Valley HND are two Scottish Highers at grade C or above in maths and a science or technology subject. Find out more about the partnership programme with Forth Valley College.
If you wish to apply for direct entry to first year at Heriot-Watt, please see our our Electrical Engineering course pages.
Application to this degree
To apply for this partnership degree, please use the Forth Valley College online application form, here: BEng (Hons) / MEng Electrical Engineering (Forth Valley College Partnership Route)
Accreditation
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council, for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an incorporated engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a chartered engineer.
Why does the world need engineering? Watch to find out.
The college partnership programmes are a fantastic opportunity which open many doors. You'll receive extensive support throughout your studies from Academic and Professional staff, enabling you to make the most of your time at Heriot-Watt. I worked with the careers service on my CV, and with their help I secured an internship last summer. If you are thinking of applying to Heriot-Watt through the college partnership opportunities, I highly recommend it.
Go Global
This course is currently only delivered at our Edinburgh Campus and there are no current opportunities to study at exchange partner institutions.
However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for more information
Course content
Year 1
Students complete the first two years of the programme at Forth Valley College.
- Transformers
- Power Systems
- Electrical Motor Drive
- Electrical Machine Principles
- Power Electronics
- Transmission Lines and Complex Waves
- Digital Electronics
- Mathematics
- Electrical Installation Skills
- Business Awareness and Continuing Professional Development
- Programmable Logical Controllers
- Analogue Electronics
- Electrical Standby Systems
- Utilisation of Electrical Energy in Buildings
- Engineering Maths
Year 2
Students complete the first two years of the programme at Forth Valley College.
- Transformers
- Power Systems
- Electrical Motor Drive
- Electrical Machine Principles
- Power Electronics
- Transmission Lines and Complex Waves
- Digital Electronics
- Mathematics
- Electrical Installation Skills
- Business Awareness and Continuing Professional Development
- Programmable Logical Controllers
- Analogue Electronics
- Electrical Standby Systems
- Utilisation of Electrical Energy in Buildings
- Engineering Maths
Year 3
Students transfer into the third year of the degree at Heriot-Watt and the subjects studied include:
- Energy Systems
- Analogue Electronics
- Electromagnetics
- Physical Electronics
- 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 an individual honours project and select taught topics from a list that includes:
- Embedded Systems
- Sustainable Energy and Power Systems
- Communications
- Image Processing
- RF Communications
- Analogue Electronics
- Microwave Techniques.
Entry requirements
Year 1
Years 1 and 2 of this special partnership programme are taken at Forth Valley College. See Forth Valley College for more information.
One of the following:
- Two highers at grade B and one at grade C or equivalent (to include Maths and a science or technology subject)
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering plus two further Highers at BB or BC to include Physics and Maths
- NC in Engineering Level 6
Additional Requirements:
- Please note that selection will be made via successful interview and group task.
Year 2
Years 1 and 2 of this special partnership programme are taken at Forth Valley College. See Forth Valley College for more information.
One of the following:
- Two highers at grade B and one at grade C or equivalent (to include Maths and a science or technology subject)
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering plus two further Highers at BB or BC to include Physics and Maths
- NC in Engineering Level 6
Additional Requirements:
- Please note that selection will be made via successful interview and group task.
Year 3
You must have completed the HND Electrical Engineering from Forth Valley College before transferring into Heriot-Watt for Year 3 of this partnership programme.
Additional information
This course refers to a special partnership entry route only. If you are interested in studying a BEng Electrical Engineering or MEng Electrical Engineering with direct entry to Heriot-Watt in Year 1 or 2, please refer to the main Electrical Engineering subject page for details.
Fees
| Status* | Scotland |
|---|---|
| Fee | Paid by SAAS |
* 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.
Scholarships and bursaries
View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.