About this course

Our electrical and electronic engineering courses offer a breadth and depth of study that you’ll find at few other UK universities. This master's in electrical and electronic engineering builds on the BEng programme. The programme gives you the opportunity to learn the management skills needed to become a leader in this industry and to explore additional specialist modules.

Electrical engineering is about the generation, distribution and use of electricity on a large scale, while electronics is all about the components and systems that make electronic devices work. On this electrical and electronic engineering degree you’ll gain a thorough grounding in both disciplines, and learn how they interrelate.

You’ll learn from researchers who will share their passion for their areas of expertise, which include high-voltage electrical engineering, sustainable energy and machine learning. Examples of practical design work on this course include designing and testing a microprocessor, a robot, or a large integrated circuit.

You can choose to study topics to suit your career path, including:

green electronics
medical technologies
nanoelectronics
quantum devices

You’ll learn to use industry-standard software for tasks such as the simulation of power line systems. For some students, a design project can lead to the publication of their first scientific paper. You’ll also gain direct industry experience through work placements.

This MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree is 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.

Year in industry

Enhance your employability by taking this course with a paid industrial studies placement year.

Apply using:

Course name: Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Industrial Studies
UCAS code: HH60

You'll spend this extra year at one of our partner companies, applying the skills and knowledge you've learned so far.

The fee is 20% of the standard annual tuition fee.

Study this course in Malaysia

You can also study this course at University of Southampton Malaysia.

Find out more about our Malaysia courses and how to apply

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

ODT

Download 2023-24 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

A-levels

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and either physics, further mathematics, electronics or computer science (minimum grade A)

A-levels additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including mathematics and either physics, further mathematics, electronics or computer science, plus grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: AAA including mathematics and either physics, further mathematics, electronics or computer science.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 38 points overall with 19 points required at Higher Level including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation), and 6 at Higher Level in either Physics or Computer Science.

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

BTEC

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades A*A from two A-levels including mathematics and either physics, further mathematics, electronics or computer science.
or
D* in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics and either physics, further mathematics, electronics or computer science.

We will consider the BTEC National Extended Diploma in Engineering if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC National Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics and either physics, further mathematics, electronics or computer science.

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades A*A from two A-levels including mathematics and either physics, further mathematics, electronics or computer science.
or
D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics and either physics, further mathematics, electronics or computer science.

We will consider the BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics and either physics, further mathematics, electronics or computer science.

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

Our electronics and electrical engineering course balances theory with practical work, ensuring you gain the skill set you’ll need in today’s industry. Across the first 2 years, you’ll gain a strong foundation in mathematical and programming skills.

In years 3 and 4 you’ll have the freedom to customise your course by choosing optional modules. There’s also the opportunity to broaden your studies beyond electrical and electronic engineering.

Year 1 overview

You’ll develop an understanding of electrical materials, circuits and energy storage both in theory and practice. You’ll also study core modules in programming and mechanics.

Modules in year 1 are similar across our degree programmes, enabling you to switch courses if you decide another electronic engineering degree is right for you.

Year 2 overview

You'll develop your knowledge, as you study modules like power circuits and transmission, control and communications and electrical machines.

A group design project, is an opportunity to work as a team to design and simulate an integrated circuit (or 'chip'). You'll see it through from specification to fabrication.

Year 3 overview

You’ll choose an individual project topic that interests you. Past students have worked on

a device to predict heart problems
a GPS timer for use in motorsports
organic light-emitting diodes

You'll enhance your professional skills by taking an industry-specific module on essentials such as law, budgeting and risk management. You’ll be able to choose from lots of optional modules on topics like robotics, communications, nanotechnology and power systems.

You could also study a language, take modules from other disciplines such as psychology or anthropology, or choose from a range of innovative interdisciplinary modules.

Year 4 overview

A distinctive feature of the degree is a group design project. This is an opportunity to put your skills into practice and experience working for an industry or academic customer. Past projects have involved:

producing a design for an electrical power system for an offshore platform
working on smart interactive fabrics for a leading firm of architects

Optional modules cover specialist topics including:

microsensor technology
medical technologies
cryptography
nanofabrication

There's also a chance to study abroad for a semester.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

33%

Scheduled learning & teaching

67%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

coursework, laboratory reports and essays
design and problem-solving exercises
individual and group projects
oral presentations
written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

45%

Written exam

33%

Coursework

22%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Bing Chu is the course leader.

Careers

Our MEng Electrical Engineering degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Graduates from this programme meet the educational requirements for IET Chartered Engineer status.

With a highly respected electronic engineering degree and specialist expertise, you’ll have excellent career prospects in many areas of the electronics sector, in particular in microprocessor and computer architecture design companies. Most of our students go straight into electronic and electrical engineer jobs in high-tech companies.

On this course you’ll cover essential transferable skills, such as:

budgeting
project management
entrepreneurship

Our graduates have built successful careers in professions such as finance and law, and have started their own companies.

This degree is also a great foundation for further study at PhD level.

Electronics and Computer Science graduates have secured roles at organisations including:

Apple
McLaren
Samsung
Sony

You’ll have access to specialist careers support from the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences' Careers Hub, which coordinates numerous opportunities to connect with employers. These include:

an Electronics and Computer Science careers fair attended by major electronics companies
an online jobs and placements portal
paid summer internships

You’ll also be supported by your personal academic tutor and the electronic engineering employability coordinator, who can advise you on your career path throughout your course.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £27,400.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering (MEng)

About this course

Year in industry

Study this course in Malaysia

Learn more about this subject area