Key information
UCAS code:
H610 (BEng), H613 (MEng)
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Typical offer:
112-120 points (BEng) / 120-128 points (MEng), from 2 or 3 A levels or equivalent, to include a relevant subject
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Electronic engineering powers the world we live in today. From games consoles, smartphones and fitness trackers to life-saving medical systems, cyber security and self-driving cars.
On this Electronic Engineering degree, you’ll learn to design and develop electronic equipment and devices that could have a significant impact on the world. Develop your knowledge of the theory and design of electronics while putting theory into practice in our extensive facilities.
Electronic technology evolves rapidly. Be part of the future on a course that opens doors to a career as a professional electronics engineer.
BEng or MEng?
You can study this course as a 3-year Bachelor's degree (BEng) or a 4-year integrated Master's degree (MEng).
When you finish the BEng course successfully, you'll meet the educational requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status. Once you've met the work experience requirements for IEng status, you can progress to Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with further study and experience.
The MEng allows you to achieve a Master’s level degree with just one extra year of undergraduate study. When you finish the MEng course successfully, you'll meet the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer status (CEng).
IEng and CEng status demonstrate your expertise and can include benefits such as improved career prospects and earning potential.
Course highlights
- Use the latest equipment for analysing and measuring electronics, including logic analysers, spectrum analysers, digital scopes and multi-function generators
- Work with analogue and digital components such as microprocessors, microcontrollers and programmable devices
- Use experimental kits, such as ServoSET servo-mechanism (which helps you learn how to stabilise systems) and superheterodyne radio receivers (which help you understand the principles of radio receiver operation)
- Get student membership of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, at no cost to you – giving you access to practical, technical and career-related resources, and opportunities to build links with prospective employers
- Work on a multidisciplinary group project to get the practical experience sought by employers when you choose the 4-year MEng option
94%
of graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course
(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22)
90%
overall student satisfaction for our MEng Electronic Engineering course
(NSS, 2022)
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Accreditation of European Engineering Programmes (EUR-ACE) and Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). The MEng meets in full the academic requirement for registration as CEng (Chartered Engineer), while the BEng partially meets these requirements.
Accrediting bodies such as the IET give my degree an edge compared to other universities. This means I have a career boost before I graduate as my degree is accredited by a well-known engineering institution.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
How to apply for accommodation
We have a variety of accommodation options, including studios, en-suites, catered, self-catered and private rental options. See how our housing team can help you find a place to call home.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
Entry requirements
BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering entry requirements
Typical offers
- UCAS points - 112-120 points from 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, to include a relevant subject. (calculate your UCAS points)
- A levels - BBB-BBC, to include a relevant subject.
Relevant subjects: Further Mathematics; Mathematics; Statistics ; Physics; Electronics. - T-levels - Merit
Acceptable T Level Subjects: T Level in Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning, T Level in Building Services Engineering, T Level in Engineering and Manufacturing Design and Development, T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing, T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control - BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 29
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
MEng Electronic Engineering entry requirements
Typical offers
- UCAS points - 120-128 points from 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, to include a relevant subject. (calculate your UCAS points)
- A levels - ABB-BBB, to include a relevant subject.
Relevant subjects: Further Mathematics; Mathematics; Statistics ; Physics; Electronics. - T-levels - Merit
Acceptable T Level Subjects: T Level in Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning, T Level in Building Services Engineering, T Level in Engineering and Manufacturing Design and Development, T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing, T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control - BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM
- International Baccalaureate - 29-30
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to join this course after you successfully complete a foundation year.
Facilities and specialist equipment
"After I saw the lab equipment and facilities on offer, I knew I wanted to come to Portsmouth. I spend my day in the labs, working on a range of projects. Being able to put in place what I’ve learned in lectures into a successful project is always exciting."
Careers and opportunities
The demand for innovation in medical technology devices, and consumer electronics such as mobile phones and televisions is always increasing. In fact, all engineering roles are listed in the UK Government’s 'skills shortage list' – which means engineers are currently in high demand.
So not surprisingly, 90% of our BEng graduates and 95% of our MEng graduates are in work or further study after completing their course.
With electronic engineering professionals in high demand, graduates of our MEng course are earning £39,500 a year on average, 5 years after graduation.
Graduate destinations
Our graduates have worked for companies such as:
- Thales
- QinetiQ
- Barnbrook Systems
- Royal Navy
- Network Rail
- Flylogix
- NXP Semiconductors
What jobs can you do with a electronic engineering degree?
Our graduates now work in roles including:
- communications and information systems engineer
- digital design engineer
- electronic design engineer
- graduate signalling and telecoms engineer
- hardware design engineer
- service application consultant
Other graduates have continued their studies at postgraduate level or set up successful businesses with help and support from the University.
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Placement opportunities
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry.
You might work with an engineering firm in the UK, or take on a role with a company abroad.
A placement year gives you an advantage over other graduates who may understand theory but won't have the experience of applying their learning to a working environment. We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations, and you’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.
You could also choose to set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.
Potential roles
Previous students have taken placement roles such as:
- aerospace engineer
- industrial placement hardware engineer
- undergraduate electrical engineer (research and development)
Potential destinations
They've completed placements at organisations including:
- LiveLink
- Leonardo
- Johnston Sweepers
- MBDA
Career development activity
You'll set up and run a new engineering business as part of your second year study on this course. Do well on this module, and you'll be eligible to apply for a grant from the SENE start-up fund, a pot set up by our School of Energy and Electronic Engineering, and run a business that provides both income and credits toward your degree.
You'll also have access to extracurricular activities, run by the school and by your fellow students, in which you might work on a nationwide drone competition, the Engineers Without Borders Design Challenge, or the Formula Student racing car competition. Our Badges framework gives you a way to demonstrate professional recognition of what you've achieved in and outside your study.
Design and build a single-seater racing car to be judged and raced at Silverstone
If you're keen to put your studies into practice, you can apply to be involved in the international Formula Student competition. You'll compete with over 100 teams worldwide to design, build and race a single seater race car and be judged by leading industry experts from motorsports.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules
Core modules
Optional modules
Core modules
Optional modules
Core modules
On this course, you can do an optional study abroad or work placement year between your 2nd and 3rd years, or after your third year, to get valuable experience working in industry.
We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your situation and ambitions. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.
Electronic Engineering - Module Highlight
Today we've been working on a random dice project.
So last term we did it just using like logic gates but this term we're doing it with a microcontroller.
So I think that me had maybe one or two others have done it completely different to everybody else, don't know whether that's worryingly or not.
I thought there'd be a hard right and wrong, but essentially we've written a code for this.
And again, not knowing anything about coding beforehand, there's a million ways to do everything it's completely up to the designer's discretion.
In the summer, I'm going to do work experience for radio test engineering.
Being a graduate in electronic engineering just opens doors.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.
Innovative Speaker
Alex Paterson, who studied MEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering, talks about his portable, lightweight innovative rotating speaker cabinet.
My final year project was building a lightweight, portable, innovative, rotating speaker unit.
I've always had an interest in music and speaker design is something that I would actually consider going into job wise, this was the perfect project for me.
The best thing I can take away from the project that I've created is working with new people in different areas of knowledge and being able to combine all of our ideas together to create a final design.
I'm very proud of the project we created. It works and we're able to sort of think about what limitations it had and where we'd go further if we continued our design.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Laboratory and project work
- CAE system activity
- Open access study
There's an emphasis on honing your practical skills and putting what you learn into practice.
Teaching staff profiles
Richard Walters is the course leader for electronic engineering. Find out more about some of the expert staff who’ll also teach you below.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- Written examinations
- Coursework
- Practical tests
- Project work
- Presentations
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You will get feedback on all formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, practical classes and workshops for about 16 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2–4, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. Optional field trips may involve evening and weekend teaching or events. There’s usually no teaching on Wednesday afternoons.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your course.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,535 per year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International (non-EU) students – £19,200 per year (subject to annual increase)
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You’ll need to pay additional costs of £50–£1000 to cover travel, accommodation or subsistence if you take a placement abroad. The amount you’ll pay will vary, depending on the location and length of your stay.
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £2,875 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – H610 (BEng) or H613 (MEng)
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form:
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.