Degrees Offered

• BEng Honours Electrical and Electronic Engineering (UCAS Code: H600)
• BEng Honours Electrical and Electronic Engineering (4-year sandwich) (UCAS Code: H604)
• MEng Honours Electrical and Electronic Engineering (UCAS Code: H602)
• MEng Honours Electrical and Electronic Engineering (5-year sandwich) (UCAS Code: H605)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
Dr Karen Rafferty
School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
T: +44 (0)28 9097 4280
E: k.rafferty@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs

Entrance Requirements

BEng

• A-level
  BBB including Mathematics and at least one from Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Design/Technology, Electronics, Further Mathematics or Double Award Applied Science.
  Note: applicants not offering Physics at A-level should have a minimum of a grade C in GCSE Physics or Double Award Science.
  
  
• BTEC Extended Diploma
  A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with 10 Distinctions and 8 Merits. Distinctions will be required in stipulated relevant units.
  
  
• Higher National Diploma
  Those with good grades in a relevant Higher National Diploma will be considered on their individual merits for entry to Stage 2.
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in Mathematics and Physics (preferred), Biology or Chemistry.

MEng

• A-level
  AAB including Mathematics and at least one from Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Design/Technology, Electronics, or Further Mathematics.
  Note: applicants not offering Physics at A-level should have a minimum of a grade B in GCSE Physics or Double Award Science.
  
  
• BTEC Extended Diploma
  A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with 16 Distinctions and 2 Merits. Distinctions will be required in stipulated relevant units. 
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  AB2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade A and B2 in any order in Mathematics and Physics (preferred), Biology or Chemistry.
  

Option to Transfer
Transfers between BEng and MEng may be possible at the end of Stage 2.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here

If you are an international student and you do not meet the entrance requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will prepare you for successful study on these degree courses. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses:
International Foundation in Engineering and Science
International Diploma in Engineering

The Subject

There can be few modern enterprises and aspects of human life which remain untouched by electronics or electrical engineering. Electrical and Electronic Engineering is concerned with solving practical problems using electrical/electronic science. It is an area of immense growth with a worldwide shortage of qualified engineers: on average over 90 per cent of our graduates are employed within six months of graduating.

The subject area is broad, ranging from micro-electronic chip design and manufacture to power generation and distribution. Rapid advances are occurring in fields such as telecommunications, computer software, hardware and networking, medical electronics, security, virtual and augmented reality, control and robotics and renewable energy systems.

Course Content

BEng
This is an enhanced Honours degree programme, normally taking three years. All BEng students are normally required to complete at least 12 weeks of approved industrial training before graduating. The BEng is also offered incorporating a sandwich year in industry. This professional experience year is usually taken after Stage 2 and students may gain a Licentiateship of the City & Guilds from this period of work. Transfer from BEng to MEng is possible at the end of Stage 2, subject to satisfactory performance.

Stage 1
Circuits and Communications
Computing for Engineers
Design Projects
Electrical Engineering
Electronic Circuits and Devices
Mathematics

Stage 2 and Stage 3
A choice of subjects is offered, including:
Communications
Computer Architecture
Computer Communications
Control
Electrical Machines
Integrated Circuits
Microprocessors
Power Systems
Signal Processing
Software Engineering
Virtual Reality

MEng
This four-year extended engineering degree has been established to provide an adequate supply of well-qualified engineers with an appropriate blend of engineering knowledge and skills in business practice and management. There is a core component of entrepreneurship, giving key insights into company creation. Most of the material in the first two years is common with the BEng degree. The subjects offered in Stage 4 include:

Advanced Circuit Design
Advanced Microelectronics
Energy Systems
Intelligent Systems and Control
Mobile Communications
Real-time DSP

All MEng students must normally complete at least 24 weeks of approved industrial training before graduating. The MEng is also offered incorporating a sandwich year in industry. This professional experience year is usually taken after Stage 2 and students may gain a Licentiateship of the City & Guilds from this period of work.

Click here for more information on modules

Learning and Teaching

The School has a world class reputation for research and provides excellent facilities, including access to major new research centres in Secure Information Technologies, Electronics, Communications and Information Technology and Sonic Arts. A number of modules on the course are closely linked to the research expertise of these centres and evolve and change rapidly to reflect some of the current, emerging and exciting developments in the field. 

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On the degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.   Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
• Practicals:  where you will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts.  You will be expected to attend these in most modules.
• E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example:  interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work etc.
• Seminars/tutorials:  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students).  These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.  You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
• Work placements:  Students taking Electrical and Electronic Engineering have the option of undertaking a work-placement after Level 2.  This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity.
• Supervised projects:  In final year, you will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that you have chosen.  You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you on at least 2 occasions during the write up stage.
• Personal Tutor:  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development. 

Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Queen’s has an excellent reputation, ranking in the top 10 in the UK in the Times League Table 2012 and top 100 in the world (QS World Rankings). Queen’s is one of only seven UKuniversities involved in the prestigious Power Academy scholarship scheme. Each year this provides 60 generous scholarships worth over £30k each to well-qualified students on the BEng and MEng degree pathways across the seven member universities.  There are a number of other scholarships on offer for students on this degree at Queen’s, including the Electric Ireland, Asidua, NIE and Schrader Electronics scholarships – visit the School website for further details www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering courses at Queen’s are fully accredited by the relevant professional society. Students interested in travel may spend a placement abroad or gain summer work experience through the IAESTE international exchange programme.

The School has an outstanding record of achievement in research. There are a number of well-funded and very strong research groups engaged in leading-edge technology. Final year projects are heavily influenced by the research activities of staff.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module.  Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work. 

Careers

There is a shortage of electrical and electronic engineers, not only locally in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, but worldwide, so employment prospects are excellent. The employment rate for graduates of this degree from Queen's in 2011 was 90% (percentage employed in a graduate level job within 6 months of graduating).
 

Overview

Studying for an Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions.  Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including Electrical and Electronic Engineering. 

Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in engineering significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors.  The following is a list of the major career sectors (and some starting salaries) that have attracted our graduates in recent years:

Employer Links

Consultations

We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers including, for example, Asiduaand NIE who provide sponsorship for our students as well as Cambridge Silicon Radio and FG Wilsons/Caterpillar who are members of the employer liaison panel for the course. 

Placement Employers

Our past students have also gained work placement with organisations such as:

Other Employer Links

The School has links with a large number of employers, providing opportunities for summer and year-long placements, as well as projects.  Currently there are more companies offering placement opportunities than there are students seeking placements, with the result that opportunities for placements and employment in Electrical and Electronic Engineering are excellent.

Graduate Careers and Achievements

Many of our former graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include for example:

Steve Myers:  A Director of Technology at CERN (Large Hadron Collider!)

Stephen McClelland:   Managing Director of Schrader Electronics

Trevor Hanna:Group Information Systems Director of Associated British Foods

Colin Annett: A Director in BT (budge of £400m a year)

Catherine Irwin: DuPont Engineering and Research Manager (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Bill McCluggage:Director of ICT Strategy and Policy for UK Government

Alan Wallace:  Patent Attorney, Partner in FR Kelly Law Firm

The Prospects website provides further information regarding the types of jobs that attract Electrical and Electronic Engineering  Graduates.

Further study is also an option open to Electrical and Electronic Engineering  graduates. Students can choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as comprehensive list of research topics, see the School website www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs for more information.

Electrical and electronic engineers work right across the spectrum from power generation to telecommunications and from the design of control systems to the fabrication of microchips. Employment prospects are excellent, with an increasing demand from both local and national employers that is unlikely to be satisfied in the foreseeable future. The computer industry also is a major employer with over 300 IT companies in Northern Ireland alone.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

World-ranking: Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Queen's has an excellent reputation, ranking in the top 10 in the UK in the Times League Table 2012 and top 100 in the world (QS World Rankings).

Scholarships: Queen's is one of only seven UK universities involved in the prestigious 'Power Academy' scholarship scheme. Each year this provides 60 generous scholarships worth over £30k each to well-qualified students on the BEng and MEng degree pathways across the seven member universities.

Accreditation: these degrees are fully accredited by the relevant professional body.
Placement: students may spend a placement abroad or gain summer work experience through the IAESTE international exchange programme.

Research-led teaching: the School has an outstanding record of achievement in research, and a number of well-funded and very strong research groups are engaged in leading-edge technology. Final year projects are heavily influenced by the research activities of staff.