Degrees Offered

• BEng Honours Software and Electronic Systems Engineering (UCAS Code: GH6P)
• BEng Honours Software and Electronic Systems Engineering (4-yr sandwich) (UCAS Code: GH67)
• MEng Honours Software and Electronic Systems Engineering (UCAS Code: GH6Q)
• MEng Honours Software and Electronic Systems Engineering (5-yr sandwich) (UCAS Code: GH68)

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 either a Science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Design/Technology, Electronics, Geography, ICT or Physics) or Double Award Applied 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 a Science subject (see list under A-level requirements).

• A-level
  AAB including Mathematics and at least one from Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Design/Technology, Electronics, Geography, ICT or Physics.
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  AB2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade A and B2 in any order in Mathematics and a Science subject (see list under A-level requirements).

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 including:
International Foundation in Engineering and Science

The Subject

Much of modern life is based on devices and systems that are built on the interaction between software and electronics. This has fuelled advances in both the everyday, such as games consoles and smartphones, and the specialist, such as surveillance systems, smart vehicles and life-saving medical implants. This new and innovative degree programme addresses the need for entrepreneurs, inventors and technologists who will create, discover and exploit the next generation of products and systems for our rapidly changing world.

The School is one of the few research-led UK university departments that can offer a truly integrated degree at the fast-moving interface between software and electronics disciplines.

Course Content

BEng
This degree requires three years of full-time study plus an optional 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 the BEng degree to the MEng degree is possible subject to satisfactory performance.

Stage 1
Circuits and Communications
Design Projects
Electronic Circuits and Devices
Embedded Systems
Mathematics
Object-oriented Programming

Stage 2
Data Structures and Algorithms, or Software Engineering and Project
Design Projects
Embedded Systems
Mathematics
plus two optional modules

Stage 3
Individual Project
Professional Studies
Four optional modules with specialist modules available such as Connected Health, Computer Vision and Pervasive Systems

MEng
This four-year extended degree is designed to provide a supply of well-qualified graduates who will become future industry and business leaders. The first three years are common with the BEng degree and there is an optional sandwich year in industry.

Stage 4
Design Projects
Group-based Industrial Project
The remaining three modules are selected from a wide range of research-based topics available within the School such as Wireless Sensor Networks and Rigorous Software Design.

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.

The MEng in Software and Electronic Systems Engineering provides a range of learning experiences which enable 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.
• 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 the MEng in Software and Electronic Systems Engineering undertake 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.

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

Graduates in both software and electronics are extremely sought-after locally, nationally and internationally. There are excellent, well-paid career prospects across a wide spectrum: design, research, development, production, marketing and sales in employment areas such as avionics and space, telecommunications and broadcasting, connected health and medical electronics, consumer electronics and gaming, computing and software, embedded systems and electronic security.

Graduates from these courses may undertake research or further study in Electronic Engineering or Computer Science, including the School’s new MSc in Advanced Wireless Communications

Employer Links

Consultations

We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers including, for example, Asidua and Schrader Electronics who provide sponsorship for our students as well as Citi and Kainos who are members of the employer liaison panel for the course.

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

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

Postgraduate Study: Graduates from these courses will be well equipped to undertake research or further study in a wide range of Electronic Engineering or Computer Science fields – for further information visit the School website www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs.

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 Plusinitiative, 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 Plus in 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

Facilities: 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.