Computer Science and Electronic Engineering

Computer science and electronic engineering together cover the full spectrum of how digital systems are designed, built, and programmed. Computer science is concerned with algorithms, data structures, software development, and the theoretical principles that underpin computation. Electronic engineering deals with the hardware side: circuits, signal processing, embedded systems, and the physical devices that run software.

In practice, the two fields are deeply intertwined. The most capable engineers understand both layers, and graduates who can think fluently across software and hardware are particularly well placed in industries where intelligent, connected systems are increasingly central to everything from manufacturing and healthcare to transport and consumer electronics.

At the University of Chester, this three-year programme gives you grounding in both disciplines within a single integrated degree. You will study core computer science topics including programming, data structures, operating systems, networks, and software engineering, alongside electronic engineering subjects such as circuit design, digital electronics, signal processing, and embedded systems. The combination equips you to design systems that work across both dimensions, which is exactly what many modern engineering roles require.

The degree includes a placement year, giving you the opportunity to spend time working in industry alongside your academic studies. This structured professional experience allows you to apply and consolidate your technical skills in a real working environment, gain exposure to engineering practice in a specific sector, and build the professional networks that can shape your career after graduation. The placement is integrated into the programme, meaning you return to your final year with experience that directly informs your academic work.

Graduates from computer science and electronic engineering degrees move into a wide range of technical and engineering roles. Common career paths include software development, embedded systems engineering, hardware design, systems integration, telecommunications, robotics, and IoT development. The breadth of the degree also supports careers in technology consultancy, project management in engineering contexts, and roles at the interface of hardware and software in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and consumer technology.

Postgraduate study or professional engineering qualifications are natural next steps for those who wish to develop deeper specialism.