Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Electrical and electronic engineering shapes virtually every aspect of modern life. From the power grids that supply our homes to the microprocessors in our phones, from medical imaging equipment to communications satellites, the discipline concerns the design and analysis of systems that generate, control and use electrical energy and electronic signals. It is a field that combines deep mathematical rigour with hands-on problem solving, and one that sits at the heart of the transition to renewable energy, the development of autonomous systems and the continuing expansion of digital technology.

At the University of Manchester, this programme includes a foundation year, making it well suited to students who wish to strengthen their mathematical and scientific foundations before tackling the full engineering curriculum. The three-year degree that follows is studied full-time and covers the core areas of the discipline, including circuit theory, electromagnetics, signals and systems, digital electronics, power engineering and control systems. You will develop practical skills in laboratory and design work alongside the theoretical understanding of how electrical and electronic systems behave and can be engineered to meet specifications.

The career prospects for electrical and electronic engineers are among the strongest of any graduate discipline. Power generation and distribution, telecommunications, consumer electronics, aerospace, automotive, defence, computing and semiconductor manufacturing all have significant demand for engineers with this training. Graduate schemes at major engineering and technology companies provide a common entry route, often leading to professional accreditation over time.

Postgraduate study, including conversion to a specific branch of the discipline or research into advanced topics such as power electronics, communications systems or embedded systems, is also a well-trodden path for graduates who wish to deepen their expertise.