Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering is the discipline that powers the modern world. It covers the generation, transmission, distribution, and conversion of electrical energy, as well as the electronic systems that process, communicate, and control information at every scale from microchips to national grids. The energy transition is one of the most significant engineering challenges of the twenty-first century, and electrical engineers are at the centre of it, designing the systems that will grow renewable power networks, integrate electric vehicles, and build the smart grids that a low-carbon economy requires.

At the University of Southampton, you will enter the world of large-scale electrical power, learning to build the systems and technologies that will grow power networks for decades to come. From sustainable energy generation to the use of electric vehicles, the programme develops your ability to engage with the big changes in how energy is produced and used. The programme runs for three years full time, and Southampton is a research-intensive university with strong strengths in electrical engineering and sustainable energy.

The typical entry tariff is 184 points, reflecting the mathematical rigour the discipline requires.

You will study power systems, electrical machines, power electronics, control engineering, signal processing, and the mathematical foundations that underpin them, alongside more specialised topics in high-voltage engineering, renewable energy systems, and smart grids. Laboratory work and design projects allow you to apply theory to real engineering challenges and to develop the practical skills that complement analytical ability.

Graduates from electrical engineering programmes are among the most sought-after in the UK. Careers span energy utilities, power systems engineering, electrical plant design, renewable energy, electric vehicles, railways, manufacturing, defence, and the technology sector. The path to Chartered Engineer status is available through the relevant professional bodies, and many graduates work towards that qualification through continued professional development.

Postgraduate study in electrical engineering or power systems is another route for those who want to develop specialist expertise.