(Full time) 2020 start
Electronic and Communications Engineering MEng, BEng
Overview
The communications field includes mobile phone handsets and cellular networks, long-haul optical and satellite communications, data transmission and security, the internet and digital broadcasting. It’s one of the fastest growing engineering sectors, and one in which the UK is particularly successful.
If you’re looking for a career in the communications industries, this course is for you. You’ll gain a broad foundation in modern electronic engineering and the mathematical and scientific principles that underpin it. You’ll also choose from a range of modules, from high-frequency and microwave engineering – as used in mobile communications links – to medical electronics.
You’ll be taught by experts in world-class facilities, giving you access to the latest research in the field and developing your knowledge base. Project work in every year will also help to develop your professional skills for diverse roles across the communications industry.
We're Top 5 in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, Guardian University league table and the Complete University Guide 2020.
This course is a four-year degree. If you choose to finish after three years, you will graduate with a BEng in Electronic and Communications Engineering.
Find out more about the MEng, BEng and BEng.
Specialist facilities
You’ll have access to world-class facilities, including the ARM Embedded Systems Laboratory and the Keysight Technologies Wireless Communications Laboratory, which features professional-standard equipment including arbitrary function generators and 100MHz 4-channel oscilloscopes.
For your final-year project, you could also have access to facilities such as our bionanoelectronics research laboratory, ultrasound sensing laboratory or terahertz imaging laboratory.
Accreditation
The MEng, BEng is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
The BEng is accredited by the IET on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students. For this course, these are the quality standards set by the IET.
Course content
All of our core electronic and electrical degree courses have a common first two years. This lays the foundations of your studies and gives you a thorough understanding of key topics, but it also means you can easily change between these courses until the end of Year 2.
You’ll learn about the physical principles that affect the function of electronic components and electrical systems, as well as circuit theory, analysis and design. You’ll also study communications systems and networks, power electronics and modules designed to improve your mathematical skills for engineering.
In Year 3 you’ll learn more about the professional context of working as an engineer, and you’ll build specialist knowledge of communications engineering through modules on topics like radio frequency and microwave engineering or embedded systems.
If you continue to Year 4 for the MEng qualification, you’ll choose from a range of modules to specialise in topics such as network security and cellular mobile communications systems. You’ll also complete a major individual project on an aspect of the electronics industry and apply your knowledge.
Projects
Every year of the programme gives you hands-on experience of project work. This gives you the opportunity to explore your subject further as well as developing valuable skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork.
Find out more about our Projects.
Engineering ethics
You’ll study engineering ethics as part of your course, with lectures and/or seminars in each year of your study. Visit our engineering ethics webpage to find out more.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
You’ll benefit from our integrated style of learning and teaching. Laboratory classes and project work allow you to gain first-hand experience investigating and applying material from your lectures and tutorials to real life work situations. Together they will equip you with in-depth knowledge and key practical skills that will put you in a good position to compete in science and technology-related careers. Our close links with industry also mean that you have direct contact with industry and potential employers from an early stage in your course.
Our personal tutorial system will provide academic and pastoral support. You will have a designated personal tutor throughout your studies at Leeds. He or she will be an academic member of staff: you will have academic tutorials with your tutor throughout your first year, in your tutor group (of typically 5 students), as well as one-to-one meetings.
In addition, our excellent student support team is based close to where you’ll work and study to help with anything from academic advice to timetabling and project submission enquiries.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Most modules are assessed by more than one component. These components can include written examinations held at the end of each year, in-class and online tests, example sheets, assignments, and coursework in the form of reports, projects, presentations and posters.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAA including Mathematics.
Where an A-Level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade.
Excludes A-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking.
Extended Project Qualification - We recognise the value, effort and enthusiasm applicants make in the Extended Project, and where an applicant offers an A in the EPQ we may make an offer of AAB at A-Level (any required subjects such as Mathematics must still be at grade A).
GCSE: English Language at grade C (4) or above, or an appropriate English language qualification.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, 30 credits with Distinction (including an appropriate number of Mathematics modules) and the remaining 15 credits with Merit or above.
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BTEC
D*DD with Distinctions in all Mathematics units plus a diagnostic Maths test. Mathematics units must usually include Further Maths and/or other appropriate Maths units. Some may be optional on your BTEC but are required by the Faculty. Please contact us for further information.
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, D3, D3 including Mathematics.
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International Baccalaureate
35 points overall, with 18 points at higher level to include 5 points in Mathematics.
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2, including Mathematics.
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AA at Advanced Higher level, including Mathematics and AABBB at Higher Level.
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Other Qualifications
Engineering Diploma: A (plus A-level Mathematics at grade A or above).
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
Were committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each section.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Applicant Days
Suitable applicants will be invited to an applicant day, for which we strongly encourage attendance as this gives you the opportunity to meet our students, academic and admissions staff, and find out more about your course. You’ll take part in a practical electronics activity, see a taster lecture, have a question and answer session with current students, and see the School’s laboratories. The school foyer will have student projects on display so you can get an idea of what you can work towards in the future.
During the day you’ll get a chance to ask questions of an academic member of staff to check it’s the right course for you and your career plans, and find out more about studying at the University of Leeds.
After you apply we will send you a link to book your place on the applicant day. Please let us know as soon as possible if you cannot attend, so your place can be allocated to another applicant.
Please note, if the entry requirements for your qualification include a diagnostic mathematics test, attendance at an applicant day is required.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £23,750 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Scholarships
The School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering awards a range of scholarships.
Career opportunities
All of our degrees will equip you with the skills you need to succeed in industry, including design, problem solving, numeracy and analysis skills, together with ‘transferable skills’, such as communication and working as a team. Because of the nature of the electronics industry, the demand for high calibre electronic engineering graduates is high and wide-ranging employment opportunities exist both in large multinational corporations and small start-up companies working on next-generation products and technologies.
Our graduates have gone on to launch careers as network, design and renewable energy engineers and a variety of other roles at organisations such as Bombardier Transportation, BT, Instrumentel Ltd, Kawar Energy, Motorola Solutions and Power Electronic Measurements.
Read our alumni profiles to find out more about where our students are working.
Careers support
You’ll have access to our dedicated Employability team, located centrally in our Employability Suite, who will provide you with specialist face-to-face support and advice to help you find relevant work experience, internships and year-in-industry placements, as well as graduate positions.
You’ll benefit from timetabled employability sessions, ongoing support during internships and placements, and presentations and workshops delivered by employers. The team also works closely with the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.
Find out more about careers support and employability
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more on the Study Abroad website.
Work placements
With the help and support of our faculty Employability Team, you can choose to undertake a placement at one of the 100+ companies that we work with. If you decide to undertake a placement year, this will extend your degree by 12 months and on successful completion, you will be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your unique expertise to future employers.
Find out more about work placements.