Electronic and Electrical Engineering with Placement Year Lancaster University

Virtually every modern technology is underpinned by electronic or electrical engineering, and it is difficult to think of an application where it doesn’t have influence. From small intricate electronic systems and smart things to large scale power plants, engineers are behind the design, development and testing of these technologies. Electronic and electrical engineers collaborate with other engineering specialists, so it’s crucial to have a broad understanding of general engineering and its applications. At Lancaster, your first year is dedicated to exactly this, and you’ll share this experience with all our School of Engineering students, regardless of their specialisation. We think this makes you a well-rounded graduate, with excellent teamwork and communications skills, prepared for a career pioneering the materials, technologies and processes of the future.

Get ready to join a thriving School where what you learn is directly informed by our research and expertise in smart embedded systems, novel electromagnetics, radio frequency engineering, and millimetre waves with THz signals. You’ll benefit from our work with organisations such as CERN and the European Space Agency as well as our strong links with industry.

What to expect

Our four-year BEng Hons Electronic and Electrical Engineering with Placement Year degree starts with your general engineering first year and includes topics such as circuitry and instrumentation, heat transfer and manufacturing, which form a key requirement of modern electrical and electronic systems.

You’ll specialise in electronic and electrical engineering from Year 2, developing your core skills as an engineer and building your familiarity and practical experience in power engineering, analogue circuitry and digital systems. Working in our two new engineering buildings with state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll develop your creativity and technical skills as you design, build and test to solve real-world problems.

In your final year, you will work on a substantial project into a topic of your choice, often interdisciplinary in nature and linked with industry or one of our research groups. Previous examples of projects that you can work on include remote moisture sensing for internet of things; wearable antennas for medical body area network; low carbon shipping through improved electric propulsion; and energy storage and development of an electrical storm tracker.

Take further steps towards professional engineering with management skills, project management, and industry engagement. Sustainability, safety, ethics and quality management are kept in focus too.

Your placement

In Year 3, you will undertake a year in industry that will enable you to apply the knowledge and skills learnt so far and gain invaluable experience. We have extensive links built through our leadership in research and have students undergoing placements with multinational corporate companies to smaller specialist SMEs. Once you have completed your placement, you will write an extended reflective piece about your time spent with the company.

Personal development

You will develop valuable transferable skills that make you highly desirable to future employers, such as working in collaboration, communication, and the ability to design and build a product or device. You will grow practical skills in diagnosis and testing, system maintenance, digital proficiencies, and the ability to consider and maintain work safety practices in a range of environments. With a year’s experience added to your CV, you will be a standout graduate.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

ABB. This should include Mathematics and a physical science subject, for example, Physics, Chemistry, Electronics, Design & Technology or Further Mathematics.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case-by-case basis. Our typical entry requirement would be 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 15 Level 3 credits at Merit, but you would need to have covered appropriate subject content.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

Pre-2016 specifications: DDM in an Engineering related subject to include Distinctions in Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians units.

2016 specifications: DDM in an Engineering related subject to include Distinctions in the following units - Unit 1 Engineering Principles, Unit 7 Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems. Unit 8 Further Engineering Mathematics is highly recommended.

BTEC in combination with A levels

Our typical entry requirement would be A level grade B plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade BB plus BTEC at D. This should include sufficient content in Mathematics and a physical science.

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including either:

1. Mathematics HL grade 6 (either pathway) plus grad 6 in a HL Physical Science

2. Mathematics HL grade 6 (either pathway) plus grade 6 in two SL Physical Sciences

3. Mathematics SL grade 7 (analysis and approaches) plus grade 6 in a HL Physical Science

Acceptable physical science subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Design Technology.

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Only accepted alongside A level Mathematics grade B. The following subjects accepted at Distinction overall, alongside A level Mathematics grade B: Design and development for engineering manufacturing; Engineering, manufacturing, processing and control; Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing. The following subjects considered on a case by case basis, alongside A level Mathematics grade B: Design, surveying and planning for construction; Building services engineering for construction; Onsite construction.

GCSE requirements

Mathematics grade 6/B, English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.