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Advances in electronics, computing and communications have made a huge impact on every aspect of modern life. This programme teaches you the skills and expertise needed to design the computer systems that shape the way we live.
Overview
The range of uses for computers is increasing all the time – from smartphones and tablets to aircraft flight control systems and global telecommunications. Our degree gives you up-to-date knowledge of computer hardware and software, and a background knowledge of electronics, communications systems and control theory.
The programme is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), on behalf of the Engineering Council. This allows graduates to follow an approved process to gain Chartered Engineer status.
Our degree programme
Computer technology, telecommunications and consumer electronics are rapidly evolving, so experts in these fields are in great demand. This degree is based on leading-edge research and has been designed with strong industrial input.
In your first and second years, you are introduced to a wide range of computing and engineering modules. You can study the theoretical background of digital technologies, communications principles and object-oriented programming, and take modules in robotics, computer interfacing and engineering mathematics.
Your final year allows you to specialise in a particular topic of interest. This could include computer networks and communication, computer security and cryptography, digital signal processing, digital control, digital systems design and embedded computer systems.
All years include project work that replicates industrial practice to maximise the employability of our graduates.
Year in industry
You can take a work placement between the second and third years of your degree. This provides valuable workplace experience and can increase your professional contacts. For more details, see Computer Systems Engineering with a Year in Industry.
Study resources
The School of Engineering and Digital Arts offers cutting-edge equipment and facilities, including:
- four air-conditioned computer suites with 150 high-end computers
- 120-seat engineering laboratory
- extensive professional CAD development software
- PCB and surface-mount facilities
- mechanical workshop
- Matlab for system modelling
- 3dMD 3D imaging scanner for general purpose capture and biometric research
- VICON Infrared Motion Capture System
- anechoic chamber for EMC (pre-compliance testing) and antenna characterisation.
Extra activities
Kent Union has a range of student-run clubs and societies. You can join the Kent Computing Society and the Digital Media Society to network, develop your skills and socialise with students from across the University.
Professional network
The School of Engineering and Digital Arts has a long history of collaboration with industry. We have a strong reputation for our placement year, matching dedicated students with a variety of organisations in the UK and overseas.
Independent rankings
Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Kent was ranked 1st for course satisfaction in The Guardian University Guide 2017 and 2nd for student satisfaction in The Complete University Guide 2017. In the National Student Survey 2016, 90% of students in Electronic and Electrical Engineering were satisfied with the overall quality of their course.
For graduate prospects, Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Kent was ranked 6th in The Guardian University Guide 2017.
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching includes lectures, coursework and laboratory assignments, examples classes where you develop your problem-solving skills and regular staff ‘surgeries’. Practical work is carried out in air-conditioned laboratories, with state-of-the-art equipment and outstanding IT infrastructure.
Stage 1 modules are assessed by coursework and examination at the end of the year. Stage 2 and 3 modules, with the exception of the final-year project, are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination. All years include project work to replicate industrial practice and develop skills to maximise employability.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- educate students to become engineers, well-equipped for professional careers in development, research and production in industry and universities, and capable of meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing subject
- produce computer systems engineers with specialist skills in hardware and software engineering, prepared for the complexities of modern computer system design
- enable students to satisfy the professional requirements of the IET
- provide academic guidance and welfare support for all students
- create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and offer students an environment where they can develop their potential.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- mathematical principles relevant to computer systems engineering
- scientific principles and methodology relevant to computer systems engineering
- advanced concepts of embedded systems, signals and image processing, control, computer communications and operating systems
- the value of intellectual property and contractual issues
- business and management techniques which may be used to achieve engineering objectives
- the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in computer systems engineering
- current manufacturing practice with particular emphasis on product safety and EMC standards and directives
- characteristics of materials, equipment, processes and products
- appropriate codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues
- contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied.
Intellectual skills
You develop the following intellectual abilities:
- analysis and solution of hardware and software engineering problems using appropriate mathematical methods
- the ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of computer systems engineering
- the use of engineering principles and how to apply them to analyse key computer systems engineering processes
- the ability to identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques
- the ability to apply and understand a systems approach to computer systems engineering problems
- the ability to investigate and define a problem and identify constraints including cost drivers, economic, environmental, health and safety and risk assessment issues
- the ability to use creativity to establish innovative, aesthetic solutions while understanding customer and user needs, and ensuring fitness for purpose of all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal
- the ability to demonstrate the economic and environmental context of the engineering solution.
Subject-specific skills
You develop subject-specific skills including:
- the use of mathematical techniques to analyse and solve hardware and software problems
- the ability to work in an engineering laboratory environment and to use electronic and workshop equipment, and CAD tools to create electronic circuits
- the ability to work with technical uncertainty
- the ability to apply quantitative methods and computer software relevant to computer systems engineering in order to solve engineering problems
- the ability to implement software solutions using a range of structural and object- oriented languages
- the ability to design hardware or software systems to fulfil a product specification and devise tests to appraise performance
- awareness of the nature of intellectual property and contractual issues and an understanding of appropriate codes of practice and industry standards
- the ability to use technical literature and other information sources and apply it to a design
- the ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocation and execution of a design project and evaluate outcomes
- the ability to prepare technical reports and presentations.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills including:
- the ability to generate, analyse, present and interpret data
- the use of information and communications technology
- personal and interpersonal skills and working as a member of a team
- effective communication (in writing, verbally and through drawings)
- effective learning for the purpose of continuing professional development
- critical thinking, reasoning and reflection
- how to manage time and resources within an individual project and a group project.
Careers
Graduate destinations
The School of Engineering and Digital Arts has an excellent record of student employability. Previous graduates have gone on to careers in:
- design of electronic and computer systems
- software engineering
- real-time industrial control systems
- computer communications networks.
Other graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
- BAE Systems
- RAF
- CISCO
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (MOD).
Help finding a job
The School of Engineering and Digital Arts holds an annual Employability and Careers Day where you can meet local and national employers and discuss career opportunities. Ongoing support is provided by the School's dedicated Employability Officer.
The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:
- apply for jobs
- write a good CV
- perform well in interviews.
Career-enhancing skills
Alongside specialist skills, you also develop the transferable skills graduate employers look for, including the ability to:
- think critically
- communicate your ideas and opinions
- work independently and as part of a team.
You can gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.
Professional recognition
Our programme is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which enables fast-track career progression as a professional engineer.
Independent rankings
For graduate prospects, Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Kent was ranked 6th in The Guardian University Guide 2017.
According to Which? University (2017), the average starting salary for graduates of this degree is £25,000.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact us for further advice.
It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
New GCSE grades
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB including B in Mathematics and a science/techology subject (Physics, Computing or Electronics) |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If we make you an offer, you will need to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | Engineering: Distinction, Distinction, Merit including Further Mathematics for Technicians module |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 at HL including Mathematics (not Mathematics Studies) and a science subject 5 at HL or 6 at SL |
International students
The University welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advise about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2017/18 tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
UK/EU fee paying students
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
In accordance with changes announced by the UK Government, we are increasing our 2017/18 regulated full-time tuition fees for new and returning UK/EU fee paying undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses will also rise from £4,500 to £4,625. This was subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. This fee will ensure the continued provision of high-quality education.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
University funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
Government funding
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
The Government has confirmed that EU students applying for university places in the 2017 to 2018 academic year will still have access to student funding support for the duration of their course.
Scholarships
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
The scholarship is also extended to those who achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either Mathematics or a Modern Foreign Language. Please review the eligibility criteria.