Electronic and Communications Engineering - BEng (Hons)

Course structure

Duration: 3 years full-time

Modules

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 ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching includes practical work in conventional laboratory experiments or projects, lecture modules and examples classes, which develop your problem-solving skills, and staff hold regular ‘surgeries’ where you can discuss any questions you have. 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 Stage 3 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.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

• educate students to become engineers who are well-equipped for professional careers in development, research and production in industry and universities, and who are well-adapted to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing subject
• produce professional electronic engineers with a well-balanced knowledge of electronic engineering
• enable students to satisfy the professional requirements of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
• provide academic guidance and welfare support for students
• create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and an environment where students can develop their potential.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• mathematical principles relevant to electronic and communications engineering
• relevant scientific principles and methodology
• advanced concepts of analogue and digital circuits and systems, telecommunications and instrumentation
• the value of intellectual property and contractual issues
• business and management techniques to achieve engineering objectives
• the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in electronic engineering
• current manufacturing practice with particular emphasis on product safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards and directives
• characteristics of materials, equipment, processes and products
• codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues
• contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied.

Intellectual skills

You gain the following intellectual abilities:

• analyse and solve problems using mathematical methods
• apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support the study of electronic engineering
• use of engineering principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key electronic engineering processes
• identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components using analytical methods and modelling techniques
• understand and apply a systems approach to electronic engineering problems
• investigate and define a problem and identify constraints, including cost drivers, economic, environmental, health and safety and risk assessment issues
• use creativity to establish innovative, aesthetic solutions while understanding customer and user needs, ensuring fitness for purpose of all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal
• demonstrate the economic and environmental context of an engineering solution.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in the following:

• use of mathematical techniques to analyse problems in electronic engineering
• the ability to work in an engineering laboratory environment and to use a wide range of electronic equipment, workshop equipment and computer aided design (CAD) tools for the practical realisation of electronic circuits
• the ability to work with technical uncertainty
• apply quantitative methods and computer software relevant to electronic engineering to solve engineering problems
• the ability to design electronic circuits or 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
• use technical literature and other information sources and apply it to a design
• apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocation and execution of a design project and evaluate outcomes
• prepare technical reports and presentations.

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in the following:

• generating, analysing, presenting and interpreting data
• using information and communications technology
• personal and interpersonal skills and working as part of a team
• communication by various means: written, verbal and visual
• learning effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development
• critical thinking, reasoning and reflection
• managing time and resources within an individual project and a group project.

Careers

Graduate destinations

Our graduates go into careers in areas such as: 

• electronic engineering and computing
• telecommunications industries including radio, television and satellite communications;
• medical electronics, instrumentation and industrial process control.

They have gone on to work in companies including:

• BAE Systems
• Nokia
• the Royal Navy
• Xilinx
• British Energy
• RDDS. 

Some graduates choose to go on to postgraduate study, for example, MSc Advanced Communication Engineering (RF Technology and Communications), Advanced Electronic Systems Engineering and Information Security and Biometrics.

Professional recognition

For over 30 years, our BEng and MEng courses in Electronic and Communications Engineering have been accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which enables fast-track career progression as a professional engineer.

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

In addition to the technical skills you acquire on this programme, you also gain key transferable skills including:

• planning and organisation
• leadership
• effective communication. 

You can gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.