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Electronic and Communication Engineering BEng(Hons)

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    Overview

    Money isn’t the only thing that makes the world go round. Communications technology plays a crucial role in the stability of the global economy, with continuous advances in electronics and communications leaving an invaluable impact on the modern world.

    The demands for new devices and environmentally sustainable solutions are only increasing as communications technology becomes even more advanced. This is where you can have an impact, studying Electronic and Communication Engineering could enhance your career prospects and lead to careers with vast earning potential, allowing you to create the lifestyle you want in the future. The top five job titles advertised in the UK for graduate roles associated with Electronic and Electrical Engineering are Electrical Engineer, Electrical Maintenance Engineer, Electrical Design Engineer, Electronic Engineer and Field Service Engineer*.

    *Lightcast data extracted from Graduate Career Explorer – job postings from Dec 2023 to Nov 2024 showing jobs advertised associated with a selection of relevant graduate roles.

    Why study Electronic and Communication Engineering BEng(Hons) at Huddersfield?

    You’ll be taught by academics who are also professional engineers, many of whom have years of industry and research experience, this course covers a broad range of topics, for example, digital and analogue system integration, AM and FM techniques, aerials and satellite communications. Our aim is to provide you the knowledge and skills to succeed in this fast-paced sector, careers in this industry could include systems engineer, electronic design engineer or a metrology engineer.

    In our Electronic and Electrical Engineering subject area, our degree programmes share the same first year of study, so you can leave your options open until the start of your second year.

    Following your second year, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in an optional industry work placement, where you’ll put your knowledge into practice and boost your employability. In your final year you will work on a selected individual research/design project with the support of your academic supervisor. It is possible to align this with one of the Master's team projects, which involve the design, build and friendly competitive testing of either a road, airborne or rail vehicle, for example, for example, Team HARE, Team Hawk or HudRail.

    During year one and two, you'll take part in our EnABLE (Engineering in an Activity Based Learning Environment) initiative. This sees you work in small teams to solve real engineering problems. EnABLE reflects how real engineering departments operate, which could boost your employability when undertaking an optional industrial placement and when securing your first graduate role post-university.

    Our course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which helps you achieve Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status and part of Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

    Entry requirements

    BBB-BBC at A Level . A Levels must include Mathematics and at least one other suitable Science/Technology subject as listed in Additional Information.

    120-112 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications which must include the accepted qualifications as listed in Additional Information.

    Merit in T Level in Engineering and Manufacturing (Core) Full Qualification.

    DDM-DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering. DDM-DMM in BTEC Science/Technology Level 3 Extended Diploma is also acceptable with A Level Mathematics at least at Grade C. See Additional Information for further details of what is accepted.

    • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above in a relevant Science/Technology subject as listed in Additional Information.
    • 120-112 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications which must include Science/Technology subject as listed in Additional Information.

    Additional Information

    Applicants who are studying A Level Electronics but are not studying A Level Maths, may be invited to take a Maths test. Decisions will be based on a pass in the Maths test, as well as achieving the required UCAS tariff points.

    Entry is also possible from the Engineering Foundation Year. To progress onto this course from the Foundation Year you must pass all modules and achieve an average mark of 40% or above.

    A Levels (in addition to A2 Mathematics) must include one of the following: Electronics, Physics, Further and Additional Mathematics, Statistics, Design and Technology: Systems and Control, Computer Science, Chemistry.

    BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering (instead of A2 Mathematics) must be one of the following: Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Engineering.

    If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

    Other suitable skills or experience gained in a relevant industry will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

    Course Detail

    Core modules:

    Computer Programming

    On this module you’ll explore how to systematically design computer programs. You’ll be introduced to coding, testing and documenting software appropriate for engineering systems using the “C” programming language. You’ll be supported in developing your knowledge and understanding of the underlying syntax and logic structures specified by the programming language by solving practical problems in dedicated lab sessions. You’ll be expected to design and implement a software solution to a given problem specification.

    Electronic Design Manufacture and Test

    In this module, you will be introduced to the fabrication, design and testing of electronic circuits and circuit boards. You will cover how to interpret circuit diagrams, build physical prototypes and use laboratory instruments to test the circuits. You will also learn interpretation of datasheets, identification of maximum ratings, test conditions and performance limits. You will work in a group to design a working prototype from your own project ideas so that you experience all the stages involved in producing a working electronic product.

    Mathematics

    In this key first year module you will gain fundamental knowledge and practical techniques in Engineering Mathematics to deal with analytical modules in the subsequent years of your course. Amongst the subjects you will study will be: functions, linear mathematics, calculus and numerical techniques to solve real world engineering problems.

    Professional Development

    The Professional Development module will introduce you to the business dimension of engineering. Emphasis will be placed upon developing an appreciation of the role of the engineer/ technologist in terms of their responsibilities, ethical behaviour and contribution to the business team. You will acquire general transferable skills related to your study techniques, communication (including report writing and oral presentations), CV preparation and planning for your career. The module integrates the development of personal and practical skills in the context of problem based learning (PBL) and laboratory-based activities.

    Electrical Principles 1

    The module will introduce you to electromagnetic field theory and help you apply it to various circuit elements and arrangements, and the understanding of the operating principles of transformers and basic electric machines. You will be introduced to a range of d.c. circuit theorems and apply these theorems to the solution of circuits. The complex operator will be explained and used to study reactance, impedance and phase shifts via the solution of a.c. circuits. Finally, you will investigate the step response of simple RC and RL circuits.

    Electronics 1

    Digital technology has progressed rapidly over the years from vacuum-tubes circuits to discrete transistors to complex integrated circuits. In this module, you will be introduced to digital electronics concepts, components and basic systems. You will learn about digital combinational and sequential logic elements and their applications. You will also be introduced to electronic devices, systems, and applications from analogue perspective.

    Core modules:

    Enterprise: Electronic Product Design and Manufacture

    This module provides you with an introduction to business, finance, marketing, engineering management and design for manufacture (DFM) in the context of electronic product design and manufacturing. It is intended to promote an understanding of the lifecycle process of product design and develop the skills you will require as a professional engineer. There is considerable emphasis on the development of team skills and your ability to develop as a team player will be tested by a range of team roles and responsibilities. Problem Based Learning (PBL) techniques are used extensively to confront groups with a series of related problems or scenarios. These, together with a given set of learning outcomes for each session, form the starting point for agreed self study tasks. Consideration is given to how a business could be set up to manufacture and sell an appropriately modified version of the original design for profit. You will be introduced to engineering design concepts including DFM, quality and reliability, product design specification and environmental/sustainability issues.

    Signal Analysis and Control

    The module will equip you with the qualities and transferable skills necessary to analyse continuous and discrete-time signals and systems in the time and frequency domain for a wide range of industrial applications. You will be introduced to analyses that will be performed using continuous/digital control theories and simulation packages where you will have the opportunity to relate theoretical mathematical approaches with simulated results. There will be real world examples where you will be able to relate your current knowledge with relevant mathematical relations. You will then be introduced to various strategies that are used to control an output from a system.

    Embedded Systems

    This module will provide you with an understanding of the hardware and software aspects of microcontroller interfacing and provide you with design skills to implement embedded systems using microcontrollers. You will initially undertake a primer in embedded C before developing your programming skills through a range of practical exercises involving a microcontroller. This will culminate in you undertaking a project where you will develop a ‘real-world’ embedded system which must adhere to a pre-determined specification.

    Electronics 2

    In this module, you will be introduced to advanced analogue and digital devices, circuits, systems and applications. You will learn how to design and develop a circuit using bipolar junction transistor (BJT). You will also study the Sallen and Key filters and develop a higher order active filter in the laboratory. The emphasis is on the analysis and design of various sub-systems and circuits. Furthermore, in the later part of the course you will learn about digital design of the circuit using combinational logic structures.

    Electrical Principles 2

    In this module you will be provided with greater understanding of electric and magnetic forces and fields and their unification in Maxwell’s equations. You will be able to carry out vector analysis and the mathematical descriptions of the fields, an examination of the basic laws governing the generation of fields, and a study of interactions with dielectric and magnetic materials. Electromagnetic propagation is fundamental to communications and after this module you will be familiar with both transmission line and free-space propagation. You will also cover reactive circuits and their transfer functions, frequency and phase response, Bode equations and their plots.

    Communications

    In this module you will be introduced to a range of communications concepts and principles and develop a knowledge of communication systems. You will have a thorough introduction to analogue and pulse modulation techniques, noise in systems, and transmission line theory sufficient to support future study. You will develop skills in relevant analytical, practical and design methods and you will be introduced to a range of test equipment used in communications.

    This course offers an optional one-year work placement after Year 2.

    Core modules:

    Final Year Project

    This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to study and investigate a specific engineering topic in-depth. The aim of this module is give you the skills and experience to carry out an engineering project and introduce you to the process that would typically take place in a professional engineering environment. You will undertake and execute a project on a topic appropriate to your study pathway. You will be allocated a project supervisor(s) who will direct you through the process of project planning, undertaking background research and carrying out the technical aspects of the project to a satisfactory conclusion. Your project will be an in-depth study of an engineering problem and may be either academic or industry-based. You will have the opportunity to either select a project defined by a tutor, or to propose your own project idea. The project work will extend your knowledge and capabilities in the specific field associated with the project topic and allow you to demonstrate your initiative, commitment, and engineering capability to a professional standard.

    Communication Systems

    The module provides you an overview of modern communication systems. You will develop an understanding of the operation of radio systems, and develop skills in associated system-level design and analysis methods and practical design, build and test.

    Digital Signal Processing Applications

    The module combines the theory of signal processing and analysis of discrete time systems, with practical aspects of digital signal processing (DSP) applied to the design of digital filters. We will focus on signal processing operations and analysis in time and frequency domain and digital filter (FIR and IIR) design and simulation using MATLAB. You’ll be supported in implementing your digital filter design using DSP software and hardware development systems. A range of DSP design case studies (for example audio filters and two-dimensional filters for image processing), will be used to illustrate typical DSP applications through practical laboratory work.

    Analogue System Integration

    Analogue circuit and system design today is more essential than ever before. With the growth of digital systems, wireless communications, complex industrial and automotive systems, designers are being challenged to develop sophisticated analogue solutions. In this module, you will be introduced to both discrete and integrated analogue circuit design and analysis. You will investigate module in-depth application examples to gain insight into analogue circuit design and application solutions that you can apply in today’s demanding designs.

    Digital System Integration

    Digital System Integration is becoming increasingly important in modern electronics. In this module, you will be introduced to system design, circuit design, modelling, layout, and fabrication techniques for CMOS and Bipolar (minimal) integrated circuits. You will investigate various stages of design: from integration, transistor, and circuit to system; decomposition from Hardware Description Language (HDL) whilst emphasising the Register Transfer Level RTL/gate level decisions. You will also learn about the design trade-offs required to achieve an optimum design solution.

    During your first and second year you will be part of our programme: EnABLE (Engineering in an Activity Based Learning Environment). This will provide you with an opportunity to work within professional teams of peers and solve real engineering problems. Here, the theory is linked with engineering practice while developing the transferrable skills highly valued by industry employers such as, team player and leader, critical thinker and researcher, creative designer or excellent communicator of new ideas.

    Throughout your studies, you will have the opportunity to get continual feedback through weekly SAIL (Score as I Learn) assignments so you will feel confident in your studies and be able to access support when you need it.

    This course has modules making up 360 credits over the 4 * years, with each credit being 10 hours of study (3600 hours in total). An average approximately ** 19% (687 hours) of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors face to face or online in lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals and workshops. The remainder of the time will be spent on independent study. Assessment is varied and includes assignments, exams and project work, with a focus on practical work. There are opportunities for group working, in addition to individual assessments.

    *Subject to mode of study.

    **Based on current core and compulsory modules.

    Calculated using data from the academic year 2024/25, as of November 2024.

    Teaching

    The teaching year for most courses normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Teaching on other courses including professional courses, postgraduate taught, research, distance learning and apprenticeship may have other start dates including January and May. All start dates can be found on each course page and term dates are also available. Students on a full-time course may have to attend every day of the week. Students who choose to study a full-time course on a part-time basis will generally attend modules at the same time as our full-time students. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

    Our courses are taught at our University campus and you can expect that your lectures and seminars will be held face to face, except in cases of emergency or if specifically stated otherwise in the module description.

    Feedback

    Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

    Progression

    You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

    1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

    2. Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    3. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

    4. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

    At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

    Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

    *full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

    Placements

    You will have the chance to undertake an optional placement in Year 3. This opportunity helps you to build on the knowledge and skills developed on the course. You will be employed by the company for 12 months, but the actual number of weeks worked will be dependent on the annual leave entitlement you are given in line with the placement company’s policy.

    The placement year is a valuable tool that can enhance your employability and help you to develop as an individual. It is acknowledged that graduates with industry experience are generally much more attractive to employers.

    The Placement team will be on hand to support you in finding suitable placement opportunities, through timetabled and drop-in sessions as well as by appointment. They will assist you with preparing your CV and with interview techniques. They'll also be in contact with you during your placement so that you'll be fully supported while you gain the experience that employers value so highly. They are regularly in contact with local and national companies. Previous students from this subject area have spent their placement year at companies including Nissan, Bosch, Sellafield Ltd, and Intel. You can find more information on placements here.

    We have recruited engineers from University of Huddersfield with great success. Huddersfield students come equipped with the necessary skills for a career in electronic product design.

    John Dobson

    John Dobson, Managing Director, Matrix Multimedia

    Engineering

    A tour of our Department of Engineering facilities.

    Ever wondered how you will use our facilities as part of your course? Follow Connor on a tour who explains all.

    Female student with circuit board
    Student with circuit board
    Circuit test results displayed on an oscilloscope.
    Team HAWK
    Team HARE
    Sparck Jones Building
    Communications practical session
    EnABLE lab in the Haslett Building
    The Haslett Building from the canal

    Discover more about the course

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    Further Study

    Learn about pursuing a Master’s or PhD at Huddersfield.

    Research Excellence

    See how our innovative research shapes what you'll learn.

    Important information

    We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

    Changes to a course you have applied for

    If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

    Cancellation of a course you have applied for

    Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

    Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

    We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

    Changes to option modules

    Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

    Major changes

    We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

    For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

    Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    Termination of course

    In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

    Equal opportunities

    The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

    Data protection

    The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

    Students’ Union membership

    Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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