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MEng Electronic Engineering & Computer Science

Key facts

4 years full-time with integrated placement year (fast-track)

UCAS Code: GH64

Typical offer level
A Level:
AAB-AAA
BTEC National Diploma: DDD in relevant National Diploma (including A Level Maths at Grade B)
IB: 34 points (including minimum Grade 6 in Maths and Physics at Higher Level)

Specific subject requirements
A Level: Maths and Physics or Electronics
GCSE: English Grade C

Tuition fees: £9,000 for UK/EU students (2012).
As this course contains
an integrated placement year which includes academic modules taken in a distance learning format, the placement year fee will be £4,500 (to be confirmed). More on fees

Applicants receiving offers are invited to an open day.

Information on visas for international students

 

Key benefits

Pioneering fast-track programme

4-year MEng, including integrated 12-month industrial placement

Design-led practical course, with close industry links

Select from Masters level courses in electronics, and computing in the final year

Electronic Engineering attracts a consistently high level of student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS) for access to specialist equipment

The Electronic Engineering subject group is internationally recognised for research and this is reflected in the final year project opportunities

IET student membership paid by University.
Computer Science 184px

This ground-breaking, fast-track, higher level qualification allows to you gain an MEng qualification in 4 years, rather than the traditional 5-year path, making it a more time and cost-effective choice. Designed to stretch our top students, it also includes a 12-month industrial placement, giving you the opportunity to study electronics and computer science more deeply than at BEng level while also gaining valuable industry experience. 

Digital electronics and computer systems are pervasive in commerce, industry and the home and have an ever increasing impact on the way we work and live. They form one of the most rapidly changing and influential technologies in modern society. To gain the competitive edge over its global rivals British industry and commerce needs trained computer systems engineers with skills in both hardware and software who can assess, contribute to, harness and influence the growth of information technology.

The design of this innovative course emphasises ‘doing’ as well as ‘knowing’, helping you to develop essential practical, intellectual, business and communication skills. This ‘real world’ approach, combined with the beneficial experience you will gain during your placement, will give you a clear competitive edge in the search for graduate employment.

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Subject guide & modules

This 4-year MEng aims to meet the requirements of today’s workplace by expanding the breadth and depth of students’ knowledge in electronics, internet technology, computing, digital systems and software design. It also enables the development of essential professional skills.

The course is designed to give you a solid grounding in software engineering and computing systems, which will be complemented by engineering expertise in digital electronics and telecommunications. It places emphasis on gaining a specialist and extremely valuable set of skills that form a bridge between the hardware and software; to achieve this you will study computing and electronics with single honours students from the electronic engineering and computer science subject groups.

Years 1 & 2

The first two years are taught alongside the BEng degree.

Year 1 modules

Year 2 modules

  Years 3 & 4

The final two years allow you to develop your skills in engineering and engineering management to a much greater depth and gain important experience working on an engineering placement.

The placement in Year 3 is academically assessed and also includes some distance learning business modules.

 Year 3 modules

  • Academically assessed placement e-portfolio, plus additional modules – Research and Case Study (literature review, business review); Sustainability for Engineers; Leadership in Engineering.

Final Year

In the final year, you can take a broad range of Masters level courses from both electronic engineering and computer science. You will also complete an extended individual project in an area that interests you.

Core Modules

Elective Modules

Learning, teaching & assessment

The course is delivered via a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical work. You will be set an engaging series of both individual and group assignments – current project areas, for example, include work with GPS systems, robotics, IPOD interfaces and fibre optic communications. Evaluation is through both examinations and continuous assessment.

For further information, see the programme specification (PDF).

Placement year

This 4-year fast-track MEng course includes a 12-month industrial placement in the third year.

It is the perfect opportunity for you to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned so far and to gain highly beneficial professional experience. It is designed to help you make a more informed judgement about your future career and will form an invaluable part of your CV when you seek graduate employment.

We support you in finding a suitable placement with an industrial partner.

Professional accreditation

Our courses have been developed in collaboration with the electronics and telecommunications professions. All courses in the Electronic Engineering Academic Group are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET, formerly the IEE).

IET Accredited Logo

Scholarship

If you are predicted to achieve 3 A's at A Level and are planning to join an IET accredited BEng/MEng engineering or technology degree course in Autumn 2013 then you qualify for the IET Jubilee Scholarship worth £1000 a year.

For more information about this scholarship and how to apply click this link

Career prospects

Well-trained graduates with skills in electronics design, software, telecommunications and engineering are in high demand.

Some of our recent graduates are currently commanding high salaries working in government, the public sector and in private industry. In the latter sector, employers include Olympus, Corus, HSBC, Hewlett Packard, Oxford University, BAE Systems, Npower, Cogent Defence, Siemens, Orange, Vodafone, QinetiQ, National Grid, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Cars and Microsoft.

Other graduates have chosen to study for PhD degrees or have started their own businesses.

Personal development

This innovative, fast-track MEng is designed to reflect and prepare you for the demands of ‘real world’ electronic engineering and computer science as much as possible. To this end, throughout your course, you will find that the theoretical and project work you are set encourages and enables you to develop essential practical, intellectual, business and communication skills – attributes that will give you a clear competitive edge in the search for graduate employment.

Facilities & equipment

Electronic Engineering attracts a consistently high level of student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS) for access to specialist equipment.

You will have access to recently refurbished electronics labs, an extensive network of computer facilities and a large number of embedded processors for lab work.

These resources are complemented by specialist electronics, telecommunications and networked laboratories and research facilities.

Teaching staff


Further information

EAS Undergraduate Admissions Office
+44 (0)121 204 3400
engineering@aston.ac.uk

View the prospectus

View the prospectus
Open days and visits

Outstanding graduate career prospects

Outstanding graduate career prospects

82% of Aston's recent graduates entered graduate level employment. This was the 10th highest proportion of all UK universities.


Accommodation

Accommodation

All our accommodation is based on campus and over 80% of our rooms are ensuite. We offer a guarenteed place scheme for first years.

Student life

Student life

Our city centre location gives you the best of both worlds: a welcoming, lively campus community, in the heart of a vibrant city.

International students

International students

Aston offers a world-class education and is home to students from over 120 countries.

Birmingham - home to 65,000 students!

Birmingham - home to 65,000 students!

With fantastic nightlife, great restaurants, beautiful parks, superb shopping and much more, Birmingham is a true student city.