BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with foundation year

From electric vehicles to Raspberry Pi®, ultrasound machines to manufacturing robots, and washing machines to windfarms; every single day, electrical and electronic engineering enhances our lives enormously. Our BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with foundation year course aims to educate the engineers who will lead the next phase of the digital revolution.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering with foundation year

Key information

Award:

BEng (Hons)

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Location:

University of Bolton

UCAS points:

48

UCAS code:

H360

Start date:

To be confirmed

Course Details

Advances in electrical and electronic engineering underpin the digital revolution that started in the 1950s and continues to the present day. Our BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with foundation year is designed to prepare you for a career in this world-changing industry.

The foundation year is the first year of this degree, offering an excellent grounding in the fundamentals of engineering, electronics and mathematics. It’s designed to prepare you for degree-level study.

We offer ‘real world’ engineering knowledge and skills developed through a combination of theory and practical applications taught in a vibrant and supportive environment. This includes our range of highly specialised modules covering areas such as electromagnetism, embedded systems, digital signal processing, power electronics and renewable energy systems. Your professional development and training is encouraged through hands-on projects, live briefs, industrial visits and work placement opportunities.

You can learn about cutting-edge and emerging technologies, such as Smart Grids that are transforming global electricity delivery systems. We also place significant emphasis on the application of electronic systems that can be embedded in other products that are not necessarily electronic, such as cars, medical devices and industrial systems. In this way we aim to prepare you for careers in growth areas of the industry.

Highlights
  • Our Electrical and Electronic Engineering courses are ranked third in the UK and top in the North West of England for student satisfaction, according to The Complete University Guide 2022.
  • Our dedicated and experienced academics are experts in fields such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), antennas, power systems, electrical machines, power electronics and digital electronic systems.
  • During the foundation year, you’ll explore introductory concepts that encompass various engineering subjects, including mechanics, mathematics and electrical/electronic engineering. These are designed to prepare you for the ever increasing cross-disciplinary nature of engineering.
  • You’ll be encouraged to benefit from guest lectures and workshops from experts in the field, plus industrial summer work placements that provide practical experience and valuable networking opportunities.
Key Features
  • We are a university with a distinguished history in engineering.
  • This course offers a significant amount of hands-on project work and a high-level of laboratory-based teaching.
  • Our dedicated and supportive staff have a range of experience in the electrical and electronic engineering sector.
  • We strive to offer you opportunities to work on hands-on industrial projects and real-world challenges, either individually or as part of a group.
  • Our extensive teaching laboratories are equipped with industry-standard equipment. Our networked computer suites have Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) software, and our laboratories include electronics, power systems, renewable energies, and 3D printing equipment.
  • By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Professional recognition

The University of Bolton’s BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for students starting the course in September 2022. We are seeking re-accreditation with the IET for future start dates.

After graduation (for students starting the course in September 2022), you’ll be able to achieve the educational requirements for full accreditation meeting the IET and the Engineering Council’s requirements for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) by further completing the University of Bolton’s MSc in Systems Engineering (Electronic) and Engineering Management.


  • 48 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
  • Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Relevant mathematics, engineering or science-related subjects are preferred.
  • You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English, Mathematics and preferably Science.
  • You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
  • If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.


Electrical and electronic engineers design, build and maintain electrical control systems, electrical systems for renewable energies, electric vehicles, and industrial machinery and equipment. The rapid expansion of the technology sector over the last few decades has created a demand for those who can create, understand and alter electrical control systems.

In addition to technical knowledge, this degree offers you the opportunity to develop a range of key employability skills that are highly transferrable to a wide range of areas beyond engineering, such as IT, finance and management. These skills include the ability to use specialist knowledge creatively and innovatively to solve problems, the ability to produce and interpret technical solutions, the ability to explain design ideas, effective communication (spoken and written), good team working skills, project and time management, and strong decision-making skills.

As a graduate of this BEng degree, you’ll have the knowledge and skills needed to define your own pathway to a rewarding career in electronic engineering, and be qualified to pursue exciting opportunities in research and development if you wish.

What can I do with this qualification?

Electrical and electronic engineers are employed in industries such as electronics, IT, manufacturing, power, transport, and construction and building services. Opportunities are also found in telecommunications, research and development, and petrochemicals. With experience, you could specialise in project management, research and development or consultancy work. You could also move into senior roles in operation management or at technical director level.

Global opportunities also exist for those willing to travel. Typical employers include local authorities, the armed forces, manufacturers in all industries, power and water companies, renewable energy firms, and building services contractors.

Another possible course of action for graduates is to pursue further study in a specialist field or in research. Courses include an MSc or PhD in areas such as internet engineering, nanotechnology, wireless and optical communications, and telecommunications.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification to enter a range of other careers, and for some of these roles, both relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Roles may include:

  • Management consultancy
  • Multimedia programming
  • Technical writing
  • Technical sales engineering
  • Logistics
  • Patent law and intellectual property
  • Procurement, purchasing and buying
  • Supply chain management
  • Teaching, academia and lecturing
  • Research and development

Course fees
Home Fees Year of study Total
Entry year2023/242024/252025/262026/272027/28
2023£9,250£9,250£9,250£9,250-£37,000
International Year of study Total
Entry year2023/242024/252025/262026/272027/28
2023£10,350£13,550£13,550£13,550-£51,000

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2022-2023 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

For 2022-2023 entry, the maximum government approved undergraduate tuition fee for UK students is £9,250 per year. The University is able to charge this fee subject to an approved Access and Participation Plan for 2022-2023 and its current rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.

Bursaries

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.


For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:

If you wish to apply to multiple institutions or courses for September, then apply through UCAS

You can apply for up to 5 courses through UCAS (at the same or different institutions) for a fee of £27. Alternatively, if you only wish to apply for a single course at a single institution then a reduced applicant's fee of £22.50 is applicable.

The online application form and guidance notes are available on the UCAS website.

You will need the following information to complete your UCAS application form:

  • Institution Code Name: BOLTN

  • Institution Code Number: B44

UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

Tel: 0870 1122211
Web: www.ucas.com

The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world. We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.

This course is not currently accepting international online applications.

Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk

Admissions
University of Bolton
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom

Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk

Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk

Admissions
University of Bolton
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom

Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk


We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you achieve your potential. Formal timetabled classes, including lectures, guest lectures, tutorials and tutor-led in-class exercises, along with case studies, laboratories, investigations and assignments, in groups and individually, are designed to help you acquire and develop appropriate concepts, knowledge and skills. Our personal tutor system underpins all our teaching activities and provides one-on-one support, peer support and individual care and attention.

Other teaching methods, such as coursework, projects and practical activities, provide opportunities to develop creativity and innovation skills. These are designed to meet the professional body accreditation requirements, as well as help you apply, assimilate and integrate your understanding of the course material. Personal study time is required, along with online learning in the form of maintaining an electronic Personal Development Plan (ePDP).

Guest lectures and taking part in competitive design and make exercises will offer you the chance to further develop your knowledge and practical skills.

The taught modules are assessed individually and we award you credits when you successfully complete each module. In terms of assessment, you can expect time constrained exams, essays, reports, presentations, portfolios, and others. These contribute to your final module mark and allow you to demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes.

We also use other forms of assessment to help you learn, provide you with feedback and inform your development, though these don’t count towards your final module mark. During seminars, you’ll be provided with a series of structured tasks to complete that will test your understanding of the topics covered and problem solving skills. You’ll also receive feedback on assessment drafts. These will help to identify any areas which would benefit from extra attention on your part, or where you need extra support from your tutor.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

  • Foundation Principles 0
  • Foundation Principles 1
  • Foundation Principles 2
  • Engineering Study Skills
  • Engineering Technology
  • Engineering Environment
  • Introductory Engineering Mathematics
  • Introductory Electrical Principles
  • Introductory Digital Electronics
  • Introductory Analogue Electronics
  • Introductory Embedded Systems
  • Engineering Modelling and Analysis
  • Instrumentation and Control
  • Intermediate Digital Electronics and Communications
  • Intermediate Electrical Principles and Enabling Power Electronics
  • Intermediate Embedded Systems
  • Analogue Signal Processing and Communications
  • Major Project
  • Management and Enterprise in Engineering
  • Electrical Machines and Power Electronic Drives
  • Engineering Electromagnetism
  • Digital Signal Processing
  • Integrated Circuit Design
  • Power Systems and Smart Grids
  • Renewable Energies
  • Advanced Embedded Systems
Assessment methods
LevelAssesment method
Level zeroCoursework 100%
Level oneCoursework 73%, Written exams 27%
Level twoCoursework 40%, Written exams 60%
Level threeCoursework 63%, Written exams 37%
Learning activities
LevelLearning activity
Level zeroGuided independent study 58%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 42%
Level oneGuided independent study 66%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 34%
Level twoGuided independent study 78%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22%
Level threeGuided independent study 78%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22%

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.

The academic staff detailed above teach across a range of courses in this subject area and may not teach on this course specifically.

Programme Contacts

Safa Alhakeem
Programme Leader - Engineering Foundation Year

S.Alhakeem@bolton.ac.uk

+44 (0)1204 903833

Felicia Li Chin Ong
Programme Leader - BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering

F.Ong@bolton.ac.uk

+44 (0)1204 903397

Akram Bati
Admissions Tutor and Deputy Programme Leader

A.Bati@bolton.ac.uk

+44 (0)1204 903525

Enquiry Team
University of Bolton

enquiries@bolton.ac.uk

+44 (0)1204 903903

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We have the answers to your questions, find all the advice and support in one place.

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