BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with foundation year
Course Overview
Advances in electrical and electronic engineering underpin the digital revolution that started in the 1950s and continues to the present day. By studying for your BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with foundation year at the University of Bolton, you can prepare for a career in this world-changing industry while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus.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 are encouraged through hands-on projects, live briefs, industrial visits and work placement opportunities. We also aim to help you develop lifelong learning skills so that you can take ownership of your professional development for the future, maximising your potential for success.
You can learn about cutting-edge and emerging technologies, such as Smart Grids, that are transforming global electricity delivery systems. We also emphasise 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
- We are a well-respected, intensive teaching-focused department with a friendly approach and dedicated teaching staff. Our 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 encompassing 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.
- A big part of our commitment to your progress is helping you develop your employability and industry networks. So, we'll encourage you to attend guest lectures that give your learning context, offer industry contact, and contribute to your underlying professional development.
- We'll also encourage you to undertake industrial summer work placements that provide practical experience and valuable networking opportunities.
- In addition to engineering knowledge and expertise, you'll have opportunities to gain experience in teamwork, communication and presentation, problem-solving and time management.
Key Features
- The University of Bolton has a distinguished history in engineering, but we're always looking to the future. We continually monitor and update the course to reflect current and ever-changing engineering issues and keep your learning in line with technological advances and innovations.
- You'll benefit from significant hands-on project work and a high level of laboratory-based teaching.
- With intentionally small class sizes, we can offer you more meaningful and personalised interaction with our dedicated and enthusiastic lecturers. We'll focus on your individual needs and provide personalised support to find the learning strategies that best support your learning and ultimate success.
- 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. Nearby Manchester is one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, and the Northwest of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline, and heritage.
Entry Requirements
- 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.
Career Opportunities
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 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 using specialist knowledge creatively and innovatively to solve problems, producing and interpreting technical solutions, explaining design ideas, effective communication (spoken and written), good teamwork 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?
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 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 as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Possible fields 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
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 intakes until the end of August 2026. We will seek re-accreditation with the IET for start dates from September 2027.
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees: 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.
How to apply
Home Applicants
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
Tel: 0870 1122211
Web: www.ucas.com
International Applicants
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
Partner Organisation Applicants
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
Teaching & Assessment
We use various teaching and learning methods to help you achieve your potential. Formally 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 participating in competitive design and make exercises will offer you the chance to develop your knowledge and practical skills further.
The taught modules are assessed individually, and we award you credits when you successfully complete each module. Regarding 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 your problem-solving skills. You'll also receive feedback on assessment drafts. These will help identify any areas that would benefit from extra attention on your part or where you need additional support from your tutor.
We use a blended learning and teaching style, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate.
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
- Management and Enterprise in Engineering
- Major Project
- Electrical Machines and Power Electronic Drives
- Engineering Electromagnetism
- Digital Signal Processing
- Power Systems and Smart Grids
- Advanced Embedded Systems
- Green Renewable Energy
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | Coursework 50% Written exams 50% |
| Level 1 | Coursework 73% Written exams 27% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 40% Written exams 60% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 63% Written exams 37% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | Guided independent study 58% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 42% |
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 66% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 34% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 78% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 78% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22% |
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.
