About this course
Radical changes in how we produce and use electricity, such as the growth of wind and solar energy and the electrification of transport, pose new challenges for electrical engineers. With this master's in electrical engineering, you can contribute to the development of a smarter, greener and more secure electric power grid. This accredited degree will give you access to professional registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Electrical engineering is about electricity on a large scale – how it is generated, controlled and distributed for use in industry and homes.
The master's degree in electrical engineering follows the same curriculum as the 3-year BEng, with an additional year that allows you to broaden your knowledge and cover topics at a more advanced level.
You’ll be able to study specialist areas, such as high-voltage insulation systems, medical electrical technologies and the societal aspects of power generation.
The course balances theory and practical work and most modules include lab-based or design projects. You’ll also have the opportunity to use our high-voltage laboratory, which is a centre for cutting-edge electrical power research and one of the few labs of its kind in the UK.
You can take this course with an additional year-long, paid placement. Apply with UCAS code HH62 for the Industrial Studies option.
We are a partner of the Institution of Engineering and Technology Power Academy, which gives you the chance to apply for a company-led scholarship that provides financial support, paid summer work placements and industry mentors.
This MEng Electrical Engineering degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
For Academic year 202021
A-levels
A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and an additional required subject (minimum grade A)
or
A*A*B including mathematics (minimum grade A*) and an additional required subject (minimum grade A*)
or
AAAA including mathematics and an additional required subject
A-levels additional information
Required A-level subjects include mathematics and either physics, further mathematics or electronics. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. A pass in the physics Practical is required where applicable.
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
AAA including mathematics and an additional required subject, plus grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
AAA including mathematics and an additional required subject _x000D_
or_x000D_
A*AB including grades A*A in mathematics and an additional required subject (in any order)_x000D_
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 38 points overall with 18 points required at Higher Level including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation, and 6 at Higher Level in Physics
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
Required Higher Level subjects include mathematics and physics
International Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades A*A in A-level mathematics and an additional required A-level subject
or
D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-level mathematics and an additional required A-level subject
We do not accept the BTEC Diploma without additional A Levels
We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without additional A Levels
Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.
BTEC additional information
Required A-level subjects include mathematics and either physics, further mathematics or electronics. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. ‘Use of mathematics’ A level is not a substitute for ‘mathematics’ A level. A pass in the physics Practical is required where applicable.
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
COVID-19: we've made some changes to the structure of the course for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
Year 1 and 2 modules are similar across our electronic and electrical engineering degrees and provide a grounding in essential topics.
In years 3 and 4 you’ll have the freedom to customise your course by choosing optional modules. There’s also the opportunity to broaden your studies beyond electrical engineering.
Most modules include lab-based or design projects. In each year, you'll be involved in design and build projects, developing confidence and the skills to deliver working prototypes.
Year 1 overview
You’ll study core electrical engineering topics, such as electronic circuits, mechanics and electrical materials and fields.
You’ll also learn about related aspects of electronics and gain the programming and mathematical skills that will underpin your studies.
Year 2 overview
You’ll deepen your understanding of electrical engineering by studying topics such as, power electronics and drives, applied electromagnetics and power circuits and transmission.
You’ll also develop your engineering design, project management and communication skills, by carrying out a group design project to design and build a range of circuits.
Year 3 overview
You’ll enhance your professional skills through team project work and by taking an industry-specific module on essentials such as law, budgeting and project management.
Optional modules allow you to follow your interests – you could study power systems engineering in more depth or explore other topics such as robotics or bionanotechnology.
You could also study a language, take modules from other disciplines such as management or law, or choose from a range of innovative interdisciplinary modules.
Year 4 overview
The group-design project is a great opportunity to put your skills into practice and experience working for an industry or academic customer. Past projects have involved:
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producing a design for an electrical system for an offshore platform, for a global technology services company
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designing an external battery to power an integrated secondary flight display, for a specialist avionics company
There’s also the chance to study abroad for a semester.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Course time
How you'll spend your course time:
Year 1
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:
How we'll assess you
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
Academic support
You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
Course leader
Thomas Andritsch is the course leader.
Careers
This course is currently accredited as fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Most of our graduates go straight into electrical engineering jobs in major energy companies or in industry sectors such as manufacturing, construction and transport. You’ll be prepared for:
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professional and managerial roles such as power system engineer
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consultancy and design roles
This degree is also a solid foundation for further study at PhD level.
We also encourage a culture of enterprise and have a track record of spin-out company success. One example is Wolfson Electrostatics, which has become a leading centre of expertise in the control of electrical and electrostatic hazards in industry. Through our on-campus start-up incubator, Future Worlds, we also offer support for students who are keen to commercialise a technological innovation.
Our Electronics and Computer Science graduates have secured roles at:
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Cobham Technologies
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Jaguar Land Rover
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London Transport
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National Grid
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Network Rail
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Rolls-Royce
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Western Power Distribution
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Work in industry
You’ll have the opportunity to take a year-long paid placement in an engineering organisation to give you a headstart when you qualify as a Chartered Engineer.
During your placement, you can apply the knowledge and skills you’ve developed during your degree, and gain vital professional engineering experience.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £22,760.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
When you apply use:
- UCAS course code: H601
- UCAS institution code: S27
What happens after you apply?
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
