About this course

This course is full and closed to new applications. Search similar degrees in related courses or by browsing our course finder.

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.

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.

Year in industry

This course is full and closed to new applications. Search similar degrees in related courses or by browsing our course finder.

Enhance your employability by taking this course with a paid industrial studies placement year.

Apply using:

Course name: Electrical Engineering with Industrial Studies
UCAS code: HH62

You'll spend this extra year at one of our partner companies, applying the skills and knowledge you've learned so far.

The fee is 20% of the standard annual tuition fee.

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2022 to 2023. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

ODT

Download 2022-23 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

Academic year filter options

A-levels

A*AA or AAAA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and either physics, electronics or further mathematics (minimum grade A) or A*A*B including mathematics (minimum grade A*) and either physics, electronics or further mathematics (minimum grade A*)

A-levels additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

More information about A-levels

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 either physics, electronics or further mathematics, 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 either physics, electronics or further mathematics. Alternatively, A*AB including grades A*A in mathematics and either physics, electronics or further mathematics

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 38 points overall with 19 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

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

More information about International Baccalaureate Diploma

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 National Extended Certificate plus grades A*A from two A-levels including mathematics and either physics, electronics or further mathematics.
or
D* in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics and either physics, electronics or further mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC National Extended Diploma in Engineering if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC National Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics and either physics, electronics or further mathematics.

RQF BTEC

Additional information

More information about BTEC

QCF BTEC

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades A*A from two A-levels including mathematics and either physics, electronics or further mathematics.
or
D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics and either physics, electronics or further mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics and either physics, electronics or further mathematics

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

A-levels

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and either physics, electronics or further mathematics (minimum grade A)

A-levels additional information

More information about A-levels

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

More information about International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

More information about BTEC

QCF BTEC

Entry requirements filter options

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

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:

producing a design for an electrical system for an offshore platform, for a global technology services company
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 2022-23

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Digital Systems and Microprocessors

To introduce digital system design, the principles of programmable logic devices, the implementation of combinational and sequential circuits, and the principles of hardware design using SystemVerilog, a state-of-the-art hardware description language.

Electrical Materials and Fields

Electronic Circuits

To explain the mathematical techniques needed to analyse linear and simple non-linear electrical and electronic circuits.

Electronic Systems

Mathematics for Electronic and Electrical Engineering

This course lays the mathematical foundation for all engineering degrees. Its structure allows students with different levels of previous knowledge to work at their own pace. One of the pre-requisites for MATH3081 and MATH3082

Mechanics

This module equips students with a comprehensive understanding of how mechanical systems move and deform when subjected to external forces. It first introduces the fundamental laws covering particle dynamics, before progressing to rigid body dynamics in b...

Programming

To introduce the student to the concepts of programming using the C programming language, with an emphasis on programming for embedded systems.

Solid State Devices

To introduce the electronic properties of semiconductors and semiconductor devices

You must study the following modules in year 2:

Applied Electromagnetism

This module introduces and develops the knowledge in fundamental electromagnetics for second year Electrical and Electronic Engineering students. The course presents the basic concepts of electromagnetic theory from a physical and application points of vi...

Control and Communications

To develop knowledge of the analysis of linear continuous-time systems. To introduce the basic analysis and design tools for electronic system control and communications engineering. To provide a comprehensive foundation for Part III/IV signal processing,...

Electrical Machines

- To introduce the students to fundamental concepts and principles of operation of various types of electrical machines. - To equip students with basic experimental and modelling skills for handling problems associated with electrical machines. - To giv...

Engineering Design

Materials

- To develop knowledge for materials at the extreme ends of the conductivity range, i.e. insulators and superconductors. - To develop knowledge of material response to electrical fields, i.e. polarisation and conduction in dielectrics. - To introduce to...

Mathematics for Electronics & Electrical Engineering Part II

The aims of this module are to: - Give students a solid grounding in mathematical methods and ideas in areas relevant to applications in engineering: Fourier series, Fourier transforms, eigenvalues, eigenvectors and eigenfunctions, linear ordinary differ...

Power Circuits and Transmission

Power Electronics and Drives

You must study the following modules in year 3:

Engineering Management and Law

This module will provide students with an introduction to management and law – knowledge and skills which can be applied to the operations of an engineering-based organisation. The learning outcomes address: managerial decisions, commercial aspects of eng...

High Voltage Engineering

Students are not required to have taken ELEC2206 before taking ELEC3211, but it is strongly recommended.

Part III Individual Project

The individual project gives students the opportunity to gain both detailed knowledge and practical experience in a more focussed area than generally possible elsewhere in their degree programme. Most projects are in the nature of a challenging enginee...

Power Systems Technology

- To introduce the students to fundamental concepts relating to the design and management of modern electrical power systems. - To develop amongst the students an awareness of technical problems associated with operation of such systems. - To teach the ...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:

Advanced Partial Differential Equations

Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) occur frequently in many areas of mathematics. This module extends earlier work on PDEs by presenting a variety of more advanced solution techniques together with some of the underlying theory.

Control System Design

Digital Control System Design

The topics considered are: z transforms, sampling and reconstruction, discretisation, elements of realisation theory, controller design via pole placement, observers, optimal control design.

Guidance, Navigation and Control

This module will be first offered in the 2019/20 academic year. This module will provide a basic grounding in navigation guidance and control with particular aspects on the processing of the signals involved and overall system integration.

Integral Transform Methods

Many classes of problems are difficult to solve in their original domain. An integral transform maps the problem from its original domain into a new domain in which solution is easier. The solution is then mapped back to the original domain with the inver...

Operational Research

The module introduces the operational research approach for modelling and solving engineering and management problems.

Optimisation

The module provides an introduction to the theory and practice of optimization techniques. It covers linear programming as well as nonlinear programming. This module is suitable to those who want to apply computational optimization methods to their proble...

Power Systems Engineering

Robotic Systems

Robots are becoming more widely used in society, with applications ranging from agriculture through to manufacturing, with increasing interest in autonomous systems. This module will introduce students to the fundamentals of robotic systems including k...

You must study the following module in year 4:

Group Design Project

This module provides an introduction to intensive group project work in collaboration with an industrial or academic customer. Students work in groups of at least four people on a project typically based on an idea from an industrial partner, or from an a...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 4:

Applied Control Systems

This module will introduce the student to key topics within control and signal processing, developing understanding through a combination of theoretical content and practical application. The theoretical content is focussed in a number of key themes wi...

Bio/Micro/Nano Systems

The aim of this module is to provide an overview of a range of biomolecular, microscale and nanoscale systems and devices, including sensors. The module consists of practical work on three different systems, involving construction and characterisation wit...

Biologically Inspired Robotics

This module lies at the intersection of robotics and biology. Through the abstraction of design principles from biological systems, it is possible to develop a range of core competences, including mechatronic systems, sensor and actuator technologies. By ...

High Voltage Insulation Systems

This module provides a systematic understanding of knowledge and critical awareness of issues related to the management and design of high voltage insulation systems. The course introduces a number of topics related to the design and testing of insulation...

Individual Research Project

The Individual Research Project is a 7.5 ECTS credit masters level module undertaken by independent study that allows students to demonstrate mastery of an advanced aspect of their discipline, including critical evaluation of current research and research...

Medical Electrical and Electronic Technologies

Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip

This module teaches the basics of the behaviour of fluids in microsystems, specifically focussing on the interaction of fundamental physical mechanisms and the design of microfluidic devices. It also reviews and analyses the state of the art in applied mi...

Microsensor Technologies

This module presents a broad overview of microsensor technologies, including the basic principles of measurement systems and the scaling effects arising from system miniaturisation. The practical component, assessed by a Lab Report, involves the design an...

Modelling with Differential Equations

The emphasis of this module is on the methods required to develop mathematical models using differential equations to understand physical problems. The module involves both conventional lectures as well as discussion lectures. The discussion lectures comp...

Nonlinear Control of Aerospace Systems

Modern (and future) aircraft employ a variety of nonlinear techniques to both design control systems and perform analysis of the arising closed-loop. This is due to the fact that aircraft dynamics are fundamentally nonlinear and also, with the widespread ...

Numerical Methods

Often in mathematics, it is possible to prove the existence of a solution to a given problem, but it is not possible to "find it". For example, there are general theorems to prove the existence and uniqueness of an initial value problem for an ordinary di...

Power Distribution: Design, Operation and Protection

This module introduces students to fundamental issues in the design and operation of electricity transmission and distribution networks. There is a particular focus on understanding how to specify equipment, including through the use of power flow modell...

Power Electronics for DC Transmission

The syllabus will be based upon several topics relating to the use of power semiconductors and components in power systems. The course starts with considerations of the individual power electronic devices, before moving on to their use as part of an HVDC ...

Power Generation: Technology and Impact on Society

The module content allows students to 1) Appreciate the role of electric power in the modern world – Size of the industry 2) Understand current power demands and projected increase – Geographic location – Seasonal and daily variations 3)...

Power System Dynamics, Stability and Control

Electric power systems are one of the most important assets of any nation and are responsible for the nation’s assured and non-stop electricity supply. This module provides an overview of the power engineering tools of dynamic modelling, stability analysi...

Power Systems Operation and Economics

- To introduce fundamental concepts relating to the design, analysis, economics and management of modern electrical power systems. - To develop awareness of the technical problems associated with operation of such systems. - To gain analytical and numer...

Wireless Networks

This course is intended to give students an outline of how wireless communication and computer networks work "above the physical layer". This includes the interoperability of wireless networks such as WiMax/GPRS and WiFi to provide WiFi on trains etc. How...

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)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

33%

Scheduled learning & teaching

67%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

coursework, laboratory reports and essays
design and problem-solving exercises
individual and group projects
oral presentations
written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

50%

Written exam

31%

Coursework

19%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

George Callender 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:

professional and managerial roles such as power system engineer
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:

Cobham Technologies
Jaguar Land Rover
London Transport
National Grid
Network Rail
Rolls-Royce
Western Power Distribution

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). 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 £25,000.

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 to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented 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.

Electrical Engineering (MEng)

About this course

Year in industry

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Changes due to COVID-19

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202324

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Irish certificate additional information

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Foundation year for engineering, physics, maths and geophysics

For Academic year 202425

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Irish certificate additional information

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Foundation year for engineering, physics, maths and geophysics

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview

Year 4 overview

Modules

For entry in Academic Year 2022-23

Year 1 modules

Digital Systems and Microprocessors

Electrical Materials and Fields

Electronic Circuits