Are you passionate about electrical engineering? Do you have a fascination with the transmission of electrical energy? If so then this may be the perfect course for you!

Students will also be expected to study in their own spare time in order to cope with the workload as part of this course. Much of the course content will be assessed through the submission of written and/or practical work, so candidate capable of independent study will be most likely to qualify with strong grades.

However along with a passion for the subject matter, it is also important that students are able to cope with the practical nature of the course. Although students will be expected to attend lectures and understand theory, the majority of the course is predominantly vocational with core modules being taught in a more practical learning environment.

The majority of students who choose electrical engineering as a course of study do so with the intention of becoming an electrical engineer.

Over the course of their qualification, students of electrical engineering will develop a number of technical abilities as well as skills that are transferable to a wide range of careers. Many graduates end up taking on job roles in sectors such as systems development, quality management and sales, as analytic skills are essential in these fields.

As part of the course, students also find that their logical reasoning skills, problem solving abilities and numerical literacy will also be developed making finance, banking and business all viable industries in which to find work upon graduation. Students may also consider taking a post-graduate course in law or teaching and entering these specific fields.

Most engineering courses assess their students through the setting of personal projects as well as expecting their students to become involved in work placement schemes through the University. Most universities will have links with engineering companies and will be able to assist in the finding of placements.

Electrical engineering courses at a reputable establishment often request high grades, with the majority of Universities expecting their applicants to have A-levels or equivalent qualifications in Maths and Science. The degree will last about 3 years(although some programmes extend this to 4 in order to allow students to partake in industry experience) and will build upon your knowledge of maths and science, so your grades will be important; whichever university you decide to attend.

Engineering students are also expected to attend regular lectures and on occasion sit examinations and as such it is important that all students are fluent in English. If English is not your native language, then you will be required to score a minimum of 6.5 on an IELTS test.

There are also a number of postgraduate courses available last from one year to three years. Applicants wishing to study at a post-graduate level should have a 2:1 degree in a related subject.

One of the most important things to consider when applying to university is the state of your finances alongside your academic record. While some universities may be slightly flexible with the grade boundaries, there is very little use wasting an application if your academic transcript is nowhere near relevant to your chosen course of study. It is also important to consider your finances before applying. Are the fees manageable along with the cost of living? If you’re still struggling to secure funding there are a number of options available to you including scholarships and bursaries.  

Another vital thing to consider when you’re deciding where to study is the module options available at each of the universities alongside the expertise of your potential lecturers. Although many of the core degree modules may be similar, the optional modules on offer will differ between academic establishments. Do you already know what you want to specialise in? If this is the case, investigate whether this area of electrical engineering is studied at your potential university of choice.

Irrespective of which course you decide to study, the location of the university itself should also be taken into consideration when deciding where to study. Discovering new cultures and meeting new people is a huge part of student life and it is vital that you make the most of your university experience. Some potential students prefer to study in big cities with large campus universities and some fantastic nightlife whereas others struggle to thrive within this kind of environment. If you are a more introverted individual you may wish to consider studying at a smaller university located just outside of the city centre.  You’re university will become your home, so it is important that it is located in an environment where you will feel comfortable and safe as well as academically challenged.