Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng (Hons)

Course code H601

What is special about this course?

Electrical and electronic engineering is a rapidly growing field, with expanding opportunities in practically every product from electrical super-grids to nanoscale bio-electronics. This course, which is highly industry relevant, will prepare you for a rewarding career in a vast majority of industries, from offshore oil to the National Health Service.

The degree is applications-based, using specialist software, laboratory investigations, and case studies. It will provide you with the specialist knowledge and broad engineering skills required to find innovative solutions to multiple challenges, ranging from solving the global energy crisis to designing life-saving equipment.

Special features

  • You will undertake major industry-related projects to showcase your expertise in solving engineering problems: previous students have completed projects such as the design of a remote percolation tester for the construction industry, specification of a new high voltage AC heating system for an oil rig, design of a prosthetic finger for a hospital, automatic test equipment for a subsea camera, and instrumentation design for a gin distillery
  • You will use applications-based software to solve challenges
  • You will develop relevant key employability skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, workshop and communication skills
  • You can study full time or part time to suit your personal and professional circumstances
  • You can exit at each level with a valuable qualification

Entry requirements

Year 1 of this course is a relevant HNC, such as HNC Engineering (Systems pathway), HNC Electrical Engineering or HNC Electronic Engineering, with a pass in Engineering Mathematics 2

 Advanced entry to year two:

  • Successful completion of a relevant 15 SQA credit HNC (such as the HNC Engineering (Systems pathway), HNC Electrical Engineering or HNC Electronic Engineering) with a pass in Engineering Mathematics 2. To make an application please use the 'Apply' tab and indicate year two entry on your application

 Advanced entry to year three:

  • Successful completion of a relevant HND (such as the HND Engineering Systems, or HND Electronic Engineering) may allow advanced entry to year three. To make an application please use the 'Apply' tab and indicate year three entry on your application

Advanced entry to year four:

Year 1 - HNC

Year 1 of this course is a relevant HNC, with a pass in Engineering Mathematics 2, such as:

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study one of the following core modules:

  • Design and engineering skills 2 (SC)
  • Engineering skills 2 (SC)

You will also study the following:

  • Core maths 2 (S1)
  • Electrical 2 (S2)
  • Engineering business skills 2 (SC)
  • Statics and dynamics 2 (S1)
  • Thermodynamics and fluids 2 (S2)

Year 3 - BEng

You will study one of the following core modules:

  • Engineering project 3 (SC)
  • Project and management 1 (SC)

You will also study the following:

  • Control and instrumentation 3 (S2)
  • Electrical 3 (S1)
  • Electronics 3 (S1)
  • Microcontrollers and digital processors (S2)

and choose one from the following:

  • Assessment of the environmental impact of development
  • Conventional energy systems
  • Materials and manufacturing
  • Renewable energy generation

Year 4 - BEng (Hons)

You will study the following core modules:

  • Design for quality and reliability (S1)
  • Engineering project 4 (SC)
  • Electrical 4 (S2)
  • Electronics 4 (S1)

You will also choose one from the following:

  • Future energy systems (S1)
  • Statics and dynamics 4 (S1)*
  • Thermodynamics and fluids 4 (S2)*
  • Wind energy (S2)

*available to those who have already achieved level 3 in the same subject

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • This programme will be delivered through a unique blend of learning and teaching. A variety of media will be used to give an enriched and varied student experience, such as short video learning clips available to be played on computers and mobile devices at a time that suits you. These can be replayed as many times as needed. You will also access specialist staff learning sessions, using integrated e-learning software similar to Skype, and will have local staff face-to-face learning sessions for remedial, tutorial, practical and lab work

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 4 years (HNC + DipHE + BEng + BEng (Hons))
  • Part-time (structured): 8 years (HNC + DipHE + BEng + BEng (Hons))

Where can I study my course?

  • Inverness
  • Moray
  • North, West and Hebrides - Stornoway; Thurso
  • Perth

Start date

  • September
  • January - North, West and Hebrides only

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Year Level 2023-24 Full-time 2023-24 Part-time 2024-25 Full-time 2024-25 Part-time
Year 1 HNC £1,285 £86 (per HN credit) £1,285 £86 (per HN credit)
Year 2 DipHE £1,820 £305 (per 20 credit module) £1,820 £305 (per 20 credit module)
Year 3 Degree £1,820 £305 (per 20 credit module) £1,820 £305 (per 20 credit module)
Year 4 Honours £1,820 £305 (per 20 credit module) £1,820 £305 (per 20 credit module)

Rest of UK students

For students living in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Year Level 2023-24 Full-time 2023-24 Part-time 2024-25 Full-time 2024-25 Part-time
Year 1 HNC £7,110 £474 (per HN credit) £7,110 £474 (per HN credit)
Year 2 DipHE £9,250 £1,542 (per 20 credit module) £9,250 £1,542 (per 20 credit module)
Year 3 Degree £9,250 £1,542 (per 20 credit module) £9,250 £1,542 (per 20 credit module)
Year 4 Honours free £1,542 (per 20 credit module) free £1,542 (per 20 credit module)

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship for 2nd and 3rd year, with the 4th year of study free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Year Level 2023-24 Full-time With scholarship 2024-25 Full-time With scholarship
Year 1 HNC £7,980 £7,980 £8,775 £8,775
Year 2 DipHE £15,360 £11,360 £15,996 £11,996
Year 3 Degree £15,360 £11,360 £15,996 £11,996
Year 4 Honours £15,360 Free £15,996 Free

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Year Level 2023-24 Full-time 2023-24 Part-time 2024-25 Full-time 2024-25 Part-time
Year 1 HNC £7,980 £532 (per HN credit) £8,775 £585 (per HN credit)
Year 2 DipHE £15,360 £2,560 (per 20 credit module) £15,996 £2,666 (per 20 credit module)
Year 3 Degree £15,360 £2,560 (per 20 credit module) £15,996 £2,666 (per 20 credit module)
Year 4 Honours £15,360 £2,560 (per 20 credit module) £15,996 £2,666 (per 20 credit module)

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK. Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award, including where students are following a recognised ‘top-up’ degree structure where the first year is made up of an HNC award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed your BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, you will be ready to compete effectively for jobs as an engineer in a range of industries, including:

  • Systems engineering – renewable energy sector
  • Electrical engineering – power production, distribution and utilisation companies
  • Process control engineering - medium and large scale industry
  • Electronics engineering – medical, commercial and aerospace electronics
  • Electrical or electronics engineering – rail and automotive industries
  • Project management – electrical, electronics or renewable energy
  • Instrument engineer – all of the above

Can I progress into further study?

Upon successful completion of the BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduates can progress onto the following courses:

Is there more information available online?

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I've continued to work hard in my role as an Electrical Engineer with NHS Highland and have used many of the skills I learned during my studies. Having gained the honours degree, I now hope to work towards attaining a professional qualification such as Incorporated Engineer and then concentrate on progressing my career further. The advice I would give would be to work hard and it will all pay off. 

Kevin Richard graduated with a BEng (Hons) Electrical and Energy Engineering from our UHI North Highland campus in 2018.

I have a lot to thank the University of the Highlands and Islands for having first started my engineering journey here completing a college link engineering course when still at school. This ultimately gave me experience to help gain an apprenticeship and study for my National Certificate all the way through to now graduating with a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Liam Elder, graduated from our BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering at UHI North Highland. 

Apply for Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng (Hons)

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2024 or Jan/Feb 2025

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.