Electrical Engineering is one of the core disciplines in modern science and technology. It is also an indispensable discipline in today’s high-tech industry. Many students aspire to make it big in Electrical Engineering and are considering studying Electrical Engineering in the UK. So, which UK universities are the best at Electrical Engineering?
University of Cambridge
Department of Engineering
The University of Cambridge has a strong engineering department with a 125-year history. Its Electrical Engineering program has many research groups, including Optics Research, Electronic Devices and Raw Materials Research, Electronics and Energy Conversion Research, and Scientific Imaging.
The Electrical Engineering program in Cambridge is ranked No.1 in the UK by TIMES. However, the extremely high admission criteria for schools and faculties put many people off.
The undergraduate eduction in Electrical Engineering at the University of Cambridge focusing on building a foundation. At this stage, students do not do in-depth research in specific areas. The main courses at the undergraduate level include Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Electrical and Information Sciences, and so on. At the Master’s level, students will dig deeper into different aspects of Electrical Engineering.
Imperial College London
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Oxford’s arts, Cambridge’s science and Imperial’s engineering are the benchmarks of British education. Although Electrical Engineering is not the most prominent of its engineering disciplines, it is still quite strong.
Imperial College London promotes both theory and practice. Joint research projects are offered with companies, so students are more favoured by the job market.
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in Imperial College London offers four-year MEng and three-year BEng degrees.
In the third year, students have the opportunity to undertake a six-month industrial placement. Moreover, students can go to other institutions abroad for exchange study in the fourth year.
In addition to basic research studies, its master’s research specialisations are Analogue and Digital Integrated Circuit Design, Communications and Signal Processing, Control Systems, Future Power Networks, etc.
University of Sheffield
Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering
The University of Sheffield’s Engineering Department has a history of 120 years and is known as the UK’s ‘engineering empire’, with Electronic and Electrical Engineering being the University’s flagship specialism.
The University is a leading university in Electronic and Electrical Engineering and is supported in its research activities by specialised grants from the European and UK industry. The department also has partnerships and exchange programmes with many internationally renowned universities. Many of the companies with which the department works are industry leaders, such as Rolls-Royce, NASA and Boeing.
The first two years of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme at the University are spent learning the basics of the subject. At the end of the second year, students can choose between a three-year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) programme or a four-year Master of Engineering (MEng) in a specialised niche direction. Unsurprisingly, the school also has one-year internships or exchanges to other institutions. Research specialisations include Communications, Electrical Machines & Drives, Semiconductor Materials & Devices, Autonomous Systems & Robotics, Complex Systems & Signal Processing, Intelligent Systems, Decision & Control.
University of Southampton
School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS)
The School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) at the University of Southampton is one of the top schools of electronics and computing in the UK.
Among them, Electrical Engineering related programmes are outstanding. University of Southampton is a pioneer in fibre optics, with its world-class Optoelectronics Research Centre. There is also a good level of Microelectronics System Design in Southampton.
In addition to the UK campus, the University of Southampton’s Electrical Engineering is also taught at the Malaysia campus.
Both BEng and MEng have one year of foundation study. You can study in Malaysia for two years and then transfer to the UK to explore the programme and experience the different living cultures of the two countries.
Its MSc research interests include Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, Energy & Sustainability with Electrical Power Engineering, Systems, Control and Signal Processing, Bio-devices Bio-components and Bio-engineering. The research interests include: Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, Energy & Sustainability with Electrical Power Engineering, Systems, Control and Signal Processing, Bio-devices, Nano-electronics and Nanotechnology, Wireless Communication, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the UK hosts an impressive array of universities renowned for their strength in Electrical Engineering. These institutions, steeped in rich academic tradition, offer programmes meticulously crafted to foster innovators and thought leaders.
As a student in these universities, one is not only embarking on a journey of acquiring a world-class education but also shaping a vision for the future of Electrical Engineering.
Electrical Engineering in the above institutions is ranked top in the UK, so the entrance requirements are relatively strict. For international students, most of them need an IELTS score of 7 or above, and their average score usually needs to be 85 or above.
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FAQ
Since Electrical Engineering involves a wide range of specialisations, such as Physics, Computing, Communications, etc., its career paths are also very broad according to the subdivided studies in different directions. Overall, Electrical Engineering is a very employable subject. This major often has a job placement rate that leaves other majors in the dust. Upon graduation, students can pursue careers in the more traditional electric utility companies, power research institutes, and engineering bureaus, as well as in the newer telecommunication and communications companies, electronics research and development companies, the Internet, or the electrical and power consulting industry.
What character qualities define electrical engineers? Typically, electrical engineers embody an exploratory and pragmatic nature. They are usually individuals driven by inquiry and curiosity, often preferring solace for intellectual pondering. Moreover, their realistic perspective contributes to their enjoyment of outdoor work or hands-on tasks. Their personality traits are harmoniously aligned with the challenging and dynamic nature of their profession.
Choosing the right company in the electrical engineering sector is a vital step in your professional journey. It can fuel your development and pave the way towards a flourishing career. It’s our sincere hope that our carefully curated list of leading electrical engineering companies assists you in securing an ideal position that aligns with your aspirations.