Engineering Work Experience
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Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Renewable Energy, MEng
Introduction
Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) is fundamental to modern society, encompassing everything from advanced computer systems and digital circuits to photonics and cutting-edge technologies like automated cars, robotics, medical equipment, and the next generation of mobile data transmission.
This 5-year MEng degree puts electrical and electronic engineering into the context of Renewable Energy Engineering and is ideally suited to somebody who wishes to focus their electrical and electronic skills on this particular growing industry.
Join us on 20 November 2024 to meet the staff and students to find out more about Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree programmes.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MEng
- Duration
- 60 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- UCAS Code
- H6H6
The University of Aberdeen has a proven track record of preparing graduates for the Energy sector. Consequently, we have recruited specialist staff in our engineering school and attracted highly-regarded industrial experts from the energy industry who contribute to the relevant taught modules. After laying a strong foundation of basic and advanced electrical and electronic engineering concepts in the first four years (similar structure to the straight MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering), the programme offers students to enhance their knowledge specifically in aspects related to renewable energy.
The programme prepares the students to take up exciting careers designing long-distance high-voltage transmission lines, biofuel plants, geothermal and tidal wave extractors or large solar farms.
One of the main features of the programme is its focus on all renewable energy sources; solar & geothermal, wind, marine, hydro power and biomass fuel. Many renewable related degree programmes focus solely on one area of the sector but we intentionally provide an overview of them all so you have the best opportunity of gaining a successful career upon graduation.
What You'll Study
The first two years cover general Engineering, with elements of Chemical, Mechanical, Petroleum and Electrical/Electronics, as well as Civil. In the later years you specialise, following your chosen discipline in greater depth. You do not need to finalise your choice of specialisation until you begin third year.
It is possible to move between MEng and BEng and this can be accomplished at any point until the second half session of fourth year. Successful BEng candidates will be offered the chance to change to the MEng and there is no quota, meaning that if grade requirements are met that transfer is guaranteed.
- Year 1
-
Compulsory Courses
- Principles of Electronics (EG1008)
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15 Credit Points
The aim of the course is to introduce basic concepts of electrical & electronics within a context of general engineering. The topics covered are kept at an elementary level with the aim of providing the foundational material for subsequent courses at levels 1 and 2. The course adopts the philosophy of application oriented teaching. During each topic the students will be provided with examples of day-to-day devices. Topics covered include dc circuit analysis, electronic amplifiers, digital circuits, optoelectronics, and ac theory.
- CAD and Communication in Engineering Practice (EG1010)
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15 Credit Points
The course is designed to introduce the students to different methods of communication in the process of interchanging ideas and information. Oral presentation and writing of technical reports are introduced. The importing data from web-based and library-based sources will be integrated through information retrieval and investigative skills training. Professional ethics are covered on plagiarism, copyright and intellectual property. Engineering drawing skills and knowledge of relevant British and International Standards will be developed through intensive training in the use of computer aided design and modelling package, SolidWorks. Standard drawing formats including 3D depiction of stand alone parts and assemblies are covered.
- Fundamentals of Engineering Materials (EG1012)
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15 Credit Points
Engineering design depends on materials being shaped, finished and joined together. Design requirements define the performance required of the materials. What do engineers need to know about materials to choose and use them successfully? They need a perspective of the world of materials. They need understanding of material properties. They need methods and tools to select the right material for the job. This course will help you develop knowledge and skills required for the successful selection and use of engineering materials.
- Electronics Design (EE1501)
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15 Credit Points
This course provides an introduction to the design and analysis techniques used within electronic engineering, and to the major active components (diodes and transistors). The course opens with a description of charges, the forces between charges and the concept of electric fields. The second part of the course deals with semiconductor devices, opening with fundamental properties of doped semiconductors.
- Engineering Mathematics 1 (EG1504)
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15 Credit Points
The course presents fundamental mathematical ideas useful in the study of Engineering. A major focus of the course is on differential and integral calculus. Applications to Engineering problems involving rates of change and averaging processes are emphasized. Complex numbers are introduced and developed. The course provides the necessary mathematical background for other engineering courses in level 2.
- Fundamental Engineering Mechanics (EG1510)
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15 Credit Points
Engineering Mechanics is concerned with the state of rest or motion of objects subject to the action of forces. The topic is divided into two parts: STATICS which considers the equilibrium of objects which are either at rest or move at a constant velocity, and DYNAMICS which deals with the motion and associated forces of accelerating bodies. The former is particularly applied to beams and truss structures. The latter includes a range of applications, such as car suspension systems, motion of a racing car, missiles, vibration isolation systems, and so on.
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
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This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students (and articulating students who are in their first year at the University), is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
Optional Courses
Select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice.
- Year 2
-
Compulsory Courses
- Fluid Mechanics & Thermodynamics (EG2004)
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15 Credit Points
The fluid mechanics section of the course begins with the material properties of fluids. This is followed by studying fluid statics and principles of fluid motion. Bernoulli’s equation is used to explain the relationship between pressure and velocity. The final fluids section introduces the students to incompressible flow in pipelines.
The thermodynamics section presents: the gas laws, including Van Der Waals’ equation; the first law of thermodynamics with work done, heat supply, and the definitions of internal energy and enthalpy. The second law is introduced including entropy through the Carnot cycle.
- Process Engineering (EG2011)
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15 Credit Points
A general engineering course that provides insight into the two main conservation principles, mass and energy. Processes are usually described through block diagrams. This language, common to many disciplines in engineering, helps the engineer to look at their processes with an analytical view. Degree of freedom analysis is addressed, emphasising its importance to solve a set of linear equations that model fundamental balances of mass. Practical examples of Energy balances are displayed, bringing Thermodynamics to a practical level. Heat Transfer is introduced. Process control is introduced, explaining basic control techniques and concepts, i.e sensors, feedback, control loops and PID controllers.
- Engineering Mathematics 2 (EG2012)
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15 Credit Points
This course follows Engineering Mathematics 1 in introducing all the mathematical objects and techniques needed by engineers. It has three parts:
- Matrices: definitions, operations, inverse and determinant; application to systems of linear equations.
- Ordinary differential equations: 1st order (linear and separable), 2nd order with constant coefficients, forced oscillations and resonance.
- Functions of two variables: partial derivatives and extrema, the chain rule, the heat equation and the wave equation.
- Electronic Systems (EE2504)
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15 Credit Points
Electronics systems are discussed from basic concepts of digital logic to highlights of embedded microcontrollers. The journey begins with the elementary building blocks of Boolean algebra (logic gates and flip-flops) that are used to design combinatorial/sequential logic circuits, e.g. implementing a simple calculator or a temperature control circuit. The design of complex system is addressed introducing embedded microcontrollers, discussing their core components (e.g. timers, memory) and required programming operations.
Hands-on lab sessions (and relative assignments) include software-based simulations and hardware implementation of systems that allow students to test and deepen their understanding of the subject.
- Design & Computing in Engineering Practice (EG2501)
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15 Credit Points
A general engineering course that provides an insight into the principles of engineering design process, computer programming in MATLAB and its application in parametric study and basic design optimisation, environmental ethics and sustainability in the context of design, and Computer Aided Design (CAD) using Solidworks. The course also includes hands-on exercises on the manufacture of simple parts using a variety of machine tools and joining processes.
- Electrical and Mechanical Systems (EG2503)
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15 Credit Points
This course provides students with an integrated development of methods for modelling, analysing and designing systems comprising electrical and mechanical components. In doing so it intends to emphasise to the students the similarity in behaviour between electrical and mechanical systems. The course aims to give an introduction to both electrical machines, circuit and systems, transformers, and similar mechanical systems like gearbox, vibrating system and principles of dynamics, and thus provide the foundation material for several courses at level 3 .
Optional Courses
Select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice.
- Year 3
-
Compulsory Courses
- Control Systems (EE3043)
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15 Credit Points
The aim of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding and concepts of control systems. The course starts by introducing basic concepts of feedback control systems using a number of practical examples. Mathematical modelling of physical systems and representing them in block diagrams with transfer functions are presented. Basic control system response characteristics (stability, transient response, steady state response) and analysis and design procedures are introduced using first and second order systems. Analysis of control systems using Routh-Hurwitz criterion, root locus, and Bode plot methods are considered.
- Signals, Systems & Signal Processing (EE3053)
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15 Credit Points
How can the dynamic behaviour of a mechanical mass-spring-damper system be similar to an electrical resistance-capacitance-inductance circuit? Motivated by this question, this course introduces the signals – systems framework that helps in describing the dynamic behaviour of systems for a variety of inputs (signals). Useful analysis tools both in the frequency- and the time-domain are also introduced. In the later part of the course, these concepts will be used to understand basic signal processing in the form of both analogue and digital filter design.
- C / C++ Programming (EE3093)
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15 Credit Points
C programming is presented with an introduction to methods for the design of well-structured and maintainable computer programs. The course begins by introducing the syntax and semantics of the C programming language. This includes the use of structures and of pointers with a view to a later introduction to the C++ language. Techniques for producing easily maintained and modifiable code are emphasised. An introduction to elementary data structures (lists, stacks and queues) is included. Practical activity includes the use of basic software development tools (debugging techniques, version control). The course concludes with an introduction to the C++ programming language.
- Engineering Analysis and Methods 1a (EG3007)
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15 Credit Points
Modern engineering analysis relies on a wide range of analytical mathematical methods and computational techniques in order to solve a wide range of problems. The aim of this course is to equip students with the necessary skills to quantitatively investigate engineering problems. Examples applying the methods taught to practical situations from across the full range of engineering disciplines will feature heavily in the course.
- Electrical Power Engineering (EE3557)
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15 Credit Points
The course studies the systems for the generation, transmission and use of electrical energy. The per-unit notation system is introduced. Basic approaches in the three phase AC systems analysis are introduced. Three-phase induction and synchronous machines are studied, and a simple equivalent circuit for the machine is derived and used to explore the operating limitations of each type of the machine. Modern power conversion methods are discussed for conversion between AC and DC. This discussion includes power electronic switches and the basic topology of rectifiers, DC-DC converters and inverters. The advantages of switching conversion techniques over traditional circuits are highlighted.
- Communications Engineering 1 (EE3576)
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10 Credit Points
A short course teaching fundamentals of digital communications engineering. The course focuses on remote control of equipment. It starts with asynchronous data, and use with a GPS device (to identify location and time), then studies the Digital Multiplex (DMX) control bus (a standard in the live entertainment industry) followed by the bi-directional Remote Device Management (RDM) protocol. It concludes with the synchronous the Controller Area Network (CAN) for industrial/transport applications.
Teaching will be supported by demonstrations of equipment and practical laboratory exercises. Accessible to students of computer science and electrical/electronic engineering.
- Electrical & Electronics Engineering Design (EE3579)
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10 Credit Points
This course provides design, analysis and control of digital systems (hardware/Software) through practical implementation. This course involves three practical design projects. Each project relates with practical applications encounters in our daily life. The course begins with a discussion of different sensors commonly employed by the industry. The hardware aspects are explained with specific reference to the task of interfacing sensors to a microcontroller; the operation and programming of integrated systems is implemented using C++ code. The elements of writing well-structured software are introduced. Sustainability, environmental issue and ethics considerations are studied for embedded system design.
- Digital Systems (EE3580)
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15 Credit Points
Digital systems design principles;HW implementation of Combinational logic;Clocked sequential systems and Finite State Machines;Design, implementation and testing of a synchronous system;Applications of Digital Systems in communications and robotics.
- Project and Safety Management (EG3599)
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10 Credit Points
To course aims to provide students with an awareness of purpose, principals, fundamental concepts and strategies of safety and project management.
- Year 4
-
Compulsory Courses
- MEng Individual Project (EG4013)
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45 Credit Points
To provide the student with the opportunity of pursuing a substantial and realistic research project in the practice of engineering at or near a professional level, and to further enhance the student's critical and communication skills. The project will usually be carried out at the University of Aberdeen but may be carried out at industry or other research location.
- Sensing and Instrumentation (EE4017)
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10 Credit Points
The course introduces sensing and instrumentation for various engineering applications. Major part of the course will consider case studies of sensing and instrumentation for various engineering applications and is suitable for all engineering and non-engineering students to learn about sensing and instrumentation.
- Electrical Machines and Drives (EE40FE)
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10 Credit Points
This course examines the performance and control of electrical machines and drives. Transient performance of various electrical machines (induction, synchronous and DC) is discussed using two-axis-machine theory. Steady state performance is also considered. Simulation techniques are used as appropriate in studying both transient and steady state performance of the electrical machines and drives. Medium and high-performance AC drives are considered, including V/f and vector control drives. Modern AC machine control in rotating DQ co-ordinate frame is studied in some detail. DC machine drives (thyristor-controlled and transistor-controlled drives) are discussed and analysed.
- Computer and Software Engineering (EE40GA)
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10 Credit Points
Course studies the interplay between computer architecture and software design, with the aim to devise efficient systems for a broad range of applications. Processor architecture features (pipeline and cache) are discussed in parallel with the software techniques (for high-level programming or compilation) required to fully exploit the potential of modern hardware.
Hands-on activities include design and execution of small software projects. Alternative software implementations of a target algorithm are compared to understand differences in performance (e.g. execution speed) resulting from the different interactions with the hardware architecture. This allows students to test and deepen their understanding of the subject.
- Communications Engineering 2 (EE4546)
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15 Credit Points
This course explores the techniques for packet data communication using Internet technologies. It starts by understanding Ethernet local network standards and how this developed from a cable bus to a switched high-speed network. It then proceeds to describe the operation of the network and transport layers, using examples from Internet Engineering to explain how a packet switched network can provide services that can be used by applications. The course is accessible to students of computer science and electronic engineering.
Optional Courses
Select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice.
- Year 5
-
Compulsory Courses
- Advanced Control Engineering (EE501T)
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15 Credit Points
This is the second course in control engineering which looks at the state-space representation of systems as well as state-space based control design techniques. The course also introduces basic concepts in System Identification and Nonlinear Control. Traditional continuous-time as well as sampled-data (digital) systems are covered.
- Geothermal and Hydro Energy (EG503A)
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15 Credit Points
Aims
To provide an understanding of the physical principles, technologies and systems associated with renewable energy generation from geothermal and hydro sources. To provide an understanding of the position of these sources of energy in the current and future global energy requirements and the technical challenges in meeting the future energy demand.
- Energy from Biomass (EG50M1)
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15 Credit Points
This course describes in detail the technologies used to convert biomass into energy. The course covers combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, bioethanol and biodiesel.
- The Engineer in Society (EG501W)
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15 Credit Points
Students will examine the societal grand challenges of water, food, medicine and energy (electricity and heat) to thread together the themes of environment, sustainability and ethics.
The course also aims to provide graduates with a versatile framework for evaluating and developing business models which should prove invaluable for both potential entrepreneurs and future senior executives.
- Renewable Energy Integration to Grid (EG551K)
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15 Credit Points
This course studies the challenges and solutions of integration of Electrical Energy generated from non-conventional Renewable Energy sources to the grid.
- Marine and Wind Energy (EG552U)
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15 Credit Points
Aims
To provide an understanding of the physical principles, technologies and systems associated with renewable energy generation from wind and marine sources. To provide an understanding of the position of these sources of energy in the current and future global energy requirements and the technical challenges in meeting the future energy demand.
- MEng Group Design (EG5565)
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30 Credit Points
Real-life contemporary engineering projects and challenges invariably require inputs from, and collaboration amongst, multiple disciplines. Furthermore, legal and economic aspects, as well as safety, team work and project management must also be successfully navigated through. This course enables students to immerse themselves in a realistic, multidisciplinary, multifaceted and complex team design project that will draw on their previous specialist learning and also enable gaining and practicing new skills of direct relevance to their professional career.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
- practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course; and
- written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Renewable Energy?
Why Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- We rely on electrical and electronic engineers for almost everything we do – from small electrical devices to high-voltage electrical power generation systems.
- Electrical and electronic engineering is at the cutting edge of technology innovation, in areas including driverless vehicles, automation, robotics, medical equipment and the next generation of mobile data transmission.
- Our EEE degree programmes are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
- The University of Aberdeen's student-run EEE Society hosts regular events, including a Robotics League competition, incorporating CAD and programming skills, as well as regular social events.
- Our teaching is supported by our excellent workshop and laboratories dedicated to satellite communications, robotics, lasers and computer-aided design, as well as many others.
- Our interdisciplinary approach means students gain experience in each engineering discipline, making them highly sought-after by employers. This flexibility also means you choose your specialisation once you have experienced all five disciplines.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.
View the Aberdeen Global ScholarshipEntry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
General Entry Requirements
- 2024 Entry
-
SQA Highers
Standard: AABB (Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science required*)
Applicants who achieve the Standard entry requirements over S4 and S5 will be made either an unconditional or conditional offer of admission.A Levels
Standard: ABB (AB required in Mathematics, plus at least one from Physics, Design & Technology, Engineering or Chemistry). Applicants who are predicted to achieve the Standard entry requirements are encouraged to apply and may be made a conditional offer of admission.International Baccalaureate:
Minimum of 34 points including Mathematics and Physics at HL (6 or above)
Irish Leaving Certificate:
Five subjects at Higher, with 4 at H2 and 1 at H3. H2 or above in Mathematics and H3 or above in Physics required.
* FOR CHEMICAL OR PETROLEUM ENGINEERING: Please note: For entry to Chemical or Petroleum Engineering an SQA Higher or GCE A Level or equivalent qualification in Chemistry is required for entry to year 1, in addition to the general Engineering requirements.
- 2025 Entry
-
SQA Highers
Standard: AABB (Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science required*)
Applicants who achieve the Standard entry requirements over S4 and S5 will be made either an unconditional or conditional offer of admission.A Levels
Standard: ABB (AB required in Mathematics, plus at least one from Physics, Design & Technology, Engineering or Chemistry). Applicants who are predicted to achieve the Standard entry requirements are encouraged to apply and may be made a conditional offer of admission.International Baccalaureate:
Minimum of 34 points including Mathematics and Physics at HL (6 or above)
Irish Leaving Certificate:
Five subjects at Higher, with 4 at H2 and 1 at H3. H2 or above in Mathematics and H3 or above in Physics required.
* FOR CHEMICAL OR PETROLEUM ENGINEERING: Please note: For entry to Chemical or Petroleum Engineering an SQA Higher or GCE A Level or equivalent qualification in Chemistry is required for entry to year 1, in addition to the general Engineering requirements.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Engineering degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| RUK | £9,250 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| EU / International students | £24,800 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| Home Students | £1,820 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year |
Additional Fees
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships and Funding
UK Scholarship
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
Electrical and electronic engineering careers span many different roles and industry sectors, including power stations, offshore wind farms, computer components, specialised computers for industrial tasks, internet engineering, the design of instrumentation and much more.
Recent graduate job roles have included:
- ROV Project Manager
- Subsea Controls Engineer
- Automation Control Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Telecoms Software Engineer
- Engineering Project Coordinator
Recent graduates work at companies such as:
- Cisco Systems
- Huawei
- SMT
- Lufthansa
- Railways Network
Accreditation
Our Electrical and Electronic Engineering degrees are accredited by the Engineering Council and are your first step towards achieving Chartered Engineer status with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
This degree holds accreditation from
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Features
Student Societies
The University is home to a broad range of student societies including professional teams, extra-curricular and subject-focused organisations and purely recreational groups based on a shared interest.
Find out more
Renewable Energy Field Trips
Annual field trips are arranged to visit a number of different renewable energy companies. One company that supports the degree is Mackies, the ice-cream and crisps manufacturer who currently have the largest solar panel setup in Scotland.
TAU Formula Racing
TAU (Team Aberdeen University) Racing is a student-run Formula Student team that competes annually at Silverstone. It is made up of students from a variety of disciplines and helps develop excellent and highly-relevant career skills.
Discover Uni
Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX