Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Electrical and electronic engineering is the discipline that designs and builds the systems through which electrical energy is generated, distributed, and converted into other useful forms, and through which electronic signals are processed to carry information, control machines, and power computing. It is a foundational engineering discipline that underpins power systems, telecommunications, computing hardware, control systems, robotics, and the rapidly growing field of power electronics enabling electric vehicles and renewable energy integration. Few disciplines have done more to shape the physical infrastructure of modern society, and few offer more varied and consequential technical challenges for the future.
At the University of Brighton, this four-year programme includes an integrated foundation year that provides the scientific and mathematical grounding needed to enter the engineering curriculum, making the degree accessible to students who may not have the traditional qualifications for direct entry, and a sandwich year with work placement that gives you professional experience in an engineering environment before completing your studies. The foundation year ensures that all students can engage confidently with the technical content of the main programme, which covers circuit analysis, electromagnetism, digital electronics, control systems, signal processing, power systems, and software tools for engineering design.
Electrical and electronic engineers are employed across a remarkable range of sectors. Power generation and distribution, including renewables and smart grid development, requires engineers with expertise in power systems and electronics. Telecommunications needs specialists in signal processing, wireless systems, and network hardware.
The automotive and aerospace sectors are investing heavily in electrification and power management. Defence, medical devices, consumer electronics, and manufacturing automation all employ electrical and electronic engineers. Many graduates pursue chartered engineer status through the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and postgraduate study in a specialist area is a natural step for those aiming at research or advanced technical roles.