Electrical Power Engineering

Electrical power engineering is concerned with the generation, transmission, distribution, and conversion of electrical energy, a field that sits at the very centre of the transition to a low-carbon economy. From the design of power grids and renewable energy systems to the development of electric motors, transformers, and smart grid technologies, electrical power engineers shape the infrastructure that modern life depends on. The discipline combines electromagnetic theory, circuit analysis, control systems, and increasingly the software tools that allow engineers to model and optimise complex power networks.

At Portsmouth this three-year full-time degree gives you a thorough grounding in the principles and practice of electrical power engineering. You will develop skills in circuit design, power electronics, machines, and control, using both simulation software and practical laboratory work to connect theory to real engineering problems. The programme includes a sandwich year, giving you the opportunity to gain substantial professional experience in an engineering organisation before your final year, and a year abroad, allowing you to study alongside engineers in a different national context.

Work placement activity is also embedded in the programme, ensuring your professional development continues throughout your studies.

Electrical power engineering graduates are in strong and growing demand. The shift to renewable energy, electrification of transport, and modernisation of grid infrastructure are creating significant opportunities for engineers who understand power systems at a technical level. Career paths include roles in energy generation and distribution companies, electrical engineering consultancies, manufacturing, and the public sector, as well as in research and development.

The sandwich year experience typically improves graduate employment outcomes considerably. Postgraduate study in power systems, renewable energy engineering, or related fields is available for those who want to specialise further.