Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year

Electronic engineering is the discipline that designs, builds and improves the electronic systems that underpin modern technology. From the microchips at the heart of every digital device to the communications infrastructure that connects the world, electronic engineers work at the frontier of what is technically possible, combining deep theoretical knowledge with creative problem-solving to develop the next generation of systems. The field encompasses microelectronics, signal processing, communications, control systems, power electronics and the rapidly growing domain of artificial intelligence hardware.

At the University of Southampton, this four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, giving students who need additional scientific and mathematical preparation the grounding they need before progressing into the full degree. You will develop both the theoretical foundations and the practical design, building and testing skills that electronic engineering demands. The programme covers the breadth of the discipline, from fundamental circuit theory and semiconductor physics through to communications systems, digital signal processing and the design of electronic systems for applications ranging from medical devices to consumer technology.

The programme prepares you for qualification as an incorporated electronic engineer.

Electronic engineering graduates work across an extraordinarily wide range of sectors. Consumer electronics, telecommunications, semiconductor design, medical devices, aerospace and defence, automotive electronics, renewable energy and artificial intelligence hardware are all significant employers. The demand for electronic engineers continues to grow as digital systems become more pervasive and complex, and as new applications in areas such as wearable technology, autonomous vehicles and smart infrastructure create new engineering challenges.

Many graduates pursue chartered engineer status and some go on to postgraduate study in electronics, signal processing, photonics or a specialist application area.