Electrical and Electronic Engineering (with Integrated Foundation Year)

A Brighton Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree prepares you for careers in renewable energy, robotics, embedded systems, power electronics, telecommunications and emerging smart technologies.

At Brighton you’ll join a supportive community that helps you grow, whatever your background. This course offers an extra year to prepare you to study at degree level, building your knowledge and skills – and confidence – to tackle engineering challenges.

There are plenty of opportunities to apply your learning in real-world contexts – through design-build-test projects, group challenges, placements and internships. Our inclusive approach means we’ll help you play to your strengths and learn in ways that suit you best.

Brighton graduates go on to work for organisations such as National Grid, Siemens, Thales and Ricardo UK Ltd as well as innovative renewable energy start-ups.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Foundation year for those changing career, returning to study or without standard qualifications.

• Start hands-on learning from day one through design-build-test projects including fighting robots, water rockets and rocket cars, the Engineering Without Borders international design challenge, CAD modelling and laboratory work.

• Progress to a degree accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), providing industry recognition and a pathway towards Chartered Engineer status.

• Study a degree ranked Joint 1st in the UK for graduate prospects – Complete University Guide 2026.

• Explore specialist areas such as digital signal processing, embedded systems, power generation and smart grids.

• Learn in industry-standard facilities including robotics and VR labs, prototyping workshops, flight and car sims, electronics labs and CISCO-accredited networking suites.

• Boost your CV with an optional paid placement after year two or funded internships such as the Brighton Student Research Experience Scheme.

• Contribute to research in sustainable energy, advanced electronics and intelligent systems.

• 100% of our engineering research impact is rated as ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ for reach and significance – Research Excellence Framework 2021.

Why Brighton is a great place to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Brighton & Hove is the UK’s leading city for new economy businesses (Centre for Cities, 2025), including sectors such as green technology, clean energy and advanced engineering. This makes it a dynamic place to connect your studies to industry, with growing demand for skilled electrical and electronic engineers.

A vibrant, creative place to live and study, Brighton & Hove has been named one of the best cities on the planet and third best city in the UK by Time Out.

Course Modules

Foundation year
The foundation year is shared across all engineering courses and gives you the preparation you need to start your degree, covering areas including core maths and science.

Core modules
Core Mathematics
Core Science
Mechanics
Foundation Year Project
Engineering Science
Engineering Mathematics

Year 1
In your first year you’ll build strong foundations in engineering mathematics, electrical power and analogue and digital electronics, while developing hands-on skills in programming and embedded systems using platforms like Arduino. You’ll also explore artificial intelligence and work on team-based projects that introduce professional engineering practices, preparing you for more advanced study.

Core modules
Analogue and Digital Electronics
Engineering Mathematics
Engineering Practice
Embedded Systems 1
Introduction to Electrical Engineering
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Year 2
In your second year you’ll deepen your expertise in power systems, communications and control, learning how to design and analyse electrical networks and model dynamic engineering systems. You’ll advance your programming and embedded systems skills, gain hands-on experience in digital system design, and work in multidisciplinary teams to deliver an engineering project from concept to competitive testing.

Core modules
Communication Networks
Electrical Engineering 2
Dynamics and Control
Embedded Systems 2
Digital Systems Design
Engineering Design

Optional Placement Year
By doing a year placement in industry you’ll gain the right amount of work experience to reach Engineering Technician (EngTech) status. Our students have been on placement with companies including Paxton, BMW Mini, Cummins and Ricardo UK Ltd.

Final year
In your final year, you’ll further your knowledge in advanced electronics, high-voltage power systems and product design, applying your learning to real-world engineering challenges. You’ll complete an independent project that showcases your technical and professional skills, with options to specialise in areas such as networking or digital signal processing.

Core modules
High Voltage Power, Distribution and Utilisation
Electronics
Product Design
Individual Project

Options*
Networking
Digital Signal Processing

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.