BEng (Honours) Electronic Engineering
Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-time
UCAS code • H610
This course is subject to reapproval
Location • City Campus
Subject area • Engineering
By adding to My Courses you can compare courses and create a personalised prospectus.
Watch a video of course leader Ken Dutton talking about an inverted pendulum control system. The control system program was written by one of our students for a final year project.
View examples of project work completed by students from this course. The projects were exhibited at Creative Spark.
Watch a video of Mark Thompson, head of undergraduate recruitment for engineering, talking about our engineering courses.
Read about SHU Racing and our formula racing team.
Watch a video about our formula student racing car and the benefits of being involved in the team.
Find out about our engineering teaching team.
Find out about Creative Spark, our annual graduate showcase of final year students' work, and Brightest Spark, an exhibition featuring projects completed by our elite students.
Sheffield Hallam University has been shortlisted for a Times Higher Education Award for its innovative work in engaging with regional and national employers. Find out more.
Our Digital Design Centre can print medium to large format high quality outputs on a range of different media. The laboratories have software supporting 2D and 3D engineering and creative design applications. Find out more.
The Electronics and Communications Centre is a resource that you can use featuring specialist software, instruments, network equipment and the ability to produce printed circuit boards. Find out more.
One of the most valuable resources available for you to access is our highly experienced technical support team. Find out how they can help support your development.
View of profiles of students on this course
At a glance
Learn how to identify, design and implement solutions to real-world electronics problems on a course known for producing industry-ready engineers. Follow in the footsteps of other students who have secured work placements or graduate jobs in major companies such as Tata Steel Europe, Kostal Ltd and Renishaw PLC.
Key points
• Study for a career in electronic engineering on this professionally focused course.
• Gain skills and experience whilst earning on a one-year paid placement.
• Learn using specialist state-of-the art facilities throughout your studies.
• This course is accredited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET).
What is electronic engineering?
All organisations, from hospitals and factories to banks, offices and small industrial concerns, increasingly depend on electronic engineering. Electronics is used in everyday technology, from mobile computing to Formula 1, from computer networks to automotive technology and from production to administration and financial control.
This course
Gain the specialised technical skills needed by employers in the electronics industries on this professionally focused course. To provide you with the skills required for the workplace, you work on individual projects involving product development, demonstrations and technical reporting.
You study computing and electronic systems, principles of electronic engineering and digital signal processing, alongside company structure and quality control.In your first year, you study the core engineering modules with engineering students from other specialisms. These modules provide a common foundation of engineering principles, knowledge and key skills, as well as the areas of engineering applications and personal skills development.
You work in excellent facilities that include state-of-the-art software and dedicated electrical and electronic labs. You also have the opportunity to visit our specialist research labs and be involved in research directed projects. This gives you an insight into the cutting edge of electronic engineering work.Once you have developed your knowledge and understanding of electronic engineering, take advantage of the opportunity to use what you’ve learnt with a one-year work placement in industry. We help you find a placement and negotiate a sensible salary which can range from £12,000 to £26,000. You gain new skills, build contacts and learn how industry works.
Previous students have had placements in organisations including • Siemens, Solihull • CSE-Global (UK) Ltd, Sheffield • Serck Controls Ltd, Barnsley • ARM, Cambridge • TBG Solutions, Chesterfield • Kostal Ltd, Rotherham.
In your final year, you continue studying electronic engineering subjects and can choose specialist option modules.
You also complete a major project which involves identifying, designing and implementing solutions to an engineering problem. Example projects include• applying computer vision algorithm for implementation of an interactive flight simulator
• magnetic muscle for robot manipulators
• study and development of solar powered refrigeration system
Key areas of study
You study the specifics of • software and hardware systems applications • software and hardware technologies • computer modelling • mathematics for electronic engineering.
You gain a grounding in the principal themes of • digital and analogue electronics • electronic systems design • signal processing • engineering analysis.
These themes support further study of specialist applications of electronics to computer, communication and control systems. You can also design and build working devices, and evaluate commercial electronic products.
Lecturers on this course have the reputation and expertise in developing instrumentation and neural network development with the NHS, consultancy on microprocessors, research and consultancy on radio frequency ID tags, robotics, chemical and bio sensors, photovoltics and solar cells.
Find out more about BEng (Honours) Electronic Engineering
Related courses
- BEng (Honours) Computer and Network Engineering (Full-time)
- BEng (Honours) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Full-time)
- MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Full-time)
- BEng (Honours) Telecommunication and Electronic Engineering (top up) (Full-time)
- Extended Degree Programme Engineering and Mathematics (Full-time)
You apply for this course through UCAS.
2013/14 academic year
For 2013 entry, membership of a professional body is included in the course fee.
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees, scholarships and bursaries see www.shu.ac.uk/international/fees
• coursework • project • examination
Find out about work placements and how we can support your placement experience.
Optional year-long work placements are normally gained by competitive interview and are not a guaranteed part of a course.
Subject to continuing accreditation, this course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and is the first step to becoming an incorporated engineer.
Key Information Set 
Inverted pendulum control system (1:18)
Course leader Ken Dutton talks about an inverted pendulum control system. The control system program was written by one of our undergraduate engineering students for their final year project.
Scott Palmer, BEng (Hons) Engineering
1:20 scale model for studying the air flow characteristics around the formula student car.
Mountain bike handguard
This project is an innovative design of a hand guard with mountings for use with mountain bikes.
Collision lightbulb measurement
This project involved working on developing an accurate test of measuring how long a lightbulb had been on for before a collision had taken place.
About our courses (1:19)
Mark Thompson, head of undergraduate recruitment for engineering, talks about studying engineering courses at Sheffield Hallam. Mark covers topics including employability, practical-skills building, specialist facilities and student support.
SHU Racing
SHU Racing 2011 team
Students from almost every engineering and technology course make up our SHU Racing team. If you feel you have the enthusiasm and dedication to work on an exciting motorsport project from start to finish, then you could be an ideal team member.
SHU Racing develops your personal and technical skills. It gives you valuable business experience as the outcome relies on the performance of every team member.
You work on every part of the project including • design • manufacture • business • liaising with sponsors. This experience increases your value to all types of engineering companies when you graduate.
You design, build and test the car with a view to competing in the Formula Student event at Silverstone.
The Formula Student competition, which is run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, aims to inspire and develop young engineers. Universities from across the globe are challenged to design and build a single-seat racing car which is judged for its racing performance, design and the strength of the teams' business models.
Cars are judged by a panel of experts from the field of automotive engineering. The competition is backed by Ross Brawn OBE, who has worked for a number of Formula One teams, serving as the technical director of the championship-winning Benetton and Ferrari teams.
SHU Racing and the Formula Student project is a popular choice for many of our students as a final year project. It also forms an integral part of the BSc (Honours) Automotive Design Technology.
Formula student (2:02)
Watch a video about the benefits of being involved in the SHU Formula student racing team.
Previous SHU Racing team members have gone on to work for Formula 1 racing teams.
Download a transcript of this video.
Dr Mark Thompson
Principal lecturer
I gained an upper second degree in BEng Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from Humberside University in1994.
I then studied for a PhD at York University, applying artificial intelligence techniques to the control of antenna systems, resulting in the development of a software package and the publication of a number of international papers.
After gaining my doctorate in 1997, I worked as a research associate for a number of years, first at Hull University, developing fault monitoring and diagnosis systems. I then worked at the University of Sheffield developing an artificial intelligent control system for a chemical processing plant. In 2000 I became a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam.
I am currently head of undergraduate admissions for engineering and have designed courses for a number employers including Rolls-Royce, Bombardier and Kimberly-Clark in collaboration with Derby College, Rotherham College of Arts and Technology and North Lindsey College. This has helped to ensure that our courses are relevant to the needs of industry.
David Legge
Senior lecturer, engineering and mathematics
I am a senior lecturer in the engineering design subject group. I am a time served engineer with professional experience in design, manufacturing, logistics and organisational development.
I teach on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules, with a bias towards design and manufacture. I am particularly keen on developing the formal and informal formative experiences of undergraduate engineers; especially within the aerospace degrees, which are a relatively new group of degrees at Sheffield Hallam. I feel well placed to do this as I am a qualified gliding instructor and own my own glider.
My education was in manufacturing systems engineering. I also have a postgraduate degree (Technical Licentiate) from Lulea University of Technology, Sweden. This was for research into off-line programming of coordinate measuring machines (CMM's) and standards for data transfer between CMM's and computer aided design (CAD) software.
My previous academic role was as a senior lecturer in the Department of Manufacturing Development at Lulea University of Technology (LTU). For the last few years I have been a freelance consultant in logistics and LEAN. I divide my time between Sweden, where I have lived for the past 20 years, and the UK.
I have some 20 research publications to my name. Areas in which I have carried out research or have particular skills include CAD/CAM, CNC machining, metal cutting, metrology, robotics, organisational development, LEAN, workspace design and pedagogy.
Dr Qinling Li
Senior lecturer in thermo-fluids
I am a senior lecturer in thermo-fluids. I am interested in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodology and applications. Before moving to Sheffield Hallam, I was a research associate in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), University of Cambridge.
I also spent part time in the CFD Lab, which is part of the Acoustics, Fluid Mechanics, Turbomachinery and Thermodynamics Division, Engineering Department, University of Cambridge.
From 2003-2006, I worked as a research associate in the Aeronautical and Automatics Engineering Department, Loughborough University.
I studied for a PhD degree in the Aerodynamic Flight Mechanics Research Group, Southampton University, in 2003. And I obtained my first and master degrees, and used to be a lecture at Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.
Research interests
• fundamentals of turbulence
• direct numerical simulation (DNS) of compressibility effects in wall-bounded channel flow
• large eddy simulation (LES) of fan/outlet guide vane (OGV) broadband noise prediction
• les for short take-off and vertical landing aircraft (STOVL)
• turbine blade cooling
• biomechanical
• fluid-structure interaction (FSI)
Dr Karen Vernon-Parry
Course leader for the Extended Degree in Engineering
Phone 0114 225 4852
E-mail k.vernon-parry@shu.ac.uk
I studied materials science at Oxford University, and also completed my DPhil there, which was on the microstructure and properties of superconducting thin films. After a post-doctoral position at Oxford, I moved to the University of Manchester and then to UMIST. In 2004 I came to Sheffield Hallam University, becoming a senior lecturer in 2006. I have been course leader for the Extended Degree in Engineering (prep year) since January 2009.
I am interested in the correlation between the structure and the physical properties of materials at the atomic scale. In the past 10 years this has concentrated on the development and evolution of process-induced defects in semiconductors, initially ion implantation damage in silicon and silicon-germanium alloys, and more recently defects such as grain boundaries in multicrystalline semiconducting diamond. Such studies are in support of electronic device development. I also collaborate with the electroceramics group at Manchester University to investigate the role of specific dopant species in varistor formulations.
I have recently become involved in a multi-disciplinary research program developing 'intelligent' materials, particularly for healthcare applications.
I am a member of the EPSRC Peer Review College and am a Member of the Institute of Physics
Chris Short
Principal lecturer
I trained as an apprentice engineer in the hand tools industry, during which time I completed a degree in mechanical and production engineering.
After graduating I worked in the design departments of a number of companies designing special purpose machine tools before beginning a postgraduate teaching qualification. I subsequently taught a range of engineering subjects in the further education sector for eight years before joining Sheffield Hallam in 1990.
My role is a Portfolio Director with responsibility for all the BSc technology degrees, and I teach on several design modules at all years of the courses.
I am a chartered mechanical engineer and a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
My areas of interest and research are design, design management, the implementation of new technology and engineering education. I have completed a range of research and consultancy work with companies implementing new technology or developing new products and have written around 30 publications.
The most recent development in my portfolio has been the addition of an aerospace technology degree and this has proved very exciting for me.
Dr Andy Young
Principal lecturer
On leaving school I became a craft apprentice in a defence company manufacturing naval artillery, where I was trained as a precision miller-turner-fitter. In 1989 I was awarded a Whitworth Scholarship from the IMechE to encourage practical engineers to seek higher education, which led to my enrolment on a Manufacturing Systems Engineering degree at The University of Leeds.
In my first year I transferred onto mechanical engineering to get a more general education, and by the third year I developed an interest in computer modelling of how fluids behave. I was awarded prizes from the IMechE and Sun Microcomputers for project work, a Parkinson scholarship for continued study from the University, and sponsorship from International Paper to embark on a PhD research degree into thin film generation for the printing industry.
I was then employed as a Research Fellow in the Industrial Coating Research Group, where I focused on the transference of academic research to industrial problems, working with companies such as Kodak, 3M, and Ilford.
I moved to a leading industrial consultancy company called Fluent in 1998, and became focused on thermo-fluids and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). I worked in materials processing industries, helping manufacturers apply technology to understand how to make better glass, polymer, and metals products.
In 2005 I began teaching engineering fundamentals and their industrial applications to students. I joined engineering at Sheffield Hallam leading the teaching for thermo-fluids and CFD, and supervising PhD students.
In 2009 I recognised an opportunity to start-up a new venture in the University called Hallam Energy which works directly with industry to reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions by the application of technology.
Profiles
Dr Mark Thompson
Principal lecturer
David Legge
Senior lecturer, engineering and mathematics
Dr Qinling Li
Senior lecturer in thermo-fluids
Dr Karen Vernon-Parry
Course leader for the Extended Degree in Engineering
Chris Short
Principal lecturer
Dr Andy Young
Principal lecturer
Spark - be creative
Subjects included are • animation • architecture • computers • creative writing • digital media production • engineering • fashion design • film and visual effects • film and media production • fine art • furniture and product design • games design • graphic design • interior design • jewellery and metalwork • performing arts • photography • product design.
Creative Spark
Creative Spark is an annual showcase of student work and celebrates the innovation, creativity and imagination of our most talented graduates. Creative Spark is hosted across four university venues • Owen • Cantor • Sheaf • Arundel Gate Court and S1 in the city centre.
For further information visit the Creative Spark website.
Brightest Spark
Brightest Spark is an exhibition housed in the SIA Gallery and Cantor building. This exhibition features the elite students in each Sheffield of Institute of Arts course as chosen by industry professionals.
For further information visit the Brightest Spark website.
Project Spark
Sheffield Hallam students have the opportunity to play a key role in the promotion of the Creative Spark and Brightest Spark exhibitions by submitting entries for Project Spark. The 2012 competitions included • concept design • branding and wayfinding • creative writing • image • brightest spark logo and branding.
For further information visit the Project Spark website.
University recognised for its links with industry
Sheffield Hallam University were shortlisted for a Times Higher Education Award for its "innovative" work in engaging with regional and national employers.
The University was nominated in the Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative category for its work delivering flexible engineering education, which has been recognised as a "strategic and innovative approach to delivering employers’ workforce development needs."
Through its "engineering hub", the University works with industrial partners such as Rolls-Royce, Kimberly-Clark and Severn Trent Water to offer their employees the chance to study while they work.
Employees can study on the University's Integrated Engineering course, which has four specialist engineering routes and leads to professional accreditation by the Institution of Engineering Technology.
Delivery of the courses is completely flexible allowing for staff development that suits business requirements.
Gary Herbert, a mechanical technician for Kimberly-Clark, has been studying for a foundation degree at the University, which offers him the flexibility to learn with ten days' study time over the academic year.
He said: "I have been working in my technician role for the last 12 years. This opportunity to study through Sheffield Hallam University gives me a chance to consolidate the knowledge I have acquired through my role within Kimberly-Clark alongside a more academic route."
Rolls-Royce has worked with the University to support the development of its young engineers.
Chris Keane, from Rolls-Royce's UK apprentice development team, said: "The foundation degree has provided an excellent framework in which to develop Rolls-Royce's engineers of the future. The students are able to develop their knowledge and qualifications quickly, whilst continuing to contribute to the company."
Martin Howarth, head of the engineering and mathematics department at the University, said: "We identified the need for greater flexibility in both course content and delivery in order to meet the needs of both employers and their staff.
"Our flexible approach means employers can choose how and when their staff access learning, as well as contribute to the course content.
"This ensures we are providing consistent, relevant education and making a key contribution to the development of engineers in the United Kingdom."
The Digital Design Centre
The Digital Design Centre comprises a suite of 6 IT laboratories (4 PC and 2 MAC) together with the Print Output room, an area for printing medium to large format high quality output on a range of different media. The laboratories have a wide range of software supporting 2D and 3D engineering and creative design applications.
The Digital Design Centre runs a high quality computer printing facility and has the ability to print sizes between A4 and A0 and wide format banners. A3, A2, A1, A0 and Banner photo quality printing is available on a range of papers, as well as AutoCAD type plans ( B & W ) on standard paper.
The Electronics and Communications Centre
The centre supports courses in electrical and electronic engineering, digital communications, computer networks applications and design technology education (DTE). Our technical staff are able to provide advice and assistance on ordering electronic components, producing printed circuit boards, and using the specialist software packages, instrumentation and network equipment found in the laboratories.
Printed circuit board production
We have the ability to produce high quality single sided and double sided printed circuit boards (PCB) using a chemical etching process or by direct milling from a solid copper clad board. Surface mount components
can be accommodated easily by the milling process
route and the technique reliably produces track widths
down to 0.2mm.
Technical support team
While you will find excellent facilities throughout, the most valuable resource you will have at your disposal is access to our extremely dedicated, highly experienced technical staff.
All the staff are there to support you during your time in the workshops. The technical team with its professionally qualified staff and practicing professionals, has a wealth of knowledge and expertise across all areas of our provision and comprises engineers, designers, silversmiths and jewellers, fine artists, media arts specialists and IT experts.
The team are committed to using their diverse range of skills and knowledge to support practical aspects of your
course work, whether solving a simple software problem, producing a complex engineering project or creating design work for an international exhibition. There are currently 50 technical staff directly supporting the Technical Resource Centres and the research institutes of the faculty.
Elaine Waser, final year student
BEng Electronic Engineering (part-time)
'Having previously studied at Sheffield Hallam, I decided to return to the same university as I had only collected positive memories from my studies.
'I applied for an industrial placement in the quality department at Kostal UK, an automotive electronic switch developer and manufacturer. I contacted the HR department directly and enquired about a placement. This was followed up by an interview that involved testing my knowledge on electronics. I was successful in gaining a placement with the company and was placed in the Testfield department as a technician. This required me to test new prototype developments to industry specific standards for production verification. Tests included force-distance switching, thermal effects, drop tests and chemical resistance tests.
'Forward planning was needed to juggle my time. Starting assignments and revision earlier was a key element to success. As a part-time student I had less access to labs and resources, however working continuously instead of ad hoc enabled me to successfully manage work and study.
'From working on placement at Kostal, I was offered a full-time job. I moved to the position of new product introductions where I oversaw the coordination of prototype production and customer sample requests. I then moved on to the analysis department where I was required to analyse end of line failures, diagnose failure modes and devise methods to reduce the failure rates. My current job role is research and development (R&D) technician. I build prototype circuit boards, amend PCBs, test new designs and interface with industry customers. I enjoy working in R&D, every day is different and I'm part of the process of developing electronics for future cars.
'My advice to students taking a placement is – don’t be shy, ask. Ask if you don’t understand something and ask if you would like to be part of an exciting project they haven’t included you in, otherwise you might miss out on a great opportunity.'
Chezanne Earnshaw
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BEng (Honours) Electronic Engineering
Chezanne left school at 16 and started a BTEC National Award in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at college. At the start of her second year at college, she found work as an electrical assistant at Balfour Beatty Workplace, a facilities management company.
To progress in her career she needed further qualifications, and the company gave her the opportunity and funding to do a degree. She spends one day a week here, and four days working at Balfour Beatty WorkPlace. 'I'd never even visited Sheffield Hallam before I started so I didn’t know what to expect,' she explains, 'but I settled in pretty quickly.'
Chezanne says she finds working while studying helpful. 'Because of my background in the industry I have some experience of the subject. Coming straight from A-levels would have been a lot harder. Being able to apply what I'm learning to my work makes it easier.'
As well as helping her progress within her company, the course gives Chezanne a strong sense of personal achievement. 'When you work so hard, the feeling you get when you get the grades at the end is really good. You've got to keep focused, but the time and effort is rewarded by that sense of achievement at the end.
'Long-term, I'd like to become an operations manager within Balfour Beatty WorkPlace. As high as I can go, I'll go. And this course is the start of it.
'The support from Sheffield Hallam is really good. They try to give you a bit of leeway as a part-time student because they know you're not here all the time.'
Profiles
Elaine Waser, final year student
BEng Electronic Engineering (part-time)
Chezanne Earnshaw
BEng (Honours) Electronic Engineering
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