About this program
BEng Communications Engineering
It’s hard to imagine a world without mobile networks, the internet, radio, or audio-visual appliances. Bringing together knowledge from both electrical engineering and computer science, communications engineers drive these communications systems which are so fundamental to the modern world; we can now easily make international calls, Skype our friends, and even communicate with satellites orbiting the planet. How could you influence what happens next?
You study a wide range of topics in communications, including:
- Radio frequency circuits and systems
- The transmission of digital signals over analogue links
- The transfer of audio-visual information
Our School is a community of scholars leading the way in technological research and development. Today’s communications engineers are creative people who are focused and committed, yet restless and experimental. We are home to many of the world’s top engineers, and our work is driven by creativity and imagination as well as technical excellence.
You also cover traditional topics in electronics, including signal processing, circuit design, processors and software.
You graduate prepared to move into relevant roles across almost every industry.
Programming at Essex
Teaching someone to Program is about opening a door. In your first year at Essex you will study a module that introduces you to programming using Python. We assess your ability to think in a programmatic way in the very first week of term and if you require additional support, we offer classes which will boost your skills and confidence with programming.
Admission requirements
UK entry requirements
GCSE: Science C/4
A-levels: BBB, including Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
BTEC: DDM, including Distinction in Further Mathematics for Technicians or Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems.
IB: 30 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555. Either must include Higher Level Mathematics grade 5, plus Standard Level Science grade 4, if not taken at Higher Level.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programs at both Higher and Standard Level. Please note that Science in the IB is not required if you have already achieved GCSE Science at grade C/4 or above or 4 in IB Middle Years Science. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Access to HE Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
T-levels: Distinction, depending on subject studied -advice on acceptability can be provided.
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
English language requirements
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
Does this course require proof of English proficiency?
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Program content
Year 1
- Team Project Challenge
- Mathematics for Engineers
- Intro to Programming with C
- Network Fundamentals
- Fundamentals of Digital Systems
- Digital Electronic Systems
- Foundations of Electronics I
- Foundations of Electronics II
Year 2
- Team Project Challenge
- Engineering Mathematics
- Analogue Circuit Design
- Digital Systems Design
- Signal Processing
- Engineering Electromagnetics
- Computer and Data Networks
- C Programming and Embedded Systems
Final Year
- Individual Capstone Project Challenge
- Telecommunication Networks and Systems
- Digital Signal Processing
- Telecommunication Principles
- Network Engineering
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available, please visit the university website for more information.
Program delivery
BEng Communications Engineering: 3 years
BEng Communications Engineering (Including Year Abroad): 4 years
BEng Communications Engineering (Including Placement Year): 4 years
- Courses are taught by a combination of lectures, laboratory work, assignments, and individual and group project activities
- Group work
- A significant amount of practical lab work will need to be undertaken for written assignments and as part of your learning
Tuition
- Home/UK fee: £9,250
- International fee: £20,650
Qualification
Professional accreditation
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
This course is currently being considered for Partial CEng/IEng accreditation by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Formal accreditation can only be granted after an accreditation visit and approval from the IET’s Academic Accreditation Committee. If accreditation is granted this may be backdated to the 2021-22 intake.
Career paths
Demand for electronics and communications engineers is high; the IT and engineering sectors are growing at a rate that outstrips the supply of fresh talent.
The profession offers a range of careers from design and development to marketing, management, production engineering and applications engineering. Graduates also find employment in other disciplines because of the highly numerate nature of the subject.
Our department has a large pool of external contacts, ranging from companies providing robots for the media industry, through vehicle diagnostics, to electronic system design and circuit design and manufacture, who work with us and our students to provide advice, placements and eventually graduate opportunities. Read more about computer science and electronic engineering career destinations here.
Many of our graduates have gone on to work with BT, whose research centre is located just 30 minutes from the Colchester campus. Other recent graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including:
- National Instruments
- Circad Design Ltd
- McLaren Formula One Team
- B&W Group
- IBM
- Visa
We also work with our University's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.
About this institute
University of Essex
We are Essex: home to the ambitious and the inquisitive. We are proud to be top 39 in the Complete University Guide (2022), a past University of the Year (THE) and internationally recognised for Social Sciences. We're committed to two...
