Engineering (Electrical)

Program Overview

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Engineering (Electrical) H511

Master the skills you need to plan, design and analyse engineering projects. Become a specialist in electrical engineering, responding to new and changing technologies.

Start Dates

• September 2026
• September 2025

Degree type

MEng

Course length

4 years full-time

Location

Durham City

UCAS code

H511

Typical offers

Typical offers A Level | AAA
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BTEC | DDD
International Baccalaureate | 38

Course details

This four-year degree delivers the breadth and depth that you will need to succeed in the world of engineering. It is designed to produce graduates who will go on to lead engineering teams.

A common first two years in General Engineering provide you with the broad knowledge required to work effectively on multi-disciplinary engineering problems. The course structure offers a huge amount of flexibility – you could join us on an electrical engineering pathway but decide to pursue civil engineering at the end of your second year. We believe in empowering our students to make informed decisions that would best serve their future careers.

After your first two years, you will start to specialise in areas of Civil, Electrical, Electronic or Mechanical Engineering, and supplement this discipline-specific knowledge with Engineering Design activities and focused practical skills. You can further specialise in your final year, with additional specialist content in Aeronautical Engineering, Renewable Energy, and Bioengineering, learning advanced topics at the forefront of engineering knowledge whilst working with a world-leading academic on a research and development dissertation, the highlight of many of our students’ degrees.

Throughout your studies you encounter a mixture of core theoretical engineering concepts, underpinning mathematics, practical engineering skills, engineering design, ethics and professional issues. A combination of group and individual activities and assessments, working alongside both students and staff, will provide you with the opportunity to develop your interpersonal, teamworking and leadership skills.

Course structure

Year 1 modules

Core modules:

• Solid Mechanics and Structures gives you a working knowledge of solid mechanics, structures and structural analysis, in a wider engineering context.
• Electronic and Electrical Systems provides you with a working knowledge of electrical and electronic circuit theory, components, electromagnetism and digital electronics.
• Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics introduces knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics including dimensional analysis, fluid statics and fluid dynamics.
• Engineering Practice provides you with practical engineering skills relevant to multiple engineering disciplines. It shows how the material covered in other modules comes together in the wider engineering application context, and will also introduce you to engineering ethics and professional issues.
• Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists gives you the underpinning maths skills and techniques needed to study Engineering and other sciences.

Optional modules:

• Students take an elective module in their first year. In recent years optional modules have included:
  • Introduction to Programming
  • Computational Thinking
  • Languages

Year 2 modules

Core modules:

• Engineering Mathematics provides a working knowledge of probability and statistics and advanced mathematical methods for modelling and analysing engineering problems.
• Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics gives you further working knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
• Solid Mechanics and Structures builds your knowledge of the mechanics of dynamics and vibration, stress analysis, structures and the mechanics of soils, and introduces you to finite element methods.
• Electrical Engineering introduces you to electrical machines and systems and provides you with knowledge of mathematical methods for modelling engineering problems.
• Electronics gives you a knowledge of electronics and computing for analogue circuits, sensors, digital electronics and microprocessor design.
• Engineering Design will introduce you to various aspects of the design process including the principles of engineering design and project management. You will undertake a major design project with guidance from an academic supervisor and an external (industrial) engineer.

Year 3 modules

Core modules:

• Assuming you continue to follow the electrical degree, you will begin to undertake more specialised content in electrical engineering whilst still recognising the importance of engineering as a multidisciplinary subject. In your third year, you will start to focus on electrical engineering and related subjects such as electronics and control engineering. You will continue to develop your skills in engineering design. Core areas of study include:
  • Electrical Engineering advances your knowledge of fundamental concepts and techniques electromechanical energy conversion and delivery. It introduces the foundations of power electronics in modern industrial applications alongside renewable energy integration within modern energy networks.
  • Power Semiconductor Devices introduces concepts in materials for electronic devices and the physics of semiconductor devices, including material structure, band theory, junction phenomena and devices.
  • Electronics and Communications develops the principles of analogue electronics and your understanding of the use of CAD tools in electronics. It covers the fundamental concepts of communications engineering.
  • Control and Signal Processing builds your knowledge of different mathematical techniques used in the design and analysis of control systems. You will also learn about analysis methods for both continuous and discrete signals.
  • Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics increases your specialist knowledge in turbomachines, and how to apply this to the analysis and design of hydraulic machines, axial flow steam and gas turbines.
  • Engineering Design will enhance your understanding of the design process and the way theoretical work supports engineering design. It will give you an introduction to innovation and business aspects of engineering design projects.

Year 4 modules

Core modules:

• The core modules in Electrical Engineering introduce you to advanced and state-of-the-art concepts and applications in areas such as electrical energy conversion, power electronics, renewable energy technology, energy networks and future vehicles.
• The MEng Research and Development Project provides an open-ended challenge for you to undertake research working closely with an academic supervisor. You will identify and initiate methods to investigate the topic, generate and analyse data, formulate conclusions and recommendations and present the work in a written report and oral exam. This project is a highlight of your degree, and an amazing opportunity to carry out your own research and to develop the professional skills required to become an engineering leader.

Optional modules:

• Students typically take an optional module in the final year, allowing you to explore interests or topics that might be outside your core specialism. In recent years optional modules have included:
  • Deep Learning and Artificial Intelligence
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Optimisation and Control for AI

Additional Pathways

• Students can apply to be transferred onto either the with Year Abroad or with Placement pathway. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four or four to five depending on course.

Accreditation

• Our MEng engineering degrees are fully accredited by:
  • The Institution of Civil Engineers (Civil Engineering discipline)
  • The Institution of Structural Engineers (Civil Engineering discipline)
  • The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (Civil Engineering discipline)
  • The Institute of Highway Engineers (Civil Engineering discipline)
  • The Institution of Engineering and Technology
  • The Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • The Royal Aeronautical Society (MEng Aeronautical discipline)

Learning

• Lectures provide you with key information on a particular field of study and allow you to work through practical examples. Practical sessions give you direct experience of practical and interpretative skills through laboratory classes, design activities and a Professional Engineering Applications Course (PEAC).
• The balance of these activities changes over the course of the degree, as you develop your knowledge and independence.

Assessment

• In the first three years, most modules are assessed primarily by examinations. However, modules typically also include a coursework component, covering subjects such as CAD, programming and engineering design.
• The balance of examination/coursework changes towards the end of the degree – half of the final-year mark is based on a dissertation research project, working one-to-one with an academic or industry partner.

Entry requirements

• A level offer –A*AA
  • including Mathematics and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics.
• Contextual offer – AAB
  • including A in Mathematics and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics.
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma –D*DD and Mathematics at grade A at A level (or equivalent) are required.
• IB Diploma score –38 with 666 in higher level subjects including Mathematics and one STEM subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics).

Fees and funding

• The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
• The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
• The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase expected to rise throughout the programme of study.

Career opportunities

• With subject specific skills, industry knowledge and transferable skills, such as problem solving, information technology, teamwork, presentation, project planning and management, you will be attractive to employers across many sectors.
• Our graduates are employed in many sectors across the world including roles in civil, mechanical, electronic, electrical, manufacturing, design, aeronautics and systems engineering, and as consultants, technology analysts and software developers. Examples of high-profile employers include BP, Rolls Royce, and BAE Systems.

Department information

• Enter the exciting world of engineering and gain the skills you need to plan, design and analyse engineering projects aligned to the needs of local, national and global industry.
• Engineering at Durham is designed to develop talented, modern engineers who are equipped with the skills to solve problems across traditional discipline boundaries – from offshore wind turbines to electro-mechanical devices manufactured on a microchip.
• With an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability, we are one of only a small number of general engineering departments in the UK. We offer a range of BEng and MEng qualifications with flexible pathways to suit your interests and career goals, including the possibility of a work placement or year abroad.

Rankings

• 4th The Complete University Guide 2025
• 6th The Guardian University Guide 2025
• 6th The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Staff

• For a current list of staff, please see our department web pages.

Facilities

• We are located on the main campus at Lower Mountjoy, close to other departments, colleges, the Bill Bryson library and the Teaching and Learning Centre.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The Master of Engineering (MEng) in Electrical Engineering at Durham University is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become leaders in the field. The program emphasizes:

• Depth and breadth: Building a strong foundation in electrical engineering principles while offering flexibility to specialize in specific areas of interest.
• Real-world application: Providing opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge through practical projects and industrial partnerships.
• Research and innovation: Encouraging critical thinking and fostering independent research skills through a dissertation project.
The program aims to produce graduates who are:
• Technically competent and capable of designing, analyzing, and implementing electrical engineering solutions.
• Problem solvers with the ability to identify and address complex engineering challenges.
• Adaptable and lifelong learners ready to embrace new technologies and challenges.

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Outline:

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Year 1:

• Solid Mechanics and Structures 1: Introduces the basics of mechanics, structures, and structural analysis.
• Electronic and Electrical Systems 1: Covers the fundamentals of electrical and electronic circuit theory, components, electromagnetism, and hardware interfacing.
• Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 1: Provides an understanding of the principles of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
• Engineering Practice 1: Develops practical engineering skills, introduces engineering ethics and professional issues.
• Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists: Provides essential mathematical tools for engineering studies.
• Optional modules: May include Introduction to Programming and Computational Thinking.

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Year 2:

• Engineering Mathematics 2: Covers probability, statistics, and advanced mathematical methods for modeling engineering problems.
• Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 2: Expands knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
• Solid Mechanics and Structures 2: Introduces mechanics of dynamics, vibration, stress analysis, and finite element methods.
• Engineering Design 2: Guides students through the design process, from concept to implementation.

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Year 3:

• Electrical Engineering 3: Covers fundamental concepts and techniques for electromechanical energy and power conversion.
• Power Semiconductor Devices 3: Introduces the physics of semiconductor devices and their applications.
• Electronics and Communications 3: Expands knowledge of analog electronics and communication engineering principles.
• Control and Signal Processing 3: Teaches analysis and design of control systems and signal processing techniques.
• Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 3: Focuses on turbomachines and hydraulic machines.
• Engineering Design 3: Further develops design skills and introduces innovation and business aspects.

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Year 4:

• Renewable Energy Technologies 4: Provides an overview of major renewable energy technologies and their working principles.
• Future Vehicles 4: Explores the technical challenges and solutions for future transport technologies.
• Electrical Energy Conversion 4: Explains the working principles of renewable electrical energy conversion systems.
• Power Electronics 4: Focuses on power electronic systems and their application in renewable energy systems.
• Smart Energy Networks 4: Covers the principles of integrating renewable energy sources into power networks.
• MEng Research and Development Project or MEng Technical Project plus Engineering into Schools: Students choose between a research-focused project or a technical project with an educational component.

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Additional pathways:

Students can apply to transfer to the “with Year Abroad” or “with Placement” pathway during year 2. These pathways extend the program's duration to five years and offer valuable international or industry experience.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the module but typically include:

• Examinations: Assessing students' grasp of theoretical knowledge.
• Coursework: Including assignments, projects, and laboratory work, evaluating practical skills and application of knowledge.
• Dissertation project: For the MEng program, the dissertation project serves as a significant assessment component, requiring independent research and critical thinking.

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Teaching:

The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles and promote active engagement:

• Lectures: Delivering core knowledge and introducing key concepts.
• Practical sessions: Offering hands-on experience through laboratory work, design activities, and projects.
• Independent study: Encouraging students to research and explore topics beyond the curriculum.
• Dissertation project: Providing individual guidance and support during the research process.
The program boasts experienced and dedicated faculty members who are active researchers in their respective fields. They bring real-world expertise and enthusiasm to the classroom, fostering a stimulating learning environment.

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Careers:

Graduates of the MEng in Electrical Engineering are highly sought-after by employers across various sectors:

• Civil, mechanical, electronic, electrical, and manufacturing engineering.

• Design, aeronautics, and systems engineering.

• Consultancy, technology analysis, and software development.

• The University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support students financially.
• The Open Access area provides dedicated space for collaborative and individual project work.
• The University's location in Durham offers a vibrant and intellectually stimulating environment.

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The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved. The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government. The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).