Electrical engineering is a constantly evolving field because of its application, innovation and job opportunities. It includes designing, studying, improving and maintaining the devices, equipment and systems used in machinery. As AI machines, technology and robotics expand, this field is expected to progress exponentially. Thus, pursuing electrical engineering in the next few academic years is the most beneficial decision for career advancement. However, you need to consider several aspects, like eligibility, admission requirements, courses, fees and cost of living, before applying. Continue reading our guide to learn more about studying electrical engineering in UK!
Why Study In The UK?
The United Kingdom is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations among international students. Every year, more than 1,20,000 Indian students choose to study in the UK. However, why is it an ideal choice for an electrical engineering course? Here are the top reasons –
- Several universities in the United Kingdom rank among the top universities across the globe.
- They have an excellent learning environment and innovative teaching techniques that enable students to gain multiple skill sets.
- The curriculum of these universities prepares the students for global exposure. It enables them to work in any industry in the world.
- They provide a hands-on learning experience with a practical approach to enhanced skills.
- Universities have an incredible infrastructure, equipment, and the latest technology to keep students up-to-date with the proceedings of this domain.
- Graduates of electrical engineering in the UK earn an average salary of £45,000 annually.
Top Universities for Electrical Engineering In UK
We have listed some of the top universities for electrical engineering in the UK in the following table. Students can refer to their rankings for an accurate idea of their facilities, opportunities and career support. However, there are hundreds of other universities that provide exceptional standards of teaching for electrical engineering degrees UK.
| University | QS World Rankings | Times Higher Education Rankings |
| University of Southampton | 78 | 65 (by subject) |
| University of Edinburgh | 22 | 29 |
| Imperial College London | 6 | 15 (by subject) |
| University of Manchester | 28 | 54 |
| University of Strathclyde | 276 | 301 – 350 |
| University of Glasgow | 73 | 82 |
| University of Bath | 148 | 251 – 300 |
| University of Portsmouth | 701 – 750 | 401 – 500 |
| University of Nottingham | 100 | 130 |
| University of Surrey | 224 | 126 – 150 |
Course Structure
The course structure of electrical engineering depends on the chosen programme. For instance, a bachelor’s degree focuses on the basics and fundamentals, whereas a master’s degree moves to more advanced topics and higher applications. A bachelor’s course in electrical engineering in the UK is typically 3 years long. A master’s course, on the contrary, is only one year long. Because of these electrical engineering short courses UK, student can complete their education sooner and start working.
The core curriculum usually involves Engineering Mathematics, Modelling, Electronic Principles, Circuit Theory, Applied Electrodynamics, Calculus for Physics, Technical Writing, Electromagnetism, and Introduction to Robotics. Universities offer the choice of picking specialisations and electives so students can enhance their skill set and gain more practical training. Some of the common specialisations provided in almost all universities are mentioned here.
- Power Systems
- Microelectronics
- Electrophysics
- Integrated Devices and Systems
- Nanoelectronics
- Communication Networks
- Integrated Circuit Design
- Computer Vision & Biometrics
Eligibility Criteria & Necessary Documents
Eligibility criteria are a vital aspect of the admission process since the lack of even one factor can cost you your enrolment. Although the prerequisites differ from university to university, we can derive some common points of eligibility required for international students pursuing electrical engineering courses UK. Check out the following table to learn more.
| Requirements | Bachelor’s | Master’s |
| Qualifications | 10+2 education in mathematics, physics and relevant fields.A minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent in Class 12. | A minimum of 65% in a 4-year bachelor’s degree in relevant subjects. |
| IELTS | 6.5 (5.5 – 6.0 in subsections) | 6.5 |
| TOEFL | 100 | 79 – 92 |
| PTE | 56 | 51 – 62 |
In addition to the above eligibility criteria, students must also have a few documents ready for a smooth application process.
- All official academic transcripts
- Scores of standardised tests
- Scores of English language proficiency tests
- Statement of purpose
- Letter of recommendation (minimum 2)
- CV/Resume
- Details of work experience (if applicable)
- Financial documents
- Visa documents and a valid passport
Application Process
Universities in the United Kingdom have two major intakes – the fall intake in September and the winter intake in January. It is essential to verify the acceptance rates, available seats, offered courses, specialisations, and duration of the programmes in each intake, as these characteristics are liable to change. Here’s a step-by-step guide to how you can start applying to universities for electrical engineering in the UK.
- Consider the different institutes offering electrical engineering courses and shortlist the ones that suit your goals. Explore the specialisations and electives provided under those courses.
- Read the admission process on the university’s official website to find up-to-date details about their eligibility criteria, admission requirements and application portals.
- Check out the deadlines and fill out the application forms as soon as the portal opens to allow the Admissions Team enough time to process your application.
- Students can apply through the university’s application portal or the UCAS application system. In either case, you will be required to create an account with your personal and educational credentials.
- Ensure all the details match the ones on your documents to avoid any discrepancies.
- Upload the compiled documents like personal essays, letters of recommendation, financial documents and academic transcripts.
- You may be required to pay a nominal fee to complete the application.
- Depending on your record, you may receive an acceptance letter or a conditional offer letter.
- Fulfil their requirements and confirm your enrolment.
- Once done, start the process for your student visa.
Cost Of Studying In The UK
The cost of studying includes two significant factors – the tuition fees and the cost of living. The average annual cost of attendance for electrical engineering in the UK is around £26,520. However, since this is the mean value, the actual figure may vary in different universities and for various courses. The following table contains the details of average tuition in the top universities that offer this course.
| University | Average Annual Tuition | Average Annual Cost Of Living |
| University of Southampton | £25,000 | £13,044 |
| University of Edinburgh | £32,200 | £14,244 |
| Imperial College London | £37,900 | £14,844 |
| University of Manchester | £27,000 | £12,288 |
| University of Strathclyde | £23,750 | £12,876 |
| University of Glasgow | £27,930 | £12,876 |
| University of Bath Electrical Engineering | £24,500 | £17,244 |
| University of Portsmouth Electronic Engineering | £18,300 | £13,380 |
| University of Nottingham | £26,500 | £12,588 |
| University of Surrey | £22,100 | £17,076 |
The average cost of living in the UK is £13,848 per year. Factors like accommodation, commute, utilities and clothes contribute to the figure. As living expenses can pose a burden on students, it is wise to opt for scholarships that cover living expenses and avail of their benefits.
Check out the following table for a detailed breakdown of the monthly expenditure in the UK.
| Item | Cost of living in the UK (per month) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | £408 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | £472 |
| Transportation | £65 |
| Food | £360 |
| Utilities | £189 |
| Groceries | £28 |
| Clothes | £64 |
| Entertainment | £40 |
| Total Cost Of Living With Off-Campus Accommodation | £1,154 |
| Total Cost Of Living With On-Campus Accommodation | £1,218 |
| Annual Cost Of Living | £13,848 |
Scholarships For Engineering Students
Financial aid helps students reduce their financial burden and manage their living expenses better. Thus, the UK government, universities and NGOs offer several types of scholarships, grants and awards on the basis of academic excellence, merit, leadership qualities, community service and financial background. We have listed here some of the most beneficial scholarships for Indian students.
| Scholarships | Amount Awarded |
| Chevening Scholarships | Flexible amount |
| Fulbright-Imperial Scholarships | 100% tuition fee waiver |
| Commonwealth Masters Scholarship | Flexible amount |
| Electrical Power Engineering Scholarship | £3,500 |
| International Ambassador Scholarship | £5,000 |
| Bristol ThinkBig International Scholarship | £1,00,000 |
Future Prospects
After graduating from an electrical engineering course in the UK, candidates have plenty of opportunities to work in different arenas and industries. Although generation, distribution, and transmission of electric power is the primary field of work, domains like high-efficiency photovoltaic cells, green energy electrical power converters, smart electrical grids, eye-tracking technology, graphene, and Virtual Reality tech are currently rising.
The graduates of electrical engineering in the UK earn an average salary of £37,000 per year. However, this figure tends to increase as students gain more experience and learn more skills. Check the table below for popular job profiles and average annual salaries.
| Job Profiles | Average Annual Salary |
| Senior Electrical Engineer | £39,577 |
| Electrical Engineer | £30,500 |
| Electrical Design Engineer | £36,838 |
| Project Engineer | £32,852 |
| Energy Consultant | £49,569 |
| Senior Electronics Engineer | £50,341 |
Student Visa For The UK
It is highly recommended to start the visa application process as soon as your admission is confirmed, as it takes a lot of time. International students are required to pay an application fee of £490 or INR 49,559. The list of necessary documents is as follows –
- Passport
- Valid travel documents
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Financial proof
- Proof of consent if the candidate is under 18
- Evidence of relationship with guardian or parent.
To apply for the visa, you’ll have to obtain a Biometric Residence Permit. Next, complete the online application form and submit the documents. Once you’ve paid the application fee, you will have to schedule an interview. After this, the outcome is typically conveyed within 3 weeks.
FAQs
Q1. What are the top universities for studying electrical engineering in UK?
Ans: University of Southampton, University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, University of Manchester, and University of Strathclyde are some of the top universities for studying electrical engineering courses in the UK.
Q2. What career opportunities are available after studying electrical engineering courses in the UK?
Ans: The graduates of electrical engineering in the UK earn an average salary of £37,000 per year. They can choose to work in different domains of the field, like power generation, green energy converters, electrical grids, etc. Some of the popular job profiles are Electrical Engineer, Electrical Design Engineer, Project Engineer, and Energy Consultant.
Q3. Are there scholarships available for international students studying electrical engineering in the United Kingdom?
Ans: Students can avail of the different scholarships offered by the government, universities and NGOs to lessen their financial burdens. Chevening Scholarships, Fulbright-Imperial Scholarships, and Commonwealth Masters Scholarships are a few such scholarships.
Q4. What is the duration of electrical engineering programmes in the UK?
Ans: In the United Kingdom, a bachelor’s course in electrical engineering is usually 3 years long. A master’s course, on the contrary, is only one year long. However, these can vary in different institutes.
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