Key information
This alternative route to our BEng (Hons) or MEng Electrical Engineering degrees is delivered in partnership with Edinburgh College and Forth Valley College. You'll complete a relevant HND at one of these partner colleges, which enables direct entry to year 3 at Heriot-Watt University.
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- Non Graduating
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
The Electrical Engineering (Partnership College route) programme is unique in that you will split your learning across Forth Valley or Edinburgh colleges and Heriot-Watt University. You will apply through your chosen college and spend the first two years studying an HND there. During your time at college, you’ll gain knowledge of the fundamental principles of electrical engineering technologies. Upon successful completion of your HND, you’ll progress into the third year of an Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree at our Edinburgh Campus and follow its curriculum for another two or three years until you graduate with either a BENg (Hons) or MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Through choosing this degree, you’ll benefit from teaching, learning and study resources at either Edinburgh or Forth Valley colleges and Heriot-Watt University from year 1.
Our Electronic Engineering programmes provide you with a broad-based education in the subject, and develops your critical understanding of the core theories, principles and concepts relating to the use of engineering and computer technology. You’ll integrate engineering principles with the knowledge and understanding of mathematics, science, and management to adopt a holistic approach to solve current and emerging electrical engineering problems.
This undergraduate programme will make you aware of the range of functions a qualified engineer can fulfil, whilst exploring industry-specific design techniques and software packages. You’ll analyse economic and commercial aspects of business and develop the skills to create solutions to the current and emerging general and specialist problems in electrical engineering.
During your studies, you will apply our ‘learning by doing’ philosophy by practically developing your skills beyond traditional academic content. You’ll work on both individual and group projects from third year onwards, gaining valuable hands-on experience. The projects challenge you to solve a 'real life' problem – such as the project in which our students helped design an electronic egg to monitor penguin incubation. You will be taught how to use industry-standard equipment and facilities and will be supported and encouraged by staff to use the equipment to further your studies, innovate creative engineering solutions in your personal time, and apply your knowledge to relevant societies and extracurricular team competitions, including CanSat, and Formula Student.
Upon completion of the programme, you’ll have developed the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills required by industry, making you highly employable and sought after by electrical engineering companies world-wide.
Your student experience
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active robotics and electrical and electronic engineers and academics.
96% of Heriot-Watt University’s engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh.
Our BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering draws upon the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt as part of the Research Institute of Signals, Sensors and Systems (ISSS). The ISSS is one of five Research Institutes forming the research infrastructure of the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences (EPS). The ISSS has expertise in the fields of signal and image processing, novel manufacturing technologies, microsystems, microwave engineering, mobile communications systems, and autonomous systems.
You will also benefit from the work completed by the on-campus National Robotarium. The multimillion-pound innovation hub for robotics and autonomous systems has been built in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and delivers leading research and support for business creation and growth. The presence of the National Robotarium provides you with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills at the forefront of robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
The research relevance of this undergraduate programme ensures your studies remain cutting-edge and industry focused.
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
European Exchange
Worldwide Exchange
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
You’ll complete your first two years at either Forth Valley College or Edinburgh College. Mandatory learning will include mathematics for engineers and scientists.
Mandatory September
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 1
Mandatory January
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 2
Programme Video
Engineering video
Why does the world need engineering? Watch to find out.
Fees and funding
Fee information
| Status* | Scotland |
|---|---|
| Fee | Paid by SAAS |
* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.
Scholarships and bursaries
View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Years 1 and 2 of this special partnership programme are taken at Forth Valley College. See Forth Valley College for more information.
One of the following:
- Two highers at grade B and one at grade C or equivalent (to include Maths and a science or technology subject)
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering plus two further Highers at BB or BC to include Physics and Maths
- NC in Engineering Level 6
Additional Requirements:
- Please note that selection will be made via successful interview and group task.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Student life
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