Overview
Want to learn about degrees in electrical and electronics engineering, the different specializations available and potential careers? Then read our guide...Electrical power and systems are at the heart of modern society – and so too are electrical and electronics engineers.
Engineers specializing in these fields are involved in everything from the latest smart phone, to ensuring a constant supply of energy to our homes and workplaces.
The difference between the two – ‘electrical’ and ‘electronics’ – is often blurred. However, it’s generally true to say that electrical engineers are concerned mainly with the large scale production and distribution of electrical power, while electronics engineers focus on much smaller electronic circuits.
These include the circuits used in computers and other modern technologies, and indeed electronics is often taught alongside computer science.
Both electronics and electrical engineering also overlap with mechanical and civil engineering.
To study any of these subjects at university, you will need a strong background in maths and physics. Many courses will start with some foundation modules designed to ensure this background knowledge is up to the required standard.
The world's best universities for electrical engineering: QS Rankings by Subject >
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Specialization
Common topics in electrical engineering include energy generation and transmission, magnetostatics and electrostatics (types of electric charge), and electrical installations (such as heating and lighting systems).Meanwhile electronics courses will typically cover topics such as analogue and digital circuit design, digital communication, wireless technologies, and computer programming.
Further into the course, it is often possible to specialize in the application of electrical/ electronics engineering in a particular industry. Examples include:
Power
One of the major specializations for electrical engineers – and among the most important issues for modern society – is power generation and distribution. Programs in this field should prepare students for work across a range of stages in the power system, from designing energy generation and conversion facilities, through to managing the supply of energy to individual users and devices. Students may choose to further specialize in a particular type of energy source, such as wind or solar power.Communications and media
Here, there may be opportunities to study the applications of electrical engineering in a broad range of technologies and media, including digital and satellite broadcasting, fibre-optic communications, and wired and wireless networks. Students interested in this specialization may go on to work in TV and radio broadcasting, mobile or terrestrial telephone communication, internet services – and of course the next development in the fast-changing field.Computer systems
Here, topics may include artificial intelligence, computer architecture, security and cryptography, network communications, circuit design and digital signal processing. This could lead to careers in software, chip or system design, but also a much broader range of roles – from CCTV surveillance to automated systems for heavy industry.
Career Options
Prospects for electrical and electronic engineering graduates are very strong in many parts of the world. In Australia, for example, the government reports unemployment rates for electrical engineers below average, comparatively high earnings, and predicts continued strong jobs growth up to 2016-17.In the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted 6% jobs growth between 2010 and 2020. This is slower than the overall growth rate predicted across the economy, largely due to slow growth rates predicted in many manufacturing industries which employ electrical engineers.
However, the Bureau forecasts rising demand in sectors such as computer systems design, wireless technology, and general research and development.
Other major employment sectors for electrical and electronics engineers include:
- Power generation and supply
- Construction
- Transport infrastructure maintenance and development
- Manufacturing
- Communications and media
- Computer hardware and software design
- Healthcare
- Science and technology research
Within each of these industries, positions are available in research and development, design, and testing and maintenance. Career progression could mean taking on supervisory and management roles.
For both research and management roles, graduate-level education can help to accelerate career progression, giving students the chance to gain additional expertise and skills.
In terms of salary expectations, those in the electronics sector tend to earn more. The US Bureau of Labor reports the average annual salary for electronics engineers in the US was just over $90,000 in 2010, compared to $84,540 for electrical engineers.
Profile: Electrical engineering career in wind power >
Key Skills
As well as preparing for a specialized professional role, graduates of electrical and electronic engineering courses should gain the following transferable skills:- Technical expertise
- Numeracy
- General IT skills
- Self-management, including planning and meeting deadlines
- Professional communication, spoken and written
- Team work
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Data analysis
- Awareness of relevant contexts, such as business and environmental issues
Find the world's best universities for electrical engineering with the QS Rankings by Subject >
Studying Electrical Engineering in the UK: Alumnus Profile
Darren McIntyre explains how completing a BEng Electrical Engineering program in the UK has helped him enter a career in wind power.
Darren’s goal, when choosing a country and a university, was to be able to secure a high paying job, close to his family and friends in his native country of Jamaica.
Three years after graduating from the University of Liverpool’s BEng Electrical Engineering program it looks like he has achieved his aim, working as a service engineer at Wigton Wind Farm, Jamaica’s largest wind farm.
New insights through studying abroad
In retrospect, then, his choice seems like it was a good one. What was it that convinced him that the UK was right for him?
He replies that it was “suggestions from family who had studied in the UK”, as well as the “prospect of a new experience” that motivated his decision.
Why Liverpool in particular? “They offered a good engineering program, in a fairly large, historical city with a large student base and lots of activities.”
He didn’t, however, always want to study in the UK specifically, but is adamant that he always wanted to study in a foreign country. We wondered if he enjoyed his time there, and if Liverpool proved to be an enjoyable host city.
He tells us that “It was generally fun and exciting, with lots of things to do,” adding that, “Making friends was not difficult once you found something which you had in common; the people were open once you got to know them.”
His 2:1 degree aside, Darren also feels that he gained a lot from his time in the northwest of England, stating that “the experience of living in a first-world country” was greatly beneficial to him, giving him insights into how things were done elsewhere in the world, and allowing him to think about “how those different ways of doing things could be applied to problems in my home country”.
He also feels that he profited generally from “exposure to a different culture and way of thinking”.
Challenges, but worth it?
It is clear that Darren got a lot from his time in the UK. But nothing is perfect, and there was one thing in particular that he didn’t enjoy, one that is common to many British residents as well as visitors to the island nation: “The worst part was the wet cold weather for most of the year, especially coming from a warm tropical island!”
He also wonders if perhaps he had too good a time there, saying that if he did it again that he would “probably party a little less, and study a little more”.
Another potential complaint is the high tuition fees. Darren was lucky, in that his family could afford to foot the bill, but nonetheless he felt that, as an international student, fees were very high.
But in the end it seems to have all been worth it: “I am currently in my ideal field, and I’m very happy with that. I think a degree from a UK university has something of a wow factor.”
He’s not sure that his British degree is what secured him his job, but nonetheless having a degree from the world’s 123rd best university, according to the 2011 QS World University Rankings, certainly can’t have hindered his prospects!
As ever, we concluded our interview with Darren by asking him if he would recommend the experience to others.
He replies “I would definitely recommend the experience – the experience of a different culture and country alone is probably worth it. If you are thinking about studying overseas and can afford it I would say go for it. Just do some research on the university that you are interested in.”
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