Spectacular advances in electronics, computing and communications have made a huge impact on modern life. Studying Electronic and Communications Engineering at Kent you become a part of this revolution, and gain the knowledge and skills to make your own mark in this exciting field.

The School of Engineering and Digital Arts’ degree programmes are taught by staff with both academic and industrial experience. Our programmes are based on leading-edge research topics, vital in a field that advances so quickly, and combine theory with practical and project work – the chance to turn ideas into real systems. Our student work has been awarded international prizes.

Our staff meet regularly with a team of senior industrialists to ensure that our programmes keep up to date with industry.

Applicants for September 2020 entry can apply for a scholarship of a £2,000 one-off payment. For more information and to apply, see DA VINCI Academic scholarship. 

Our degree programme

This programme covers all aspects of electronic engineering, which means on graduation you can enter any branch of electronics. By studying on our four-year programme, you are able to focus in depth on particular topics

Your first year lays the foundation for the rest of your studies and includes modules on computer systems, electronic circuits, engineering analysis and mathematics. You also complete a robotics project which gives you the chance to construct a robot.

In your second year, you further develop your understanding of the field, gaining further practical experience. As your knowledge grows you discover which areas particularly interest you and in your third year you focus on those areas in preparation for your project.

In your final year, you study business strategy and undertake a group project, which accounts for half of the work of the year. You apply your technical skills and knowledge and develop project and management skills.

All years include project work that replicates industrial practice to maximise the employability of our graduates.

Year in industry

Your year in industry takes place between your second and third year. The School’s dedicated employability officer helps you to identify organisations offering placements. Companies also visit the School to present their placement opportunities and to interview candidates.

As well as gaining invaluable workplace experience, you also have the chance to evaluate a particular career path, and, if your placement goes well, you may be offered a job by that employer after graduation. For further details, see course structure.

You can take this programme without a year in industry, Electronic and Communications Engineering.

BEng programme

We also offer a three-year BEng programme, Electronic and Communications Engineering.

Foundation year

If you do not have the qualifications for direct entry on to one our degree programmes, you can take Electronic and Communications Engineering with a Foundation Year.

Study resources

We provide first-class facilities to support your studies, including:

• 120-seat multi-purpose engineering laboratory
• four air-conditioned computer suites housing around 150 high-end computers
• CAD and development software
• PCB and surface-mount facilities
• an anechoic chamber
• mechanical workshop staffed with skilled mechanical engineers.

Kent School of Engineering and Digital Arts is undergoing a £3 million redevelopment and modernisation which is due for completion in July 2020. You gain state-of-the-art engineering and design facilities which include

• a virtual reality suite
• a production studio (including photography, video and green screen facilities)
• a large teaching and design studio
• engineering workshop and fabrication facilities
• a dedicated makerspace. 

Extra activities

There are many ways to get involved in School life. You could become a student representative, giving students a voice on School committees or become a student ambassador and work with us in secondary schools to promote engineering and technology.

We also host events where you can meet industry experts and former students.

In addition, you can take part in student-led societies including:

• TinkerSoc – a society that embraces all forms of technology, where you build, hack and make things.

Professional networks

The School has strong links with the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). We have several visiting industrial professors who contribute to the strong industrial relevance of our programmes.