Communications Engineering

The theme of this degree course is the convergence of electronic systems and communications systems – the process which has given us the internet, mobile phones, and global networks.

Ready, rapid and reliable access to information distributed around the globe is one of the key elements of modern society and impacts all sectors of engineering and the business world.

The demand for experts with skills in areas such as data communications, mobile communications and microwave engineering is buoyant with every field of commerce and industry reliant on the timely exchange of vital information.

Subject guide

Studies in electronic engineering including digital, analogue and programmable electronics are complemented with work on communications principles and optical, data and radio networks. As you progress, you will specialise in high frequency and optical communications and data communications and telecommunications network design and management. You will be able to study the engineering of the internet and its communications channels, protocols and procedures which underlie modern communications and commerce. And you will gain an appreciation of the role of data, its acquisition, organisation and manipulation in a highly distributed environment for presentation to end-users, be they remote electronic systems or human, at fixed or mobile locations.

This degree course has just been completely revised and modernised to meet the changing demands of industry. High quality employment in the communications industry is attractive to our graduates and many anticipate studying to MSc level, usually with the backing of an industrial company, after a year or two of gaining experience. As a result we have also designed the BEng degree courses to meet the demands of the communications industry and to provide a vertically integrated course of study leading from BEng to MSc for those who wish to follow this career progression.

Learning, teaching & assessment

You will benefit from a range of teaching methods and learning styles, including formal lectures; laboratory and design classes, and seminars; small groups tutorials with a personal tutor; computer-aided learning and virtual learning environments. You can expect an exciting learning experience with practical work and taught material integrated throughout the degree course.

During the year you will find a sequence of formative assessments to re-enforce and enhance the taught material. The overall assessment is a collation of marks from examination, classroom and laboratory exercises, internet-based practical assessments and oral presentations.

Placement year

You can choose between a 3 year full-time or 4 year sandwich course which incorporates an integrated year of paid industrial or commercial placement. You can delay this choice until the start of your second year. We will help you find a suitable placement and visit you regularly to ensure it is a success.

The placement is a perfect opportunity to gain invaluable professional experience. It will help you make a more informed judgement about your future career and will form an invaluable part of your CV when you seek graduate employment.

Professional accreditation

Our courses have been developed in collaboration with the electronics and telecommunications professions. All courses in the Electronic Engineering Academic Group are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET, formerly the IEE).

Career prospects

Well-trained graduates with skills in electronics design, software, telecommunications and engineering are in high demand. Some of our recent graduates are currently commanding high salaries working in government, the public sector and private industry, for employers such as Olympus, Corus, HSBC, Oxford University, Hewlett Packard, Cogent Defence, BAE Systems, Npower, Siemens, Orange, Vodafone, QinetiQ, National Grid, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Cars and Microsoft. Other graduates have chosen to study for PhD degrees at Aston or at other universities across the UK and beyond or have started their own businesses.
Areas where out graduates enter include:

• Research & development

• Design & manufacture

• Management and marketing

• Consultancy

• Education

• Innovation