Computer Systems Engineering with a Year in Industry

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 9 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 14.9 k / Year(s) Deadline: Jan 15, 2025
StudyQA ranking:2673 Duration:60 months

Photos of university / #unikentlive

Description

The range of uses for computers is increasing all the time – from smart phones and games consoles to aircraft flight control systems, super computers and global telecommunications.

This programme develops the skills and expertise needed to design computer systems, covering up-to-date detailed knowledge of computer hardware and software including electronics, communications systems and interface technologies.

We base our courses on leading-edge research, which is vital in a field that advances at such a fast pace. Our courses are designed with strong industrial input and therefore students graduate with excellent career prospects.

The School of Engineering and Digital Arts has always scored well in the National Student Survey, coming top three times in the last six years. We recently celebrated 25 years’ continuous accreditation by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Careers

Recently, our graduates have gone into the design of electronic and computer systems, software engineering, real-time industrial control systems and computer communications networks, in companies including BAE Systems, RAF, CISCO and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (MOD). Others have opted for further postgraduate study; for example, the MSc in Information Security and Biometrics or Embedded Systems and Instrumentation.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline January 15 Tuition fee
  • GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
  • GBP 14860 Year (Non-EEA)

Start date September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 300 ECTS
Credits Total Kent credits: 600
Duration full-time 60 months Languages Take an IELTS test
  • English
Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time More information Go To The Course Website

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

EL305 - Introduction to Electronics

EL311 - The Robotics Project

EL315 - Digital Technologies

EL318 - Engineering Mathematics

EL319 - Engineering Analysis

CO320 - Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming

CO323 - Databases and the Web

CO324 - Computer Systems

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

CO520 - Further Object-Oriented Programming

EL560 - Microcomputer Engineering

EL561 - Image Analysis & Applications

EL562 - Computer Interfacing

EL565 - Electronic Instrumentation and Measurement Systems

EL568 - Digital Implementation

EL569 - Signals and Systems

EL570 - Communications Principles

Year in industry

Students on the Year in Industry degree spend a year working in industry between Stages 2 and 3. We have an Industrial Placement Officer who will help you apply for placements. The School has excellent industrial links, providing students with many placement opportunities.

Possible modules may include:

EL790 - Year In Industry

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

EL600 - Project

EL667 - Embedded Computer Systems

EL671 - Product Development

EL673 - Digital Systems Design

EL676 - Digital Signal Processing and Control

CO633 - Computer Networks and Communications

CO634 - Computer Security and Cryptography

CO643 - Computing Law and Professional Responsibility

Stage 4

Possible modules may include:

CB934 - Strategy

EL750 - Systems Group Project

EL829 - Embedded Real-Time Operating Systems

EL874 - Computer & Reconfigurable Architectures

EL871 - DSP and Digital TV

EL857 - Biometric Technologies

EL822 - Communication Networks

Teaching & Assessment

Teaching includes lectures, coursework and laboratory assignments, examples classes where you develop your problem-solving skills and regular staff ‘surgeries’. Practical work is carried out in air-conditioned laboratories, with state-of-the-art equipment and outstanding IT infrastructure.

Stage 1 modules are assessed by coursework and examination at the end of the year. Stage 2 and 3 modules, with the exception of the final-year project, are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination. All years include project work to replicate industrial practice and develop skills to maximise employability.

Programme aims

  • Educate students to become engineers who are well equipped for professional careers in development, research and production in industry and universities, and who are well adapted to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing subject.

  • Produce Computer Systems engineers with specialist skills in hardware and software engineering, prepared for the complexities of modern computer system design.

  • Enable students to satisfy the professional requirements of the IET.

  • Provide proper academic guidance and welfare support for all students.

  • Create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and offer the students an environment where they can develop their potential.

  • Produce high calibre professional engineers with advanced knowledge of modern embedded electronic systems.

  • Enable students to fully satisfy all of the educational requirements for Membership of the IET and Chartered Engineer status.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

  • Mathematical principles relevant to computer systems engineering.

  • Scientific principles and methodology relevant to computer systems engineering.

  • Advanced concepts of Embedded Systems, Signals and Image Processing, Control, Computer Communications and Operating Systems.

  • The value of intellectual property and contractual issues.

  • Business and management techniques which may be used to achieve engineering objectives.

  • The need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in computer systems engineering.

  • Current manufacturing practice with particular emphasis on product safety and EMC standards and directives.

  • Characteristics of materials, equipment, processes and products.

  • Appropriate codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues.

  • Contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied.

  • A comprehensive understanding of embedded electronic systems and an awareness of developing technologies in this field.

  • A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models for analysis of embedded systems.

  • An extensive knowledge and understanding of business, management and professional practice concepts, their limitations, and how they may be applied.

  • Wide knowledge and understanding of design processes relevant to embedded electronic systems.

  • Extensive knowledge of characteristics of materials, equipment, processes and products.

Intellectual skills

  • Analysis and solution of hardware and software engineering problems using appropriate mathematical methods.

  • Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of computer systems engineering.

  • Use of engineering principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key computer systems engineering processes.

  • Ability to identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques.

  • Ability to apply and understand a systems approach to computer systems engineering problems.

  • Ability to investigate and define a problem and identify constraints including cost drivers, economic, environmental, health and safety and risk assessment issues.

  • Ability to use creativity to establish innovative, aesthetic solutions whilst understanding customer and user needs, ensuring fitness for purpose of all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal.

  • Ability to demonstrate the economic and environmental context of the engineering solution.

  • Ability to use fundamental knowledge to explore new and emerging technologies.

  • Ability to understand the limitations of mathematical and computer based problem solving and assess the impact in particular cases.

  • Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem and apply it in the solution.

  • Ability to evaluate commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.

  • Ability to apply engineering techniques taking account of commercial and industrial constraints.

Subject-specific skills

  • Use of mathematical techniques to analyse and solve hardware and software problems.

  • Ability to work in an engineering laboratory environment and to use a wide range of electronic equipment, workshop equipment and CAD tools for the practical realisation of electronic circuits.

  • Ability to work with technical uncertainty.

  • Ability to apply quantitative methods and computer software relevant to computer systems engineering in order to solve engineering problems.

  • Ability to implement software solutions using a range of structural and object oriented languages.

  • Ability to design hardware or software systems to fulfil a product specification and devise tests to appraise performance.

  • Awareness of the nature of intellectual property and contractual issues and an understanding of appropriate codes of practice and industry standards.

  • Ability to use technical literature and other information sources and apply it to a design.

  • Ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocation and execution of a design project and evaluate outcomes.

  • Ability to prepare technical reports and presentations.

  • An ability to apply business, management and professional issues to engineering projects.

  • Ability to apply knowledge of design processes in unfamiliar situations and to generate innovative designs to fulfil new needs.

Transferable skills

  • Ability to generate, analyse, present and interpret data.

  • Use of Information and Communications Technology.

  • Personal and interpersonal skills, work as a member of a team.

  • Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through drawings).

  • Learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development.

  • Ability for critical thinking, reasoning and reflection.

  • Ability to manage time and resources within an individual project and a group project.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test.

Requirements

Home/EU students

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

Qualification Typical offer/minimum requirement

  • A level:ABB including B or above in Mathematics and a science/technology subject (Physics, Computing or Electronics)
  • Access to HE Diploma:The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma):Engineering: Distinction, Distinction, Distinction including Further Mathematics for Technicians
  • International Baccalaureate:34 points overall or 16 at HL including Mathematics (not Mathematics Studies) and a science subject 5 at HL or 6 at SL

International students

The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.


Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

  • ✔️ Flexible study schedule
  • ✔️ Experienced teachers
  • ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

  • Academic Excellence Scholarship

    "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

  • Access Bursary

    Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

  • Alumni Bursary

    Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Kent.

Funding

Funding

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to support eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Our 2013 financial support package includes a fee waiver and cash bursary, as well as additional funds on your Kent account to help with accommodation, food, books and other living costs. Find out more on our fees and funding page.

General scholarships

Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created a new scholarship, The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence, which will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our funding pages.

Accreditation

Accreditation and rankings

All of our engineering degree programmes are accredited by our professional body, the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

The Times Good University Guide, The Guardian University Guide, The Complete University Guide and the National Student Survey (NSS) continually rank us among the top schools in the UK for our degree programmes, standard and quality of teaching, as well as our commitment to enhancing our students’ employability.

Our accreditation

Our Engineering degrees have been accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Our accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Our programmes in Computer Systems Engineering and Electronic and Communications Engineering provide you with a broad grounding in these vital fields.

Engineering Programmes at Kent have been continuously accredited by the IET for 30 years. The School of Engineering and Digital Arts is an IET Academic Partner.

EDA is proud to be a member of the Engineering Professors' Council – Promoting Excellence in Engineering in Higher Education.

Rankings

League tables

  • 100% student satisfaction with course and 7th place overall in Guardian League Table 2014
  • 4th for Electronic Engineering for Teaching Excellence – 2013 Sunday Times University Guide
  • 1st for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Student Satisfaction – 2012 Times Good University Guide
  • 1st for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Student Satisfaction – 2012 Complete University Guide
  • 3rd place for student satisfaction across the sector in Complete University Guide 2014

National Student Survey (NSS)

  • 1st (for the fourth time) for student satisfaction, 2012
  • 3rd in the UK, in subject, for teaching, 2012
  • 3rd in the UK, in subject, for assessment and feedback, 2012

Job prospects

  • 7th place across the sector in Complete University Guide 2014 for employability – 90% take up of work or further study six months after graduation
  • 14th in the UK for Electrical & Electronic Engineering graduating students' employment prospects, in Times Good University Guide 2012
  • 90% of Kent Electronic Engineering students found employment or went onto further study within 6 months of graduating in 2010
  • 95% of Kent Design studies students found employment or went onto further study within 6 months of graduating in 2010

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