Course Summary

The electronic engineering industry has experienced skills shortages in recent years - the industry requires engineers with not only domain knowledge and skills but also knowledge and awareness of modern computer techniques and programming skills.

Designed to meet industry requirements, the BEng (Hons) Computer Systems Engineering is a challenging and enjoyable course that could put you in a key position in the job market. The teaching team has previous experience of working with industry and a clear vision about balancing theory with practice. The course is multidisciplinary, developing your engineering background, Digital Signal Processing (DPS) and embedded programming skills.

The course is structured in units that will allow you to gain fundamental knowledge and explore advanced computer and electronic engineering techniques. You will be able to apply these techniques to solve real-world engineering problems and develop communication and team-working skills.

Why choose this course?

Completion of this course will open up career opportunities as an engineer in the electronics industry, or as a software engineer within computer software companies who develop specific software for this industry.

During this course you will:

• Gain combined knowledge on both modern computer science and electrical/electronic engineering
• Develop practical skills
• Be supervised by a knowledgeable, experienced and friendly teaching team
• Experience teaching and learning supported by industry links with local and regional industry partners
• Be involved in real-world R&D projects
• Gain work placement opportunities
• Study in an equality and diversity-aware environment

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Computer system architecture and hardware
• Signal processing and circuit analysis
• Embedded systems development
• Programming and software development
• Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies

BECSEAAF

Assessment

The assessments are designed to assist students in meeting the required learning outcomes and their own learning needs in relation to each unit.

The assessments provide students with opportunities to diagnose their skills, abilities, academic/occupational background and level to give students an early indication of what specific learning practices may help them more in some particular areas of study, starting from student induction period in conjunction with Fundamentals of Computing unit and throughout the entire in-course period of study. There will be frequent opportunities to get feedback both from tutors, peers and via self assessment, and some assessments will allow for draft submissions to be considered by a tutor or peers to identify aspects in need of development prior to final hand-in.

The assessments are to be inclusive such that a variety of methods will be used in assessing students to ensure that no particular group of students are advantaged or disadvantaged. The methods include portfolios, laboratory practical work, group and individual production projects, individual and group written reports and formal written exams.

Mini-projects and case studies provide students with real-world problems. The students are expected to find solutions to the problems following the process of analysis, technique evaluation, design and syntheses, and solution evaluation.

These min-projects and case studies are designed in both group work and individual work fashions to allow student to practice their communication skills and team working skills, and to develop their capability of working individually. They are also design in the way in which students need to connect together different elements taught within a unit and also across different units with helps from the course team who explain to students how individual units make up of the course.

Written exams focus on theoretical knowledge and the application of the knowledge to engineering problems.

Educational Aims

The curriculum structure consists of subjects that allow students to gain fundamental knowledge and to further explore advanced computer and electrical/electronic engineering techniques, to develop skills of applying the techniques to innovatively resolve real-world engineering problems, as well as to develop communication and teamworking skills.

This course aims

• To develop personal skills so that students have confidence and ability to express their creativity both individually and as part of a team


• To promote a responsible attitude towards the use of the computer hardware and software


• To facilitate students' understanding of the fundamentals of computer technologies and electrical/electronic engineering techniques


• To facilitate students ability to apply the techniques to resolving real-world engineering problems


• To promote students awareness of the cultural, social, political, economic and ethical implications in computer science and electrical/electronic engineering

Student support

A varity of support mechanisms are arranged to help students to achieve the learning outcomes associated with this degree, including:

• Induction All students will have an introductory session. Its purpose will be to help students to become familiar with academic and technical staff in the CST Department and the facilities available such as the Department Labs, Learning Resource Centre, Virtual Learning Environment, as well as other student services


• Course handbook and unit handbooks All students will also be provided with course and unit handbooks which will include general course information, details of assessment methods and contact names


• Personal tutor Each student will have a personal tutor. There will be tutorial sessions where their tutor will be available to support their progression on the course and to help them to solve problems which are not directly related to the course


• Computer Assisted Diagnostic assessment -- The results of such diagnostics enable a personalised program to address individual learning requirements, for example, Mathematical or Language skills. Academic advice will be provided at a field level and a Corporate level


• Academic English support These will be provided mainly for International students

Team working

Group work will be encouraged in assignments through out the course to develop students skills needed to work with others which will benefit them in preparing for professional life and for work placement. Each team will consist of 2-4 students. Team members will be expected to contribute to team discussions, complete tasks as part of a team and in general, be able to show that they are able to work with others. To ensure individual participation in each group, peer assessment will be used to mark the final artefact.

Career Management Skills

This forms a consistent thread progressing through each year with opportunities of engaging with industrial and business projects or through engagement with an employer during placement. Students will also be encouraged to engage with the Careers Development unit (Job Shop) in order to assess the skills that they possess against positions within the current market. Any skills deficiencies can then be identified and students can begin to address these in order to progress to their chosen career.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

• Engineers in electrical/electronic industry


• Software engineers in computer software companies who develop specific software for the above industry

Further study:

MSc taught courses in Computer Science, Computer Security and Forensics, Information management and Mobile Computing, MSc by research course, MPhil, PhD

Entry

Standard:

Standard entry requirements for UK students

Students from the European Union

International students

Additional:

80 UCAS points are expected from STEM subjects.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

versity of Bedfordshire

Professional, Statuatory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Improving learning and performance

First year students undertake the Foundations of Computing unit that looks at the learning styles of each participant and seeks to enhance these. In addition they will receive formative feedback on tasks that they undertake. Any assessed piece of work will always receive written comments and students should use these in order to improve their performance (if necessary) at the next available opportunity.

Progress files

Students will be asked to develop their personal Progress Files when they are assigned with Personal Tutors during student induction. The Progress File serves as a document recording students development as a student. It consists of three parts:

• Formal transcripts


• Personal development plan, which may be amended according to the results of diagnostic assessments


• Personal records of learning and achievements, including those achieved against the personal development plan as well as minutes of meetings with Personal Tutors

Personal Tutors will guide students to develop The Progress Files.

Professional standards

In order for students to develop an appropriate professional attitude, they are expected to

• Attend lectures, seminars, workshops and practical sessions. If absence is unavoidable, due to illness, for example, the lecturer and students should be notified in advance of the session


• Be strictly punctual at all lectures, seminars, workshops and practical sessions


• Complete all course work on time and in a thorough manner, and present neatly


• Have a log book for each unit to record their learning activities, including purposes, what has been done, results, what has been learnt, date, time, venue, names of students and tutors/demonstrators and their responsibilities


• Participate in preparation lab before a practical, including taking out equipment from cabinets and arrange them on lab desks/benches, and tidy up the lab afterwards when required, including putting back equipment back to cabinets, switching off computers, throwing rubbish into bin, etc


• Be aware of safety and health issues in labs, in particular, when wiring electrical circuits and connecting them with power suppliers and signal generators


• Be aware of ethic issues, such as the use of personal data


• Take own responsibility for understanding the term plagiarism

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

To ensure that standards are maintained, the course has been designed so that students will be educated about the professional standards of their field. Many of academic staff at the University of Bedfordshire possess PhD degree in computer science and electrical/electronic engineering and related areas and are BCS or IET members. They also carry out research in the areas. Therefore, they are able to act as champions and role models in this area.