MEng
Computer Engineering
Leading to Chartered Engineer (CEng) status
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Computer engineering is at the core of the telecommunications, entertainment and automated systems we use in our everyday lives. It is the lifeblood of today’s cutting-edge companies.
The difference between this course and our BEng (Hons) route is that as well as specialising in more advanced topics, you’ll meet the European Framework Standards for engineering accreditation.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Use our fully equipped multi-platform suites and computer labs to enhance your learning experience
- Design and develop software, hardware, networks, etc, for a variety of fields such as digital forensics and artificial intelligence
- Opt to do a salaried placement year either in the UK or overseas
What opportunities might it lead to?
It is possible to start on the BEng (Hons) Computer Engineering course and then transfer onto this MEng course at the end of your second year. This MEng course has been accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), meeting the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).
Successfully completing this MEng course will allow you to achieve Chartered Engineer (CEng) status upon graduation.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- Consumer and professional electronics
- Robotics
- Defence
- Broadcasting and telecommunications
- The information technology sector
I like the course because of the high level of practical content.
John Wheal, MEng Computer Engineering student 2013
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- H603
- Duration
- 4 years full time, 5 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry
300-340 points to include 200 points from a minimum of 3 A levels, or equivalent, including Mathematics plus Science or Technology subjects.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £11,900 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- technology.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2555 - Department
- School of Engineering
Subject:
Computing and Creative Technologies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Hands-on, practical work and real-life learning, which is transferable to future careers
- Modern facilities and access to the latest technology including numerous computer labs, TV studios and a motion capture suite
- Approachable lecturers who have experience and contacts in the industry
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
Your first year will give you a good background in digital and analogue electronics, data communications and computing as well as the academic skills that you’ll be relying on throughout the course.
Core units in this year include:
- Mathematical Principles
- Concepts of Data Communication Networks
- Introduction to Algorithms and Programming
- Introduction to Analogue Circuits
- Principles of Digital Systems
- Writing and Research in the Workplace
Year two
You will start to define your specialist area through a choice of options alongside covering topics such as computer architecture, software programming, embedded systems and advanced digital electronics. There’s also a substantial amount of project work as you engage in a group design task.
Core units in this year include:
- Computer Architecture and Organisation
- Microcontrollers and Programmable Logic
- Data Networks, Protocols and Analysis
- Collaborative and Pervasive Network Applications
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Engineering Mathematics
- Network Simulation and Design Techniques
- Foreign Language
Year three**
In your final two years you will consolidate your skills and learning. There is a handful of core units but the final year project gives you the freedom to analyse, design, build and evaluate your own work.
Core units in this year include:
- Real-time Embedded Systems
- Artificial Intelligence
- Performance and Security of Network Applications
- VHDL and FPGA Systems
MEng year units include:
- Individual MEng Project
- CT Configuration and Administration
- GPU Architecture and Programming
- Advanced DSP Techniques
- Unified Communications
- Materials for Electronic Products
**This course is also available as a 4 year sandwich (+ work placement)
Teaching and Assessment
Here at the University, we aim to provide a lively and modern learning environment. During this course you will experience a mixture of lectures, tutorials, laboratory and practical computing work consisting of group assignments with a strong design emphasis.
How are you assessed?
We assess you in a way that encourages a deeper understanding and allows you to develop your skills. Here’s how:
- multiple choice tests
- essays
- written exams
- mini projects
- presentations
- case studies
- group assignments
Tutor's view
Dr Rinat Khusainov
Computing
Engineering is about creative application of science to make yesterday’s science fiction, today’s reality. That is why we place emphasis on combining strong knowledge foundations with practical skills and experience. This will widen your career choices and allows you to ‘hit the ground running’, which is valued by employers.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Specialist Software and Equipment
You’ll have a range of excellent resources at your fingertips
Maths Café
The Maths Café - drop in any time and get one-to-one help
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Specialist Software and Equipment
A full range of industry software will be available for you to use in the computer labs, supported by multi-platform network suites offering a variety of operating systems. You’ll have a range of excellent resources at your fingertips including:
- the network laboratory
- Cisco equipment
- ECAD and software development suites
- analogue and digital electronics
- microprocessors
- telecommunications and control systems
- Linux, Windows and Unix systems
Maths Café
Drop in any time and get one-to-one help with that tricky maths or stats problem. With handouts on key topics to take away and computer aided learning packages, we can get the problem solved and help you improve your numeracy skills.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
We have access to a range of labs, these include analogue and digital labs and specialist networking labs.
John Wheal, MEng Computer Engineering student 2013
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
This accredited course meets the full educational requirements for registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). You can expect to find careers in areas such as software engineering, microprocessing, electronics, defence industries and with network service providers, as well as banking and consultancy.
It’s also fairly common for our graduates to be snapped up by the employer they worked for in their placement year. Others continue their study at both MSc and PhD levels, specialising further in areas such as health informatics, forensic IT and networking.
Overall you will be well qualified for many of the major computing graduate programmes or employment in varied fields of the computing industry.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- systems engineer
- graduate security engineer
- network integration engineer
- programmer
- service desk analyst
- firmware developer
Work experience
The best way to boost your CV is by doing an industry placement. This is a great opportunity to put your developing skills into practice in an industrial or commercial setting - and be paid for it! Taking a year in industry is an extremely effective way to increase your employability for when you finish the course. You may even find that your placement employer hires you once you graduate.
There are also opportunities to do a placement overseas in one of 31 participating countries via our Erasmus exchange programme. We actively encourage such placements as it’s a great way for you to experience another culture and develop some language skills.
Our team at the Student Placement and Employability Centre (SPEC) offers information and guidance during the recruitment process for your placement and supports you throughout the year in industry. We also ensure you have access to a range of other volunteering and work experience opportunities.
Here are some examples of the roles our students have secured for their placements:
- IT Technician at Nimbus
- Systems Engineer at GE Aviation
- Developer at Smoothwall
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more