Course Overview
Lancaster's international reputation for excellence in research will greatly aid your studies. You'll be taught jointly by the Department of Computing and the Department of Engineering, both highly ranked in the latest Research Assessment Exercise, 2008. Lancaster's Department of Engineering is a broad-based engineering centre with a record of innovative teaching, practical research and close links with industry. Our degrees are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology or the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
Computer Systems Engineering combines the fields of electronics and computer science and develops the cross-disciplinary skills needed to design the next generation of computer systems.
You'll begin your degree with courses including Electrical and Electronics Fundamentals; Sensing and Signals, and The Digital Domain. Your second-year subjects cover Software Design; Engineering Analysis, and Instrumentation and Control. In your third year, you'll complete a Final Year Project and can take modules including Engineering Management and Wireless Systems.
For a list of compulsory modules, please see the tab above.
Related Courses
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the Engineering department.
Year 1
- Electrical and Electronics Fundamentals
- Sensing and Signals
- Computers and Control
- The Digital Domain
- Electronic Information Systems Design
- Algebra, Graphs and Elementary Complex Numbers
- Determinants, Vectors and Further Complex Numbers
- Calculus
- Differential Equations
- Further Calculus and Numerical Techniques
- Software Development
- Fundamentals of Computer Science
Year 2
- Software Design
- Engineering Analysis
- Instrumentation and Control
- Electrical Circuits and Power Systems
- Electromagnetics & RF Engineering
- Digital Electronics
- Operating Systems
- Advanced Programming
- Networking
- Distributed Systems
- Electronic Systems A
- Electronic Systems B
- Electronic Systems C
Year 3
- Networking
- Distributed Systems
- Final Year Project
- Engineering Management
- Integrated Circuit Engineering
- Programmable Systems
- Wireless Systems
Year 4
- Wireless Broadband, WIMAX and LTE
- Advanced Embedded Systems
- Intelligent System Control
- Group Project
- Microsystem and System-on-Chip Technology
- Smart Systems
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the Engineering department website.
Entry Criteria
A-level: AAA inc. Maths and a Physical Science A-level, i.e. Phys, Chem, Design Tech, Electronics etc.
General Studies: Accepted as one of the best 3 grades if 4 A-levels are presented
Key skills: Not included in offer
Scottish Highers: AAABB. Advanced Higher in Maths is helpful.
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 36 points overall with 16 points from best three HL courses, inc. Maths at higher level
IELTS: 6.0
BTEC: DDD including distinctions in Maths modules
HNC/HND: Distinctions and merits in all relevant units
New UK 'Diploma' & Cambridge Pre-U: Contact us for information
Direct entry to second year: Appropriate qualifications include a good Higher National Diploma or Certificate in relevant subjects, or a Higher Diploma from polytechnics in Hong Kong and Singapore. Candidates with other qualifications of comparable standing should write to enquire.
Careers
Your degree in Computer Systems Engineering will open up many opportunities in industry, from applications engineering to computer hardware design.
The quality of our graduates is recognised by leading companies, from start-ups and small technology companies through to industry giants such as Philips, BP, Nissan, Hewlett Packard, British Telecom, Rolls-Royce and British Aerospace. These employers are already offering our graduates starting salaries of over £26,000 a year.
Our graduates' versatile communication, project management, logical thinking and problem-solving skills can also lead to roles in areas as diverse as project engineering, management, design, government, law and marketing.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments which include the traditional lectures, tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory and practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based delivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using various methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, exercises, literature reviews, short tests, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include basic and in-depth questions, essays and data analysis. Students are supervised in the production of final year project reports and dissertations, while students in laboratory classes are supported by demonstrators. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue.
In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University has committed £2.7m in scholarships and bursaries to help with your fees and living costs. Our financial support depends on your circumstances and how well you do in your A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) before starting study with us.
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. For students starting their study with us in 2013, over 600 each year will be entitled to bursaries and/or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. For UK students entering in 2013 we will have the following financial support available:
- An Academic Scholarship of £2,000 for the first year of study to any student from the UK entering with A*, A*, A or equivalent academic qualifications
- An Access Scholarship of £1,000 per year for all UK students from households with an income of less than £42,600 who achieve grades of A*, A, A or the equivalent academic qualifications
- A Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 per annum for all students from England with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £42,600
- As part of the National Scholarship Programme, a £1,000 Bursary, a £1,000 Fee Waiver and a £1,000 Accommodation Discount in the first year of study, for students from England with a household income of less than £25,000. Plus a Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 in subsequent years.
*All of the financial awards above are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access July 2012.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
View details of our current Undergraduate fees.
