Overview
Our Electronic and Communications Engineering double degree programme adopts the “4+0” study mode based at Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications (CQUPT) in China. This programme has been jointly developed by the Brunel University London and CQUPT. It aims to bring together the strengths of CQUPT in communications and Brunel in electronics to produce engineers who can take up leadership roles in industry with respect to the delivery of innovative 5G applications.
You’ll be taught in English to enable you to develop the English language skills required in the workplace right from the start of your course. The programme is delivered over four years, allowing time to include teaching focused exclusively on developing students’ command of English to a professional level, practising the four core skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The English language modules do not carry credits towards the degree award, but are essential for students to successfully complete assessments in English.
In year 4, a graduation project will be carried out in English with two supervisors one based at Brunel and the other at CQUPT. All students will be assigned a personal tutor to provide more individual support where necessary.
You will be introduced to communication engineering and gain deep knowledge of electronics and communication systems. You’ll learn about electronic systems and computer architecture and then progress to advanced electronics and digital communication systems. The programme provides a coherent curriculum through which problem solving, professional development and transferable skills required to work in electronic and communications engineering and related industries are developed.
You will be enrolled into both the British and Chinese universities. As a result, you’ll gain the undergraduate diploma and bachelor's degree certificate from CQUPT and the Electronic and Communication Engineering BEng degree from Brunel University London, UK.
The entry criteria is based on the results of the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) of China and detailed information can be found on this link: http://international.cqupt.edu.cn/info/1137/1985.htm
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
You’ll receive extensive training and practise in English language. You will also study selected modules from both British and Chinese curriculum's for fundamental and advanced knowledge and skills in electronic and communication engineering fields. Various practical projects will be done in groups of students in design and implantation of advanced electronic systems.
Compulsory
- Introduction to English for Academic Purposes
The module aims to engage you in collaborative learning and independent self-study to consolidate and improve essential subskills in order to become more confident in all four main language skills in general, familiar situations as well as in an academic context at intermediate level.
- C programming
The module aims to help you master the basic grammatical knowledge of C language, understand the thought and method of process-orientated programming, master the basic computer algorithms, cultivate good habits of programming and the application ability of problem solving.
- Advanced Mathematics II
The module aims to develop your mathematical skills necessary for the analysis of real problems in electronics, communications and physics.
- Linear Algebra and its Applications
The module aims to reinforce and develop mathematical skills in linear algebra necessary to the professional communications engineers.
- English for Specific Academic Purposes
This module is designed to develop learners' English level in all 4 skills to IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.
- Digital Logic Techniques
The module aims to introduce the basic principles of digital circuits and systems and provide an introduction to the design of a simple digital system.
- Microprocessors
This module aims to introduce the basic principles of digital circuits and systems, provide an introduction to the fundamentals of microprocessor/microcontroller architecture and systems and introduce a specific microcontroller.
Compulsory
- Devices and Circuits
The module aims to introduce basic principles and analytical methods for linear circuits, and introduce the basic principles of diode and transistor circuits and operational amplifiers in DC and frequency-dependent applications. The module also aims to provide essential preparation for further study in a wide range of topics.
- Engineering Science, Systems and Society
The module aims to develop an appreciation of fundamental scientific knowledge relevant to electronic and electrical engineering. It also aims to develop an appreciation of systems analysis and modelling of engineering systems and the role of engineering in society and address current topics of interest and develop students’ interpersonal/ transferable skills.
- Electronic Workshop
The module aims to reinforce understanding of electronics and develop electronic engineering workshop skills.
- Fundamentals of Signals and Systems
The module aims to provide the mathematical tools for the understanding of continuous-time and discrete-time signals and systems in both the time and frequency domains.
- Computer Architecture and Interfacing
The module aims to present a comprehensive introduction to the design philosophies, fundamental constructs and operational principles of sequential computer architecture and develop an understanding of computer architecture from an engineering perspective. It also aims to develop the underlying knowledge and skills appropriate to today’s embedded systems and interfacing including the study of microcontroller system design, circuits and transducers to which the microcontroller must interface, and the embedded system programming in both Assembler and C.
- Professional Practices and Business for Engineers
The module aims to develop your understanding of company economics and structures, and of the management of technical projects and human resources. It also aims to develop your awareness of the management dimension in their likely future roles.
- Electronic Group Design Project
The module aims to reinforce and develop engineering design skills, personal and transferable skills appropriate to electronic and communication engineering.
- English for Engineering
This module is designed to develop learners' English level in all 4 skills from IELTS 5.0 to IELTS 5.5 or equivalent.
Optional
- Further English Training
The module aims to develop your English level in all 4 skills to B2/IELTS 5.5 or equivalent.
Compulsory
- Digital Signal Processing
This module covers the basic knowledge of digital signal processing theory and technology, which include: time domain discrete signals and systems, time domain analysis and frequency domain analysis, discrete Fourier transform and its fast algorithm: FFT, digital discrete system network structure, IIR and FIR digital filter design theory and methods, the basic realization of digital signal processing methods.
- Principles of Communication
The module aims to familiarize you with basic technology of communication system, and understand the basic factors that determine the performance of the communication system. You will also learn the basic components of modern communication systems and methods of its basic performance index. It can develop your ability to analyse and solve the basic problem in the communications field.
- Electronic Systems
The module aims to provide an appreciation and understanding of the theory and operation of electronic circuit design with consideration to single and multi-device sub-circuits, frequency response characteristics, feedback, stability, and efficiency. It also aims to develop a design and evaluate practical skills in electronics on a design project.
- Digital Systems Design
The module aims to develop an understanding of digital systems from a hardware implementation perspective. It will develop your appreciation of fundamental algorithms, roles, limitations of CAD tools used in digital systems design. The module also gives a practical insight the analysis, design and implementation of digital systems.
- Mobile Communications
The module aims to provide the mathematical exposition of the physical layer of mobile communications, present the fundamental principles and underlying knowledge of mobile communications including the introduction of cutting-edge technologies for future mobile communications.
- Modern Communication Networks
The module aims to gain the general model composition of modern communication system, the function of each module and the typical switching technology and working principle. It also aims to understand the basic process of data transmission, the architecture and function of different networks.
- Robotics and Control Systems
The module aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of analysis and design of linear time-invariant continuous-time and discrete-time systems. It will also provide a comprehensive understanding of robotics modelling, dynamics, analysis, and control.
Compulsory
- Engineering Management and Quality Engineering
The module aims to develop understanding of managing key processes and projects in engineering with a specific focus on principles/ techniques for managing the quality of Engineering systems.
- Academic Writing English
The module aims to develop understanding of managing key processes and projects in engineering with a specific focus on principles/ techniques for managing the quality of Engineering systems.
- Graduation Project
The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to design, execute, report and demonstrate a substantial individual project in a professional manner and further develop their communication, planning, time management, research and development skills and initiative.
Optional
- Design of Intelligent Systems
This module aims to introduce the key concepts of intelligent processing systems, to develop the skills required to develop intelligent software applications, and to gain hands-on experiences through learning, applying and implementing intelligent systems.
- Emergent Wireless Network Technologies
The module aims to gain general understanding of next generation mobile communications such as Long-Term Evolution – Advanced (LTE-A) and 5th generation wireless systems (5G), and any related issues such as Software Defined Networks (SDN), Open Flow (OF), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), Centralized Radio Access Networks (C-RAN) and Millimetre Wave (MMW).
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of undergraduate degrees at Brunel.
Careers and your future
An electronic and communications engineering degree from Brunel will give you the design, analytical and creative skills to play a leading role in the dynamic and rapidly expanding technological industries.
Brunel’s closeness to the highest concentration of the UK’s information engineering and telecommunications industry – in London and along the M4 corridor – means our placement and careers network is second to none.
Our graduates have gone on to work for high-profile multinational organisations including IBM, Intel, Microsoft, National Grid and Siemens.
Electronic and communications engineering offers varied careers paths in a fast-growing professional field. A degree in electronic and communications engineering will set you up with the knowledge and skills to work at the forefront of all the major areas of electronic engineering.
UK entry requirements
The results of the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) of China is used for the selection. Detailed information can be found here: http://international.cqupt.edu.cn/info/1137/1985.htm
Entry criteria are subject to review and change each academic year.
Fees and funding
2025/26 entry
50,000 Chinese RMB
Teaching and learning
All lecture-based modules will be delivered on campus at CQUPT, allowing you to work with both staff and other students on practical applications. If Covid related, or other, issues prevent Brunel staff from travelling to CQUPT, the lectures on Brunel delivered modules will be synchronously online (live).
All laboratory classes will be held on campus at CQUPT. You will have the opportunity to perform experiments and other hands-on practical activities in the CQUPT labs and workshop spaces. Small group project work will also be carried out in person on campus, supported by regular on-campus interactive discussion sessions (workshops).
You will need to come onto campus on most days to participate in all the teaching activities.
The University’s online digital assessment platform will be used for submitting written course work. All exams will be run in-person on campus at CQUPT. Other forms of assessment, such as presentations, are also expected to be run in person on campus.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Our electronic and communications engineering degrees are delivered by an expert team of multidisciplinary academic staff. Their teaching is research-led, so the newest technologies are fed into the course.
Study will combine lectures, seminars, small group tutorials, laboratory and workshop sessions, computer programming, self-study and project work.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Your progress will be assessed via coursework assignments, presentations, technical and laboratory reports, exams and the final year major individual project.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.