University of Essex
Computer Systems Engineering (including placement year) BEng (Hons)
University of Essex

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 90 graduates of Computer Systems Engineering (including placement year) BEng (Hons) and other courses in engineering (non-specific) at University of Essex for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in engineering (non-specific).

Overall student satisfaction
63 /100
90 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in engineering (non-specific)

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of engineering (non-specific) at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £29000 £32000 £37000
25-75 percentile range £25000 - £33000 £25000 - £38000 £26000 - £45000


Salary of all UK Graduates of engineering (non-specific)

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £30720 £28191 £33092
25-75 percentile range £25653 - £36343 £21174 - £36275 £24427 - £43899

Course Description

Computer systems can be found everywhere: inside a mobile phone, at a hospital bedside, and inside your TV, washing machine and games consoles. Computer systems engineers explore how this works – what is needed to convert machines and machinery into useful computing. We’re for people who want to figure out what goes on inside the box.

Our course gives you a thorough introduction to computer science before focussing on systems engineering. You study areas including:

  • Writing programs, programming embedded microprocessors and designing embedded microprocessor systems in C
  • The design and function of modern operating systems
  • The functionality hardware needs to provide for an operating system

We emphasise the importance of practical learning, and you also have the opportunity to undertake a major project or product development specified either by a member of academic staff or a partner company.

In addition to these topics, you also have the flexibility to explore other areas our department specialises in, such as computer security, Big Data, and robotics.

Programming at Essex

Teaching someone to programme is about opening a door. In your first year at Essex you will study a module that introduces you to programming using C. We assess your ability to think in a programmatic way in the very first week of term and if you require additional support, we offer classes which will boost your skills and confidence with programming.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Computer Systems Engineering (including placement year) BEng (Hons) at University of Essex

65% Welfare and housing associate professionals
10% Natural and social science professionals
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Administrative occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals
0% Information Technology Professionals
0% Elementary occupations
0% Media Professionals
0% Business and Financial Project Management Professionals

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for engineering (non-specific)

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Computer Systems Engineering (including placement year), BEng (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Computer Systems Engineering (including placement year) BEng (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £22750 year 1
International £22750 year 1

Additional fee information

Fees displayed are for 2024-25 entry. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)
  • year 2

University Rankings

Positions of University of Essex in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Essex in related subject specific rankings.

Engineering

    • #41 
    • #942 
    Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

See all 27 university rankings of University of Essex

About University of Essex

The University of Essex, is a public, research university where curiosity prevails and thinking outside the box isn’t just encouraged, it’s expected. Based in the county of the same name, Essex, the main campus is located in Wivenhoe Park, near Colchester. It is home to the university’s three faculties, Humanities, Science & Health and Social Sciences, as well as a very large community of local rabbits, and other small fauna typical of the English countryside.

List of 921 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Essex - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Essex

undergraduates:
12070
postgraduates:
3690
Total:
15760
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Where is this programme taught

Colchester Campus
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