Electronics engineer

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in electronic engineering.

Employers may also accept related subjects combined with electronics, for example:

• electronic and electrical engineering
• aerospace engineering
• physics and applied physics
• computer science
• nanotechnology
• maths

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could do electronic engineering or electronic systems engineering at college before applying for a trainee job.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You can apply to do a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in electronic engineering, such as:

• Electrical or Electronic Technical Support Engineer
• Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer

These take between 3 and 5 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could start as an electronics engineering technician and do further training on the job to qualify as an engineer.

Career Tips

Electronics are a fundamental part of everyday day life and there are opportunities to work in many different areas. Examples include:

• audio equipment
• telecommunications
• aerospace
• vehicle manufacturing
• medical equipment and assistive technology
• robotics

Further Information

You can find more details about careers and training from The Institution of Engineering and Technology and Electrical Careers .

As an electronics engineer you could:

• research and design new electronic systems and circuitry
• create technical diagrams using computer-aided engineering and design software
• upgrade older electronic control systems and instruments with new components
• test prototypes and assemblies and analyse data
• service and repair electronic systems
• make sure projects meet safety regulations
• produce documentation and technical manuals

You could work in a workshop, in a laboratory, in a factory or in an office.