Headstart Course at University of Sheffield

Electronics: Helping to Create our Future

Why Electronics?

The world that we live in is constantly evolving and technology is at the very heart of this change. Only a generation ago you were lucky if your family had a landline phone in their home. Now, everyone has a mobile phone capable of incredible things, containing highly complex processors, advanced communications and all packed with electronics.

Exciting developments in electronics mean we can develop innovative products and help transform the way we live; from health care and medicine to entertainment. In the future, we will see cities with transportation, energy consumption, security and water use all improved through Electronics. Electronics enables engineers and inventors to create solutions that tackle the World’s problems and to improve lives.

The Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at The University of Sheffield has been at the forefront of electrical engineering innovation since 1917. Our research covers many different areas including Energy, Communications, Transport, Technology, Manufacturing and Health. Our academics work with industrial partners across many sectors such as building microchips in mobile phones, improving the efficiency of energy storage for electric vehicles to designing powerful electric motors used in wind turbines on off-shore wind farms. The future is in electronics - be part of it.

The UKESF’s mission is to encourage more young people to study Electronics and to pursue careers in the sector, ensuring that more schoolchildren are aware of Electronics and the opportunities available, helping them to develop their interest through to university study. At university, we support undergraduates and prepare them for the workplace. To find out more about the UKESF please click here.

What’s it all about?

The course aims to excite you about studying electronics at university. It will also provide a flavour of the non-academic side of undergraduate life.

You will experience lectures and hands-on challenges with academics from Sheffield University, and you’ll learn about the range of electronic engineering degree programmes available. The academic programme will include lectures on a range of subjects such as communications, renewable energy, analogue and digital electronics. You will live as students in Halls of Residence and you will have time for a mix of independent and organised social activities in addition to the academic programme.

This course will show you how stimulating and varied electronic engineering can be as a career and the important role it plays in the technological advances valued by society.

What will I be doing?

• Ultimately, finding out what electronic engineering is all about and how a university degree can lead to a fulfilling and well-paid job.

• Getting involved with hands-on team “design and build electronics” as part of laboratory sessions.

• Attending lectures (by experts in the field) to learn about current new areas of research in Electronic Engineering.

• Meeting graduate engineers from world-leading electronic engineering companies who will talk about their exciting jobs.

• Developing many other skills during practical sessions including team-working and communication.

• A visit to see ‘clean rooms’ where semiconductors are fabricated.

• Exploring what life at university might be like, attending social events and meeting current students who can give you the very best advice.

• And last, but not least, learn how you can transform the world!

There is a fee to attend this course, but some bursaries are available.

Applications need to be made by students.