School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Here you will find everything you need to know about starting your studies at the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering.

Scroll to the section that applies to you – new undergraduate, returning student, or postgraduate student. We have also included some helpful links at the end of the page to direct you to anything else you might need.

If you’re a postgraduate researcher, find your faculty welcome and induction information to help you get started.

I am a new undergraduate student

What do I need to do before I arrive?

First, you will need to complete registration. Then, if your programme has optional modules, you will need to enrol for your chosen modules. You can view details of the modules for your programme in the Module Catalogue.

As well as registering and enrolling for your modules, you will need to complete the University IT Induction and log on to Minerva (our virtual learning environment) to have a look around the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Minerva Organisation.

You will be emailed a final timetable of induction events closer to your arrival date – make sure you review this and put dates in your diary.

What does my induction timetable look like?

There will be a general welcome session on Wednesday 27 September 2023. Provisional induction timetables for Level 1 and Direct Entry Level 2 students will be sent with a welcome letter from the School in the week commencing 11 September 2023. We are currently building the Induction section on the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Minerva Organisation.

Can I arrive late to the University?

The School operate a strict deadline regarding late arrival. All students must be in Leeds, and ready to study by the start of Week 3 (Monday 16 October 2023). If you think you will arrive after this date, you should email the school at ugelec@leeds.ac.uk to withdraw your place, and reapply for 2024 entry.

Will I be required to attend on campus sessions?

The University expects that you will be on campus during the entirety of term time, and will attend timetabled on campus sessions (there will be online surgeries for some modules, and these are clearly marked in your timetable). It is particularly important to attend your timetabled laboratory and practical sessions.

How will my teaching be delivered?

We deliver our teaching in a combination of on campus lectures, examples classes, group tutorials, laboratory and practical sessions, and one-to-one online surgeries.

We will provide recorded screencasts for some sessions, and the majority of lectures are recorded, and uploaded to the specific module page on Minerva (please note that recorded lectures are provided as a study aid, and attendance at all timetabled sessions is compulsory unless directed otherwise by the module leader).

How will I meet my Academic Personal Tutor and how does academic personal tutoring work?

Read our information about how your personal tutor can support you. You will meet your academic personal tutor in Induction week where lunch will be provided, and you will be taken on a tour of the campus in a relaxed atmosphere.

We have timetabled one-to-one and group tutorials across both semesters of Level 1, and new for 2023/24, we will be organising lectures from Electronic and Electrical Engineering industry based professionals.

Where can I go for support?

  • From 18 September 2023, the new SIP (Student Information Point) will open in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering on the ground floor (entrance on Clarendon Road). The SIP will be open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and will be a one-stop shop for all student enquiries.
  • Your Academic Personal Tutor.
  • Your Peer Mentor (new L1 students only) – your peer mentor will meet with you once a week.

Email the Level 1 Year Tutor, Dr Ben Chong at b.chong@leeds.ac.uk
Email the Direct Entry Tutor, Dr Zhiqiang Zhang at z.zhang3@leeds.ac.uk

Where do I turn if I need extra academic support?

For additional academic support, you should contact your academic personal tutor who may signpost you to various resources such as Skills@library.

How will I find out more about my programme?

There will be sessions dedicated to explaining how your programme works during induction week.

How will I get to know other students?

You will first meet other students on your programme during welcome week. As part of the induction events, you will be introduced to your tutorial group and peer mentor group. You will get to know more students in your cohort through tutorials (where you will often work together in small groups), lab classes (where you may sometimes work in pairs) and at lectures. Further opportunities to meet new people (including students from other year groups) include social events organised by the student-led ShockSoc.

Are they any specialist systems or software that I need for my programme?

We strongly recommend that you have a laptop running Windows 10 or 11. However, if you already own another device there is no need to buy another one. The University has many computer clusters with PCs for you to use including a 24-hour computer cluster in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering that is located in the same building as our School.

It is recommend that you install Microsoft Teams on your personal device.

All students will need to have access to Microsoft Office. You can download Microsoft Office Applications free from Office 365 using your University login.

You will use Matlab in several modules. You can download and install Matlab free of charge whilst you are a University of Leeds student. There is an online version of Matlab (with some limitations). Follow the link, click on “START using Matlab online” and log in using your University credentials. Matlab can also be accessed by logging into School computers.

Other software will be available free of charge through AppsAnywhere; a web-based portal that can be accessed with your University login. To use AppsAnywhere on your personal computer you will need to install the Cloudpaging Player.

Finally, you may need to use the University’s Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) to access some software from your personal device off campus.

Where can I access resources for my degree?

Minerva is the University’s virtual learning environment and the first port-of-call for information about your modules and teaching, learning and assessment resources associated with them.

Do I need to provide my core reading texts?

Module leaders will advise if you need to purchase any textbooks to assist you with your learning.

What facilities are available for my course and how do I take advantage of them?

In addition to the virtual learning environment (Minerva), other resources are available to you, such as teaching rooms (ELEC Seminar Room 2.56 can be used for quiet study), University facilities including IT clusters and libraries, and our teaching and support staff.

As an ELEC student, you will have access to our well-equipped teaching laboratories where you will receive a significant amount of on campus teaching from Level 1 onwards. In your final year, as part of an individual research project, you will have access to research laboratories with cutting-edge facilities.

What is a Course Representative and how do I apply?

Course representatives act as intermediaries between staff and students, asking their fellow students about their experiences and opinions, and raising those issues at Student-Staff Partnership Forum meetings or directly with staff. They are a vital link in maintaining the Student Voice and promoting a sense of community among the student cohort. You will be sent an e-mail in Induction Week explaining how you can apply to be a course rep.

Are there any societies I can join specific to the School?

Yes, we have the student-led ShockSoc. Find out more about Leeds University Union societies.

Are there any peer mentoring schemes operating in my School?

Yes, each tutor group is assigned a peer mentor, who are students from the same programme but in higher years who will help you settle into the School and provide study tips. You will meet you peer mentor in Induction week.

How does assessment work on my programme?

Our modules are assessed through a combination of coursework, laboratory reports, on campus tests, and examinations. Details of the assessment of individual modules will be explained at the start of each module.

Can I change one of my modules?

You cannot change a module that is compulsory to the programme of study, but you can change one of your optional modules (this is dependent on the number of places available on the modules), up to the end of Week 2 of study (Semester One – Friday 15 October 2023; Semester Two – Friday 9 February 2024).

Can I take a discovery module as part of my programme of study?

Unfortunately, due to the requirements of our accreditation body – the Institute of Engineering and Technology – students are unable to select discovery modules.

I am a returning student

How will my programme be delivered this year?

We deliver our teaching in a combination of on campus lectures, examples classes, group tutorials, laboratory and practical sessions, and one-to-one online surgeries.

We will provide recorded screencasts for some sessions, and the majority of lectures are recorded, and uploaded to the specific module page on Minerva (please note that recorded lectures are provided as a study aid, and attendance at all timetabled sessions is compulsory unless directed otherwise by the module leader).

What do I need to do before I arrive?

You need to enrol for your modules (the deadline is Monday 4 September 2023) so if you have not chosen 120 credits, please email the school at electronics@leeds.ac.uk as a matter of urgency.

You will also be required to complete registration. The deadline for 2023/24 registration is Monday 30 October 2023. Failure to register will lead to withdrawal from the University.

Do I have any activities in induction week?

Yes, we are working with ShockSoc to create an exciting week of activities for new and returning students.

The year tutors will also be delivering a “welcome back” talk. We don’t know if this will be in welcome week, or in Week 1 of teaching, so please keep checking your e-mail.

Will I be required to attend on campus sessions?

The University expects that you will be on campus and will attend timetabled on campus sessions. This is particularly important in the case of laboratory classes and practical sessions.

How will I meet my Academic Personal Tutor and how will academic personal tutoring work?

You will be invited to meet your Academic Personal Tutor on a one-to-one basis at several points during the academic year.

Academic Personal Tutors can be contacted at other times and you should feel free to ask for a meeting if there are any issues that you would like to discuss.

Where can I go for support?

Where do I turn if I need extra academic support?

For additional academic support, you should contact your academic personal tutor who may signpost you to various resources such as Skills@library.

When I can apply to be a course representative?

An e-mail will be sent out from the Student Support Office in the week commencing 11 September 2023 with a description of the role and how to apply.

How will I be assessed this year?

Our modules are assessed through a combination of coursework, laboratory reports, on campus tests, and traditional examinations. Details of the assessment of individual modules will be explained at the start of each module.

Can I change one of my modules?

You cannot change a module that is compulsory to the programme of study, but you can change one of your optional modules (this is dependent on the number of places available on the modules), up to the end of Week 2 of study (Semester One – Friday 15 October 2023; Semester Two – Friday 9 February 2024).

Can I take a discovery module as part of my programme of study?

Unfortunately, due to the requirements of our accreditation body – the Institute of Engineering and Technology – students are unable to select discovery modules.

I am a new MSc (postgraduate) student

What do I need to do before I arrive?

First, you will need to complete registration. Then, if your programme has optional modules, you will need to enrol for your chosen modules. You can view details of the modules for your programme at the Module Catalogue.

As well as registering and enrolling for your modules, you will need to complete the University IT Induction and log on to Minerva (our virtual learning environment) to have a look around the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Minerva Organisation.

You will be emailed a final timetable of induction events closer to your arrival date – make sure you review this and put dates in your diary.

How will my programme be delivered this year?

We deliver our teaching in a combination of on campus lectures, examples classes, group tutorials, laboratory and practical sessions, and one-to-one online surgeries.

We will provide recorded screencasts for some sessions, and the majority of lectures are recorded, and uploaded to the specific module page on Minerva (please note that recorded lectures are provided as a study aid, and attendance at all timetabled sessions is compulsory unless directed otherwise by the module leader).

What does my induction timetable look like?

There will be a general welcome session on Thursday 28 September 2023. Provisional timetables will be sent out with a welcome letter in the week commencing 11 September 2023. We are currently building the Induction section on the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Minerva Organisation.

Can I arrive late to the University?

The School operate a strict deadline regarding late arrival. All students must be in Leeds, and ready to study by the start of Week 3 (Monday 16 October 2023). If you think you will arrive after this date, you should email the school at ugelec@leeds.ac.uk to withdraw your place, and reapply for 2024 entry.

Will I be required to attend on campus sessions?

The University expects that you will be on campus and will attend timetabled on campus sessions. This is particularly important in the case of laboratory classes and practical sessions.

How will I meet my Academic Personal Tutor and how will academic personal tutoring work?

You will be allocated an academic personal tutor in mid-October 2023 when student numbers are confirmed. You should meet your personal tutor individually at least twice during the semester to discuss your general progress.

Where can I go for support?

From 18 September 2023, the new SIP (Student Information Point) will open in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering on the ground floor (entrance on Clarendon Road). The SIP will be open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and will be a one-stop shop for all student enquiries.
Your Academic Personal Tutor; Email the MSc Tutor, Dr. Ahmed Lawey at a.q.lawey@leeds.ac.uk

Where do I turn if I need extra academic support?

If you need help with English language skills, the School works with a dedicated tutor in English for Academic Purposes, and further information will be communicated to students in due course. For additional academic support, you should contact your academic personal tutor who may signpost you to various resources such as skills@library.

How will I find out about my programme?

There will be sessions dedicated to explaining how your programme works during induction week.

How will I get to know other students?

You will first meet other students on your programme during welcome week. As part of the induction events, you will be introduced to your tutorial group and peer mentor group. You will get to know more students in your cohort through tutorials (where you will often work together in small groups), lab classes (where you may sometimes work in pairs) and at lectures. Further opportunities to meet new people (including students from other year groups) include social events organised by the student-led ShockSoc.

Are there any specialist systems or software I need for my programme and how do I find out more about them?

We strongly recommend that you have a laptop running Windows 10 or 11. However, if you already own another device there is no need to buy another one. The University has many computer clusters with PCs for you to use including a 24-hour computer cluster in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering that is located in the same building as our School.

It is recommend that you install Microsoft Teams on your personal device.

All students will need to have access to Microsoft Office. You can download Microsoft Office Applications free from Office 365 using your University login.

You will use Matlab in several modules. You can download and install Matlab free of charge whilst you are a University of Leeds student. There is an online version of Matlab (with some limitations). Follow the link, click on “START using Matlab online” and log in using your University credentials. Matlab can also be accessed by logging into School computers.

Other software will be available free of charge through AppsAnywhere; a web-based portal that can be accessed with your University login. To use AppsAnywhere on your personal computer you will need to install the Cloudpaging Player.

Finally, you may need to use the University’s Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) to access some software from your personal device off campus.

Where can I access resources for my studies?

Minerva is the University’s virtual learning environment and the first port-of-call for information about your modules and teaching, learning and assessment resources associated with them.

Do I need to provide my core reading texts?

Module leaders will advise if you need to purchase any textbooks to assist you with your learning.

What facilities are available for my course and how do I take advantage of them?

In addition to the virtual learning environment (Minerva), other resources are available to you; teaching rooms (ELEC Seminar Room 2.56 can be used for quiet study), University facilities including IT clusters and libraries, and our teaching and support staff. As an ELEC student, you will have access to our well-equipped teaching laboratories. In your final year, as part of an individual research project, you will have access to research laboratories with cutting-edge facilities if your project requires access to these labs.

What is the role of Course Representatives and how do I apply?

Course representatives act as intermediaries between staff and students, asking their fellow students about their experiences and opinions, and raising those issues at Student-Staff Partnership Forum meetings or directly with staff. They are a vital link in maintaining the Student Voice and promoting a sense of community among the student cohort. You will be sent an e-mail in Induction Week explaining how you can apply to be a course rep.

Are there any societies I can join for my School?

Yes, we have the student-led ShockSoc. Find out more about Leeds University Union societies.

How does assessment work on my programme?

Our modules are assessed through a combination of coursework, laboratory reports, on campus tests, and examinations. Details of the assessment of individual modules will be explained at the start of each module.

Where can I find relevant career opportunities for postgraduate students?

Career opportunities can be found at the MyCareer website.

Can I change one of my modules?

You cannot change a module that is compulsory to the programme of study, but you can change one of your optional modules (this is dependent on the number of places available on the modules), up to the end of Week 2 of study (Semester One – Friday 15 October 2023; Semester Two – Friday 9 February 2024).

Can I take a discovery module as part of my programme of study?

Unfortunately, due to the requirements of our accreditation body – the Institute of Engineering and Technology – students are unable to select discovery modules.

Links to additional School resources

Other useful links