Instrumentation engineering courses in the UK
Apply for Instrumentation engineering courses in the UK for the 2024 Intake!
Instrumentation is a branch of engineering that deals with creating, designing, and analysing control systems. Instrumentation engineering is an evolving and fast-developing multidisciplinary course with significant perks and opportunities for international students. Here's everything you should know about instrumentation engineering courses in the UK.
Instrumentation engineering courses in the UK: Highlights
| Course type | Full-time |
| Course duration | Undergraduate degree: 3-5 years Postgraduate degree: 1-2 years Doctorate: 2-3 years |
| Instrumentation engineering entry requirements | Undergraduate degree: Students with an academic background in Maths and Physics. Postgraduate degree: A student with an undergraduate degree in instrumentation and control engineering or other-related engineering courses or an equivalent degree. Doctoral degree: A student with a postgraduate degree in instrumentation and control engineering or other-related engineering courses or an equivalent degree. |
| English proficiency | IELTS: 6.0-6.5 PTE: 59 |
| Additional requirements (in some cases) | Professional work experience for postgraduate and doctoral degree |
| Fees range | £7,000-£29,000 |
Data updated as of June 2023
Instrumentation engineering: An overview and why you should study it
- Instrumental engineering plays a vital role in engineering as it is responsible for the production and maintenance of control systems. Almost all industries and manufacturing companies depend on instrumentation for a smooth, controlled process.
- An instrumentation engineering degree allows you to work in different fields. The instrumentation sector is vital in industries involving machinery, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, astronomy, railways, power generation, and many others.
- Instrumentation engineering is constantly evolving and provides several employment opportunities for students.
What subjects are there in instrumentation engineering courses?
Here are some subjects you can expect while pursuing instrumentation engineering.
- Control systems
- Virtual instrumentation
- Robust and adaptive control
- Optimisation in systems and control
- Automation and robotics
- Production systems
- Linear dynamic systems
- Industrial engineering
- Signal analysis and processing
- Electromechanical systems
- Engineering entrepreneurship and innovation
- Intelligent systems
Why should you study instrumentation engineering in the UK?
- UK universities are known for their well-established education system. The institutions follow a globally-recognised syllabus, providing students with great academic and practical experience.
- The UK is the world's ninth-largest manufacturing country, with numerous industries contributing to the economy. So the demand for instrumentation engineers is witnessing a steady high in different sectors.
Best countries to study instrumentation engineering
Different study levels of instrumentation engineering in the UK
- Undergraduate Instrumentation Engineering Courses in UK
- Postgraduate Instrumentation Engineering Courses in UK
- Doctorate Instrumentation Engineering Courses in UK
Eligibility criteria to study instrumentation engineering courses in the UK
UK universities provide engineering students with excellent knowledge and practical experience to develop the necessary skills to prepare for their careers. When applying for a course, check if you satisfy the eligibility criteria before sending your application. Here are the basic eligibility requirements for instrumentation engineering courses in the UK:
Eligibility criteria for instrumentation engineering courses in the UK
| Factor | Eligibility criteria |
| Educational qualification | Undergraduate degree: Students with an academic background in Maths and Physics. Postgraduate degree: A student with an undergraduate degree in instrumentation and control engineering or other-related engineering courses or an equivalent degree. Doctoral degree: A student with a postgraduate degree in instrumentation and control engineering or other-related engineering courses or an equivalent degree. |
| English proficiency | IELTS: 6.0-6.5 PTE: 59 |
| Additional requirements (in some cases) | Professional work experience for postgraduate and doctoral degree |
| Visa | UK student visa |
Data updated as of June 2023
Note: The minimum grades and educational requirements differ with every university. Make sure to check if your scores meet the institution’s standards.
Student requirements for instrumentation engineering courses in the UK
Once you meet the eligibility criteria, the university will request some documents to proceed with your application process. Here are some of the standard documents required by educational institutions.
- Academic transcripts
- Application form
- CV
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- English language proficiency test scores
- Statement of purpose
- Admission exam results
Visa requirements for international students to study in the UK
| Visa | Cost |
| UK student visa (outside UK) | GBP £363 |
Data updated as of June 2023
Documents required for international students to apply for a visa in the UK
- Your passport
- Your tuberculosis test results
- Proof of financial support
- Written consent from the financial sponsor
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
- Parental or legal guardian consent (if the international student is under 18)
- Proof of parental or legal guardian relationship (if the international student is under 18)
Universities to study instrumentation engineering in the UK
| University | Times Higher Education Ranking 2023 |
| University of Leicester | 163 |
| University of Liverpool | 176 |
| Cardiff University | 187 |
| Bangor University | 401-500 |
| University of Huddersfield | 601-800 |
| Glasgow Caledonian University | 601-800 |
| University of Derby | 601-800 |
| Teesside University | 1001-1200 |
Data updated as of June 2023
Top instrumentation engineering courses in the UK
- MSc Control and Instrumentation
- MPhil Astronomy Instrumentation
- MSc Applied Instrumentation and Control
- MEng Control and Instrumentation Engineering
- MSc Radiometrics: Instrumentation and Modelling
- BEng (Hons) Instrumentation and Control Engineering
- MSc Engineering Control Systems and Instrumentation
- PhD/MPhil Physics and Astronomy - Space Science and Instrumentation
Cost of studying instrumentation engineering in the UK
| Fees for instrumentation engineering courses in the UK | Average fees |
| Minimum fees | £7,000 |
| Maximum fees | £29,000 |
Data updated as of June 2023
What is the annual cost of living for international students in the UK?
The average annual cost of living for an international student in the United Kingdom is around £16,000.
Data updated as of June 2023
Scholarships for instrumentation engineering courses in the UK
Scholarships are a type of aid that reduce the financial burden of international students while studying abroad. Edvoy has partnered with educational institutions in the UK to provide scholarships for international students pursuing higher education abroad. The scholarships are:
- Academic Scholarships
- Early Bird Scholarships
Note that Edvoy acts as a platform for you during the application process. Only the university deems your profile eligible and determines the final amount.
Job opportunities for instrumentation engineering graduates in the UK
The instrumentation sector in engineering is fast-developing, introducing several opportunities for international students. The courses are structured to develop students’ knowledge, improve their skills, and prepare them for an insightful career.
How much does an instrumentation engineering graduate earn in the UK?
The average annual salary of an instrumentation engineering graduate in the UK is around £40,000.
Graduates in entry-level positions earn about £34,999, while experienced engineers earn over £55,000 per year.
Data updated as of June 2023
What are the career opportunities for instrumentation engineering graduates in the UK?
- Instrumentation Engineer
- Control Engineer
- Automation Engineer
- Testing and Quality Maintenance Engineer
- Instrumentation and Control Engineer
- Instrumentation Technician
- Instrument Asset Engineer
- Control Systems Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Academic Lecturer
What are the career prospects for instrumentation engineering in the UK?
Instrumentation engineering has several opportunities; students can pursue careers in different engineering sectors.
- Telecommunications
- Automotive
- Construction
- Railways
- Water Treatment
- Chemical engineering
- Manufacturing
- Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)
- Oil and gas
Post-study work permit for instrumentation engineering graduates in the UK
| Country | Name of post-study work visa | Time of stay in the country |
| UK | Graduate visa | 2 years |
Data updated as of June 2023
Related instrumentation engineering courses
Instrumentation engineering courses in the UK
Instrumentation engineering is a popular course in the UK, helping students obtain the required knowledge and skills and paving the way for scopeful opportunities. Here are some of the top instrumentation engineering courses in the UK.
- MEng Control and Instrumentation EngineeringBangor University£17,500
- PhD Astronomy InstrumentationCardiff University£22,700
- MSc Radiometrics: Instrumentation and ModellingUniversity of Liverpool£24,750
- MSc Instrumentation and Control EngineeringTeesside University£15,000
- MSc Engineering Control Systems and Instrumentation (with Placement)University of Huddersfield£17,000
- MEng (Hons) Instrumentation and Control EngineeringTeesside University£15,000
- MPhil Astronomy InstrumentationCardiff University£22,700
- MSc Control and InstrumentationUniversity of Derby£14,900
- MEng (Hons) Control and Instrumentation EngineeringBangor University£17,500
- MSc Engineering Control Systems and InstrumentationUniversity of Huddersfield£17,000
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FAQ
Whether something is easy or hard is relative to your experience and skills. If you are well prepared and work hard, whilst there may be difficult times, you should be able to see the degree through. Always make sure you ask for help from tutors or other university staff if you are finding things too difficult, and they should be able to help.
This can vary depending on the intuition, so ensure that you check. However, in general, you will need the following:
- Academic transcripts
- Application form
- CV
- Letter of recommendation
- English language proficiency test scores
- Statement of purpose
- Admissions test results
Instrumentation engineering plays an important role in almost all engineering sectors. Any degree in this field of study has great scope and opportunities for students. Some of its top courses are:
- MSc Control and Instrumentation
- MSc Applied Instrumentation and Control
- MEng Control and Instrumentation Engineering
- MSc Radiometrics: Instrumentation and Modelling
- BEng (Hons) Instrumentation and Control Engineering
- PhD/MPhil Physics and Astronomy - Space Science and Instrumentation
Instrumentation engineering provides its graduates with a wide range of opportunities, giving them a competitive edge over engineers with specialised degrees. The course allows them to learn and gain practical experience in various engineering fields to work in any industry. All these factors contribute to a scopeful career for instrumentation engineering professionals.
The highest annual package for an instrumentation engineer in the UK is around £55,000.
Here are the basic qualifications for instrumentation engineering in the UK:
| Instrumentation engineering entry requirements | Undergraduate degree: Students with an academic background in Maths and Physics.
Postgraduate degree: A student with an undergraduate degree in instrumentation and control engineering or other-related engineering courses or an equivalent degree.
Doctoral degree: A student with a postgraduate degree in instrumentation and control engineering or other-related engineering courses or an equivalent degree. |
| English proficiency | IELTS: 6.0-6.5 PTE: 59 |
| Additional requirements (in some cases) | Professional work experience for postgraduate and doctoral degree |
Here are some remarkable industries for instrumentation engineering graduates:
- Hooper Quinn
- GSK
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Johnson Matthey
