Electrical Engineering vs Electronics Engineering: Eligibility, Career Scope and More

Electrical and electronics engineering are two branches of engineering offered at various levels, and the terminology associated with them sometimes confuses students. For some, these branches appear to be similar, and some students consider them interchangeable terms. In both cases, there is no truth, and this article will discuss “What is the difference between electrical and electronics engineering”?

What is Electrical Engineering?

Electrical engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and study of equipment or devices that utilise electricity as the core support for their functionality. Before advancing to the difference between electrical and electronics engineering, it is important to know both these branches in detail.

Electrical engineering encompasses a wide range of domains, including electromagnetism, power engineering, system modelling, as well as telecommunications, and electronics engineering.

Therefore, it can be asserted that electrical engineering serves as the primary branch, while electronics engineering is a specialised field within this broader discipline. From designing small chips to managing power grids, electrical engineering (EEE) offers a wide scope of specialisations.

What is Electronics Engineering?

To understand the difference between electrical and electronics engineering, it is essential to have a brief understanding of Electronics Engineering. It is a subfield of electrical engineering and typically includes areas such as microprocessors, digital and analogue circuits, and embedded systems.

Sometimes, the term Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) is also used in place of Electronics Engineering but the only difference is that ECE includes some additional topics like signal processing and data transmission. In this era of digitalisation, chips designed by electronics engineers can be seen everywhere around us.

EEE vs ECE: Eligibility Criteria for Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Electrical and electronics engineering are distinct branches, but they typically share similar eligibility criteria for admission. Knowing the requirements of these branches is a key point to grasp the concept of the difference between electrical and electronics. Both electrical and electronics engineering can be pursued at diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral level; provided candidates meet the required eligibility criteria.

To gain admission at the diploma level, candidates need to have passed their matriculation with Science, Mathematics, and English as major subjects. For B.Tech admission, candidates need to have passed their 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).

However, having a bachelor's degree in the relevant branch is a prerequisite for M.Tech admission. Having a master's degree with the minimum required marks is the criteria for admission to Ph.D. courses.

At the UG level, candidates are required to appear for prominent entrance exams such as JEE Main. Similarly, at the PG and doctoral levels, appearing for exams like GATE is a prerequisite. There is no such difference between electrical and electronics when it comes to educational requirements.

Several other colleges and state universities organise their entrance examinations for admission to their respective institutions. We will continue learning about EEE vs ECE engineering throughout this article.

Advantages of Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering is an everlasting field of engineering, as there is a crucial role of power in fulfilling the majority of our daily life requirements. Several of the top engineering colleges in India provide numerous advantages to students enrolled in electrical engineering courses.

While it is challenging to encapsulate all these benefits in a single article, we have compiled a list of the most significant advantages of pursuing electrical engineering.

• Electrical engineering provides a wide range of career opportunities.
• Electrical engineers work with cutting-edge technology and contribute to advancements in various fields.
• It is a globally relevant discipline.
• Scope of jobs in government sectors and Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) such as ISRO, DRDO, SAIL, and Power Grid.
• Electrical engineers with good skills and experience receive high salaries.

Advantages of Electronics Engineering

The Electronics Engineering field has evolved with the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), smart devices, and automation. Now this field has become more valuable with the advancement of technology as every technology we see around consists of the components designed by Electronics engineers.

The difference between electrical and electronics engineering can be effectively comprehended by examining the unique advantages each field provides. Pursuing electronics engineering from the best engineering colleges can provide students with numerous benefits, some of which are outlined below.

• Electronics engineering is a growing field with an estimated 7 per cent growth from 2022 to 2032.
• Electronics engineers can explore various industries such as telecommunications, manufacturing, and aerospace.
• Electronics engineers contribute to advancements and innovations, driving progress in various fields.
• This field offers fruitful salaries and benefits due to the high demand for skilled professionals.

Difference Between Electrical and Electronics Engineering: Jobs and Salary

Now, we have a basic understanding of both branches of engineering and we can move forward to understand the difference between electrical engineering vs electrical and electronics engineering job roles. From here on, we will differentiate EEE vs ECE based on the job roles, their demand in the market, and the average salary graduates will receive in India.

Electrical Engineering Jobs

Both in the public and private sectors, there are various job roles related to electrical engineering. Getting a job in this field is not difficult, as many industries and organisations often look for skilled electrical engineers.

The difference between electrical and electronics engineering can be understood by examining the job roles associated with each of these branches. Below, we have provided some of the job roles associated with electrical engineering.

Electrical Engineers: Electrical engineers design, develop, and maintain electrical systems and components. They apply principles of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism to create innovative solutions for various applications.

Power Engineers: Power engineers design systems for generating and transmitting electricity. They ensure efficient and reliable power distribution with safety and regulatory standards.

Operations Managers: Operations managers oversee the day-to-day activities of a company. They are responsible for optimising processes, enhancing productivity, and achieving organisational goals.

Telecommunication Engineers: Telecommunication engineers design and develop communication systems such as telephone, radio, and internet networks. They implement innovative technologies to facilitate seamless communication across various platforms.

Electrical Product Design Engineers: Electrical product design engineers specialise in developing and refining electrical components and systems for various applications. They create innovative solutions, conduct thorough testing, and oversee the production process.

Electrical Engineering Salary in India

The salary of an engineer after graduating from the electrical branch is not fixed and varies based on experience, location of the job, and employing company. In the below table, we have compiled some of the job roles and average electrical engineer salary in India.

Source: Ambition Box

Electronics Engineering Jobs

Electronics Engineering is a field that offers a wide range of career opportunities. With the advancement of technology and the increasing demand for electronic devices in every aspect of life, the scope for electronics engineers is continually expanding. There is a clear difference between electrical and electronics-related job roles. Here are some career paths after completing a degree in Electronics Engineering:

Electronics Engineers: Electronics Engineers are professionals who design and develop electronic components, equipment, and systems. They work on various stages of product development, from concept and design to testing and implementation.

Embedded Systems Engineers: Embedded Systems Engineers develop and test embedded systems, which are specialised computer systems that are part of larger systems or machines. Embedded systems are commonly found in consumer electronics, automotive systems, medical devices, and industrial machines.

Researchers: Researchers are individuals with an interest and passion for new findings. They work on innovative projects to develop new technologies or improve existing ones.

Robotics Engineers: Robotics engineers can design automated systems and robots for industrial, commercial, and consumer applications. With the rise of automation and robotics in various industries, there is an increasing demand for these professionals.

VLSI Design Engineers: VLSI design engineers focus on designing integrated circuits and electronic systems. They work on complex semiconductor technologies, ensuring the efficient integration of transistors on a single chip.

Electronics Engineering Salary in India

Above, we have provided and described the popular highest paying electronics engineering jobs. Now, in the following table, we have highlighted the electronic engineer pay so that candidates can get a full understanding of the job and salary prospects of this specialisation.

Source: Ambition Box

What is the Difference Between Electrical and Electronics Engineering

This is a common doubt students have while choosing electrical vs electronics engineering. The choice of electrical engineering vs electronics engineering depends on a student's specific interests, career goals, and the kind of career the candidate would like to pursue.

Both fields offer promising career opportunities, and the choice between the two largely depends on candidates’ interests. If they are more fascinated with large-scale power systems and electrical infrastructure, then electrical engineering might be a better option.

Also Read:

• 18 Online Courses in Electrical Engineering You Can Pursue in India
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On the other hand, if candidates are keen on designing and developing electronic devices, circuits, and systems, then electronic engineering might be the most suitable choice. Note that, electrical engineering vs electronics engineering salary may be influenced by the background of the institution from which one graduates.

In this article, we have provided in-depth details about both of these branches to help students understand the difference between electrical and electronics engineering. Both fields are in demand across various industries, so choosing either one can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Based on the data, it is projected that there will be a three per cent increase in electrical engineering-related roles and a seven per cent rise in electronics-related positions by the end of 2029. Students can also check online electrical and electronics engineering courses to get a detailed understanding.