CU BE Lateral Electrical Engineering FAQs
Ques. What is the difference between the regular B.E. Electrical Engineering and the B.E. Electrical Engineering Lateral Entry programme at Chandigarh University?
Ans. The regular B.E. Electrical Engineering is a 4-year (8-semester) programme open to students who have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The Lateral Entry programme is a 3-year (6-semester) programme for diploma holders in Engineering/Technology, who are admitted directly into the 2nd year (3rd semester). The lateral entry route saves one academic year and the associated fees. Both programmes lead to the same B.E. (Electrical Engineering) degree, with no distinction between regular and lateral entry graduates.
Ques. What specialisations can I choose in the B.E. Electrical Engineering Lateral Entry programme at CU?
Ans. The programme offers two specialisation tracks: Control and Instrumentation, and Power Systems. Control and Instrumentation focuses on monitoring and controlling engineering systems, machinery, and processes, while Power Systems covers the network of electrical components used to supply, transfer, and consume electric power. Students can also choose from a wide variety of elective courses covering Energy Systems, Power Electronics, Smart Grid, Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy, and AI in Electrical Engineering, giving them flexibility to align their studies with emerging industry trends.
Ques. What are the industry-sponsored labs available to Electrical Engineering students at CU?
Ans. The Electrical Engineering department at CU has several specialised labs: the Product Design Lab powered by Altium USA (for PCB design and hardware engineering), the Embedded System Lab powered by KPIT India (for embedded systems and automotive electronics), Switchgear and Protection Lab, Innovation Lab for Sustainability, Microprocessor Lab, Simulation Lab, Digital Signal Processing Lab, Linear Control Systems Lab, and the Electrical Measurements and Measuring Instruments (EMMI) Lab. Students also have access to advanced simulation software including MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD, ETAP, MiPower, PSIM, Multisim, Ansys Maxwell, and COMSOL Multiphysics.
Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing B.E. Electrical Engineering (Lateral Entry) from CU?
Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as Power Engineers, Electrical Design Engineers, Substation and Transmission Engineers, Embedded Systems Engineers, VLSI/Chip Design Engineers, PCB Designers, Data Analysts, Simulation and Modeling Specialists, and Research Engineers. Job opportunities exist in both public and private sectors including atomic power plants, hydel and thermal power plants, railways, civil aviation, electricity boards, utility companies, electrical design and consultancy firms, and manufacturing industries. Key recruiters from CU include Siemens, Bajaj, Crompton Greaves, Reliance Power, Powergrid, L&T Technologies, Bosch, Alstom, LG Electronics, and Varroc Engineering.
Ques. Is the B.E. Electrical Engineering degree from CU recognised globally, and does the lateral entry route affect its recognition?
Ans. Yes, the B.E. Electrical Engineering programme at CU is accredited by both ABET (Engineering Accreditation Commission, USA) and NBA (National Board of Accreditation, India). ABET accreditation is one of the most prestigious international accreditations for engineering programmes and is recognised in over 40 countries. The lateral entry route does not affect the recognition of the degree in any way. The degree awarded to lateral entry graduates is identical to that of regular students and is fully recognised for employment, higher studies (GATE/M.E./M.Tech.), and professional certifications in India and abroad.
Ques. Can a diploma holder from a non-electrical branch apply for B.E. Electrical Engineering Lateral Entry at CU?
Ans. Yes, the eligibility criteria at CU for the lateral entry programme states that candidates must hold a three-year Diploma with at least 50% marks in any branch of Engineering/Technology. This means diploma holders from branches such as Electronics, Mechanical, Civil, Computer Science, or any other engineering discipline are eligible to apply for the B.E. Electrical Engineering Lateral Entry programme. However, students from non-electrical branches may need to put in extra effort in the initial semesters to bridge the knowledge gap in core electrical subjects. CU typically provides orientation support to help such students transition smoothly.
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