Study the key design aspects of a modern wireless communication system, in particular cellular mobile radio systems.
There is a current shortage of communications engineers with a comprehensive appreciation of wireless system design from RF through baseband to packet protocols.
Many go to work in industry as engineers for large national and international companies, including ARUP, Ericsson Communications, HSBC, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover and Intel Asia Pacific.
This is a research environment. What we teach is based on the latest ideas. The work you do on your course is directly connected to real-world applications.
We work with government research laboratories, industrial companies and other prestigious universities. Significant funding from UK research councils, the European Union and industry means you have access to the best facilities.
You’ll be taught by academics who are leaders in their field. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) puts us among the UK top five for this subject. Our courses are centred around finding solutions to problems, in lectures, seminars, exercises and through project work.
Semiconductor Materials and Devices
LED, laser photodetectors and transistor design, a high-tech field-emission gun transmission electron microscope (FEGTEM), a focused ion beam (FIB) milling facility, and electron beam lithographic equipment.
Our state-of-the-art semiconductor growth and processing equipment is housed in an extensive clean room complex as part of the EPSRC’s National Centre for III-V Technologies.
Our investment in semiconductor research equipment in the last 12 months totals £6million.
Specialist facilities for the design and manufacture of electromagnetic machines, dynamometer test cells, a high-speed motor test pit, environmental test chambers, electronic packaging and EMC testing facilities, Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre for Advanced Electrical Machines and Drives.
Advanced anechoic chambers for antenna design and materials characterisation, a lab for calibrated RF dosimetry of tissue to assess pathogenic effects of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones, extensive CAD electromagnetic analysis tools.
Research-led teaching and an individual research project. Assessment is by examinations, coursework and a project dissertation with poster presentation.
Specialising in advanced communications, this programme will give you the opportunity to develop new skills, enhance your competence and gain technical expertise in state-of-the-art and emerging communication technologies, which will boost your career prospects.
This programme has been developed for graduates in engineering or science-related disciplines, with an interest in contemporary wireless communication systems. While you may have encountered many of these systems in day-to-day life, this programme will provide you with a rigorous understanding of technologies such as 4G, 5G and beyond 5G mobile communications, Wi-Fi, mobile WiMAX, space-time coding, software defined radio, and reconfigurable analogue and digital RF systems. The acquired knowledge will be useful in a wide range of applications, including the Internet of Things as well as medical, geophysical, aerospace, automotive and environmental systems.
In addition, the interdisciplinary nature of this programme means that you will benefit from two specialist departments: the Engineering Department and the School of Computing and Communications. Combining the research and teaching strengths of these two departments, this course offers you a blend of academic teaching, practical experience and professional training. You will develop knowledge and skills related to both advanced communications and embedded systems, as well as the opportunity to gain real-world experience through an industrial or research placement.
During the year, you will also have access to Lancaster’s dedicated Knowledge Business Centre (KBC), which maintains links with partner companies. This will ensure that you have the chance to apply your knowledge and skills to real industrial challenges and develop practical skills and experience that will support your career progression.
You will also complete a dissertation project on a topic of your choice, guided by an academic. This will allow you to bring together everything you have learnt and gain valuable experience by applying it to real-world cutting-edge research problems. As part of this project, you also demonstrate an ability to review articles, reflect on their views, interpret research findings, make your own judgements and justify these to peers and academic staff. Fundamentally, you will develop an expertise in a specific area of wireless communications.
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Core
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research.
The Communication Systems master's programme offers a broad curriculum on communication technology focusing on both the fundamental principles of systems engineering and the practical design of digital and wireless communication systems.
We are living in an increasingly networked society. The number of mobile phone users is rising by 50 million per month, while video streaming and social networking are pushing data volume demands. New applications for the internet-of-things are set to revolutionise the coming decades by creating a new paradigm in which not only humans but also machines communicate with each other. The exponential growth in the use of communication devices requires skilled engineers to drive technological development and inspire new inventions.
The Communication Systems master’s programme has a solid theoretical base in communication systems engineering. Topics covered include communication theory, coding, modulation, signal processing, and the design and optimisation of communication systems and networks. This programme is highly competitive. Applicants must have advanced skills in mathematics and a strong sense of dedication.
The first year comprises mandatory courses in communication systems engineering, such as digital communication, wireless communication, information networks, and image and audio coding. The third semester offers elective courses in electrical and computer engineering, mathematics and physics. It also includes a compulsory project, during which students learn project management, apply their knowledge to build a communication system, and work in teams with other students. The final semester is devoted to your thesis, which may be carried out in collaboration with a tech company, such as Ericsson or Saab, or as an internal project at the university.
Most courses have traditional lectures and tutorials, and all courses include practical laboratory work. Linköping University is at the forefront of research into 5G, the next-generation of cellular network technology. Our seminal, award-winning research on the Massive MIMO multi-antenna technology is conducted in collaboration with Lund University, Ericsson Research, Nokia Bell Labs, and other prominent partners. You will thus get the opportunity to learn 5G-related topics from renowned experts.
Application period/deadline: March 14 - 28, 2018
• Cutting-edge knowledge in wireless communications both at physical and network layers
• Capability to design and implement wireless solutions, e.g., for future 5G networks, Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and smart energy-efficient wireless sensor applications
• Relevant skills of the latest radio engineering methods, tools, and technologies, and ability to design RF electronics for smart phones and base stations of mobile systems
The International Master’s Degree Programme in Wireless Communications Engineering (WCE) is a two-year programme concentrating on wireless communications network technology. The programme will give you relevant skills and core knowledge of the latest methods, tools and technologies combined with time-tested issues such as:
• Antennas
• Advanced wireless communication systems
• Communication networks
• Computer engineering
• Electronics
• Information theory
• Stochastical and digital signal processing
• Radio channels
• Radio engineering
The two-year programme has two specialisation options:
• Radio Access and Networks
• RF Engineering
Radio Access and Networks concentrates on designing and applying radio access technologies both at physical layer and at network layer for 5G, IoT, and future mobile system generations.
RF Engineering focuses on essential radio system parts and gives the knowledge to design integrated RF and DSP circuits for mobile handsets, base stations, future 5G devices, IoT applications, and smart & energy efficient sensors.
Optional module makes it possible to widen your expertise into:
• Machine vision
• Mobile and social computing
• Signal processors, and
• Video and biomedical signal processing.
The education is organized by the Centre for Wireless Communications which consists of 150 academics from over 20 countries. CWC performs world-class research for the future of 5G and IoT applications, which will give you the possibility to move forward already during your studies. CWC provides a number of jobs as a trainee or a master’s thesis student, with the possibility to continue as a doctoral student, and even as a post-doctoral researcher.
The skills gained in the programme offer you a solid academic training and essential knowledge on the design of wireless communications networks at the system level. After graduation you are capable of designing, implementing and employing 5G and IoT applications and developing future wireless communications technologies.
Possible titles include:
• Chief engineer
• Design engineer
• Development engineer
• Maintenance engineer
• Patent engineer
• Program manager
• Project manager
• Radio network designer
• Research engineer
• RF engineer
• Sales engineer
• System engineer
• Test engineer, and
• University teacher
Students applying for the programme must possess an applicable B.Sc. degree in one of the following fields of study: communications engineering, electronics & electrical engineering, or computer engineering.
This programme provides graduates and working professionals with a broad training in signal processing and communications. It is suitable for recent graduates who wish to develop the specialist knowledge and skills relevant to this industry and is also suitable as advanced study in preparation for research work in an academic or industrial environment or in a specialist consultancy organisation.
Engineers or other professionals wishing to participate in the MSc programme may do so on a part-time basis.
Our students gain a thorough understanding of theoretical foundations as well as advanced topics at the cutting edge of research in signal processing and communications, including compressive sensing, deep neural networks, wireless communication theory, and numerical Bayesian methods.
The MSc project provides a good opportunity for students to work on state-of-the-art research problems in signal processing and communications.
This programme is run over 12 months, with two semesters of taught courses followed by a research project leading to a masters thesis.
Semester 1 courses
Semester 2 courses
With our excellent employability record and internationally respected reputation, the University of Edinburgh is a reliable choice for developing your engineering career.
This programme will appeal to graduates who wish to pursue a career in an industry such as communications, radar, medical imaging or anywhere else signal processing is applied.
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Communications Engineering at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
As a student on the MSc in Communications Engineering, you will be provided with an in-depth understanding of the technology and architecture of computer communications, photonics and telecommunication networks, wireless telecommunications and related wireless information technologies.
The practical knowledge and skills you will gain as a student on the MSc Communications Engineering course include being presented with the essential element of modern optical communication systems based on single mode optical fibres from the core to the access, evaluating bandwidth-rich contemporary approaches.
The MSc Communications Engineering course also covers advanced networking topics including network performance and network security. This is supported with some practical knowledge and skills for project and business management principles.
As a student on the MSc Communications Engineering course, you will also be introduced to technologies underlying the compressions and transmission of digital video over networking platforms, gain knowledge on the channel models and associated impairments that typically limit the performance of wireless systems, and learn to design optimum digital communication receivers for some basic communications channel models.
The MSc in Communications Engineering is modular in structure. Communications Engineering students must obtain a total of 180 credits to qualify for the degree. This is made up of 120 credits in the taught element (Part One) and a project (Part Two) that is worth 60 credits and culminates in a written dissertation. Students on the Communications Engineering course must successfully complete Part One before being allowed to progress to Part Two.
Part-time MSc in Communications Engineering Delivery mode:
The part-time scheme is a version of the full-time equivalent MSc in Communications Engineering scheme, and as such it means lectures are spread right across each week and you may have lectures across every day. Due to this timetabling format, the College advises that the scheme is likely to suit individuals who are looking to combine this with other commitments (typically family/caring) and who are looking for a less than full-time study option.
Those candidates seeking to combine the part-time option with full-time work are unlikely to find the timetable suitable, unless their job is extremely flexible and local to the Bay Campus.
Timetables for the Communications Engineering programme are typically available one week prior to each semester.
Modules on the MSc Communications Engineering course can vary each year but you could expect to study:
RF and Microwave
Signals and Systems
Entrepreneurship for Engineers
Nanophotonics
Micro and Nano Electro-Mechnical Systems
Lasers and applications
Wireless Communications
Digital Communications
Optical Communications
Optical Networks
Communication Skills for Research Engineers
Research Dissertation
MSc Dissertation - Communications Engineering
Our new home at the innovative Bay Campus provides some of the best university facilities in the UK, in an outstanding location.
Engineering at Swansea University has extensive IT facilities and provides extensive software licenses and packages to support teaching which benefit students on the MSc in Communications Engineering course. In addition the University provides open access IT resources.
At Swansea University, Electronic and Electrical Engineering has an active interface with industry and many of our activities are sponsored by companies such as Agilent, Auto Glass, BT and Siemens.
This discipline has a good track record of working with industry both at research level and in linking industry-related work to our postgraduate courses. We also have an industrial advisory board that ensures our taught courses maintain relevance.
Our research groups work with many major UK, Japanese, European and American multinational companies and numerous small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to pioneer research. This activity filters down and influences the project work that is undertaken by all our postgraduate students.
The MSc Communications Engineering is suitable for those who have a career interest in the field of communication systems, which has been fundamentally changing the whole world in virtually every aspect, and would like to gain lasting career skills and in-depth knowledge to carry out development projects and advanced research in the area of communication systems.
Communications Engineering graduates can seek employment in wireless communication systems and network administration, and mobile applications development.
“I was fascinated by the natural beauty of Swansea before I came here. Swansea University is near the beach so you can walk around the beach at any time. This Master’s is very useful to enhance your ability and enrich your principle of the academic knowledge.”
Zhang Daping, MSc Communication Systems (now Communications Engineering)
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 ranks Engineering at Swansea as 10th in the UK for the combined score in research quality across the Engineering disciplines.
The REF assesses the quality of research in the UK Higher Education sector, assuring us of the standards we strive for.
World-Leading Research
The REF shows that 94% of research produced by our academic staff is of World-Leading (4*) or Internationally Excellent (3*) quality. This has increased from 73% in the 2008 RAE.
Research pioneered at the College of Engineering harnesses the expertise of academic staff within the department. This ground-breaking multidisciplinary research informs our world-class teaching with several of our staff leaders in their fields.
With recent academic appointments strengthening electronics research at the College, the Electronic Systems Design Centre (ESDC) has been re-launched to support these activities.
The Centre aims to represent all major electronics research within the College and to promote the Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree.
Best known for its research in ground-breaking Power IC technology, the key technology for more energy efficient electronics, the Centre is also a world leader in semiconductor device modelling, FEM and compact modelling.
This programme addresses the great shortage of skilled radio frequency (RF) and microwave engineers, and the growing demand for conceptually new wireless systems.
You will learn about a range of modern theories and techniques, accompanied by topics on wireless frequencies and sizes of RF and microwave devices.
This ranges from the lowest frequencies used in radio frequency identification (RFID) systems through to systems used at mm wave frequencies that can have applications in satellite communication systems and fifth generation wireless communication systems.
Theoretical concepts established in lectures are complemented by practical implementation in laboratory sessions, with direct experience of industry-standard computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Read about the experience of a previous student on this course, Uche Chukwumerije.
This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time students must study at least two taught technical modules per academic year. It consists of eight taught modules and a project.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
We provide solid academic support through the taught modules and into the project period. You will be assigned a personal tutor with whom you can discuss both academic and general issues related to the programme.
When you move into the project phase of the programme, you will be assigned a project supervisor who you will meet, usually on a weekly basis, to discuss the progress of your project.
The individual taught modules also feature strong academic support, usually through a tutorial programme. All of the RF and microwave modules have tutorial sheets to support the lectures.
Although completing the tutorials is not part of the formal assessment, you have the option of using the tutorials to receive individual feedback on your progress in the modules.
The combined facilities of the RF teaching laboratories and the Advanced Technology Institute provide MSc students with an exceptionally wide range of modern fabrication and measurement equipment.
Furthermore a wide variety of RF test and measurement facilities are available through Surrey Space Centre and the 5G Innovation Centre, which also involve work in the RF and microwave engineering domain.
Equipment includes access to CAD design tools, anechoic chamber, spectrum analysers, network analysers, wideband channel sounder, circuit etching and circuit testing.
The 5G Innovation Centre and Advanced Technology Institute within the Department have a range of active links with industry, both in the UK and overseas. During the past few years we have had students taking the MSc through the part-time route and completing their projects in industry.
Examples of industrial projects range from looking at new microwave measurement techniques at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), to antenna design and construction at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
We have also sent students overseas to complete their projects, funded through the Erasmus scheme, which is a European programme that provides full financial support for students completing their project work at one of our partner universities in mainland Europe.
Students taking advantage of this opportunity not only enhance their CVs with a European perspective, but also produce excellent project dissertations.
This programme in Microwave Engineering and Wireless Subsystem Designrf and microwavengineering provides detailed in-depth knowledge of theory and techniques applicable to radio frequency (RF) and microwave engineering.
The programme includes core modules in both RF and microwave covering all ranges of wireless frequencies and a number of application devices including radio frequency identification (RFID), broadcasting, satellite links, microwave ovens, printed and integrated microwave circuits.
Additional optional modules enable the student to apply the use of RF and microwave in subsystem design for either mobile communications, satellite communications, nanotechnology or for integration with optical communications.
The teaching material and projects are closely related to the research being carried out in the Department’s Advanced Technology Institute and the Institute for Communication Systems.
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
The Mobile & Personal Communications MSc programme covers the latest aspects of personal and mobile wireless communication technology, communication networks, advanced digital communications theory and techniques and signal processing. You will study Digital Communications, Random Variables and Stochastic Processes, Communication Theory as well Mobile and Personal Communication Systems There are opportunities to explore a broad range of optional modules allowing you the freedom to develop your study pathway to reflect your interests. You will complete the course in one year, studying September to September and taking a combination of required and optional modules totalling 180 credits, including 60 credits that will come from an individual project of 15,000 words.
Our programme offers introductory modules followed by specialised topical courses on the latest aspects of communications technology, including personal and mobile wireless communications, communication networks, advanced digital communications theory and techniques and communications signal processing. You will study Digital Communications, Random Variables and Stochastic Processes, Communication Theory, Mobile and Personal Communication Systems. You will complete eight taught modules. You will also undertake a substantial individual project.
For students wishing to work in the telecommunications industry.
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the programme. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
You are expected to spend approximately 150 hours of effort (i.e. about 10 hours per credit) for each module you attend in your degree. These 150 hours cover every aspect of the module: lectures, tutorials, lab-based exercises, independent study based on personal and provided lecture notes, tutorial preparation and completion of exercises, coursework preparation and submission, examination revision and preparation, and examinations.
Assessment
Assessment methods will depend on the modules selected. The primary methods of assessment for this course are written examinations and coursework. You may also be assessed by class tests, essays, assessment reports and oral presentations.
Students continue on to careers in industry, commerce, academic research and further study.
The programme aims to give students a general understanding of all aspects of telecommunications networks and the Internet. The course covers techniques, mechanisms, protocols and network architectures. The programme starts from covering basic principles of communications systems and extends to architectural aspects and design of future packet-switched networks.
In addition to the taught modules students are required to complete an individual project (and write a Thesis) to be eligible for the award of the MSc degree.
Undoubtedly, the growth of mobile and wireless communication systems and networks over the last few years has been explosive. Interestingly enough, this growth is taking place all over the world in both developed and developing countries. Therefore, in this very dynamic industry the prospects of employment are significant for graduates with well-rounded knowledge of this field. The aim of the programme is to provide the next generation of engineers that will manage and steer the developments in these new emerging Internet technologies.
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the programme. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
You are expected to spend approximately 150 hours of effort (i.e. about 10 hours per credit) for each module you attend in your degree. These 150 hours cover every aspect of the module: lectures, tutorials, lab-based exercises, independent study based on personal and provided lecture notes, tutorial preparation and completion of exercises, coursework preparation and submission, examination revision and preparation, and examinations.
Assessment methods will depend on the modules selected. The primary methods of assessment for this course are written examinations and coursework. You may also be assessed by class tests, essays, assessment reports and oral presentations.
Re-engineering the Internet towards its evolution to the Wireless Internet is the current driver of research efforts in both academia and research and development sectors in industry. Graduates from our programme will be very well placed to proceed into employment in both mobile network operators and industrial manufacturers of mobile/wireless network equipment. Due to close links with the current research efforts in the scope areas, graduates are also well placed to further their academic studies towards MPhil and PhD degrees.
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