Electronic Communications Engineering MSc
About this course
This postgraduate degree will furnish graduates with a greater understanding of imaging and display technology and smart mathematical techniques for engineering design and optimisation. The course emphasises the importance of independent learning, problem solving and self-organisation.
Combining computer science, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering and management, the course enables students to develop imaginative and innovative design solutions, enterprise, leadership and interpersonal skills.
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One year paid work experience option available. -
In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 98% of NTU's Engineering submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
What you’ll study
You will study six core modules and undertake a substantial Individual or Research Project.
Research Methods (20 cp)
The research methods elements of this module will focus on literature searching and critical reviewing strategies, ethical considerations, research design, sampling and quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques using applicable software tools.
Individual Industrial or Research Project (60 cp)
This module is the “capstone” project in which you will combine the knowledge, understanding and skills you have developed. You will investigate an engineering problem, implement solutions, critically evaluate and reflect on your work, and develop your abilities to communicate, self-organise and manage. The CPD component of this module will inform your learning journey throughout your MSc and after.
Cellular Networks and Internet of Things (20 cp)
Explore the technologies, protocols, and applications of cellular networks and their integration with the Internet of Things (IoT). You will gain knowledge and skills to design, deploy, and manage cellular-based IoT systems.
Advanced Digital Signal Processing (20 cp)
During this module emphasis will be on the theoretical foundations, practical implementations, and real-world applications of digital signal processing (DSP). You will cover spectral analysis, statistical signal processing and adaptive filters.
Embedded Systems and Sensors (20 cp)
Develop the skills and knowledge to create efficient and reliable embedded systems and interface them with sensors. You will learn how to apply them to various domains, including IoT, robotics, automation, and smart systems.
Wireless Communications (20 cp)
Understand the technologies and constraints of wireless communications and apply them to simulated and various practical wireless communication systems designs.
Group Design Project (20 cp)
During this module, you will focus mainly on the technical aspects of developing a cross-disciplinary group design project. The set projects will be taken from areas of advancing technology.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
How you're taught
The postgraduate academic year is divided into three terms: term one has 10 weeks where you will study 40 credits; term two has 20 weeks where you will study 80 credits; and term three has 15 weeks. Those students who wish to continue on to the MSc will study 60 credits in term three.
The first two terms are spent studying the taught modules and the last term, pursuing an individual major project.
Study hours
Contact hours for a 20 cp modules are typically around 50 hours, with a further 150 hours expected from you for directed and independent study.
Assessment
You will be assessed by a variety of methods. The balance will be 28% exams (including practical assessments) and 72% coursework.
Research informed teaching
By daring to think differently our research is tackling real-world issues. The subjects you will study with us are informed by our research so you can be sure your knowledge will be cutting-edge in your field. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 98% of NTU's Engineering submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.
Contact hours
Lectures / seminars / workshops (20%) and independent study (80%)
Careers and employability
Not only will you have enviable transferable skills at the end of this course, but you will also be perfectly placed to enter a range of careers in the industrial or engineering sectors.
The industry-focused nature of this course will ensure that you stand out from the crowd when it comes to job applications and pursuing your future career. NTU graduates are widely respected amongst employers and our Engineering students are perceived as having the competitive edge due to the hands-on approach of our teaching. Recently our graduates have gone on to work for a variety of employers in a wide ranging industries including companies such as Renishaw, Project Solar UK, Hull City Council, NHS, Siemens and Apiject.
Placement opportunities
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.
The school of Science and Technology will work closely with you to help find a placement and strengthen your CV and interview techniques. You'll be supported and assessed throughout your placement year and will write a reflective report and diary at the end of your placement. When you successfully complete your placement and submit your placement report, you will be eligible to receive an additional award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice.
Please note that placements are not guaranteed and the process is competitive through an application and interview process.
If you take the sandwich route, you will take a one-year work placement after the first three terms before returning to NTU the following year to start your research project.
Our recent students have taken placements across a wide range of companies including Active Plan Consulting, Suman Chemical Industries and Techplus Solutions. They secured varied roles such as Software Engineer, Cloud Operations Officer and Business Analyst.
Re:search Re:imagined
To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter. From conservation management to sustainable farming, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Engineering Building with access to facilities including our aero lab, VR suite and Robotics Test Arena.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your course mates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
- A UK honours degree (minimum 2.1) or equivalent in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or related discipline
- Applicants with relevant employment experience or other relevant qualifications will also be considered
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
You will need:
- A UK honours degree (minimum 2.1) or equivalent in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or related discipline
- Applicants with relevant employment experience or other relevant qualifications will also be considered
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
The course fees for September 2025 entry are:
| Study route | UK | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,990 | £17,850 |
| Full-time with placement year | £9,990 + £1,850 | £17,850 + £1,850 |
Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Funding your studies
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and living costs page and our funding page will answer all your questions.
Scholarships
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.
Alumni discount
We’re happy to be able to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni. This discount is currently available for those starting an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service on: +44 (0)115 848 2494. For scholarship help please contact us on: +44 (0)115 848 4460.
The course fees for September 2025 entry are:
| Study route | UK | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,990 | £17,850 |
| Full-time with placement year | £9,990 + £1,850 | £17,850 + £1,850 |
Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024. Courses starting in January 2026 will be open for applications from July 2025.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates' guide. Here you'll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024. Courses starting in January 2026 will be open for applications from July 2025.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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