Program Overview

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Overview

The Microelectronics: Systems and Devices MSc will develop your knowledge of fundamental and advanced topics in microelectronics, such as advanced electronic devices, VLSI circuits and systems design.

What You'll Learn

You'll learn core skills in:

• using hi-tech clean-room based fabrication and characterisation equipment
• new VLSI circuit and system designs
• engineering autonomous microelectronic systems and artificial intelligence
• problem solving, analysing results and assessing progress
• low-power design methods
• industrial technology and VLSI CAD tools
• independent learning and team work
• effective communication and presentation (group work/report writing/oral presentation)
• planning and organisation
• risk assessment and ethical awareness

In addition you'll apply your engineering and computing expertise to investigate a complex problem. This is part of the Individual Project module.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Microelectronics: Systems and Devices MSc modules

Compulsory Modules | Credits
---|---
Real Time Embedded Systems | 20
Individual Project | 60
Advanced Electronic Devices | 20
Low-Power VLSI Design | 20
Advanced Device Fabrication | 20
Microelectronics Design Tools | 20
Research Skills and Development for Engineers | 20

How You'll Learn

Delivery and teaching methods

We have a multidisciplinary approach to teaching. You'll engage with students across key engineering disciplines and be taught by senior industry experts, including:

• network operators
• solution developers
• infrastructure manufacturers
• consultants

This offers a rich and diverse learning experience.

Our teaching covers a broad range of subjects and typically consists of:

• lectures
• tutorials
• seminars
• practical lab sessions
• research-led projects
• group work
• laboratory work
• computing workshops
• personal supervision

You'll have the opportunity to carry out research and development projects. With access to multi-million-pound state-of-the-art facilities, you'll work alongside active collaborations between the University and industry.

This course consists of compulsory modules and an individual project.

Our modules are taught by block delivery, allowing you to immerse yourself and understand the subject in more depth.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Oral presentation
• Poster
• Report
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Additional assessment information

Assessment is by:

• written examination at the end of each semester
• coursework
• projects
• dissertation conducted in association with one of the School's research groups

MSc Project and Dissertation in Microelectronics (Individual Project)

The School of Engineering has an international reputation for transformative engineering and technology research. You'll have the opportunity to be part of this research and development, particularly during your individual project.

You'll undertake advanced research on an appropriate related topic. This is part of an independent dissertation across all 3 three semesters. You'll combine the skills, knowledge and understanding gained from the modules you've undertaken. You'll develop your research skills on a relevant topic.

You'll develop the ability to:

• formulate planning and organisational strategies
• review and summarise relevant technical papers and reports
• critique different techniques and strategies
• identify relevant/irrelevant material related to your MSc

Examples of research-led projects have included:

• Energy-autonomous Circuits and Systems Design
• Asynchronous Circuit Design
• Design Automation for Asynchronous Systems
• Neuroprosthetic Circuits and Systems
• Visual Prosthetic Circuit Design
• Artificial Intelligence Hardware and Application Design

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• personal tutors and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Your Development

You'll:

• understand concepts and theory of:
  • embedded design
  • real-time scheduling
  • concurrent models
  • interfaces
  • real-time interfaces (ACM)
• gain knowledge, skills and design experience on reconfigurable hardware platforms (FPGA microchips)
• understand the needs of modern electronics and the communications industry
• have the ability to analyse electronic devices operation from a physical perspective
• understand the main elements of hierarchical VLSI design and apply VLSI design methodology for the design of general and application-specific Integrated Circuits
• gain advanced knowledge and experience of the key aspects of:
  • semiconductor technology
  • electronic device characterisation: both are relevant to the production of state-of-the-art devices and integrated circuits
• use industry standard commercial software packages for design and simulation of semiconductor devices, libraries and circuits, including:
  • design capture
  • simulation
  • physical design
  • verification

Your Future

Graduate destinations

We'll prepare you for a wide range of careers across the globe. Our graduates have gone on to destinations including:

• Arm
• Intel
• Huawei
• Infineon
• Cadence
• Synposys
• Google
• Microsoft

This course also provides a route into PhD level study.

Industry links

We have strong industrial links through our research and degree programmes. This provides you with many benefits:

• industry guest lectures
• site visits
• projects
• placements
• employment opportunities with added support from our Careers Service

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 140 University - QS World University Rankings 2026
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• Top 200 for Engineering - Electrical and Electronic - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

Professional accreditation and recognition

Engineering Council
This course is professionally accredited by the Engineering Council. The accreditation ensures you receive a good foundation for professional registration. The Engineering Council is the UK regulatory body for the engineering profession. It sets and maintains the internationally recognised standards of professional competence and ethics that govern and award and retention of these titles.

The accreditation gives you an additional benchmark of quality to your degree, making you more attractive to graduate employers. It can also open the door to higher-level jobs, most of which require Chartered Engineer status.

Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) This course is professionally accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). The accreditation ensures you receive a good foundation for professional registration. IET is one of the world's largest engineering and technology institutions. It is a global diverse home for over 168,000 engineering and technology professionals in 150 countries. It provides support at every stage of your career.

The accreditation gives you an additional benchmark of quality to your degree, making you more attractive to graduate employers. It can also open the door to higher-level jobs, most of which require Chartered Engineer status.

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Facilities

You'll have access to a range of dedicated specialist facilities in the School of Engineering and across campus to support your studies and enhance your learning experience.

Teaching facilities include:

• Computing Lab
• Electrical Power Teaching Lab
• Electronics Lab

Research facilities include:

• CAD Lab
• Clean-Room Microfabrication Lab
• Cockle Park Farm
• Embedded Systems Lab
• Electrical Power Research Lab
• Newcastle Helix
• InTEGReL
• Microelectronic Characterisation Lab
• Modelling and Device Design
• Neuro-Prosthesis Lab
• Sensors, Electromagnetics and Acoustics (SEA) Lab
• Smart Grid Lab and Energy Storage Test Bed
• Urban Sciences Building Facilities
• µSystems Lab

Our Electrical and Electronic Engineering research group also has dedicated equipment and laboratories:

• Intelligent Sensing and Communications
• Emerging Technology and Materials (ETM)
• AI Lab
• Electrical Power

Stephenson Building

The Stephenson Building is a £110 million investment in world-class education, research and collaboration across Engineering. It’s a place for future engineers, researchers and designers to collaborate and tackle global challenges, together.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Qualification: MSc Full time

Home studentsFull time: 12 months| Tuition fees (per year)£13,900
International studentsFull time: 12 months | Tuition fees (per year)£30,050

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.

Entry Requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

Academic entry requirements

A 2:2 BEng honours degree, or international equivalent, in:

• electrical and electronic engineering
• computer engineering
• mechanical engineering
• physics
• communications, information and control engineering
• optical information science and technology

Relevant professional experience is desirable, although not essential.

We will consider your application on an individual basis if you have lower or non-standard qualifications and significant, relevant professional experience.

Qualifications from outside the UK

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English Language requirements

Select your qualification IELTSPearsonsDuolingo English TestTOEFLOtherPre-Sessional Entry - 6 weeksPre-Sessional Entry - 10 weeks

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

How to Apply

Before you start

Start Dates

The course starts in September.

Closing Dates

There is no application closing date for this course.

We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you must:

• pay a deposit of £1,500
• or submit an official letter of sponsorship

The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study with us. The deposit is non-refundable, but we will deduct it from your tuition fees when you register.

Programme codes

Qualification: MSc Full time

Full time: 12 months| Programme Code:5393F

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.