MSc Wireless Communications

Program Overview

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MSc Wireless Communications

About this course

LJMU's Wireless Communications MSc meets the requirements and significant demand for postgraduates in this exciting field, both within the UK and international markets.

• Study at one of the UK's leading Engineering Departments
• Enrol on a programme informed by internationally-acclaimed research from LJMU's Electrical and Electronic Engineering Research Centre
• Postgraduates of this course are highly sought after by major UK and international employers
• This programme is available as a standard full-time Master's one-year programme (180 credits) or as an extended full-time Master's 20-month programme (240 credits).
• In both versions, in semester one and two, you will study full-time at LJMU completing the taught modules.
• If you are on the one-year programme, you will complete your Dissertation over the summer.
• If you are on the 20-month programme, you will undertake the Group Design Project and your Dissertation in the second year.

Why should I choose the 20-month route?

• This route is designed for international students who wish to apply their knowledge to professional practice in the UK
• Industrial organisations across all sectors have identified a gap in the market for Engineers with good leadership and interpersonal skills in addition to their technical abilities.
• The Group Design Project will encompass the wider aspects of social, economic, political, legislative, environmental, cultural, ethical and sustainability issues required in the modern environment.
• This route will equip you with the transferrable project management skills needed to excel in your chosen career.
• You will work in groups and meet regularly with an academic supervisor and any internal or external stakeholders in order to develop an effective team-working ethic.
• You will present your work through regular meetings with your supervisor as well as submitting progress reports and oral presentations. In this way you will have the chance to hone your communicative skills and leave University ready for the workplace.
• As an alternative to the group project on the 20 month programme an industrial placement is a possibility.
• You will need to apply directly to companies offering placements — the offer of a placement will be subject to a successful interview with the employer. Although the University will provide support and guidance to find an appropriate placement they are not guaranteed.

Course modules

Core modules

• Group Design Project (60 credits)
• MSc Dissertation (60 credits)
• Research Skills (10 credits)
• Modelling and Simulation (10 credits)
• Professional and Leadership Skills (10 credits)
• Sandwich Year Placement (60 credits)
• Sensors Networks and Data (20 credits)
• Advanced Signal Processing (20 credits)
• Digital Communications Systems (20 credits)
• Wireless Networks (20 credits)
• Radio & Optical Signal Propagation (10 credits)

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching methods: lectures, tutorials, seminars, activity-based learning, group discussions, panel sessions, inverted classroom learning etc.
• Applied learning: industrial placement during the second year of study. Interviews will take place with our industry partners to secure these placements.
• Assessment: a range of assessment methods on each programme.

Career paths

• Further your career prospects
• LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation.
• This course will develop both the technical and managerial skills you need to succeed in your chosen career.
• Typical positions you may go on to include: Wireless Network Design Engineers, Wireless Communications Engineers and Senior Engineers in the fields of wireless systems, sensors and data analytics and related industries.

Tuition fees and funding

• Home: £10,415
• International: £18,250 (Year 1), £5,630 (Year 2), £3,830 (Placement year)
• Fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
• Financial Support: there are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.

Entry requirements

• Qualification requirements:
  • a minimum 2.2 honours degree in Telecommunications or Electrical and Electronic Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
  • or an honours degree in Mathematics or a physical science, together with experience in a relevant field
  • or a degree with industrial experience or relevant postgraduate experience
  • plus graduate or corporate membership of one of the following professional bodies: The Institution of Engineering and Technology, The Institute of Measurement and Control or The Institute of Physics
• Alternative qualifications considered: Qualifications or experience deemed to be equivalent to the above will also be accepted
• Mature students must provide evidence of adequate educational and/or industrial experience
• Interview required: Non-standard applications may be subject to interview

International requirements

• IELTS: 6.0
• Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

LJMU's Wireless Communications MSc meets the requirements and significant demand for postgraduates in this exciting field, both within the UK and international markets.

• Objectives: The program aims to equip students with the technical and managerial skills needed to succeed in the wireless communications industry.
• Program Description: The program is available as a standard full-time Masters one-year programme (180 credits) or as an extended full-time Masters 20 month programme (240 credits).
Both versions involve full-time study at LJMU in semesters one and two, completing the taught modules. The one-year program includes a Dissertation over the summer, while the 20-month program incorporates the Group Design Project and Dissertation in the second year.

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Outline:

• Program Content: The program covers a wide range of topics related to wireless communications, including:
• Sensors Networks and Data
• Advanced Signal Processing
• Digital Communications Systems
• Wireless Networks
• Radio & Optical Signal Propagation
• Group Design Project
• MSc Dissertation
• Research Skills
• Modelling and Simulation
• Professional and Leadership Skills
• Sandwich Year Placement (optional)
• Program Structure:
• One-Year Program:
• Semesters 1 & 2: Taught modules
• Summer: Dissertation
• 20-Month Program:
• Semesters 1 & 2: Taught modules
• Year 2: Group Design Project and Dissertation
• Individual Modules:
• Sensors Networks and Data (20 credits):
This module focuses on wireless and sensor networks, covering concepts, protocol design, and coding techniques.
• Advanced Signal Processing (20 credits): This module explores digital signal processing (DSP) techniques and their applications in industry.
• Digital Communications Systems (20 credits): This module enhances students' knowledge of digital communications, covering bandwidth, modulation, coding, noise, interference, and data transfer rate.
• Wireless Networks (20 credits): This module provides an in-depth understanding of network architectures, protocols, and their operational contexts.
• Group Design Project (60 credits): This module allows students to apply engineering, technology, and scientific knowledge to a real-world design problem.
• MSc Dissertation (60 credits): This project module provides students with the opportunity to conduct independent research, demonstrate critical evaluation, and showcase their advanced learning.
• Research Skills (10 credits): This module prepares students to undertake their own research projects and equips them with the necessary skills for successful completion.
• Modelling and Simulation (10 credits): This module introduces students to Matlab coding for scientific computation, system modelling, and system simulation using Simulink.
• Professional and Leadership Skills (10 credits): This module develops students' awareness of the legal and ethical framework surrounding professional engineering, as well as the Emotional Competence Framework for a professional engineer.
• Sandwich Year Placement (60 credits): This module offers students the opportunity to gain work experience at an approved partner, developing professional skills and relevant behaviors for employment.

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Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, seminars, activity-based learning, group discussions, panel sessions, and inverted classroom learning.
• Faculty: The program is led by experienced faculty members with expertise in wireless communications and related fields.
• Unique Approaches: The program incorporates applied learning through an industrial placement during the second year of study.

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Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in the wireless communications industry, including:
• Wireless Network Design Engineers
• Wireless Communications Engineers
• Senior Engineers in the fields of wireless systems, sensors, and data analytics
• Opportunities: Graduates are highly sought after by employers and often occupy senior positions within major UK and international companies.
• Outcomes: The program equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the rapidly evolving field of wireless communications.

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Other:

• Industry Connections: The program benefits from strong industry connections, ensuring that students are prepared for the workplace and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real-world context.
• Research: The program is informed by internationally-acclaimed research from LJMU's Electrical and Electronic Engineering Research Centre.

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Home full-time per year:

£10,415

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International full-time per year:

£18,250

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International year 2

£5,630

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Sandwich year international

£3,830