MSc Mobile Communications and Smart Networking

Program Overview

---

Mobile Communications and Smart Networking (MSc)

Award: Master of Science

Typical Offer: 2:1 degree

Duration: 1 year

Course Type: Full-time

Campus: Highfield

Next course starts: September 2025

About this course

Our MSc Mobile Communications and Smart Networking master's programme prepares you to become a capable wireless engineer. We'll help you build core areas of expertise, from understanding the fundamentals of wireless transmission, coding and signal processing, to building wireless transceivers and designing intelligent wireless networks.

We are the top-ranked university for Telecommunication Engineering in Europe (ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects).

Wireless communication has had an enormous social impact on our civilisation, and the need for wireless engineers with advanced skills will continue to grow as our world becomes more connected. Future wireless networks will have to intelligently manage a massive number of 'Internet of Things (IoT)' devices in a highly complex environment and in real-time.

This programme will prepare you to become a proficient wireless engineer with in-depth knowledge and the ability to apply it. You'll gain an advanced understanding of areas such as:

• transmission and coding
• signal processing
• transceiver design
• network design

You'll also have access to outstanding experimental research facilities, including our world-class high-voltage lab and a £110m interdisciplinary clean room.

The key strength of this programme is that we place an emphasis on fundamental concepts and how they relate to recent advances in wireless system and network design. We use real-world examples to emphasise the relevance and importance of these concepts.

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your course leader has research interests in:

• energy-efficient transceiver design
• machine to machine communications
• millimetre wave communications transceiver design
• MIMO
• radio over fibre
• V2X communications
• machine learning for wireless communications

Visit Dr Mohammed El-Hajjar's staff profile to learn more about his work.

Accreditations

• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

Learn more about these subject areas

• Computer science and software engineering
• Electrical and electronic engineering

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Entry requirements

You'll need a 2:1 degree in communication engineering, electronic engineering, electrical engineering or a closely related subject.

You must also have a good 2:1 (65%) score in the following:

• advanced maths, such as: advanced mathematics, applied mathematics, mathematical analysis, engineering mathematics, mathematics for electrical and electronic engineers or pure mathematics
• signal processing
• communication principles (communication engineering or wireless communications)
• probability theory

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

Information for students who have studied in China

This programme only accepts applicants who have studied at an X1, X2, X3 or X4 institution.

View acceptable grades from Chinese universities.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [insert email] Tel: +44(0)

Course structure

This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.

In the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2) you'll study the taught part of your course.

This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options. You'll also begin preparing for your final project.

For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently to research and write your dissertation. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress.

Semester 1 overview

In the first semester you'll start with a review of key topics in wireless communications and signal processing. We'll introduce the core theoretical and fundamental knowledge for digital coding, transmission and signal processing, combined with the principles and techniques needed to design a wireless transceiver.

You will also cover important research skills and practices, including the fundamentals to simulate and analyse wireless systems.

Semester 2 overview

In the second semester, we'll expose you to more advanced topics in wireless systems and network design, including multimedia communications and future wireless techniques, such as the fifth generation mobile standard (5G).

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

• Digital Coding and Transmission
• MSc Project and Dissertation
• Research Methods and Project Preparation
• Signal Processing
• Simulation of Mobile Communications
• Wireless Transceiver Design and Implementation

You must also choose from the following modules:

• Advanced Systems and Signal Processing
• Advanced Wireless Communications Networks and Systems
• Cryptography
• Future Wireless Techniques
• Machine Learning for Wireless Communications
• Wireless and Mobile Networks

Learning and assessment

Learning

Depending on the modules you choose, you'll learn through a combination of:

• lectures
• small group teaching and tutorials
• directed reading and assignments
• individual and group projects
• laboratory work
• independent study and practice

Assessment

We'll assess you through a mixture of:

• written exams
• coursework and coursework reports
• progress reports
• oral presentation
• your final project and dissertation

Dissertation

Your final project is a chance to demonstrate your mastery of specialist techniques, methods of enquiry, and your ability to design and deliver advanced systems to a tight deadline, including a substantial dissertation.

Academic Support

Associated with your programme you will be able to access:

• IEEE Xplore
• References from the Next Generation Wireless Research Group

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Commercial awareness
• Self-management
• Confidence
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Networking
• Adaptability
• Problem solving
• Resilience

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Manufacturing
• Scientific and Technical
• Water and Waste Management
• Education
• Public Administration
• Defence
• Finance

Careers directly related to this course:

• Telecommunications engineer
• Wireless engineer
• Machine learning engineer
• Artificial intelligence specialist
• Wireless network design engineer
• Transceiver design engineer

See more

Wider career opportunities:

• Project manager
• Data scientist
• Software developer
• University lecturer
• Technical consultant
• Research scientist

See more

Example job titles of Southampton MSc Mobile Communications and Smart Networking graduates:

• Vehicle system engineer
• IT consultant
• Secondary school teacher
• Design engineer
• Data analyst
• Project manager

See more

Job prospects for MSc Mobile Communications and Smart Networking graduates

• Average professional salary: £50k
• In a skilled profession or further study: 92%
• Graduate employment rate: 95%

Source

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £33,900.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Electronics and Computer Science Commonwealth Scholarship

There are 20 Electronics and Computer Science scholarships of £3,000 each available for 10 undergraduate and 10 postgraduate new international students from Commonwealth countries.

Find out more about the Southampton Electronics and Computer Science Commonwealth Scholarship, including eligibility, and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [insert email] Tel: +44(0)

Program Outline

We run a dedicated careers hub connected to over 100 organisations including: IBMArmMicrosoftSamsungGoogleAs well as large multinationals, many graduates go on to work for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.