Program Overview

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About this course

Develop your electronic engineering knowledge on this master’s degree at the University of Southampton. This MSc course will give you the latest techniques, technologies and tools to help you meet emerging economic and social challenges. We’re a top 10 university in the UK for electronic engineering, meaning you’ll get the graduate opportunities you need for your future career.

The MSc Electronic Engineering is a portfolio master’s degree, enabling you to further your knowledge of a number of areas, such as:

• micro and nanoelectronics
• optoelectronics
• micro and nanotechnology
• wireless communications

It offers a wider choice of modules than our specialist masters programmes, enabling you to tailor the degree to your interests. You’ll also work during the summer research project on a specialist topic.

The degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) 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.

Entry requirements

• You’ll need a 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in electronic engineering or a closely related subject.
• You must also have a good 2:1 (65%) score in the following:
  • 1 advanced maths module (equivalent to 7.5 ECTS), such as: applied mathematics, mathematical analysis, engineering mathematics, mathematics for electronic and electrical engineering or pure mathematics.
  • a broad range of electronics modules (equivalent to 22.5 ECTS), such as: semiconductor devices, microelectronics, microprocessors, digital systems, control and communications, signal processing, automation or power electronics.

Course structure

This electronic engineering master’s consists of 8 taught modules, and an individual research project. You can choose 7 modules from a wide range of topics, allowing you to personalise your course to suit your own interests.

By choosing appropriate modules, it is possible to concentrate on a specific topic:

• micro
  anoelectronics
• micro
  anotechnology
• communications
• optoelectronics

You’ll need to study a research and project preparation, module which spans the entire course. You’ll prepare for your research project and examine ethical and legal issues around professional practice.

Over the summer you’ll write up your research project.

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.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

MSc Project and Dissertation

Your research project will enable you to explore in depth some aspect of your specialist subject area. You will be allocated a project supervisor with whom you will meet and agree a project brief and plan. These must be submitted to, and agreed by, ...

Research Methods and Project Preparation

The Module will prepare students for the summer Research Project and research based coursework exercises. It will give students a grounding in the research methods and techniques necessary in order for planning and successful execution and completion of t...

You must also choose from the following modules:

Advanced Micro and Nanosystems

The aim of this module is to provide an overview of a range of microscale and nanoscale systems and devices, including sensors, actuators, and transducers. The module consists of practical works on micro and nanosystems, involving construction and charact...

Advanced Systems and Signal Processing

This module aims to introduce to the students advanced model based signal processing methods and systems design theories, with illustrative case studies to demonstrate how the knowledge obtained in this module can be used in some challenging real life app...

Analogue and Mixed Signal CMOS Design

The key aim of this module is to provide the background and the methods for the understanding of the operation of basic analogue CMOS cells, and how to design common functions. The emphasis is placed on design of analogue functions specifically as part of...

Applied Control Systems

This module will introduce the student to key topics within control and signal processing, developing understanding through a combination of theoretical content and practical application. The theoretical content is focussed in a number of key themes wi...

Control System Design (MSc)

This module is taught together with ELEC3205 Control System Design. ELEC6243 has higher requirements on the desired learning outcomes, which will be assessed by a different set of coursework.

Digital Coding and Transmission

- To expand knowledge of techniques for information transmission via discrete (digital) channels, which have a wide area of applications, i.e. distributed computer systems, instrumentation and control systems, as well as communication systems of all types...

Digital Control System Design (MSc)

This module is taught together with ELEC3206 Digital Control System Design. ELEC6240 has higher requirements on the desired learning outcomes which will be assessed by a different set of coursework.

Digital IC and Systems Design

This module aims to provide a coherent introduction to digital VLSI design in CMOS, and to give students a broad understanding of the main principles required for system-on-chip design. Advanced techniques such as timing analysis and asynchronous design w...

Digital System Design

The following topics will be covered: - How SystemVerilog is interpreted for simulation and synthesis - How to use EDA tools to configure FPGAs - The principles of functional verification of digital systems - The principles of Built-In Self-Test and s...

Digital Systems Synthesis

Describe the design of complex digital systems using a (SystemVerilog and SystemC based) behavioural synthesis approach. Provide understanding of the algorithms which underpin behavioural synthesis including scheduling, allocation and binding. Gain ...

Embedded Processors

This module gives a broad introduction to application-specific processor system design and illustrates the use of such processors in the broader context of complex digital systems. A significant portion of the module assessment is coursework where stud...

From Data to Dynamical Model: System Identification

The main problem in system identification is deriving mathematical models of dynamical systems (for transfer function, state-space) from data. Such problem arises for example in control, when the complexity of a model or lack of physical insight prevent t...

Future Wireless Techniques

This course aims to introduce some advanced techniques that hold potential for applications in the future generations of wireless communication systems. Currently, research and development in wireless communications is focused on the sixth generation (6G)...

Green Electronics

This module covers recent developments in electronic devices that reduce energy consumption, generate power, or advance the distribution of power. Together these devices are playing an essential role in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. The modu...

Intelligent Mobile Robotics

This module teaches the theory and practice of robotic perception and reasoning needed for mobile autonomous vehicles to operate in dynamic, unstructured environments across land, sea and air. You will learn probabilistic methods so that robots can self-l...

Machine Learning for Wireless Communications

The aim of the module is to introduce students to the fundamentals of machine learning and then to apply the advanced machine learning principles for the design and optimisation of wireless communications systems and mobile networks. Recently, the rese...

Microfabrication

This module provides an overview of modern microfabrication technologies for the making of micro structures applicable to device engineering. The various fabrication techniques that are relevant for microdevices in the field of electronics, optoelectroni...

Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip

This module teaches the basics of the behaviour of fluids in microsystems, specifically focussing on the interaction of fundamental physical mechanisms and the design of microfluidic devices. It also reviews and analyses the state of the art in applied mi...

Microsensor Technologies

This module presents a broad overview of microsensor technologies, including the basic principles of measurement systems and the scaling effects arising from system miniaturisation. The practical component, assessed by a Lab Report, involves the design an...

Nanoelectronic Devices (MSc)

The module will discuss all important issues related to scaling down the transistor size into the nanometer regime, such as high-k dielectrics and FINFETs. The teaching will be complemented with a finite element simulation of the MOS scaling which will br...

Nanofabrication and Microscopy

This course consists of two parts: 'Nanofabrication' deals with the fabrication of structures that are smaller than 100 nm, while 'Microscopy' concerns the visualisation of such small features. Advanced optical lithography concepts are illustrated by a co...

Quantum Devices and Technology

The aim of this module is to provide an overview of advancement of quantum devices and technology in line with the development of nanoelectronics and nanotechnology. Students will gain knowledge of basic quantum mechanics and how the quantum mechanics are...

Robotic Systems

Robots are becoming more widely used in society, with applications ranging from agriculture through to manufacturing, with increasing interest in autonomous systems. This module will introduce students to the fundamentals of robotic systems including k...

Secure Hardware and Embedded Devices

This course covers security and trust of hardware and embedded devices, with a particular focus on the emerging security challenges facing the internet of things technology. It includes the following topics: vulnerabilities in current digital system desig...

Signal Processing

This module aims to introduce to the students signal processing techniques, including analogue and digital filter design and systems design theories. The module also introduces the concepts of statistical signal processing including estimation and detecti...

Wireless Networks

This course is intended to give students an outline of how wireless communication and computer networks work "above the physical layer". This includes the interoperability of wireless networks such as WiMax/GPRS and WiFi to provide WiFi on trains etc. How...

Wireless Transceiver Design and Implementation

This course introduces the principles and techniques needed to design a wireless transceiver. We will cover the process needed to take the main principles of digital communications such as digital modulation and detection. Through lectures and coursework,...

Wireless and Mobile Networks

The module consists of the following 8 components: 1. Introduction; 2. Data link layer; 3. Medium access control sublayer; 4. Network layer; 5. Queueing theory and queueing models; 6. Cellular wireless networks; 7. Wireless local area networ...

Learning and assessment

Learning

The learning activities for this master’s in electronic engineering include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• lab work
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Assessment

We’ll assess you through:

• lab reports and essays
• individual and group projects
• problem-solving exercises
• written exams
• a research report

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.

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:

• Electronic engineer
• Design and development engineer
• Technology analyst
• Systems engineer
• Telecommunications engineer
• Controls engineer
• Robotics engineer
• Armed forces engineer officer
• Software developer

Wider career opportunities:

• Project manager
• Security analyst
• Secondary school teacher
• Data analyst
• Financial analyst
• Patent attorney

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,535.
• EU and international students pay £33,900.

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.

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.

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.