Program Overview

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Postgraduate MSc

Microsystems and Nanoengineering

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time

Course

• One year
• Two year

Next enrolment

• September 2025

Introduction

In a nutshell

The ability to construct and integrate numerous miniature devices into a single chip-scale microsystem has led to remarkable advancements in various fields of engineering and technology. Notable examples of this progress can be seen in the microprocessor and mobile phone industries. These achievements have been made possible by the development of advanced microfabrication technologies, enabling the placement and interconnection of hundreds to millions of individual components on a single semiconductor chip.

Although this technology was initially intended for the microelectronics sector, it is now being utilised for the creation of integrated photonic chips (such as optical communication transceivers), biomedical implants, environmental sensors (e.g., optical gas sensors), sensors for extreme environments (e.g., radiation detectors), navigational sensors (e.g., LIDAR), and energy harvesting devices. At the same time, advances in nanoengineering are providing new opportunities in this field, leading to new devices for quantum computing and artificial intelligence.

You will:

• Learn the fundamental science underlying microsystems and nanotechnology, including microelectronics, nanophotonics and microelectromechanical systems.
• Be trained to use a wide range of microfabrication tools (e.g., laser micro-lithography) in a microfabrication cleanroom facility.
• Carry out a full-cycle microsystem design, fabrication and characterisation project, which will prepare you for an exciting, applied engineering career.

This is for you if...

1. You have a background in any of the following engineering or science disciplines: Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Materials, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Bioengineering
2. You are interested in applying engineering, physics and material science towards solving cutting-edge problems.
3. You are good at designing devices, systems and manufacturing processes and you enjoy working with precision equipment and advanced technologies.
4. You are planning an industry career in advanced technologies such as semiconductors, intelligent transport, bioengineering, AI hardware, sensors and robotics.
5. Your future plan is to obtain a PhD in advanced engineering or science fields.

Course details

All about the course

Our MSc Microsystems and Nanoengineering course will be delivered as a combination of hands-on laboratory work alongside modules teaching the fundamentals. You will learn basic concepts in microelectronics and nanophotonics. You will also learn how to design and simulate microscale and nanoscale devices using advanced simulation and design tools.

Part of the laboratory work will be taught in a professional cleanroom environment. You will learn how to pattern and etch semiconductor chips (e.g. silicone) and deposit thin films on these chips. You will also learn various characterisation techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, profilometry, alongside electronic and photonic device measurements.

The course will also provide you with the tools and training to design, fabricate and characterise complete microsystems on a chip, which you will deliver as a self-contained final project on a relevant topic of your choice. There will also be an opportunity to send your designs to an external nanofabrication facility and work with industry standard design tools.

Modules

• Design and Characterisation Lab
• Microfabrication Lab
• Semiconductor Microdevices
• Nanophotonics
• Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)
• Microsystems Project

What will I be doing?

Assessment

• 50% Tests (written and practical)
• 25% Project reports
• 25% Oral/Video presentations

Teaching

Modules will be taught in a mix of formats, depending on the topic:

• Traditional lecture format
• Guided workshops (e.g., for teaching software design tools)
• Practical hands-on sessions (for example training on microfabrication equipment in a cleanroom setting)

Staff delivering this course will have expertise in semiconductors, microelectronics, micromechanics, MEMS, finite element simulation, solid state physics, optics/photonics, microfabrication and characterisation.

School of Science, Engineering and Environment

Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our postgraduate courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers, consultants and leaders.

Driven by industry, and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the knowledge and skills to take your career potential further.

The course relies heavily on the microfabrication cleanroom and the ‘Microsystems and Nanophotonics’ measurement laboratory at University of Salford.

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

Employment

Due to the breadth and depth of training, graduates of this course have a multitude of career paths in different disciplines. Possible industries are semiconductor chip manufacturing (Diodes Inc.), Augmented Reality (Meta), Telecommunications (Infinera), Biotechnology (Illumina), Autonomous driving (Waymo), Navigational Sensing (Honeywell).

You can also continue in further studies for a PhD degree, where MSc graduates with your skill set are in high demand.

Links to Industry

We have links to Diodes Inc, Nexperia, NXP, Waveoptics/Snap

Employers have informed us that they always have a difficult time recruiting staff with the skill sets targeted in this course.

Requirements

What you need to know

Applicant Profile

This course is recommended for graduates and experienced professionals who have a background in engineering (e.g., mechanical, electrical, electronics, materials) or science (physics, chemistry, biology, bioengineering) who are good at designing devices, systems and manufacturing processes and enjoy working with precision equipment and advanced technologies.

English Language Requirements

International applicants will be required to show a proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element below 5.5) is proof of this.

International Applications

Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.

Standard entry requirements

• Undergraduate degree: A 2:2 degree or above in engineering or science.

International student entry requirements

We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.

Alternative entry requirements

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.

The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.

Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

Fees

How much?

Type of study | Year | Fees ---|---|--- Full-time home | 2025/26 | £10,350 per year Full-time international | 2025/26 | £19,100 per year Part-time | 2025/26 | £1,725 per 30 credits

Additional costs

You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

International student scholarships

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Learn more about our latest international scholarships.