Program Overview

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Overview

The Communications and Signal Processing MSc course equips students with the theory and practice necessary to begin a career as a design or development engineer in this exciting field. This unique MSc draws on the university's research strengths in communications and digital signal processing, providing a deep understanding of theory and real-world application.

What You'll Learn

Through compulsory modules, students will learn about:

• Mathematical foundations and fundamental concepts of machine learning
• Formulating, designing, testing, and validating different types of machine learning algorithms
• Ethical considerations, as well as issues regarding privacy and security
• Issues relating to modern telecommunications systems, protocols, flow, and error control
• Security and encryption and their importance in modern communication systems
• The principles of wireless and broadband communication networks
• Recent developments in cellular mobile systems and access technology
• Fundamental concepts of multimodality sensing, data acquisition, and their applications, including data fusion and visualization
• Detailed knowledge of the simulation techniques for communications systems and other signal processing problems
• In-depth knowledge of the architecture of DSP devices and communications hardware
• Emerging methods for the manipulation and analysis of single, multi-dimensional, and random signals
• How to conduct case studies in biomedical and healthcare applications
• Discrete-time signal processing algorithms and approaches to measure deterministic and random signals in frequency domain

Modules

The course includes modules on:

• M2M Technology Internet of Things
• Individual Project
• Communication Networks and Security
• Communications and Signal Processing (Coursework)
• Intelligent Signal Processing
• Machine Learning for Engineering Applications
• Research Skills and Development for Engineers

How You'll Learn

The course is delivered by the School of Engineering, using a blend of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures and tutorials
• Visits to local and regional industry
• Computer workshops
• Laboratory work
• Seminars
• Research projects
• Case studies

Your Development

The course will enable students to:

• Access world-leading research in signal processing and communications
• Gain more experience of industrial context with applications
• Have more flexibility and choice in their future career
• Receive an enhanced educational experience

Research Skills

The course is designed to develop research skills, including:

• Access to world-leading research in signal processing and communications
• Training in design, problem-solving, and research methods
• Transferable skills in analysis, research, and technical communication

Professional Skills

The course will help students develop strong communication skills through:

• Guided sessions on report writing and documentation
• Presenting project work through posters and oral presentations

Practical Skills

By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the technical and practical abilities industry demands, including:

• Applying image processing and machine vision techniques
• Analyzing and planning advanced telecommunications systems
• Designing and simulating encryption and communication protocols
• Evaluating wireless systems using MATLAB and Simulink
• Designing mobile phone systems from a full-system perspective
• Calculating Bit Error Rates for various modulation schemes
• Implementing efficient signal processing algorithms in software
• Analyzing both deterministic and random signals in time and frequency domains
• Assessing the computational cost of transform methods
• Classifying information and noise from discrete signals

Your Future

The course is designed to prepare students for a career as a design or development engineer in telecommunications and digital signal processing areas or to pursue a higher research degree.

Graduate Destinations

On completing the course, many students progress into employment as design and development engineers in telecommunications and digital signal processing areas or onto a higher research degree.

Industry Links

The university has close links with industry and graduates, providing a network that allows students to enhance their employability.

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of the university's 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

The course is professionally accredited by the Engineering Council and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), ensuring students receive a good foundation for professional registration.

Facilities

The School of Engineering has a suite of world-class research and teaching laboratories, including the latest electronic instruments and computer-aided design software for Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) devices.

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees for 2026 Entry (per year)

• Home students: £13,900
• International students: £30,050

Scholarships

The university supports EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

Entry Requirements

Academic Entry Requirements

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

• Electrical and electronic engineering
• Computer engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Physics
• Communications, information, and control engineering
• Electronics
• Information and science technology

English Language Requirements

Students must meet the university's English language requirements.

How to Apply

The course starts in September, and there is no application closing date. International students are advised to apply at least two months before the course starts. A deposit of £1,500 is required for international students who need a visa to study in the UK. The application portal has instructions to guide students through the application process.

Programme Codes

• Full-time: 12 months, Programme Code: 5066F

Using the Application Portal

The application portal has instructions to guide students through their application, telling them what documents are needed and how to upload them. Students can choose to start their application, save their details, and come back to complete it later.

Open Days and Events

The university regularly holds open days and events, both on campus and overseas, for students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Get in Touch

For questions about the course, students can contact the School of Engineering, School Admissions Team, via email. The university also has an online enquiry form and a live chat service for more general enquiries.

Keep Updated

The university regularly sends email updates and extra information about the university. Students can receive regular updates by email and follow the School of Engineering on social media.

Social Media

The School of Engineering is active on Twitter, and students can follow them for the latest updates and news.

Contact Us

Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, Telephone: +44 (0)

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Contact Us

Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, Telephone: +44 (0)

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