MSc Electronic Engineering
Overview
What is the MSc Electronic Engineering?
The MSc Electronic Engineering is a one- or two-year degree studied at our Colchester Campus.
You’ll develop in-demand knowledge, skills, competency and critical awareness for a rewarding career in the electronics industry.
Why this course
The MSc Electronic Engineering gives you a vocational experience led by industry contacts alongside academics and researchers to enhance your postgraduate employability.
You’ll gain crucial skills in analogue and digital design, CAD and IC design, fault analysis, embedded processing and DSPs and fast prototyping.
You’ll then design, simulate, construct, test and manufacture a complex electronic system aimed at industrial or consumer markets.
You’ll graduate with the confidence and ability to work in analogue and digital circuit design.
Who should apply
- Future electronic engineers
- Graduates eager to develop their own complex electronic systems
- People who get to the heart of how things work
What you’ll learn
- Systems: Explore communication, embedded and electronic systems
- Fundamentals: Secure the mathematical foundations, design and integration of various systems
- Professional practice: Gain the research and business skills needed for your professional career
- Specialise: Tailor your degree to your choice of optional modules
Your learning experience
- Expert teaching: Learn from leading researchers revolutionising industries such as agriculture and healthcare
- Specialist facilities: Access 24/7 computing labs with a range of programming software and specialist facilities for brain-computer interfaces, robotics, optoelectronics and more
Careers and outcomes
An MSc Electronic Engineering degree prepares you for diverse careers in:
- Engineering: Design, development, research, diagnostics, manufacture
- IT: Software, hardware, cyber security
- Business: Consultancy, patent law
Employers of graduates from this course
Graduates from our Masters have progressed to roles in national and international organisations, including:
- Electronic Data Systems
- Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
- Bank of Mexico
- Visa International
- Hyperknowledge (Cambridge)
- Hellenic Air Force
- ICSS (Beijing)
- United Microelectronic Corporation (Taiwan)
Professional accreditation
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.
- Top 250 (Top 25 in the UK) for computer science in THE World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- 9th in the UK for research impact in computer science (REF 2021)
- Top 150 (=10th in the UK) for telecommunications engineering in Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025
Meet the researchers
Course content
Course structure
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
| Status | What this means |
| Core |
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Core with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Compulsory |
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Compulsory with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Optional |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
| HR | 100 | 4 | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History. |
The module number. |
The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification. |
The term the module will be taught in.
|
COMPONENT 01: CORE
What fascinates you? Apply your learning in computer science or engineering to solve a problem. Design, implement and evaluate a solution, producing a dissertation on your investigation and giving an oral presentation of your work. Test your knowledge, while gaining practical experience and building your project management skills.
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
This module provides a mathematical foundation for the study of communication systems and understanding their operation. It covers at depth the relevant mathematical concepts, such as Fourier transforms, theory of probability and stochastic processes and noise, as well as fundamentals of information theory and coding. The key feature of the module is that all relevant mathematical concepts are considered together with practical demonstration of their direct applications to the related area of electronic engineering and communication. In order to provide both good theoretical knowledge and strong applied skills, in addition to the lectures the module is supported by the problem solving classes. The module uses these theoretical tools to examine the operation of modern communication systems, such as analogue and digital signal processing and applications of information theory to data coding. The module also covers analysis of fundamental performance bounds, and identifies how close commercially important systems are to these bounds.
View Theory of Signals and Communication Systems on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY
COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY
Wish to design, program and evaluate embedded systems from software specification to hardware implementation? Study the techniques to develop software for embedded systems and robotics. Examine performance needs and the key issues in designing real-time software for embedded systems in real-world applications. Understand the main techniques of real-time programming.
COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY
This module provides first-hand experience of the design simulation and production of complex electronic circuits. A word specification is provided for a consumer electronics device for which a prototype is designed using reference and first principles. The circuit is then simulated and tested in Multisim to verify operation. Once satisfactory, a hardware prototype is developed on a prototype medium e.g. breadboard and tested in real-world conditions. Then using PCB design software, a PCB is designed and populated to produce the final product. The module has a large emphasis on the practical with a lighter emphasis on the theoretical.
View Electronic System Design and Integration on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY
This module aims to prepare students for conducting an independent research project leading to a dissertation and to provide them with an appreciation of research and business skills related to their professional career. As a precursor to their project students, individually select an area of Computer Science, or Electronic Engineering, or Computational Finance and perform the necessary background research to define a topic and prepare a project proposal under the guidance of a supervisor. The module guides them by a) introducing common research methods b) creating an understanding of basic statistics for describing and making conclusions from data c) helping to write a strong proposal including learning how to perform literature search and evaluation and d) giving an in-depth view into the business enterprise, financial and management accounting and investment appraisal.
View Professional Practice and Research Methodology on our Module Directory
Teaching
- Courses provide a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of the theory, methods, and applications of computer science.
- Core components combined with optional modules, to enable you to gain either in-depth specialisation or broad understanding.
- Our postgraduates are encouraged to attend conferences and seminars and engage with the wider research community.
Assessment
- Courses are assessed on the results of your written examinations, together with continual assessments of your practical work and coursework.
Dissertation
- Your research project allows you to focus in depth on your chosen topic.
- Close supervision by faculty staff.
Entry requirements
UK entry requirements
A 2:2 degree in one of the following subjects (with no module requirements):
- Automation
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Information Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Physics
- Telecommunication Engineering
We will consider applicants with any other 2:2 degree or above which includes:
At least one Signals and Systems module, such as:
- AI / Artificial Intelligence
- Automation and Control Engineering
- Control Engineering
- Computer Systems
- Control Systems
- Control Technology
- Control Theory
- Digital Analysis
- Digital Design
- Digital Electronics
- Digital Image Processing
- Digital Logic Design
- Embedded Systems
- Microprocessors
- Image Processing
- Operating Systems
- Signal and Systems
- Signal Processing
- System Hardware Fundamentals
- Time series Analysis
AND
At least one Maths module, such as:
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Differential Equations
- Mathematics
AND
Another relevant module, such as:
- Computer Networks
- Computer Programming
- Digital Systems
- Electronics
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£12,725
International fee
£24,675
Scholarships and financial support
There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.
Fees and funding guide
What's next
Open Days
We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:
- tour our campus and accommodation
- find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
- meet our students and staff
If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.
2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)
Applying
You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.
We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.
For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
Virtual tours
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
Got a question about this course? Chat with Dr Ian Daly from the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering.
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At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
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