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MSc Communications and Information Engineering (18-month route)

Why choose Herts?

  • Industry Accreditation: This course is accredited by IET and meets Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UKSPEC).
  • Teaching Excellence: You will be taught by the Engineering Research Group research academics. This group receives funding each year from industry to deliver industry-demand courses.
  • Employment Prospects: Graduates work as Communications Systems Engineers, Network and Communications Engineers for organisations including Transport for London, Network Rail, and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Professional Accreditations

This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) up to and including the January 2024 intake 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.

Accredited Programme RGB

About the course

This course enables students to understand the fundamentals of information theory and apply appropriate performance and quality measures to engineer enhanced data communication systems.

Students design state-of-the-art networks using legacy as well as emerging optical and wireless technologies, developing the students’ ability to define and apply appropriate analytic, algorithmic and a mix of simulation and hardware tools for reliable data transfer.

Students will cover subject specific subjects such as Digital Mobile Communication Systems and Optical Communication Technologies alongside cohort taught subjects to develop their management skills and their employability.

The successful postgraduates of the course will acquire the knowledge and understanding, intellectual, practical and transferable skills necessary for the analysis and synthesis of problems in engineering and manufacturing through a combination of experimental, simulation, research methods and case studies. They can expect to gain work in a range of disciplines within a variety of industries from specialist technical roles to positions of management responsibility.

Why choose this course?

Students who undertake this course will gain knowledge and understanding of the advanced theoretical issues and their practical implementations that underlie recent developments in Communications and Information Engineering.

Students will be able to explore, explain the engineering challenges inherent in a variety of data communication applications.

Supported by the School which has over 25 years' experience of teaching electronic engineering and has established an excellent international reputation in this field.

We offer extensive lab facilities for engineering students, including the latest software packages.

We are proud to have ranked 7th for engineering and technology in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024).

What will I study?

Our enthusiastic staff is always looking for new ways to enhance your learning experience and over recent years, we have won national awards for our innovative teaching ideas. In addition, our staff are active in research and useful elements of it are reflected on the learning experience.

The Department of Engineering and Computer Science has a reputation for innovation in teaching and learning, where nearly all MSc modules are delivered through a combination of traditional face-to-face teaching and backup tutorial's using the University's StudyNet web based facility. StudyNet allows students to access electronic teaching and learning resources, and conduct electronic discussions with staff and other students.

A heavy emphasis is placed on theory and practice, and the Department of Engineering and Computer Science has a policy of using industrial standard software wherever possible. 

Where will I study?

Learn in our brand-new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building, opening in 2024, where you’ll experience a range of experiential learning zones. You will have access to modelling, simulation and research labs, our Merlin Flight Simulator and automotive workshop (complete with electric vehicle facility), wind tunnel, welding bay and controls testing suite.

You will also benefit from a Success and Skills Support Unit, which is aimed at helping you build your employability and academic skills. Plus, have access to industry mentors who will provide you with pastoral support, vocational guidance, and career progression opportunities.

The new building will also provide space to collaborate, with plenty of workshops, social and meeting spaces available. Even better, the building has been designed with the University’s net zero carbon target in mind, and forms part of our plan to replace or upgrade older sites that are energy inefficient.

  • Level 7
    ModuleCreditsCompulsory/optional
    Advanced Reconfigurable Systems Design15 CreditsCompulsory
    Biometric Systems15 CreditsCompulsory
    Mobile Communication Systems15 CreditsCompulsory
    Radio Frequency and Microwave Engineering15 CreditsCompulsory
    Artificial Intelligence and Applications15 CreditsCompulsory
    Broadband and Wireless Networking15 CreditsCompulsory
    Digital Signal Processing and Applications15 CreditsCompulsory
    Optical Communication Technologies15 CreditsCompulsory
  • Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    MSc Communications and Information Engineering (Revised 2024) Download
    MSc Communications and Information Engineering Download
    Programme specifications
    MSc Communications and Information Engineering (Revised 2024) Download
    MSc Modular Masters in Electronics Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    Yes

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

    You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.