
MSc Communications and Signal Processing with Extended Research
Year of entry: 2023
- View tabs
- View full page
Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Science
- Duration
- 2 Years Full Time
- Entry requirements
-
We require an Upper Second class honours degree or international equivalent, in an electronic and electrical engineering discipline. This is a competitive application process and preference will be given to applicants with grades above our minimum entry requirements.
Applicants should have previously studied communication and signal processing engineering fundamentals, and also have good programming skills (i.e. C++, Java, MATLAB).
To progress to the second year of this course, we usually require performance at distinction level. Students who do not meet the criteria to progress to the second year will instead graduate with the one-year Communications & Signal Processing MSc or an alternative appropriate qualification.
When assessing your academic record, we take into account your grade average with particular emphasis on relevant course units and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
- How to apply
-
As there is high demand for this course we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year. Please find more information in our Application and Selection section.
- Sustainable Development Goals
Find out how this course aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including learning which relates to:
- Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
- Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
- Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
- Goal 13: Climate action
Course options
Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Y | N | N | N |
Course overview
Open days
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2023, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
MSc (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £13000 year 1, £6,500 year 2
International, including EU, students (per annum): £33,500 year 1, £16,500 year 2
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.
All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.
Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and awards to outstanding UK and international students each year.
The University of Manchester is committed to widening participation in master's study, and allocates £300,000 in funding each year. Our Manchester Master's Bursaries are aimed at widening access to master's courses by removing barriers to postgraduate education for students from underrepresented groups.
For more information, see the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Fees and Funding page or visit the University of Manchester funding for master's courses website for more information.

UN Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.
Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.
To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our courses address.
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 13: Climate action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Contact details
- Department
- Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
- Contact name
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 543 4018
- pgt-eee@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.eee.manchester.ac.uk/
- School/Faculty
-
The School of Engineering creates a world of possibilities for students pursuing skills and understanding. Through dynamic research and teaching we develop engineering solutions that make a difference to society in an ethical and sustainable way. Science-based engineering is at the heart of what we do, and through collaboration we support the engineers and scientists of tomorrow to become technically strong, analytically innovative and creative. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
We require an Upper Second class honours degree or international equivalent, in an electronic and electrical engineering discipline. This is a competitive application process and preference will be given to applicants with grades above our minimum entry requirements.
Applicants should have previously studied communication and signal processing engineering fundamentals, and also have good programming skills (i.e. C++, Java, MATLAB).
To progress to the second year of this course, we usually require performance at distinction level. Students who do not meet the criteria to progress to the second year will instead graduate with the one-year Communications & Signal Processing MSc or an alternative appropriate qualification.
When assessing your academic record, we take into account your grade average with particular emphasis on relevant course units and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
English language
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is:
- IELTS at least 7.0 overall with no subtest below 6.5.
- TOEFL iBT : at least 100 overall with no subtest below 25. We do not accept 'MyBestScore'. We do not accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
- Pearson PTE : at least 76 overall with no subtest below 70.
- An acceptable equivalent qualification .
English language test validity
Application and selection
How to apply
As there is high demand for this course we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year. Please find more information in our Application and Selection section.
Staged admissions
Applications for 2023 entry :
Stage 1 : Application received by 4 November 2022; Decision by 13 January 2023.
Stage 2 : Application received by 6 January 2023; Decision by 24 February 2023.
Stage 3 : Application received by 3 March 2023; Decision by 21 April 2023.
Stage 4 : Application received by 5 May 2023; Decision by 23 June 2023.
Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date. If this is the case we will let you know after the deadline date.
Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion.
Please note: All places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, some courses may already be closed. We therefore recommend that you apply early in the cycle to secure your place with us.
Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place must demonstrate that they have met all the conditions of their offer by 31 July 2023 .
Advice to applicants
Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date. If this is the case we will let you know after the deadline date.
Please note that we can only assess complete applications. Complete applications must include all of the applicable items from the following list:
- Official Bachelor degree transcripts, including official translations and original language copies if study not undertaken in English. 2+2 and 3+1 applicants must provide official transcripts and certificates from both institutions.
- Final Degree Certificate, or Study Certificate confirming dates duration and level if degree not yet complete.
- If still studying, please provide an official list of all the modules you are taking in your final year.
- A CV if you graduated more than three years ago.
If English is not your first language, we also require proof of your English language ability. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application.
You must submit all these supporting documents with your application. If any of the above information is missing, we will not be able to consider your application and it may be withdrawn.
Applications received after the deadline will be considered at our discretion.
How your application is considered
We consider your full academic history including which course units you have taken and the marks obtained. Even if you have met our minimum entry requirements, we will take into account your marks in relevant course units in our final decision making.
If you graduated more than three years ago, we will also consider the information contained on your CV and any relevant work experience you have to assess if you are still able to fulfil the entry criteria.
Interview requirements
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.
Please upload a copy of your current valid passport with your application showing the photograph page with your application. For CAS purposes, this must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.
If you have previously studied in the UK on a Tier 4 visa as an undergraduate or postgraduate student, please send a copy of your previous CAS statement to us as it will assist with the issue of your new CAS statement. This includes study in the UK on study abroad programmes and any study that you did not complete.
You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course. The Admissions Team will contact you at the appropriate time.
Your CAS number is only valid for one Tier 4 application.
Deferrals
Re-applications
Course details
Course description
This course delivers a thorough, methodical and wide-ranging education in communication, signal processing and microwave engineering. It covers in-depth materials including digital communication, wireless communications, mobile networks, digital signal processing, communication networks and optical communications. In addition, students can choose between course units that specialise in signal and image processing, or antennas and microwave systems engineering.
Prior to your Summer break a preliminary study and outline of your dissertation project is completed, which is fully developed throughout the second year of the course. The year-long individual enhanced research provides great opportunities to develop advanced research skills and to explore in depth some of the topics discussed during the course.
The course is aimed at those with prior undergraduate level knowledge of communication and signal processing, wishing to enhance their skills to an advanced level for a rewarding career in related industries. Graduates are also capable of conducting PhD study in world leading research groups and contributing new ideas towards the advancement of technologies.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Dissertation | EEEN60070 | 60 | Mandatory |
Digital Communications Engineering | EEEN60131 | 15 | Mandatory |
Applied Digital Signal Processing | EEEN60472 | 15 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Communication and Signal Analysis | EEEN60481 | 15 | Mandatory |
Networks and Internet of Things | EEEN60482 | 15 | Mandatory |
Optical Communication Systems and Networks | EEEN60492 | 15 | Mandatory |
Extended Dissertation Project | EEEN60770 | 120 | Mandatory |
Antennas and RF Systems | EEEN60121 | 15 | Optional |
Machine Learning and Optimisation Techniques | EEEN60151 | 15 | Optional |
Digital Image Processing | EEEN60161 | 15 | Optional |
Displaying 10 of 13 course units | |||
Display all course units |
Facilities
Excellent facilities
With access to an extensive range of leading facilities , you will get hands-on with industry-standard equipment - improving your knowledge and skills, and preparing you for work post-graduation. Our flagship facilities include the High Voltage Lab and Photon Science Institute .
The future of learning in Manchester
Our Home for Engineering and Materials Science is transforming the way our students study, research and shape the world forever. Now, more than ever, is the time to study at the University of Manchester.
At the heart of the building’s design is a desire to bring together all disciplines, in one connected and dynamic environment. The space supports a variety of teaching and learning styles, through blended lecture theatres, multi-purpose study spaces and over 250 state-of-the-art laboratories. There is also a range of technical spaces to help encourage students to shape their own learning environment.
We want our facilities to show ambition as well as recognise the real-world challenges that students will face in addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time. Our Home for Engineering and Materials Science boasts some of the most unique, industry-leading equipment and instrumentation in the sector to meet today’s requirements and those of the future.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
On graduating you will be able to enter directly all areas of the modern communication and signal processing engineering industry, including the fast growing mobile and wireless technology sectors. You will also be prepared to begin PhD research programmes, which may lead to careers in research establishments and universities.
Careers Service
We are committed to helping you get the best start after graduation, that's why The University of Manchester's award-winning Careers Service will continue to support you two years after graduation.
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Blog
Explore more about our students' experiences, our alumni and where they are now, and our department in our blog .