MSc 5G Advanced Communications
ApplyKey facts
- Start date: September
- Accreditation: This course is accredited by the UK professional body, the Institution of Engineering and Technology
- Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time
Study with us
- develop expertise in the software, hardware, systems integration and management aspects of 5G systems
- understand 5G mobile and wireless systems, with applications in autonomous and cyber-physical systems, IoT, spectrum management and big data
Why this course?
This full-time course will cover the practical, theoretical and technological aspects of 5G Communications Systems as they evolve over the coming years. You’ll gain expert knowledge of the latest technologies that will drive the next mobile, wireless and communications revolution, and evolve our current 4G environment to 5G communications enabled systems.
You’ll gain expert knowledge of the latest technologies that will drive the next mobile, wireless and communications revolution, and evolve our current 4G environment to 5G communications enabled systems. Applications will cover robotics & autonomous systems, UAVs, immersive systems and augmented realities, health monitoring, cyber-integrated systems, and smart grids. Data handling of the expected 50 billion IoT (internet of things) devices coming on-line to monitor traffic, weather, environment, smart agriculture, and even when your fridge runs out of milk, will also be explored.
5G will provide greater capacity, improved reliability, support at higher rates of mobility, and wider geographical coverage, at even higher data speeds and throughput and many new services and facilities.
On the course you will engage with experts and specialists whose integrated knowledge will enable you to gain the skills, knowledge and expertise to be part of the definition of the next generation of mobile and wireless communications. These will include:
- Mobile & Wireless Standards (such as LTE, 802.11x,)
- Software Defined Radio (SDR)
- Software Defined Networking (SDN) Systems
- Internet of Things (IoT) Wireless Communications
- Big Data & Information Management
- Security & Cybersecurity systems
- Spectrum Access, & Dynamic Spectrum
- 5G Hardware Systems Design – FPGA & Microcontrollers
- Advanced DSP/Comms Systems; eg Massive MIMO
- Augmented Reality & Advanced Multimedia Systems
What you’ll study
You'll study a selection of compulsory and elective classes, followed by a three-month summer research project working in a core area of 5G Communications system design, either in the Department or with an industry partner via an internship.
Facilities for research projects are extensive and these will allow you to choose to work on projects in a wide variety of areas such as physical and MAC layers (e.g. Advanced LTE) from IoT, cybersecurity, dynamic spectrum, massive-MIMO, low latency communications, or in applications such as smart agriculture, environment monitoring, computer vision, communicating radar, satellite systems, automotive, driver-less cars and of course some application domains yet to be established with the advent of 5G!
Facilities
We have an extensive set of teaching spaces and learning environments alongside a dedicated Masters Project and Study Environment for self-study and group working.
We work closely with a number of industry partners, and our state-of-the-art facilities include wireless and mobile radio hardware and software, FPGA and SDR systems, supported by companies including EE, Vodafone, Xilinx, Cisco, MathWorks, British Telecom, Intel, Lime Microsystems , Analog Devices and many smaller companies and organisations. Our research laboratories include our Signal Processing Design Lab; Image and Vision Processing Lab; White Space Radio Testbed, IoT Test Facility, RF anechoic room, and so on.
Our department holds a Bronze Athena Swan award, recognising our commitment to advancing women's careers in electronic and engineering.
You'll study a selection of compulsory and elective classes, followed by the MSc research project.
Students progressing from University strategic partner, Riga Technical University (RTU) will complete the MSc research project and three classes from the following:
- Information Transmission & Security
- 5G Communications Networks
- Image & Video Processing
- Embedded Systems Design
See the full descriptors below.
(September to May)
Information Transmission & Security
The aim of this class is to develop an understanding of the principles by which information can transmitted with varying levels of security and the techniques by which communication systems can be analysed and designed.
Digital Signal Processing Principles
This class covers the fundamentals of discrete time convolution, correlation, transform methods, time frequency signal representation, downsampling/upsampling and digital filters that are core to state of the art machine learning and deep learning architectures. The class has an integral Matlab based laboratory set of tasks that students are required to undertake.
5G Communications Networks
The objective of this class is to provide an understanding of the principles and key transport technologies which underpin 5G communications networks and architectures while giving an insight to the technical and strategic challenges associated with the provision of a Quality of Service (QoS)-based integrated future-network platform.
Assignment & Professional Studies
The aim of this class is to provide you with support for your general academic and professional development.
You'll undertake an advanced investigation of an electronic or electrical engineering topic of your choice, to enhance your learning, and develop presentation and communication skills.
Summer (June to September)
MSc Research Project / Internship
The aim of the research project is to provide you with an opportunity to bring your knowledge and skills together and deploy them in a significant practical investigation, using relevant engineering literature, and where relevant, initial experiments or simulations.
Advanced Digital Signal Processing Principles
The objective of this class is to ensure you develop the necessary skills that will allow you to analyse, design, implement and simulate advanced DSP techniques and algorithms for a variety of communications and general engineering problems.
Image & Video Processing
This class will provide an introduction to the techniques relevant to digital images and video. This includes techniques both to process images and video and also to efficiently compress and communicate them.
The class will give you a comprehensive understanding of various image and video processing and coding standards. You'll also study some key applications of these standards.
Software Engineering
This class will introduce you to the software engineering process through the development and application of C++ programming skills. You'll become competent in specifying, designing and developing software and in writing and testing programs of moderate complexity.
Embedded Systems Design
This class provides hands-on experience in translating Digital Signal Processing concepts into real-time embedded systems applications.
Through a combination of lectures, up-to-date technical discussions and hardware programming, you'll learn to design and implement real-time embedded systems through familiarisation with Digital Signal Processors and FPGAs.
Learning & teaching
We use a blend of teaching and learning methods including interactive lectures, on-line video lectures, problem-solving tutorials and practical project-based laboratories. Our extensive teaching and project facilities include state-of-the-art Software Defined Radio laboratories, IoT and networking capabilities, Computer Vision laboratories, alongside satellite and sensor equipment.
Each module comprises approximately five hours engagement per week. Some classes are presented in traditional lecture-tutorial-lab style, and we also offer a number of “flipped learning” classes whereby lectures are delivered through complete on-line video sets, with complementary in-class discussion and review seminars held each week to discuss relevant topics and subject matter.
To enhance your understanding, you are expected to undertake a further five to six hours of self-study, using our web-based virtual learning environment (MyPlace), research journals and library facilities.
The teaching and learning methods ensure you'll develop not only technical engineering expertise but also communications, project management and leadership skills.
Industry engagement
Interaction with industry is provided through our internships, teaching seminars and networking events.
British Telecom, Vodafone, Everything-Everywhere, Xilinx, Cisco, Texas Instruments, MathWorks, NXP/Qualcomm and Selex ES are just a few examples of the industry partners working with Strathclyde at this time, and you have the opportunity to engage with them during your studies.
Assessment
A variety of assessment techniques are used throughout the course. Each module has a combination of written assignments, individual and group reports, oral presentations, practical lab work and, where appropriate, an end-of-term exam.
Assessment of the summer research project consists of four elements, with individual criteria:
- Interim report (10%, 1,500 to 3,000 words) – The purpose of this report is to provide a mechanism for supervisors to provide valuable feedback on the project’s objectives and direction
- Poster Presentation (15%) – A vital skill of an engineer is the ability to describe their work to others and respond to requests for information. The poster presentation is designed to give you an opportunity to practise that
- Final report (55%) – This assesses the communication of project objectives and context, accuracy and relevant of background material, description of practical work and results, depth and soundness of discussion and conclusions, level of engineering achievement and the quality of the report’s presentation
- Conduct (20%) – Independent study, project and time management are key features of university learning. The level of your initiative & independent thinking and technical understanding are assessed through project meetings with your supervisor and your written logbooks
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Chat now!Entry requirements
| Academic requirements | Normally a first-class or second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in electronic, electrical or communications engineering, or a related physical sciences subject from a recognised academic institution. |
|---|---|
| English language requirements | If English is not your first language, please visit our English language requirements page for full details of the requirements in place before making your application. |
Pre-Masters preparation course
The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde.
Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.
Please note: Previous Maths & English qualifications and your undergraduate degree must meet GTCS minimum entry requirements as well as the pre-Masters course and an interview will be conducted before an offer can be made.
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.
| Scotland | £10,800 |
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| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £10,800 |
| International | £28,250 |
| Additional costs | Course materials & costsThe department provides a service whereby printed notes are available to the students subject to a small charge to cover copying costs. Students are recommended/required to have copies of such notes but we provide access to both printed copies and e-copies. The latter are provided without charge – in accordance with University policy. Any printed material that is mandatory (in that form) is provided with no additional charge to the students. Expect that students pay around £100 for additional course materials and books. Placements & field tripsThe department and student societies support a number of industrial visits throughout the year. These trips are not mandatory for specific programmes and modules and any incurred charge to cover transport is either met by the students or by the department. Other costsStudents are not required to purchase any specific software licenses – all software used is available on campus machines, either locally or remotely. All students are provided for the duration of their course with student-membership of IET (Professional Body) paid for by the department. Some hardware (micro controllers, design boards) may be made available to students for loan subject to appropriate refundable deposit. Students may consider purchase of low cost microcontroller boards for project work - cost from £10-£30. Access to EEE Computer labs out of working hours is via card access - card cost is £20 - refundable on return of card. Students are provided with an additional print-quota for use in EEE labs for EEE classes conducted in EEE computer labs. Paid top-ups possible via University IT services. Expected printing and report binding costs are around £10-£15 a year - will depend upon exact programme and class assignments. Binding is provided at cost (50p to £1.00) by EEE Resource Centre in R4.01. International studentsInternational students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
| Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
How can I fund my course?
Scottish postgraduate students
Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Faculty of Engineering International Scholarships
If you're an international applicant applying for a full-time, on-campus postgraduate taught course in the Faculty of Engineering, you'll be eligible to apply for a scholarship award equivalent to a 15% reduction of your fees, which will typically be up to £4,240. In addition to this, we also have a limited number of Dean’s International Excellence Awards for our postgraduate taught applicants. These scholarships are worth £5,000 and £8,000 and will be offered to exceptional applicants at postgraduate taught level only. Applicants need to only submit one application and will be considered for all levels of postgraduate taught scholarships.
Scholarships are available for applicants to all self-funded, new international (non-EU) fee-paying students holding an offer of study for a full-time, on-campus postgraduate taught course in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.
Please note you must have an offer of study for a full-time course at Strathclyde before applying. You must start your full-time postgraduate taught course at Strathclyde in the coming academic year (2024-25), this can be in September 2024 or January 2025.
The deadline for applications for the Dean’s International Excellence Award is 28 June 2024.
Faculty of Engineering Scholarships for International StudentsCareers
As communications now impacts on virtually all areas of society, commerce and business, job opportunities are excellent, and you will be equipped for employment across a range of sectors including mobile/wireless, IT, defence, and big data.
Professional and technical occupations with international companies such as Samsung, Xilinx, British Telecom, MathsWorks, Nokia and Texas Instruments, as well as local companies such as Cirrus Logic, Leonardo, and Stream, are available.
Globalisation of the communications sector and the evolution of many countries to 5G means if graduates wish to work abroad, this course provides an ideal passport to anywhere in the world.
Job titles include:
- wireless communications engineer
- wireless mobility engineer
- graduate controls engineer
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' section
Apply
During the application process, you're required to upload the following supporting documents. If these are not provided, we'll not be able to process your application:
- certified individual semester mark sheets/academic transcript showing subjects taken and grades achieved for all qualifications
- if still studying, provide individual semester mark sheets to date
- certified degree certificate for all qualifications
- if still studying, provide this after completing the qualification
- provide evidence of suitable English language proficiency if English is not your first language, or you're not from a “UKVI recognised "Majority English Speaking" country”; check the University’s language requirements
- if you have been out of full-time education for over two years, provide a CV, detailing employment history, organisations worked for and a brief description of roles and responsibilities
- a copy of your passport containing your photo and passport number
- a copy of your sponsor letter/scholarship award (if appropriate)
- names, job titles and email addresses for two nominated referees
Start date: Sep 2024
5G Advanced Communications
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