MSc TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING DEGREE

Overview & facilities

With the sector experiencing major technological advancements in recent years, the Telecommunication Engineering Masters is directly relevant to the current needs of industry. You will develop and extend professional practice through group work and individual projects.

Telecommunications is one of the most rapidly developing industry sectors globally. The practical, hands-on learning techniques used in this course are designed to steer graduates into careers as telecom engineers in programming, mobile communications, telecoms security and IP telephony. The Telecommunication Engineering Master's provides a sound theoretical and practical knowledge in main sectors of telecommunication engineering, to include internet, mobile and wireless communications, data networks and programming and security for telecommunications.

This course is available both full-time and part-time.

Listen to the course introduction by the Director of Programmes

Download the School of Engineering and Information Sciences brochure.

Content & modules

Modules

• Year 1

  Data Networks and Internet Communications (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Communication technology enables a vast range of significant activity: business competitiveness, national security, personal communications to name but a few. This module will establish an understanding of the operation, capabilities, business use of communication networks and the various ways in which these factors interact with each other. On successful completion of this module, you will come to appreciate the operation of a variety of types of current communication networks and a single framework will be used to analyse design and construction of networks capable of providing the right connectivity and performance needed by specific applications. In particular, you will understand the principal technical aspects of underlying communication network operation and their capabilities. You will be able to analyse and evaluate specific communication networks for a range of applications and are provided the opportunity for developing commercially viable network applications.

  Digital Transmission Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  The students will be introduced to the analysis and design of digital communication systems. With the discussion of modern technological advances, you will be provided with detailed coverage of digital modulation and demodulation techniques, channel coding and decoding source coding, spread spectrum signals, channel equalization, multiuser communications, and modulation and coding for fading mulipath channels. You will explore fibre optic communications and finally, you will have a review of important topics in probability and stochastic processes.

  Mobile and Wireless Communications (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  The aim of this module is to provide the students with a comprehensive knowledge of all your technical aspects, design, operations and applications of wireless networks and cellular mobile systems. Part I of the course deals with the concept of cellular systems and the basic design of analogue cellular systems. Part III is concerned with systems and application aspects of second generation GSM and GPRS , third generation cellular mobile system UMTS and beyond. Legal and ethical issues in communication security.

  Programming for Telecommunications (30 Credits) - Optional

  First part of this module explores the concepts of channel modelling and programming for performance evaluation of telecommunication networks through simulation and examines the techniques facilitating such work. It provides students with an understanding of the design and development of channel simulation software as well as analytical models as appropriate models to evaluate the performance of transmission systems. The second part covers approaches to programming mobile terminals

  Telecommunication Security (30 Credits) - Optional

  This module covers various issues relating to the security of communications, vulnerabilities, threats and risk, and counter measures. Network security is discussed in the context of network management. Standards, protocols, frameworks and techniques for secure communications are examined.

Attendance

You should attend all scheduled classes and prescribed activities to be eligible for formal assessment. Full-time students attend up to three days a week and part-time students one or two days.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework, presentations, a project and unseen examinations.

Download the course specifications.

Entry & applying

Standard entry requirements

A minimum of a lower second-class Honours degree, or an equivalent overseas qualification in Computer Science or in a Science or Engineering subject. Candidates with other degrees but with relevant work experience will also be considered and are encouraged to apply. 

International entry requirements

We accept the equivalent of the above from a recognised overseas university, to find out more about the requirements from your country, see further information under support in your country.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all four components) or TOEFL paper based 575 (no less than 4.5 in test of written English) or TOEFL internet based 90 (with no less than 19 in each component) Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks, depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk. For details of other equivalent English language requirements that Middlesex accepts see international entry requirements.

How to Apply

Apply now

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. The quickest way to apply is by making an online application, once you have created your account and completed your application, you will be able to track the progress of your application online. Alternatively, you can fill in an application form and return it to the appropriate admissions office. UK and EU students should apply directly to the London office. Non-EU international students can apply to our international admissions office in London, or use our network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for MSc Telecommunications Engineering for the academic year 2012/13 is as follows:

UK/EU Students

Full-time students: £7,500

Part-time students: £63 per taught credit

Find out about our flexible payment plans for UK/EU students, and how they can help you spread the cost of your course.

International Students

Full-time students: £10,600

Part-time students: £93 per taught credit

Careers & placements

What can you do with a Computing and IT degree?

The career opportunities and progression prospects are quite significant for graduates with telecommunication expertise. Those graduating with this qualification are expected to be in demand in both large corporate businesses and small and medium companies.

With the sector experiencing major technological advancements in recent years, the course is directly relevant to the current needs of industry. You will develop and extend professional practice through group work and individual projects.  There are many career possibilities within the telecommunications industry, such as mobile communications, IP telephony and telecom security.

Graduate Roles

Graduates of the MSc Telecommunication Engineering degree should secure employment in varying sectors of the telecommunications industry, such as mobile communications sector, IP telephony and telecom security industries.

Network Administrator/Network (Systems) Engineer - A network engineer is responsible for installing, maintaining and supporting computer communication networks within an organisation or between organisations. Their goal is to ensure the smooth operation of communication networks in order to provide maximum performance and availability for their users (staff, clients, customers, suppliers, etc). Starting salaries for network engineers are between £15,000 and £22,000 a year. With experience, earnings can rise to between £23,000 and £35,000. Senior network engineers can earn over £40,000 a year.

Applications Engineer - An applications engineer coordinates the planning, design, and installation of machinery and equipment in an industrial environment, using knowledge of engineering and programming as well as sophisticated instruments and computers. 

Technical Communications Engineer - A Technical communications engineer can work in a range of positions. Roles are available within a variety of sectors, including internet and computing technologies, networking and telecommunications, and radio. A Technical communications engineer uses their specialist knowledge to design and deliver solutions, as well as provide technical guidance to others within their organisation.

Where do our graduates go?

Based on data from the respondents of the 2009-10 Destination of Leavers in Higher Education survey, six months after graduating:

• 58% of Computer Communication graduates were in employment or further study
• 42% were doing something else, such as travelling, or assumed unemployed

Middlesex graduates from this group have been successful at gaining employment in the following roles:

• Director
• Systems Dispenser
• Network Administrator
• Training Specialist

For companies such as:

• Cyberspace Network
• AK Electronics
• One Hundred Computers
• Pilat Media

Salary
The average full time salary for graduates from this group was £24,000.