Microelectronics Systems Design (MSc)

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in electrical engineering or electronic engineering.

You must also have an upper 2:1 score in the following:

• 1 maths module
• 1 physics module
• 1 circuit module (e.g. circuit design or circuit analysis)
• 2 relevant electronics modules (e.g. electronics design, embedded system design, digital electronics, semiconductor devices)

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, usually from September to the following September.

In semesters 1 and 2 you'll study the taught part of your course. This also includes the first part of the ELEC3221, including its formative assessment. 

This part of the course is made up of some modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options. You’ll also begin preparing for your research project.

You'll also have exams which usually take place in January and May/June. 

Over the summer, you’ll work independently on a research project lasting 14 weeks, which will include a 15,000-word dissertation you'll be assessed on. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress. 

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

The learning activities for this course include: 

• lectures
• classes and tutorials 
• coursework 
• individual and group projects 
• independent learning (studying on your own)

What to read before you start

This course requires some pre-reading before you start. If you’re unable to find the recommended books, you can use similar books instead. Most of the books listed below will be used as course texts.

Programming is not explicitly taught as part of this MSc. You'll be expected to be able to program in C for some units and for the project. There are many suitable books available, for example, Buchanan, W., C for Electronic Engineering, Prentice Hall, 1995.

You should be familiar with:

• functions (arguments, return, scope, recursion). 
• dynamic memory allocation. 
• structures (declaration, definition, pointers, arrays). 
• header files and modular programming.  

Further reading: 

• Digital Design - Zwolinski, M., Digital Design with VHDL, Addison Wesley Longman, 2000, ISBN 0-201-36063-2 [Shops]. You should read and understand chapters 1 to 7.
• Circuit Theory - Sedra, A.S. and Smith K.C., Microelectronic Circuits 3rd Edition. Read: Chapters 1, 2, 10.9-11 and 11. 
• Signal Processing - Proakis J. G. and Manolakis D., Digital Signal Processing: Principles, Algorithms and Applications, 3rd ed., Prentice Hall, 1996.
• Digital Communications - Sklar, B., Digital Communications: Fundamentals and Applications (2nd Ed.), Prentice Hall PTR, 2001. Read: Chapters 1-4, 6, 7, 12. 
• Wireless Communications - Rappaport, T. S., Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice (2nd Ed.), Prentice Hall PTR, 2002. Read: Chapters 1-5.

Assessment

We’ll assess you through: 

• coursework, laboratory reports and essays 
• a dissertation 
• essays 
• group essays 
• individual and group projects 
• written exams

Dissertation

You will be required to carry out an individual final project which will be assessed by a 15,000-word written dissertation.

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.

Graduates from our microelectronics master’s are sought after by commercial enterprises and universities worldwide.

We have close links with all the major UK Design companies who recruit many of our graduates. This degree also has a dedicated careers hub which is affiliated with over 100 renowned companies such as:

• IBM 
• Arm 
• Microsoft Research 
• Imagination Technologies 
• Nvidia 
• Samsung 
• Google 

Visit our careers hub for more information. 

Through a mix of networks, mentors, societies and our on-campus startup incubator, we also support you to build entrepreneurship and professional enterprise skills. Discover more about enterprise and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £28,000.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We'll assess your application on the strength of your:

• academic achievements
• relevant professional experience
• personal statement
• academic references

We'll aim to get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000