Our Communication and Signal Processing MSc equips you with the theory and practice necessary to begin a career as a design or development engineer in communications and signal processing.
Your course during COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.
Further information
Our COVID-19 Study page gives more information about your Newcastle University study experience.
Terms and conditions and student complaints
The University has terms and conditions which create a positive environment for learning and academic achievement.
Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to the guidelines that may be in place at the time.
About this course
Highlights of the course include:
unparalleled coverage of all major disciplines in communications engineering and signal analysis methodology
the comprehensive treatment of advanced communication systems from theoretical and practical approaches
innovative educational techniques designed to equip you with practical knowledge
design skills and research methodologies
you will develop transferable skills in research and knowledge acquisition
Our MSc is designed for both practising professionals and graduates in:
electrical and electronic engineering
computer engineering
mechanical engineering
physics
communications, information and control engineering
electronics
information and science technology
On completing the course, many students progress into employment as design and development engineers in telecommunications and digital signal processing areas or onto a higher research degree.
Our Communications and Signal Processing MSc derives its uniqueness from research strengths in communications and digital signal processing in the School of Engineering.
All course lecturers have a world-wide reputation for high quality research at the leading edge of the subject. They have many years of experience with industrial projects and in running short courses for industry.
the fundamentals of multimedia systems and image processing
the main elements of the imaging and vision hierarchy. These include image acquisition, enhancement, analysis, compression and coding standards
advanced topics in wired and wireless communications networks and security, their evolution and impacts on modern society
modern communication networks and technologies, transmission and switching
issues relating to modern telecommunications systems, protocols, flow and error control
security and encryption and their importance in modern communication systems
the principles of wireless and broadband communication networks
recent developments in cellular mobile systems and access technology through consideration of the main international standards and multiple access systems currently in service world-wide
fundamental concepts of multimodality sensing, data acquisition and their applications including data fusion and visualisation
detailed knowledge of the simulation techniques for communications systems and other signal processing problems
in depth knowledge of the architecture of DSP devices and communications hardware
emerging methods for the manipulation and analysis of single, multi-dimensional and random signals. You'll also learn how to conduct case studies in biomedical and healthcare applications
discrete-time signal processing algorithms and approaches to measure deterministic and random signals in frequency domain. You'll also learn how how to apply this knowledge to the design appropriate digital filters according to the application
The course is delivered by the School of Engineering. The School has an established programme of research seminars. These are delivered by guest speakers from academia and industry. They provide excellent insights into a wide variety of engineering research. This course will enable you to:
access world leading research in signal processing and communications
gain more experience of industrial context with applications
have more flexibility and choice in your future career
receive an enhanced educational experience
Effective communication is an important skill for the modern professional engineer. This course includes sessions to help develop your ability, through:
formal guidance sessions dedicated to good practice in report writing
through oral/poster presentations of project work
On completion of the course, you will have developed intellectual and practical skills relevant to industry including the ability to:
apply image processing and machine vision algorithms to the processing of images
analyse and plan telecommunications systems
implement and simulate encryption and communications algorithms and protocols using software platforms
design cellular mobile phones from the systemic point of view
mathematically analyse the performance of a cellular mobile system
methodically compute the Bit Error Rate for a given modulation scheme in AWGN and frequency- selective multipath fading channels
setup a simulation test-bench in MATLAB that evaluates the performance of a wireless communication link
map and efficiently implement in software signal processing algorithms required for wireless communications
analyse deterministic and random signals in time and frequency domain, and will also be able to evaluate and compare the computational cost of different transform methods
work independently on Matlab/Simulink signal and analysis tool, and also classify the information and noise from given discrete signals
Our close links with industry and graduates provide you with a network allowing you to enhance your employability.
Dr Mohsen Naqvi Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Signal and Information Processing Areas of Expertise:
Multimodal (multi-sensor) Information Processing based Artificial Intelligence for Applications in Homeland Security and Smart Healthcare Systems. (see video)
Multi-target Tracking for Security and Surveillance (see video 1, video 2)
You'll have the opportunity to undertake research projects that are based on our state-of-the-art world leading research. These cover a range of applications in areas of:
wireless networks
future generation communication technologies
error control coding
digital signal and image processing
security and surveillance
digital healthcare
biometrics identification and authentication
Some research may be undertaken in collaboration with industry.
Dissertation
You'll put your specialist skills, knowledge, and understanding into practice through a significant individual research project and written dissertation. Your project might involve you working within one of the School's world-class research groups. Alternatively you might work elsewhere in collaboration with another academic or industrial partner where we have strong links.
Dissertation projects are carried out in our own well-equipped laboratories and pilot-scale research facilities. They can also be undertaken at industrial or overseas field research sites.
Wherever you work, you will be supervised, throughout your project, by an experienced scientist or engineer. Your supervisor will provide advice on:
the approaches and methods that are best suited to your research problem
The course is delivered by the School of Engineering. The Communications and Signal Processing MSc programme uses a blend of teaching methods, including:
lectures and tutorials
visits to local and regional industry
computer workshops
laboratory work
seminars
research projects
case studies
You will be taught by lecturers who are at the forefront of their field, as well as leading industry experts.
The School of Engineering has a suite of world-class research and teaching laboratories. These have the latest electronic instruments and computer aided design software for Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) devices.
The facilities are among the most advanced of their type. This enables us to join the global race to develop ambient intelligence systems involving tiny sensors and computing devices embedded in much of what we use.
Our Automation and Control MSc is a multidisciplinary course that prepares you for a career as a design or development engineer in control and automated systems.
The information above is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
The course starts in September. There is no application closing date for this course.
We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.
Deposit
If you live outside the UK/EU you must:
pay a deposit of £1,500
or submit an official letter of sponsorship
The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study at Newcastle University. The deposit is non-refundable, but is deducted from your tuition fees when you register.
