Communications and Signal Processing MSc
This MSc equips you with the theory and practice necessary to begin a career as a design or development engineer in communications and signal processing.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2024
Overview
This is a unique degree. You'll benefit from our research strengths in communications, and digital signal processing.
Course highlights include:
- 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 Science Communication and Signal Processing degree 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
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Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
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.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
Through compulsory modules you'll learn:
- 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 to apply this knowledge to the design appropriate digital filters according to the application
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information 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.
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.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
How you'll learn
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
Our industry leading academics are at the cutting edge of the subject. You'll learn from experts that produce high quality research.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Computer assessment
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- Practical lab report
- Report
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
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.
- Multi-target tracking for security and surveillance
- Video: Multiple human tracking
- Video: Online multiple human tracking
- Multimodal processing for human behaviour analysis
- Multimodal Speech Source Separation
- Video: Multimodal speech separation
Professor Gui Yun Tian
Professor of Sensor Technologies
Areas of expertise:
- electromagnetic sensors
- sensor array and sensor network electromagnetic non-destructive evaluations
- advanced signal processing monitoring systems and applications
Professor Satnam Dlay
Professor of Signal Processing Analysis
Area of expertise:
- Machine/deep learning
- Biometrics
- Image/signal processing
- Security
- Biomedical imaging
- 3D imaging and multimedia healthcare
Dr Charalampos Tsimenidis
Reader in Digital Communications
Areas of expertise:
- wireless and underwater communications
- Internet technologies.
Professor Said Boussakta
Professor of Communications and Signal Processing
Areas of Expertise:
- Wired and wireless communications networks
- Cryptography and security
- Fast algorithms and transforms for communications
- Communication systems
- Digital signal and image processing
- Digital signal processing in the encrypted domain
Dr Paul Haigh
Lecturer in Communication
Areas of expertise:
- digital communications system
- digital healthcare
Jeffrey Neasham
Senior Lecturer
Areas of expertise:
- biomedical instrumentation
- underwater acoustics
- ultrasound, analog and digital circuit design, and embedded software
Your development
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
Professional skills
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
Your future
Graduate destinations
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.
Industry links
Our close links with industry and graduates provide you with a network allowing you to enhance your employability.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
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.
Stephenson Building
The Stephenson Building is a £110 million investment in world-class education, research and collaboration across Engineering. It’s a place for future engineers, researchers and designers to collaborate and tackle global challenges, together.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
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Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
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- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Engineering
School Admissions Team
Email: soe.admissions@ncl.ac.uk
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