Microelectronics Systems Design (MSc)

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

You must also have a good 2:1 (65%) score in the following:

• 1 advanced maths module, such as: advanced mathematics, applied mathematics, mathematical analysis, engineering mathematics, mathematics for electrical and electronic engineers or pure mathematics
• 1 advanced physics module
• 1 circuit module, such as circuit design or circuit analysis
• 2 relevant electronics modules, such as electronics design, embedded system design, digital electronics or semiconductor devices

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

Information for students who have studied in China

This programme only accepts applicants who have studied at an X1, X2, X3 or X4 institution. 

View acceptable grades from Chinese universities.

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.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

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.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team 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 £33,900.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for 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 funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

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

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. 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, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. 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

References are not required for this programme.

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.

What happens after you apply

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

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

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