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Microwave and Optical Fibre Communications at Royal Holloway, University of London - UCAS

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Course summary

Microwave and optical fibre communication systems enable high-speed communication, used in our everyday life from high-speed home-based internet, smart mobile phones, machine-to-machine communication systems, and ‘Everything Connected’. At Royal Holloway, we are one of the few institutions in the UK with the skills and resources to provide hands-on experience in this area. You’ll join an active, research-focused, postgraduate-only community; a unique microwave photonics and sensors research group. This new masters focuses on the usage of fibre optics and RoF communications in 5G/6G and beyond, as well as in areas such as space and defence. As a student you will:

  • Conduct hands-on experiments using microwave and photonic components and their integration into broadband transmission systems and have the opportunity to see first-hand how Radio Frequency signals are transmitted through fibre optic systems, as we’re one of only a handful of universities with microwave photonics cutting-edge laboratory facilities sponsored by leading defence industry.
  • Develop an understanding of a range of advanced theories, simulation methods, and practical design spectral efficiency techniques applied in industry, providing you with the essential knowledge expertise and skills required to become an Microwave Photonics engineer.
  • Work on industry-funded projects that will be overseen directly by industry-leading specialists in emerging smart communication technologies.
This MSc programme will contribute specialist expertise productively to a multi-specialist development team working on solving modern real-world emerging communication engineering problems, in terms of analysis, design, implementation, testing, and project management. From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience, and this is particularly the case as we continue to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as we can.

Modules

Please visit our website for information on modules: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/postgraduate/electronic-engineering/microwave-and-optical-fibre-communications/

Assessment method

This MSc consists of eight modules and a dissertation. Teaching follows several different complementary models: face-to-face, online, pre-recorded, workshops, presentations, practical sessions, hands-on experiments labs. Assessments cover a variety of activities: groupwork, presentations, reports, Moodle quizzes, etc. Across the four MScs, examples and industry case-studies are international and cover many different backgrounds. Modules feature built-in formative assessments (eg Moodle quizzes, workshops, presentations) that complement and lead up to summative assessment. Students have a close relationship with their tutors, and with the teaching staff in general, which means they have many opportunities for feedback. They receive oral feedback in workshops, presentations, practical sessions, and labs.


Entry requirements

2:2 Electronic Engineering or related subject Or equivalent from a: Telecoms, Electrical, Electronics or Systems Engineering background.


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Republic of Ireland £13200 Year 1
EU £23900 Year 1
England £13200 Year 1
Northern Ireland £13200 Year 1
Scotland £13200 Year 1
Wales £13200 Year 1
Channel Islands £13200 Year 1
International £23900 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year. All postgraduate fees are subject to inflationary increases. Please be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration). This means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year. This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2024/25. Find out more (https://royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/postgraduate/tuition-fees/) These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2024/25 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Microwave and Optical Fibre Communications at Royal Holloway, University of London - UCAS