MSc Advanced Microelectronic Systems Engineering
- MSc
Overview
Bristol and the surrounding area hosts a thriving and world-renowned semiconductor design industry. The groups involved in microelectronics research at the University of Bristol have collaborative links with multinational companies in the microelectronics industry. These organisations have identified a shortfall in graduates with the necessary qualifications and professional skills to work in the sector, so this programme has been designed to meet this need.
A range of taught subjects covers core topics, such as digital and analogue application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design, digital signal processor (DSP) and field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based computing, integrated sensors and actuators, radio-frequency and mixed-signal design. Changes are made periodically to reflect important emerging disciplines, such as electronics for the Internet of Things (IoT), biomedical applications and quantum photonics applications.
The programme offers you the opportunity to learn from microelectronics, nanoelectronics and computer science experts. You could move on to start working straight after your degree or continue your studies on a PhD. We aim to provide you with a range of contemporary design skills to supplement theoretical knowledge. Lectures are accompanied by lab exercises in state-of-the-art industrial electronic design automation (EDA) software to give you valuable experience in a professional environment.
Programme structure
The programme consists of taught units and a final Capstone project. There are five core units taken during the autumn and spring. In the spring term, you will also study Engineering Project Skills, a unit that introduces the fundamental skills necessary to carry out your Capstone project.
The Capstone project involves researching, planning and implementing a major piece of work relating to microelectronics systems design. The projects are wide-ranging and often multidisciplinary. Projects may be scientific and involve the study of certain phenomena, may be technology or product-orientated with a design emphasis, or may be on a topic related to systems and management. The project may involve on-site collaboration with an industrial partner. The thesis is normally submitted by the end of August.
The programme structure is under continual discussion with the National Microelectronics Institute and our industrial advisory board to ensure it remains at the cutting edge of the semiconductor industry. It is therefore subject to slight changes to recognise important emerging disciplines and generally improve the programme.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Advanced Microelectronic Systems Engineering.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering, or a related discipline in Engineering.
Your degree must also include scores of 60% or an international equivalent in each of the following four modules: Analogue Electronics, Digital Electronics, Programming and Signals and Systems. If you have not studied any Signals and Systems or Programming modules, a module in Digital Signal Processing (DSP), Microprocessors and Embedded Systems, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), or Computer Architecture will be considered in place of this.
Unfortunately, applicants with an Engineering background in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Materials Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Materials Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Geophysics, Physics, Electric Engineering and Automation, Power Electronics and Automation and Control will not be considered suitable for this programme.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:
- evidence of significant, relevant paid or voluntary work experience (minimum one year full-time, or part-time equivalent) in a relevant sector such as Electronics Engineer, Electronics Design Engineer or Research Engineer.
- a relevant postgraduate qualification.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
Go to admissions statementIf English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £15,700 per year
- Home: part-time (two years)
- £7,850 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £35,800 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
Graduates of this programme will be prepared for a career in a variety of disciplines – such as the semiconductor industry, consumer electronics, IT sector, and medical technology, to name a few – thanks to the core and specialist units that cover key foundational concepts and advanced topics related to hardware design, programming, and embedded systems and system-level integration.
Typical careers are in soft fabrication facilities and design houses in the semiconductor industry, electronic-design automation tool vendors, embedded systems specialists and software houses. The programme also covers concepts and technologies related to emerging paradigms such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, as well as preparing you for a career in academic research.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk