Wireless and Microwave Communication Engineering (MSc)
- Duration: 2 years
- Mode: Part time
Open day
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Why study this course
This degree aims to produce postgraduate specialists with essential expertise in electronic and microwave engineering, and develop an awareness of the rapidly growing application space for these technologies.
This course aims to provide you with key, advanced level knowledge and skills that will allow you to succeed in the rapidly growing wireless and microwave communication industry. You will also develop research skills and other related abilities, enhancing your general engineering competency, employability, and providing you with an excellent platform for career development, whether that be within industry or academic research.
More specifically, the programme aims to:
- Develop expertise in new and evolving areas of microwave engineering including mobile communications and medical applications of microwaves.
- Focus on areas including advanced computer aided design (CAD), measurement and characterisation and communication systems engineering.
- Cover laboratory work and advanced engineering management alongside modules in radio frequency engineering, advanced fabrication and test, advanced communication systems and non-linear RF design and concepts.
Provide you with expertise in the areas of micro and nano-technology and optoelectronics.
Distinctive features
The distinctive features of this course include:
- The opportunity to learn in a research-led teaching institution, taught by staff in one of the highest ranked university units in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) - ranked 7th in the UK for research and 1st in the UK for the research impact.
- The opportunity to work in modern facilities and commensurate with a top-class research university.
- The participation of research-active staff in programme design and delivery.
- MSc teaching complemented by guest lectures given by industrial professionals.
- Formal accreditation by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
Accreditations
Where you'll study
School of Engineering
Study in one of the UK's leading engineering Schools for the quality of research and teaching.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:2 honours degree in a relevant degree subject such as communication engineering, communication technology, electrical or electronic engineering or wireless engineering, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
If you do not have a degree in a relevant area, your application may be considered on the basis of your professional experience. Please provide additional evidence to support your application such as signed and dated employer references.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet all of the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement, including the ability to travel to outside of the UK or to undertake a placement/studies outside of Cardiff University
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
The course is presented as a one-year full time Masters level programme, and is also available as a part-time scheme run over two years. The programme is presented in two stages: In Part 1 students follow two semesters of taught modules to the value of 120 credits. Part 2 consists of a Dissertation or research project module worth 60 credits.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
Year one
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Software Tools and Simulation | ENT672 | 20 credits |
| RF Circuits Design and CAD | ENT691 | 10 credits |
| HF and RF Engineering | ENT782 | 10 credits |
| Microwave and Millimetre-Wave Integrated Circuit Design and Technology | ENT870 | 10 credits |
| Micro- and Nano-engineering | ENT871 | 10 credits |
Year two
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Research Study | ENT693 | 20 credits |
| Advanced Communication Systems | ENT706 | 10 credits |
| Advanced CAD, Fabrication and Test | ENT799 | 10 credits |
| Dissertation (Electronic) | ENT615 | 60 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| High Frequency Device Physics and Design | ENT610 | 10 credits |
| High Frequency Electronic Materials | ENT776 | 10 credits |
| Optoelectronics | ENT795 | 10 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
A wide range of teaching styles are used to deliver the diverse material forming the curriculum of the programme. You will attend lectures and undertake lab and tutorial based study during Stage 1, and undertake an individual research project in Stage 2.
At the beginning of Stage 2, you will be allocated a project supervisor. Dissertation topics are normally chosen from a range of project titles proposed by academic staff in consultation with industrial partners, usually in areas of current research or industrial interest. You will also be encouraged to put forward your own project ideas.
Learning Central, the Cardiff University virtual learning environment (VLE), is used extensively to communicate with students, support lectures and provide general programme materials such as reading lists and module descriptions. It may also be used to facilitate assessment and provide feedback.
How will I be assessed?
The course is assessed through examinations, written coursework, and a final individual project report.
Achievement of learning outcomes in the majority of modules is assessed by a combination of coursework assignments, plus University examinations set in January and May. Examinations count for 60%–70% of assessment in Stage 1 of the programme, depending on the options chosen, the remainder being largely project work and elements of coursework.
How will I be supported?
You will be allocated a personal tutor to assist you with both academic progress and pastoral support when required. For the dissertation stage, you will be allocated a supervisor in the relevant field of research specialism, whom you should expect to meet with regularly.
Feedback
You will receive written feedback for written coursework assignments and oral feedback for assessed presentations.
What skills will I practise and develop?
On completing the course you will have developed key skills which can be applied to a variety of industrial and academic working environments. You will have gained learning skills including:
- Understanding of the application of Wireless and Microwave Communication Engineering to the design, implementation and management of systems that are able to collect, manipulate, interpret, synthesise, present and report data.
- The ability to select an appropriate IT-based system development tool for a given task. Examples of applicable tools include those deployed within current research into microwave and radio frequency systems, electro-magnetic applications, communication systems and software engineering.
- The ability to undertake detailed device level design and characterisation of communications system components based upon an in-depth understanding of the major issues surrounding architecture and structures.
- An appreciation of the stages involved in a the realisation of a key wireless microwave communications sub-system - including characterisation and measurement, modelling, computer aided design, optimisation, fabrication and test.
- An understanding of the hardware and software infrastructures used in the development of computer networks - including an appreciation of relevant industry standards and the use of current software tools associated with the widening role of internet-based communication.
- The ability to communicate your own ideas, research findings, underlying principles and theories effectively by oral, written and practical means.
- The ability to work effectively in a team and as an individual.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £5,850 | None |
| Year two | £5,850 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £14,725 | £2,500 |
| Year two | £14,725 | None |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
No specific equipment is needed for this course.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
Career prospects are generally excellent with graduating students following paths either into research or related industry.
If you are interested in working in industry, many graduating MSc students achieve excellent employment opportunities in organisations including Infineon, Huawei, Cambridge Silicon Radio, Vodafone and International Rectifier.
In terms of research, Cardiff University has many Electrical, electronic and microwave related research areas that require PhD students, and this MSc will provide you with an excellent platform if this is your chosen career path.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
