Signal Processing and Communications MSc

The MSc in Signal Processing and Communications is a full-time 12-month modular programme starting in September each year. Our programme is also available part-time over 24 months. In this case, the courses to take each year would depend on the student’s background.

In the first two semesters, you will study taught courses including lectures, coursework, and practical exercises, with a total of 60 credits in each of the two semesters. Afterwards, you will complete a research project worth 60 credits.

The project is reported by an MSc thesis and it will normally be based upon a real-world problem posed by academic staff. The MSc projects are related to research carried out within the Institute for Digital Communications, often in collaboration with industrial partners and/or other multidisciplinary research centres. The total number of credits points for the MSc is 180.

Semester 1 (September – December)

Students must select 60 credits from the following courses:

• Image Processing (10 credits)
• Digital Communication Fundamentals (10 credits)
• Discrete-Time Signal Analysis (10 credits)
• Probability, Estimation Theory, and Random Signals (PETARS) (20 credits)
• Engineering Research Methods with Grand Challenge (10 credits)

Semester 2 (January - April)

Students must select 60 credits from the following courses:

• Digital Signal Processing Laboratory (10 credits)
• Array Processing Methods and MIMO Systems (10 credits)
• Adaptive Signal Processing (10 credits)
• Machine Learning for Signal Processing (10 credits)
• Advanced Coding Techniques (10 credits)
• Advanced Wireless Communications (10 credits)

MSc Dissertation Project

In the summer months (May – August), you will complete your MSc project. Many recent projects use modern machine learning, including deep networks, as a framework for problem-solving. If that is your case, you will have access to dedicated high-performance GPU computing facilities to accelerate the training of your algorithms.

The MSc in Signal Processing and Communications is designed to provide excellent students with a broad training in digital communications, machine learning, and signal processing. We cover the theoretical foundations as well as advanced topics at the cutting edge of current research in those areas.

The objectives of our programme are to:

• Identify fundamental principles of signal processing and communications;
• Elaborate these principles in scientific and technological terms; and
• Consider current limits and future priorities for signal processing and communications.

Topics covered in our MSc include, among others:

• Compressive sensing
• Machine learning and deep neural networks
• Wireless communication theory
• Numerical Bayesian methods

In addition, some of the courses and/or your final MSc project may require programming or learning a new programming language. Therefore, you will also have the opportunity to hone your skills in programming.

With our excellent employability record and internationally respected reputation, the University of Edinburgh is a reliable choice for developing your engineering career.

This programme will appeal to graduates who wish to pursue a career in an industry such as:

• machine learning and deep learning
• data science
• internet of things
• communications
• radar
• medical images and physiological monitoring
• anywhere else signal processing is applied
• audio and speech recognition and production

Recent graduates have taken up roles in major international technological companies immediately after completing our MSc.

Our programme is suitable for graduates who wish to develop the specialist knowledge and skills relevant to this industry and as advanced study in preparation for research work in an academic or industrial environment, or in a specialist consultancy organisation. Some of our graduates have embarked in PhD research in world-leading institutions, either in the UK and abroad.

In summary, the increasing demand for experts in the areas of this MSc means that you will be well-placed to develop a rewarding and exciting career.

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, typically in electrical engineering with a specialisation in signal processing and/or communications.

We will also consider your application if you have a background in a related field, such as computer science, physics or mathematics.

Entry into this programme is competitive. A typical offer will normally require a UK first class honours degree, or equivalent, and high grades in fundamentals, such as mathematics, signals and systems, probability and statistics, and communications and signal processing are required. In addition, some of the courses and/or your final MSc project may require programming or learning a new programming language. Therefore, you will normally need to demonstrate practical knowledge and/or experience in a high level programming language.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Deposit

If you receive an offer of admission, you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place.

• £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)

Any applicants who are required to pay will receive an offer with full details. (If there is no information on your offer about the deposit, then you are not required to pay.)

Find out more about tuition fee deposits:

• Tuition fee deposits

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition fees

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Engineering International Masters Scholarships

• £3,000

The scholarships will be awarded to overseas applicants who have been accepted for admission on a full-time basis for an eligible postgraduate taught Masters programme within the School of Engineering.

The scholarship will be awarded broadly on the basis of academic merit with candidates requiring a first-class honours degree from a UK university or overseas equivalent.

Learn more about this scholarship:

• Engineering International Masters Scholarship

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding