Telecommunication and Wireless Systems

Overview

The internet, which is based on telecommunications networks, has developed at an astounding rate, connecting people in ways that we could never have imagined. This new programme is for students who want to pursue a career shaping and defining the new generation of converged networks, responding to the rapid developments in telecommunication systems, such as social networking, seamless mobility, mobile data, and the proliferation of applications for mobile and handheld devices. It will educate the next generation of network engineers in the fundamental science, mathematics and key technologies that underpin global networking.

Why study your MSc in Telecommunication Systems at Queen Mary?

The School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science is rated in the top 20 universities in the UK for studying computer science and electronic engineering. We are internationally recognised for our pioneering and ground-breaking research, and innovative public engagement programme.

This programme:
•    responds to the rapid developments in telecommunication systems, such as social networking, seamless mobility, mobile data, and the proliferation of applications for mobile and handheld devices.
•    teaches the Java programming foundations for network and services design, the technological foundations of converged, all-packet networks, and current mobile networks from WCDMA 3G to LTE and LTE-Advanced.
•    enables you to develop an extensive understanding of 21st Century networks, current mobile and WLAN technologies, software for network and services design, network modelling, sensors and the Internet of Things, security and authentication, mobile services, next generation mobile technologies.

We have a long history of successfully offering postgraduate programmes in Telecommunications and in Wireless Networks. We have recently recruited new staff who are international experts in the fields of converged all-IP networks with particular knowledge in modelling, measurements and QoE, in middleware and in wireless networking.

Our research-led approach

Your tuition will be delivered by field leading academics engaged in world class research projects in collaboration with industry, external institutions and research councils.

Our strong links with industry

•    We have collaborations, partnerships, industrial placement schemes and public engagement programmes with a variety of organisations, including Vodafone, Google, IBM, BT, NASA, BBC and Microsoft
•    Full-time MSc with Industrial Experience option available on our taught MSc programmes. You have the option to complete over two years, with a year of work experience in industry.
•    Industrial projects scheme  - To support industrial experience development, you can to do your final project in collaboration with an industrial partner. While it is your responsibility to find and secure a partner for collaboration, we provide support with your application process and review the project for suitability

Facilities

Our students have access to our RIBA-award-winning Informatics Teaching Laboratory (ITL), which offers over 300 workstations, specialist software and powerful servers, interconnected by high-bandwidth networks. All the systems are accessible remotely, with wireless networking across the campus.

To support our research led teaching, we also have specialist laboratories in multimedia, digital signal processing, antennas and electroencephalography (EEC) and network quality.

We recently completed a £2m development of new experimental facilities in Antennas. The Antennas Measurement Lab (AML) specialises in high quality measurements for the purposes of antenna design. It is one of the most comprehensive in a European university. It includes a Microwave CATR reflector, a general purpose anechoic chamber and a body-centric wireless sensor lab. MSc students would typically only use this lab during their final project.

We formed the Interdisciplinary Informatics Hub in Collaboration with the Schools of Biological and Chemical Sciences and Mathematical Sciences. These laboratories provided a meeting place for postgraduates from the three Schools to interact and exchange ideas.

Accreditation

The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) brings over 25 years' experience of programme accreditation against professional standards for IEng and CEng status and can help you with achieving professional registration.

This programme is CEng accredited and fulfils the educational requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer when presented with a CEng accredited Bachelors programme.

Structure

MSc Telecommunication and Wireless Systems is currently available for one year full-time study, two years part-time study.

Full-time
Undertaking a masters programme is a serious commitment, with weekly contact hours being in addition to numerous hours of independent learning and research needed to progress at the required level. When coursework or examination deadlines are approaching independent learning hours may need to increase significantly.

Part-time
Part-time study options often mean that the number of modules taken is halved per semester, with the full modules required to complete the programme spread over two academic years. Teaching is generally done during the day and timetables are likely to be finalised in September.

Important note regarding part-time study - we regret that, due to complex timetabling constraints, we are not able to guarantee that lectures and labs for part time students will be limited to two days per week and wedo not currently support any evening classes. If you have specific enquiries about the timetabling of part time courses, please contact the MSc Administrator.

Programme Structure
The modules listed below provide some general guidance on what you may be expected to learn during each semester and year of this degree. The exact modules available may vary depending on staff availability, research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Semester 1
•    Communication Theory (15 credits)
•     Mobile and WLAN Technologies (15 credits)
•     21st Century Networks (15 credits)
•    Software and Network Service Design (15 credits)

Semester 2
•     Network Modelling & Performance (15 credits)
•     Mobile Services (15 credits)
•     Security and Authentication (15 credits)
•     Network Finance Planning and Management (15 credits)

Semester 3
(must take and pass)
•    Project

We aim to deliver your programme so that it closely matches the way in which it has been described to you by QMUL in print, online, and/or in person. We review our modules on a regular basis in order to continue to offer innovative and exciting programmes. If you have any queries about the modules listed, please contact the Postgraduate Administrator at eecs-msc-enquiries@qmul.ac.uk

Entry requirements

An upper second class degree is normally required, usually in electronic engineering, computer science, maths or a related discipline. Students with a good lower second class degree may be considered on an individual basis. Applicants with unrelated degrees will be considered if there is evidence of equivalent industrial experience.

For international students we require English language qualifications IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 92 (internet based).

International applicants

Students from outside of the UK help form a global community here at Queen Mary. For detailed country specific entry requirements please visit the International section of our website. If your first language is not English, you must provide evidence of your English language proficiency. Find out more about our English language entry requirements.

If you do not meet language or scholarly requirements it might be possible for you to undertake foundation or pre-sessional programmes that will prepare you for the masters programme. For more information, please contact the Admissions Office.

Places on this programme are limited. We will give equal consideration to all applications received by May 1st 2019. We may still accept applications received after this date, but will not be able to offer a place if the programme is full.
 

Learning and teaching

As a student at Queen Mary, you will play an active part in your acquisition of skills and knowledge. Teaching is by a mixture of formal lectures and small group seminars. The seminars are designed to generate informed discussion around set topics, and may involve student presentations, group exercise and role-play as well as open discussion. We take pride in the close and friendly working relationship we have with our students. You are assigned an Academic Adviser who will guide you in both academic and pastoral matters throughout your time at Queen Mary.

Teaching for modules includes a combination of lectures, seminars and a virtual learning environment. Each module provides 36 hours of contact time, supported by labs and directed further study.

Independent study

For every hour spent in classes you will be expected to complete further hours of independent study. Your individual study time could be spent preparing for, or following up on formal study sessions; reading; producing written work; completing projects; and revising for examinations.

The direction of your individual study will be guided by the formal study sessions you attend, along with your reading lists and assignments. However, we expect you to demonstrate an active role in your own learning by reading widely and expanding your own knowledge, understanding and critical ability.

Independent study will foster in you the ability to identify your own learning needs and determine which areas you need to focus on to become proficient in your subject area. This is an important transferable skill and will help to prepare you for the transition to working life.

Assessment

Students are assessed by a combination of coursework and exams. A few modules are assessed by coursework only. If a module is assessed by means of coursework alone, this is usually in the form of a research project or dissertation, and the tutor project supervisor offers guidance and support in the researching and writing of this piece of assessment.

Dissertation

You will also be assessed on a supervised 10,000-15,000-word dissertation.

Fees

Tuition fees for Home and EU students

Full time £10,900
Part time £5,450

Tuition fees for International students

Full time £22,750
Part time £11,400

Part time fees are charged per annum over two years for a two year programme and per annum over three years for a three year programme. A percentage increase may be applied to the fees in years two and three.

This increase is defined each year and published on the intranet and in the Tuition Fee Regulations. A 3% increase was applied to the unregulated university fees in 2019/20. Further information can be viewed on our University Fees webpage, including details about annual increases.

Funding

Graduate employment

Queen Mary's Telecommunications postgraduates go on to work in a wide variety of careers, mostly within IT and information services.

The national 2011 destination survey confirmed that 80.9 per cent of postgraduates in this School were in employment and/or study six months after graduation with 89.5 per cent of these already working/studying at graduate level. Queen Mary graduates from this School also have a strong earning power, with a median salary of £26,110.

Throughout the course, postgraduates have access to a careers programme to prepare them for applying for work after graduation. This programme includes workshops on job hunting and job applications as well as employer events to facilitate networks and help students to explore their options.

Read more about our careers programmes and range of work experience opportunities on the Queen Mary Careers pages.