MEng Computer Systems Engineering with a Year in Industry

The MEng in Computer Systems Engineering at Royal Holloway is designed for students who are driven by practical problem-solving and want to apply their knowledge from the classroom to real, tangible systems from the very start. You’ll be developing in-demand skills in specialist labs, working on projects that prepare you for a seamless transition into industry.

Experiental Learning Highlights:

Learn by Doing Philosophy
The curriculum is built on a practical approach where theoretical knowledge is immediately put to the test through hands-on experimentation and project work in dedicated spaces. This is where you move from understanding concepts to becoming a capable and confident engineer.

Industry-Standard Software & Tools
You will work with a suite of professional software, including MATLAB and Simulink for algorithm development and system modelling, Xilinx Vivado for FPGA design, and advanced programming environments for C/C++ and Python to develop embedded software.

Specialist Laboratory Facilities
You’ll have extensive access to the University’s newly upgraded Electronic Engineering laboratories. These are equipped with modern test and measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes and logic analysers, alongside workstations for circuit design, simulation, and microcontroller programming.

Applied Group Projects
A core part of your experience will be team-based projects, such as designing and building a complex electronic system. This culminates in a substantial final-year individual project, where you’ll tackle a significant engineering challenge from design to implementation, often using specialist lab equipment.

Digital Systems & Robotics Kits
You will gain hands-on experience with the hardware you are designing for, including FPGA development boards for creating custom digital circuits, and platforms such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi for rapid prototyping of intelligent systems and IoT devices.

Research-Led Learning
The department has strong research groups in areas such as intelligent systems and robotics. As you progress, you may have opportunities to engage with these groups and utilise advanced facilities, applying cutting-edge research to your practical work.

Graduates of Royal Holloway University's MEng Computer Systems Engineering are highly employable, moving into roles such as senior systems architect, lead embedded systems engineer, R&D project manager, automation solutions specialist, and technology consultant. Many alumni also pursue further study at PhD level in electronic engineering, computer science, robotics, or related fields, or work in leadership positions across sectors including telecommunications, aerospace, autonomous systems, and advanced manufacturing.

Career Services & Experiential Learning
The integrated master's programme includes a significant industrial placement year, providing extended professional experience at an advanced level with leading technology companies. You will learn through an advanced curriculum of lectures, specialist laboratory work, complex team design projects, and a major individual research project in your final year, with a strong emphasis on innovation, leadership, and strategic systems thinking. The University's Careers and Employability Service provides master's-level support including leadership development programmes, executive networking events, and connections to graduate schemes with major engineering employers.

Industry Partnerships & Research
The Department of Electronic Engineering maintains strong research collaborations and industry partnerships, with access to advanced facilities including embedded systems labs, communications research laboratories, and IoT development platforms. Students benefit from research-intensive teaching in cutting-edge areas such as autonomous systems, machine learning applications, advanced digital communications, and secure cyber-physical systems. The MEng curriculum is shaped by industry leaders and research excellence, ensuring graduates possess the advanced technical knowledge and managerial capabilities required for senior engineering roles.

Graduate Outcomes
Students graduate with a master's-level understanding of complex systems integration, advanced software engineering, strategic project leadership, and innovative design, demonstrated through a substantial final-year project and extended industrial experience. These advanced competencies are in high demand for leadership and R&D positions in technology-driven industries.

Further Academic Progression
After your MEng at Royal Holloway, you can progress directly to PhD research, enter senior technical or R&D leadership roles in industry, or pursue executive pathways in engineering management and technology consultancy, supported by the programme's full CEng accreditation and strong research reputation.