MSc Communications and Information Engineering

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Warwick

Program Overview

This one‑year full‑time Master’s programme offers you an in‑depth grounding in modern communication and information engineering, combining core theory (such as information theory, coding, wireless systems) with practical, experimental and computational work. It’s ideal if you enjoy advanced mathematics, signal processing and networking, and want to play a role in next‑generation systems like 5G/6G, IoT or optical networks.

Curriculum structure:

You begin with taught modules that cover the foundations of wireless and optical communications. For example, you’ll study Advanced Wireless Systems and Networks, Information Theory and Coding, and Radiowave Propagation and Wireless Communications Theory, where you’ll dive into how signals propagate, how networks allocate resources and how coding ensures reliable data transfer.
Mid‑programme you’ll engage with modules such as Optical Communications Systems, and then you’ll take on a Design Project (Communication and Information Engineering Design Project) — working in teams to solve a real‑world problem, developing a product, process or system and gaining project‑management, ethics and sustainability skills.
Finally you undertake your Individual Project, an in‑depth experimental, theoretical or computational research investigation of your choosing, under academic supervision, where you put your accumulated knowledge into practice and create a substantial piece of work.

Focus areas: “advanced wireless & optical communications systems; information theory & coding; radio‑wave propagation; network architectures (4G/5G/6G, IoT); data analytics and data‑mining for communication systems; cyber‑physical systems & smart networks”
Learning outcomes: “master the underlying theory and design of modern communications systems; develop skills to analyse, simulate and build wireless/optical networks; apply your knowledge to team‑projects and large‑scale individual research; prepare for industry roles or doctoral research in communications/information engineering”
Professional alignment (accreditation): The course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC), which means it meets certain professional standards in engineering education.
Reputation (employability rankings): The School of Engineering at Warwick is ranked 6th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2022) for general engineering

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain deeply practical expertise in modern communication systems and networks, working with real‑world data, designing and building systems and participating in group work and individual projects. The programme is delivered by the School of Engineering, which places strong emphasis on hands‑on experience through group design projects, individual research projects and lab work in wireless, optical and information‑theoretic domains. You’ll make use of the university’s computing and laboratory infrastructure and be embedded in a research‑active environment tackling topics such as 5G/6G, IoT, cyber‑physical systems and optical communications. This means you’re not just studying theory — you’re applying it, collaborating, and creating solutions.

Here’s how it plays out in practice:

The group design project (‘Communication and Information Engineering Design Project’) gives you experience working as part of a team to specify and solve a communication or information engineering problem — mimicking industry practice in project management, ethics, risk management, intellectual property and leadership skills.
The individual research project (60 credits) gives you freedom to choose a topic (experimental, theoretical or computational) supervised by academic staff, allowing you to dig into advanced areas such as network coding, metamaterials, nanoscale communication networks, cyber‑physical systems.
Modules include lab‑work components (for example in “Radiowave Propagation & Wireless Communications Theory”) with specified laboratory hours, ensuring you engage in practical experimental work in addition to lectures/seminars.
Access to the department’s research‑active facilities and infrastructure in wireless systems, optical communications, IoT, data analytics and big data from cross‑disciplinary links with the Department of Computer Science — making sure you’re working in a cutting‑edge environment.
A range of optional modules such as “Microwave Engineering and RF Circuits”, “ASICs, MEMS and Smart Devices”, “Image and Video Analysis”, “Foundations of Data Analytics” and “Data Mining” allow you to tailor your hands‑on skill set toward specific technologies or application domains.
Strong career‑oriented skill development, via the module “Research Methods and Professional Skills” which equips you with project management, professional skills, teamwork, communication to technical & non‑technical audiences, ethics and sustainability context.

Progression & Future Opportunities

You’ll be equipped to pursue roles such as Wireless Communications Engineer, Network Design Specialist, Optical Systems Engineer or Data/Signal Systems Analyst:

University services to help you employ: The School of Engineering provides a dedicated Senior Careers Consultant for postgraduate engineering students, offering impartial guidance, workshops, industry fairs and “Meet an Engineer” type events.
Employment stats and salary figures: For Warwick postgraduates whose main employment was full‑time in the UK, the median salary 15 months after graduation was £38,000.
University‑industry partnerships: The programme covers current industry‑leading topics such as 4G/5G/6G wireless systems, IoT, optical communications and smart networks — aligning with employer needs in telecommunications, automotive comms and data services.
Long‑term accreditation value: The degree is fully accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC).
Graduation outcomes: Alumni have gone on to careers in sectors such as core network provision, software support, data communication equipment/ services, banking, oil & gas and even fashion tech — demonstrating the breadth of application.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies after this MSc, you could move into a PhD in telecommunications, signal processing, optical networks or related fields. You could also pursue postgraduate certificates or diplomas in niche areas like 6G systems, IoT networks or cyber‑physical communications to deepen your expertise before taking on leading R&D or academic roles.