MSc Electronic Engineering

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

Durham University

Program Overview

This MSc focuses on cutting-edge electronics and communications engineering, equipping students with technical depth in areas such as photonics, digital communications, advanced electronics and measurement systems. It’s ideal for those who hold a degree in electrical/electronic engineering (or a closely-related discipline) and wish to specialise in the design, development and future-facing applications of electronic systems.

Curriculum Structure:
In the taught phase, students engage with core modules such as Photonics, Radio and Digital Communications, Advanced Electronics, Advanced Electronics Measurement and Communications Networks, developing analytical, design and measurement skills in modern electronic systems. Then they choose optional modules (e.g., from List A) such as Internet of Everything, Optimisation or Environmental Engineering, allowing students to tailor the programme according to their interests in IoT, system optimisation or sustainable technology. The final stage is a substantial individual research and development project (e.g., a 60–90 credit project) alongside a group design project, where students apply their learning to a real-world engineering challenge—planning, executing and reporting a specialist study in electronic engineering.

Focus areas:
Photonics and optical systems • Digital & analogue communication • Advanced electronic circuits & measurement • Embedded systems/networking • Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor networks

Learning outcomes:
Graduates will be able to analyse and design sophisticated electronic and communication systems; apply measurement and instrumentation techniques; carry out independent research projects in electronic engineering; and align their work with current and emerging technologies such as IoT, communications networks and photonic devices.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
While specific accreditation is not explicitly listed for this programme in the source handbook, the school emphasises engineering standards consistent with professional-engineering practice. Prospective students may wish to verify whether the latest intake includes formal accreditation by bodies such as the Engineering Council or Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Durham University is well-regarded overall, with its engineering programmes delivered by a research-active department in a strong university environment. On sustainability credentials, the university ranks high globally in related fields. This gives confidence that graduates will have meaningful exposure and good prospects.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the MSc Electronic Engineering programme at Durham University, students build strong applied and technical skills through a blend of laboratory work, group design activity and independent research. The Department’s dedicated engineering laboratories, clean-room fabrication facilities and advanced computing resources enable students to bring theory into practice — designing, measuring and analysing electronic systems from device to network. The programme emphasises teamwork, real-world challenge solving and research-driven teaching, all within Durham’s well-equipped engineering environment.

Specifically, the practical learning environment includes:

A Research & Development Project (60 credits) alongside a Group Design Project (30 credits) that allow students to apply their learning to focused individual work and collaborative design tasks.
Core modules such as Advanced Electronics, Advanced Electronics Measurement, Radio and Digital Communications, Photonics and Communications Networks that involve hands-on measurement, device work and system design.
Teaching laboratories and facilities including a newly refurbished electrical laboratory and access to state-of-the-art clean-rooms for microfabrication and device inspection — supporting experiments at the nanometre-scale, thin films, patterning and advanced device characterisation.
High-performance computing and advanced research computing resources that underpin simulation, design and data-analysis tasks for electronic engineering projects.
The chance to use the Department of Engineering’s facilities for prototype building, testing and experimentation in electronics and communicative systems — bridging the gap between academic study and real-engineering practice.
A collaborative environment where students engage in teamwork via the group design project, and individual initiative via the research project — training them for both industry and research roles.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the MSc Electronic Engineering programme are well prepared to take on roles such as Electronics Design Engineer, Communications Systems Engineer, Embedded Systems Specialist, or R&D Engineer (Electronics/Photonics) in industries spanning telecoms, instrumentation, aerospace, or defence.
Here’s how this degree supports future career success:

The Department’s close ties to industry and use of real-project modules help students build practical design, measurement and communications-electronics skills.
Employment statistics for engineering graduates: approximately £32,000 average salary at ~15 months after graduation from engineering courses at Durham.
Within 3 years, typical salaries rise to around £36,000 (median) for engineering graduates from Durham.
The programme’s accreditation potential: the Department states that its MSc programmes are accredited by the relevant Engineering Institutions and meet the accreditation requirements of the Engineering Accreditation Board (EAB) for further learning toward Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Strong academic and research environment: students complete a major Research & Development Project and Group Design Project as part of the MSc.

Further Academic Progression:

Upon successful completion of the MSc, graduates may choose to progress into doctoral research (PhD) in areas such as photonics, advanced electronics systems, communications networks or device-engineering. Alternatively, they could pursue professional engineering registration (CEng) or specialist postgraduate certifications / short courses in areas like RF-systems, IoT embedded electronics, signal processing or electronics for autonomous systems.