MSc Advanced Electronic and Electrical Engineering

In Royal Holloway’s MSc Advanced Electronic and Electrical Engineering, students don’t just study textbook theory — they actively design, build, and test next-generation electronic and electrical systems. The programme is deeply rooted in a research-led teaching environment, leveraging the department’s cutting-edge labs and sustainable energy infrastructure. Learners benefit from hands-on projects, group work, and access to real-world research resources, giving them a solid grounding in both hardware and software integration as well as sustainable power technologies.

Relevant practical experience comes from a variety of sources: students collaborate on major group projects, use industry-standard simulation and FPGA design tools, and conduct their own research projects potentially aligned with renewable energy systems — all supported by Royal Holloway’s dedicated research facilities.

Key experiential-learning features include:

• Team Project: A major group design project where students tackle a practical, socially relevant engineering issue. They plan, manage, and document their work just like in a real industrial setting.
• Engineering Project / Dissertation: Each student completes an in-depth project (or dissertation) under supervision, often linked to cutting-edge research in electronics, communications, or power.
• Power Systems Module: In this core module, students engage with both theoretical and lab-based work — covering phasors, transmission lines, transformers, three-phase circuits, and using MATLAB for simulations.
• System-on-Chip (SoC) Design: Students work on FPGA-based systems — using high-level synthesis tools (C/C++) and learning to implement complex circuitries on heterogeneous FPGA platforms.
• Agile Engineering: The curriculum includes agile engineering practice, helping students adopt iterative design and development methodologies common in real-world tech firms.
• Advanced Communication Systems (optional): Students can work on microwave, optical, and broadband communications using industry CAD software.
• Sustainable Power Generation (optional): A module focused on renewable energy systems, where students analyse cost, environmental factors, and optimisation of generation mix.
• Real-time DSP (optional): Covers real-time digital signal processing — students implement DSP algorithms on hardware, using MATLAB and embedded systems.

On top of course modules, students also benefit from Royal Holloway’s research infrastructure:

• The Electronic Engineering Department houses state-of-the-art labs and a brand-new building dedicated to teaching and research.
• There is a Microwave Photonics & Sensors Laboratory, supporting work in advanced communications, sensing, and photonic systems.
• On the university rooftop, there are renewable energy installations (wind turbine + solar panels) used for student and research projects on sustainable power generation.
• The department is part of broader research initiatives in nanotechnology, biosignals, and power systems, giving students access to cross-disciplinary research guidance.

Why This Degree Matters — Career & Research Opportunities

• Graduates are well-prepared for roles like Embedded Systems Design Engineer, FPGA / SoC Architect, Power Systems Engineer, or Communications Systems Engineer.
• The programme builds strong employability skills: hardware-software integration, FPGA prototyping, system-level design, and project management.
• Because the department is research-led and internationally active, students can use this MSc as a strong foundation for PhD studies, especially in areas like photonics, nano-electronics, or sustainable energy.
• Through the project work, many students can engage with industry-linked research, giving them visibility and experience with real-world engineering challenges.

Graduates of this MSc often move into high-impact, future-facing roles such as power systems engineers, FPGA/SoC designers, embedded systems engineers, or sustainable energy consultants. The course’s blend of software, hardware, and power systems makes it ideal for tackling carbon-neutral and next-generation technology challenges.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

• University Services & Employability Support
  • Royal Holloway’s Careers & Employability Service offers one-to-one career coaching, mock interviews, CV reviews, and regular employer engagement events.
  • The Electronic Engineering Department encourages and facilitates vacation internships, micro-placements, and group-based engineering projects that mirror industrial practice.
  • Students benefit from a team project module that simulates real industrial workflow, helping them develop collaboration, project management, and professional documentation skills.
• Employment Stats & Salary Figures
  • According to Discover Uni, electrical and electronic engineering graduates from Royal Holloway report average earnings of £33,000 around 15 months after graduation, with a typical range of £29,000 ‒ £38,000.
  • Their employment rate 15 months post-graduation is 100% (for those surveyed), demonstrating strong employability in this field.
• University–Industry Relationships
  • The course is closely aligned with Royal Holloway’s research in sustainable power generation and FPGA-based system design, ensuring students engage with cutting-edge problems that matter in industry.
  • The department maintains strong links with regional and national industry, offering students exposure to professional engineering practice and potential collaborations.
• Accreditation & Long-Term Professional Value
  • The Electronic Engineering department (including this master’s) is part of a program base that is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), meaning graduates are well-prepared for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status in future.
  • The advanced technical training — especially in FPGA, power systems, and SoC design — gives this MSc strong long-term value for both R&D and applied engineering careers.
• Graduation Outcomes
  • Students finish with specialist knowledge in integrating software and hardware, designing complex circuitries on heterogeneous platforms, and working on sustainable power-generation systems.
  • The engineering project (which can be in collaboration with industry) provides hands-on experience and a concrete piece of work to show to future employers.

Further Academic Progression:

• After completing this MSc, a student could go on to pursue a PhD in Electronic Engineering at Royal Holloway, building on their project work and specialization in FPGA systems or sustainable power.
• Alternatively, they could enrol in an MSc by Research (e.g., in power systems or nano-electronics) if they want a more research-intensive experience.
• For those looking to further their professional standing, they may also seek Chartered Engineer (CEng) qualification through IET, leveraging their accredited master’s degree.