Advanced Electronic and Electrical Engineering MSc

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Sussex

Program Overview

This MSc offers a comprehensive one-year experience in advanced electronic and electrical engineering, combining deep technical theory with extensive use of industry-standard hardware and software. It suits students who already hold an undergraduate degree in electrical or electronic engineering (or a closely‐related numerate subject) and who want to step into design, embedded systems, signal processing or power/control roles in industry.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1 (full-time, on-campus): Students begin with core modules such as Advanced Electronic Systems and Internet-of-Things and Embedded System Practice in the autumn term, where they develop skills in analogue and digital circuit design and embedded systems. In the spring term they proceed to Advanced Topics in Control of Electromechanical Systems and Reconfigurable System on Chip, gaining insights into control systems and FPGA/hardware-software reconfigurable platforms. Simultaneously, across the year, students undertake the MSc Individual Project which often ties to practical/industrial work and gives them an opportunity to apply their knowledge in a major piece of work.

Focus areas:
Embedded systems & IoT; advanced analogue & digital circuit design; power electronics and electrical systems; control of electromechanical systems; reconfigurable systems on chip; digital signal processing; machine vision and wearable technology.
Learning outcomes:
Graduates will gain the ability to design and analyse advanced electronic/electrical systems, implement embedded and hardware-software solutions, integrate control and signal-processing techniques, and carry out independent project work that mirrors professional engineering practice.
Professional alignment (accreditation):
This MSc is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration—provided the candidate also holds an IET-accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate degree.
Reputation (employability rankings):
According to the University of Sussex’s published facts, 91% of postgraduates on this course have completed work experience by the time they graduate (2023/24 data). The school’s engineering research outputs were assessed as 87.9% world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent REF.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students enrolled in the MSc Advanced Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Sussex engage in an immersive, hands-on programme that combines advanced technical study with real-world engineering facilities and collaborative project work. They work in purpose-built MSc-level labs, equipped with industry-standard hardware and software, and apply their skills across analogue/digital electronics, embedded systems, control of electro-mechanical systems, and FPGA-based system design. The curriculum emphasises the transition from theory to practice by placing students in team-based projects and individual capstone work that draw on the research strengths of the School of Engineering & Informatics.

On this programme, students gain direct exposure to professional tools and simulation environments, collaborate with peers in project settings that replicate engineering workplaces, and draw on state-of-the-art labs for electronics, power systems and machines. The result is a learning journey that builds both technical depth and practical readiness for the electronics-based industries.

Key experiential components include:

Dedicated MSc laboratory environment: Students study in labs structured for the MSc, using contemporary electronic systems, power systems hardware and embedded platforms.
Specialist software and tools: The programme incorporates tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, NI Multisim/LabVIEW, FPGA development boards, and embedded systems environments for both design and simulation.
Electronics prototyping and testing labs: The university’s “Electronic Beta Bay” and Power Electronics Lab allow learners to build, test and evaluate circuits, explore mixed-signal design and work with industrial-grade instrumentation (oscilloscopes, function generators, data-acquisition hardware).
Electrical machines and power systems labs: Students use rigs that simulate power-generation, transmission lines, and motor/drive systems in the Power Systems Lab and Electrical Machines Lab — gaining real-world insight into electrical machines, drives and instrumentation.
Team and individual project work: The MSc includes an individual project (often practical as well as theoretical) and optional group-based modules where students replicate professional engineering tasks. Topics are drawn from research and industrial collaborations.
Computer labs with professional-grade simulation software: The School provides specialist computer labs equipped with high-performance workstations running programming, simulation and embedded-system software including C/C++, Python, MATLAB and others.
Research-informed learning environment: Teaching is informed by research centres such as Advanced Communications & Signal Processing, Energy & Materials Engineering and Robotics & Sensor Technology — enabling students to engage with cutting-edge topics and laboratories.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the University of Sussex MSc in Advanced Electronic and Electrical Engineering are well-placed to progress into roles such as Electronics Design Engineer, Embedded Systems Engineer, Power Systems Engineer and Research & Development Engineer—thanks to an in-depth focus on modern electronics and electrical systems. These roles span industries like robotics, telecommunications, energy systems and autonomous vehicle technology:

University services: Sussex’s Careers & Entrepreneurship team runs the award-winning Career Lab programme offering paid internships, student consultancy projects and global online work experiences for master’s students.
Employment stats: According to the programme page, 91% of postgraduate students had completed work experience by the end of their course (2023/24 cohort). The university overall claims to be ranked 16th in the UK for employment outcomes.
University–industry partnerships: The course advertises that graduates have the skills sought after by major companies such as Bosch, GE Aviation, Airbus, EDF Energy, Caterpillar and Leonardo MW.
Accreditation / long-term value: The programme is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) as meeting the requirements for Further Learning towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status (provided you hold an IET-accredited undergraduate degree).
Graduation outcomes: As the module list emphasises major practical elements (e.g., advanced analogue/digital circuit design, embedded systems, IoT, power electronics) and industry-relevant labs, students finish with hands-on skills that employers demand.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this MSc, the student could move on to a PhD in electronic engineering, control systems or embedded systems design—leveraging Sussex’s research culture (87.9% of Engineering research outputs were world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021). They could also look at specialised postgraduate diplomas or certifications in areas like power systems, autonomous systems, or advanced signal processing, positioning themselves for leadership or technical-specialist roles in industry.