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Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems MRes

London, Bloomsbury

The MRes in Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems is taught at the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training, a joint centre with UCL and the University of Cambridge. Students study at both universities and benefit from the combined strengths and academic excellence of two institutions. The MRes degree is awarded by the university at which the student is registered.

This degree was formerly known as MRes in Integrated Photonic and Electronic Systems.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
£5,860
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
£35,000
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2023
Applications accepted
All applicants: 17 Oct 2022 – 30 Jun 2023
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

If you are intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete your UCL studies (e.g., Student visa, Skilled worker visa, PBS dependant visa etc.) you may be required to obtain ATAS clearance. This will be confirmed to you if you obtain an offer of a place.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The MRes degree aims to train students in the skills needed to produce connected electronic and photonic systems for information, sensing, communications, manufacturing and personal healthcare systems. Students can choose from a programme of specialist modules including electronics, biotechnology, circuits and sensors, networks, quantum and nano-technologies, machine learning, information theory and the internet of things.

As well as developing a solid foundation in photonic systems and advanced research skills, students will also gain a good understanding of the industry. This course is part of a 4-year MRes+PhD programme. On successful completion of the MRes students should be equipped to embark on their PhD with confidence or take the next step in their career in industry.

Who this course is for

Applications are invited from graduates with a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree (2:1) in a relevant science or engineering discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants with other relevant qualifications or extensive relevant industry experience who can show evidence of a scientific and engineering research capability may also apply. When we assess your application we would like to learn what attracts you to the 4-year programme, why you want to study at UCL, how your academic and professional background meets the demands of the programme, and where you would like to go professionally with your degree. Together with meeting the academic pre-requisites, your personal statement should demonstrate how your reasons for applying match what the programme will deliver.
This MRes is ideal for students from a range of science, engineering and physics backgrounds who wish to continue their research to PhD level. It is designed as a foundation year in a four-year programme, and the outcome of the first year will determine progression to the PhD degree. Students who successfully complete the full four-year programme (1yr MRes + 3yr PhD) will not only have expert knowledge in the area of photonic systems development but also the teamwork, communication, leadership, project management and problem solving skills highly prized by industry.
Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

UCL and the University of Cambridge have established an exciting Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems (CEPS), leveraging their strong collaborations in research and innovation. Both institutions are amongst the world's leading research universities and boast academic excellence.

The combined strengths of UCL and University of Cambridge provide a training environment in connected electronic and photonic systems that is hard to beat, worldwide.

The CEPS CDT provides doctoral training using expertise drawn from a range of disciplines, and collaborates closely with a wide range of UK industries, using innovative teaching and learning techniques.

This Master's degree aims to create graduates with the skills, confidence and ability to drive future research, development and exploitation in the field of photonic technologies.

As photonics becomes a fundamental underpinning technology in electronics-based systems and applications within communications, sensing, manufacturing and biomedicine, MRes graduates will be well-prepared for a career in this multi-disciplinary field or to conduct powerful, influential research.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Our students are highly employable and have the opportunity to gain industry experience during their MRes year through placements in large technology and communications companies such as Toshiba, Microsoft and European Space Agency, and through projects with other industry partners such as Huber+Suhner Polatis and VividQ.

The CDT organises events which provide an excellent opportunity for students to network with senior technologists and managers interested in recruiting photonics engineers.

Graduates from this programme have secured roles such as a fibre laser development engineer, patent attorney, computational physicist, development scientist, senior photonics engineer and postdoctoral researcher.

Employability

Dramatic progress is being made in the field of photonic technologies. These advances have set the scene for a major change in research and commercialisation activity where electronics, photonics and wireless converge in systems for information, sensing, communications, manufacturing and healthcare.

Photonics is now a fundamental underpinning technology for companies both within and outside the conventional photonics arena. These companies require employees (graduates and researchers) with a much greater degree of interdisciplinary training; to be experts in both photonics and related fields.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, projects, seminars and laboratory work. Student performance is assessed through unseen written examination and coursework (written assignments, a presentation and design work).

Modules

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

Students undertake two compulsory research projects (45 credits each), one transferable skills module (15 credits), two optional modules (15 credits each), one business module (15 credits) and two elective modules (15 credits each). Students also attend a non-credit bearing workshop in Responsible Research and Innovation and a series of seminars.

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, students will be awarded a MRes in Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Optional modules

  • Radio frequency circuits and systems
  • Embedded system for the Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Photonic systems and subsystems
  • Optical fibre communication and transmission networks
  • Advanced photonic devices
  • Wireless communications
  • Electronic sensors and instrumentation
  • Management of Technology
  • Telecommunication business environment

Elective modules

  • Quantum and nano-technology
  • Biosensors and Bioelectronics
  • Computer vision
  • Advanced information theory and coding
  • Physics and optics of nanostructures
  • Broadband technologies and components
  • Broadband communication lab
  • Applied machine learning
  • Software for network and services design
  • Internet of things
  • Image coding and processing

Dissertation/report

All students undertake two research mini-projects; one part-time (45 credits) and one full-time (45 credits).

Both projects culminate in a dissertation/report of up to 10,000 words each. An oral presentation is also required for the first, part-time, project.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, projects, seminars and laboratory work. Student performance is assessed through unseen written examination and coursework (written assignments, a presentation and design work).

Compulsory modules





Optional modules








Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MRes in Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2023/24) £5,860
Tuition fees (2023/24) £35,000

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

EPSRC funded studentships are available for UK students who meet residency requirements.

Further information on funding and scholarships can be found on the UCL website: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Brown Family Bursary

Deadline: 8 June 2023
Value: £15,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Candidates should submit a pre-application screening form before making a formal application to UCL. This allows us to assess a candidate's suitability for the programme. Pre-application screening form: https://www.ceps-cdt.org/join/pre-application-form

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2023-2024

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Electronic and Electrical Engineering

v.mcgrath@ucl.ac.uk

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