Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems MRes

London, Bloomsbury

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 taught modules and mini research projects that provide a solid foundation in photonic systems, advanced research skills and a good understanding of the industry.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£6,035
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£37,500
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

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.

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. Please note that ATAS processing times can take up to six months, so we recommend you consider these timelines when submitting your application to UCL.

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

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 research degree with confidence or take the next step in their career in industry.

Who this course is for

This MRes is ideal for students from a range of science, engineering and physics backgrounds who wish to gain a Masters qualification before continue their research to PhD level. It is designed as a foundation year in a four-year (1+3) doctoral training programme, and the outcome of the first year will determine progression to the PhD degree.

What this course will give you

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems (CEPS CDT) leverages the academic excellence, strong collaborations and innovative teaching and learning environments of two world-leading universities: UCL and the University of Cambridge. Thanks to the combined strengths of the two institutions, and drawing from a range of disciplines and industries, this centre provides a doctoral training environment in this field that is hard to beat.

Photonics is a fundamental underpinning technology in electronics-based systems and applications within communications, sensing, manufacturing, biomedicine and more.

This Master's degree aims to create graduates who are well-prepared for a career in the multi-disciplinary field, who have the confidence and ability to drive future research, development and exploitation in photonic technologies.

The foundation of your career

Graduates from this programme have secured roles such as an optical systems developer, fibre laser engineer, technology analyst, patent attorney, computational physicist, data scientist, senior photonics engineer and postdoctoral researcher.

Employability

Dramatic progress is being made in the field of photonic technologies and commercialisation activity as a result of pioneering research in this field. Photonics is 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.

Graduates from this course are highly employable and will be well-prepared for a career in industry, academia or other areas of this exciting, multi-disciplinary field.

Networking

Students on the CEPS CDT will benefit from the strong collaboration between UCL and the University of Cambridge and the broad network of institutions, organisations and academics world-wide that connect with both universities.

The CEPS CDT provides unique and invaluable networking opportunities across students, researchers and industry. These include industry-supervised research projects, access to industry facilities, guest lectures and seminars. Events like the CEPS CDT Industry Day and UCL’s Festival of Research also celebrate our industry collaborations, highlight the impacts of our students’ work and facilitate discussion on future collaborations and career opportunities.

We collaborate with many organisations and start-ups including Airbus, BT, DSTL, European Space Agency, Huber+Suhner Polatis, Leonardo, Microsoft, Oclaro, Plessey Semiconductors, Precision Acoustics, Toshiba, Waveoptics and VividQ.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, projects, seminars and laboratory work.

Student performance on taught modules is assessed through unseen written examination and coursework (written assignments, presentations and design work).

Mini research projects are assessed by dissertation/written report of up to 10,000 words each. An oral presentation is also required for the first, part-time, project.

Contact hours on this programme will vary from student to student according to their module and project selections.

A 15-credit taught module usually includes 150 hours of notional student learning time comprised broadly of teaching time, independent study, assessment and feedback.

A guideline for time expected on each mini-project is around 520 hours of self-directed study under the supervision of a member of academic staff. This is based on 50% full-time equivalent over 26 weeks for project 1, and 100% full-time equivalent over 13 weeks for project 2 (i.e. 40 hour working week).

Modules

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits: 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 an MRes in Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems.

Taught modules
Students may choose taught modules at UCL and/or University of Cambridge.
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, devices 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 nanotechnology
  • 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 systems
  • Software for network and services design
  • Internet of things (IoT)
  • Image coding and processing

Research projects
Students undertake two mini research projects: one part-time (45 credits) and one full-time (45 credits). One research project is based at UCL and one at University of Cambridge.

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 and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £6,035
Tuition fees (2024/25) £37,500

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

Students may be required to travel between UCL and University of Cambridge to attend in-person classes, lectures, seminars and for project work. Travel costs will vary depending on an individual student's module and project selections and the frequency of travel required for in-person attendance. For an indication of travel costs, please visit the National Rail website.

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.

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

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 and their eligibility for EPSRC funded studentships.

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: 2024-2025

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.