Telecommunications MRes

London, Bloomsbury

The Telecommunications MRes is a one-year research degree dealing with areas of technology and systems related to telecommunications, communications technology and the next generation of IP support networks. This prestigious programme offers significant research content alongside taught modules strongly linked to industrial requirements.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£19,300
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

Students develop an advanced understanding of the architecture and components that are used to construct a broadband network. The programme offers an overview of the network structures used to build telecommunications networks, enables students to specialise in a specific area of telecommunications, and includes a substantial research project.

Who this course is for

The MRes is designed for high-calibre candidates wishing to pursue a research career in industry or academia. Our graduates are highly regarded in the telecommunications industry and a significant number continue their research to PhD level. There is exceptionally strong industry demand for engineers with this research skills base.

What this course will give you

UCL Electronic & Electrical Engineering is one of the most highly rated electronic engineering research departments in the UK. It is the oldest in England, founded in 1885. The department has more than a century of tradition of internationally leading research, from Professor Sir Ambrose Fleming, the inventor of the thermionic valve and the left-hand and right-hand rules, to Professor Charles Kao, PhD alumnus and 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics recipient for his research in communication with optical fibres that began whilst studying at UCL.

Our research and teaching ethos is based on understanding the fundamentals and working at the forefront of technology development.

We cover a wide range of areas from materials and devices to photonics, radar, optical and wireless systems, electronics and medical electronics, and communications networks.

The foundation of your career

The Telecommunications MRes programme provides a broad and comprehensive coverage of the technological and scientific foundations of telecommunications networks and services, from the physical layer to the application layer. A strong emphasis is given to mobile and wireless communications and the latest standards in these areas (LTE, WiMAX, IEEE 802 family of standards). Students study both the theoretical foundations of all related technologies but also carry out extensive practical assignments in several related areas.

Employability

Recent graduates have gone on to become university researchers, and senior software engineers and research scientists at companies including Nokia UK Ltd and QinetiQ.

Networking

The EEE department is conveniently located in the heart of London and has deep industry connections, providing unique and invaluable opportunities to students. We collaborate with world-leading industries across most of our Masters provision. During your time with EEE, you will gain an excellent understanding of applying theory to practice, in the form of guest lectures, invited seminars, site visits and placements as well as our world-renowned academic team bringing their own industry experience to the table.
 

Accreditation

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops.

Student performance is assessed through unseen written examinations, coursework (written and design assignments) and the substantial research project, which is assessed by dissertation and presentations.

The number of contact hours per week with academic staff will vary. But as a rough guideline students can expect 12 to 16 contact hours in a typical week, averaged across term, across all activities (lectures, labs, tutorials and workshops). In addition students will generally need to devote a similar amount of time each week to self-directed study (for instance reviewing taught material and completing coursework).

Modules

 You take two modules as the basis of your programme and you also take three additional optional modules during the period October to April/May. You also carry out a project dissertation comprising 35 weeks of supervised study during the period February/March to September.

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 Telecommunications.

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) £19,300
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

The students are expected to have their own computer/laptop, in order to carry out independent study and any programming assignments.

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

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) awards competitive scholarships for postgraduate study, for details visit www.theiet.org

Please visit the UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering Scholarships website for more information on funding.

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

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Telecommunications at graduate level
  • why you want to study Telecommunications at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

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.