MSc(Eng) in Wireless Communication Systems

Start Date: October
Duration: 1 year full-time

Course Background

The last decade has seen unprecedented growth in digital wireless communication systems, almost exclusively fuelled by the widespread adoption of cellular mobile radio systems and wireless local area networks (WLAN). With the deployment of 3G cellular technologies since 2000 and more recently High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), there has been a dramatic growth globally in both the number of subscribers and the volume of data traffic transported by these sophisticated wireless systems. Complementing this growth in demand, there has been a consistent advancement of the communication theories, enabling technologies and standards that underpin these complex, wireless, multiple access, RF systems. The next major development will be the deployment of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular mobile radio system. LTE is an all IP based radio access network that uses MIMO/OFDMA technology to achieve peak data rates up to 300Mbit/s. Currently, the standardisation of LTE-Advanced is underway which plans data rates up to 1 Gbit/s for low mobility users.

The high demand and rapid pace of development of spectrally efficient, and now energy efficient, wireless communication systems that are capable of supporting a diverse range of applications needing high bandwidths and differentiated quality of service has created a strong and vibrant global market for communications engineers needing specialist skills in wireless systems. The purpose of this MSc is to meet this demand by creating a unique MSc programme of study to support the training of wireless systems engineers. The Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Sheffield is one of a few UK academic institutions capable of meeting this demand through its existing teaching/research expertise and extensive facilities.

The Department’s research activities in wireless communication systems are recognised as being internationally leading. Through its membership of the Virtual Centre of Excellence in Mobile & Personal Communications (Mobile VCE), the Department participates in world leading research into cellular mobile radio systems. Mobile VCE is a prestigious venture between industry and academia involving a collaborative partnership of 12 of the world's most prominent Mobile Communications companies and a consortium of leading UK universities. The Communications Research Group at Sheffield is a participant in Mobile VCE's Core 5 work programme on Green Radio which is addressing energy efficient as well as spectrally efficient future mobile radio networks.

The objective of the MSc (Eng) programme in Wireless Communication Systems is to provide engineers with a thorough understanding of both the theory and the most up to date practices of the rapidly developing field of wireless communication systems. The proposed programme is unique because it encompasses all of the key design aspects of a modern wireless communication system, in particular cellular mobile systems. Starting from the fundamentals of digital communications theory, baseband digital signal processing, coding and modulation, antenna design, RF propagation and radio techniques for wireless systems the programme then treats key systems integrations aspects including wireless packet data networking and protocols, broadband wireless techniques, and cellular mobile principles and systems. This fulfils industry’s pressing need for communications engineers that have a comprehensive knowledge of wireless systems. The programme will be delivered with a bias towards research and development and we expect most graduates from this programme either to gain employment in the R & D industrial sector or to embark on further studies leading to a PhD, either at Sheffield or elsewhere.

Admission Requirements

Students require at least an upper second class (2:1) Bachelor’s Honours degree in Electronic Engineering or Computer Science or a similar field from a good UK university or an equivalent international degree qualification to enter this programme. Students holding a lower second class or an equivalent degree and those with industrial experience are considered on an individual basis.

Please visit our website for international applicants for specific advice on the entry requirements for your country.

Select your country from the list on this page

For international students, general university requirements regarding English qualifications must also be satisfied. The current minimum English requirement for applicants is:

IELTS 6.5 (with no less than 6 in each component) or
TOEFL (Paper Based Test) 550 or
TOEFL CBT (Computer Based Test) 232 or
TOEFL iBT (Internet Based Test) 91

More information about English language requirements

How to Apply

All applicants must complete an application form to initiate the application process.

These forms are available online or by requesting an application pack by contacting the graduate admissions secretary by email or by writing (Contact details are at the bottom of the page).

For the online application please visit this link.

Further Information

For further information about this course please contact:

The Graduate Admissions Officer
Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering,
The University of Sheffield,
Mappin Street,
Sheffield, S1 3JD,
U.K.

Tel: +44 (0) 114 222 5355
Fax: +44 (0) 114 272 6391
Email : infoeee@sheffield.ac.uk