University of Bristol - Science and Engineering
MSc Advanced Microelectronic Systems Engineering
Bristol, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 35,800 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* home applicants | overseas applicants: 25 july 2025
** overseas full-time tuition
Key Summary
Bristol and the surrounding area hosts a thriving and world-renowned semiconductor design industry. The groups involved in microelectronics research at the University of Bristol have collaborative links with multinational companies in the microelectronics industry. These organisations have identified a shortfall in graduates with the necessary qualifications and professional skills to work in the sector, so this programme has been designed to meet this need.
A range of taught subjects covers core topics, such as digital and analogue application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design, digital signal processor (DSP) and field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based computing, integrated sensors and actuators, radio-frequency and mixed-signal design. Changes are made periodically to reflect important emerging disciplines, such as electronics for the Internet of Things (IoT), biomedical applications and quantum photonics applications.
The programme offers you the opportunity to learn from microelectronics, nanoelectronics and computer science experts. You could move on to start working straight after your degree or continue your studies on a PhD. We aim to provide you with a range of contemporary design skills to supplement theoretical knowledge. Lectures are accompanied by lab exercises in state-of-the-art industrial electronic design automation (EDA) software to give you valuable experience in a professional environment.
from 25th November 2024- 4th of December 2025
The programme consists of taught units and a final Capstone project. There are five core units taken during the autumn and spring. In the spring term, you will also study Engineering Project Skills, a unit that introduces the fundamental skills necessary to carry out your Capstone project.
The Capstone project involves researching, planning and implementing a major piece of work relating to microelectronics systems design. The projects are wide-ranging and often multidisciplinary. Projects may be scientific and involve the study of certain phenomena, may be technology or product-orientated with a design emphasis, or may be on a topic related to systems and management. The project may involve on-site collaboration with an industrial partner. The thesis is normally submitted by the end of August.
The programme structure is under continual discussion with the National Microelectronics Institute and our industrial advisory board to ensure it remains at the cutting edge of the semiconductor industry. It is therefore subject to slight changes to recognise important emerging disciplines and generally improve the programme.
Unit names
- Capstone Project
- Engineering Project Skills
- Communication Systems & Spectral Analysis
- VLSI Design and Emerging Technologies
- Analogue Integrated Circuits
- Digital Signal Processing
- Embedded Computing Systems
University of Bristol is ranked 8th in the UK and 51st in the world (QS World University rankings 2026)
Graduates of this programme will be prepared for a career in a variety of disciplines – such as the semiconductor industry, consumer electronics, IT sector, and medical technology, to name a few – thanks to the core and specialist units that cover key foundational concepts and advanced topics related to hardware design, programming, and embedded systems and system-level integration.
Typical careers are in soft fabrication facilities and design houses in the semiconductor industry, electronic-design automation tool vendors, embedded systems specialists and software houses. The programme also covers concepts and technologies related to emerging paradigms such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, as well as preparing you for a career in academic research.