Wireless and Microwave Communication Engineering with a Year in Industry (MSc)

Wireless and Microwave Communication Engineering with a Year in Industry (MSc)

Full time with sandwich year

Why study this course

This degree aims to produce postgraduate specialists with essential expertise in electronic and microwave engineering, and develop an awareness of the rapidly growing application space for these technologies.

This course, which gives you the opportunity to undertake a year working in industry, will help you gain advanced level knowledge and key skills that will allow you to succeed in the rapidly growing wireless and microwave communication industry. You will also develop technical, intellectual and research skills that will enhance your general engineering competency and employability, providing you with an excellent platform for career development, whether that be within industry or academic research.

This industry-focussed course will give you the opportunity to:

• Develop your expertise in new and evolving areas of microwave engineering including mobile communications and medical applications of microwaves.
• Focus on areas including advanced computer aided design (CAD), measurement and characterisation and communication systems engineering.
• Cover laboratory work and advanced engineering management alongside modules in radio frequency engineering, advanced fabrication and test, advanced communication systems and non-linear RF design and concepts.
• Gain expertise in the areas of micro and nano-technology and optoelectronics.
• Enhance your practical and research skills by completing an industrial placement either with an industrial partner or suitable other organisation, which will comprise a significant research element and invaluable experience as an industry professional.

Distinctive features

This industry-focussed course has a number of special features which include:

• The opportunity to learn in a research-led teaching institution, taught by staff in one of the highest ranked university units in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF).
• The opportunity to work in modern facilities commensurate with a top-class research university.
• The opportunity for students to learn in an environment graded as Silver in the first TEF assessment, meaning that the University “consistently exceeds rigorous national quality requirements for UK higher education”.
• The participation of research-active staff in programme design and delivery.
• MSc teaching complemented by guest lectures given by industrial professionals.
• An industrial placement which enables the programme to meet the Bologna requirements for a Master’s programme length of 2 years.
• Specialist academic support from your designated MSc Tutor during your programme.
• A research group atmosphere where students are able to enhance each other’s learning and become a vital part of our research community.

Upon graduation, you will have the training, advanced level skills and hands-on industrial experience you need to gain employment in this fast-growing field, and will have a distinct edge when applying for PhD studentships or employment in industry.

Accreditations

• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

The MSc course materials were diverse, covering the basic principles as well as niche topics that are key in industry, and position the postgraduate at an ideal starting level. I consider myself extremely lucky to work with such knowledgeable people who helped fulfil my eagerness to learn.

Wireless and Microwave Communication Engineering with a Year in Industry (MSc)

Full time with sandwich year

Careers and placements

Career prospects in this field are generally excellent, with graduating students following paths either into research or related industry.

If you are interested in working in industry, many of our graduating MSc students achieve excellent employment opportunities in organisations including Infineon, Huawei, Cambridge Silicon Radio, Keysight and Ericsson.

In terms of research, Cardiff University has many electrical, electronic and microwave related research areas that require PhD students, and this MSc will provide you with an excellent platform if this is your chosen career path.

Placements

This course includes a Year in Industry placement after the first taught stage of academic study. We will support you in finding a placement that will allow you to experience, at first-hand, a professional working environment. If you are successful in securing a placement, you will be paid a salary and will enhance your employability skills through direct experience of working in industry.  Placements cannot be guaranteed, but If you are not successful in securing a placement, you will have the option of transferring to the two year MSc Wireless and Microwave Communication Engineering with a Research Year or the one year MSc Wireless and Microwave Communication Engineering.

Before starting my part-time MSc in 2012, I was working as a Senior Test Technician. Thanks to this degree, I was able to secure an RF Engineering role within the same firm, which was great!In my search for a postgraduate degree in microwave engineering, I noticed that there are not many UK universities that offer this programme, but Cardiff University is one of the pioneering institutions. Cardiff University has a very stimulating learning atmosphere. Everyone's really friendly and lecturers are always there to help.