MSc Mobile and Satellite Communications

A global revolution has taken place in mobile and satellite communications. The resulting growth in mobile and satellite communications industries has created a high demand for graduates with expertise in the key areas of digital, mobile and satellite communications and networking.

We are committed to delivering the best Masters course in Mobile, Wireless and Satellite Communications in the United Kingdom and to leverage a rich blend of scholarship, teaching, industry and research in pursuit of that goal.

With significant input from industry, our MSc Mobile and Satellite Communications produces highly competent graduates who can fill key positions and play leading roles in shaping this rapidly evolving field of communication technologies in the 5G era and beyond.

By graduation, you will be well-equipped to develop new engineering applications for the next generation of communication systems.

2024
2025

Study Mode 2024	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
Full-time	18 Months	February	Treforest	A
Full-time	1 Year	September	Treforest	A
Part-time	2 Years	September	Treforest	A

Study Mode 2025	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
Full-time	1 Year	February	Treforest	A
Full-time	1 Year	September	Treforest	A
Part-time	2 Years	September	Treforest	A

Your studies will include advances in antennas and propagation, digital transmission, satellite communications, mobile communications, satellite networks, wireless applications, digital signal processing and product innovation.

All this is enriched with seminars by industry experts and a period of supervised major project work which gives you the opportunity to hone your skills in a chosen application area.

You will also learn to use the latest engineering design tools, including the Systems ToolKit (STK) used by NASA for planning space missions, and MATLAB/SIMULINK which is widely used in industry.

You will study the following modules:

Wireless Communication Systems
Satellite Communications
Digital Communication Systems
Applied Digital Signal Processing
Optoelectronic Devices for Telecommunications
Product Innovation and Entrepreneurship
MSc Major Project

Teaching

You will be taught through lectures, tutorials and workshops involving hands-on systems modelling and simulations using state-of-the-art hardware and software facilities. Students will also engage in supervised research supported by full access to world-class online and library facilities.

The full-time route is delivered in three major blocks. Six taught modules are completed during two teaching blocks featuring 12 contact hours per week followed by a 16-week major research project. The full-time course duration is about 14 months. If you study part-time then you will complete the course in two to three years.

Part-time study involves completing three modules in each of the first two years and a major research project in the final year. The use of block-mode delivery in this way allows flexible entry and exit, and also enables practicing engineers to attend a single module as a short course.

Assessment

Each of the six taught modules is typically assessed through 40% coursework and 60% closed-book examination. The major project is assessed through presentation to a panel of examiners, viva and written report.

Facilities

A state-of-the-art University library gives you access to most of the world’s leading publications. Other major facilities include a Cisco Academy networking laboratory, a Wireless Communications laboratory including a 1-65 GHz anechoic chamber and a satellite communication earth station, and a Communication Systems simulation laboratory equipped with PCs running the latest versions of MATLAB, SIMULINK, STK and other software.

In addition, we have recently opened a Calypto lab, which has software licences and support for the Catapult C toolset. This is used to develop advanced electronic products, such as the next generation of smart phones, more quickly and cost-effectively and to help engineers overcome design challenges in the increasingly complex world of board and chip design. The lab is sponsored by Calypto Design Systems Inc, a leader in electronic design automation. We are one of only four UK universities and 60 universities globally that have been granted permission to use the software worth £1.9m.

The new Renesas Embedded Systems lab comprises 25 new high-end terminals running cutting edge tools. The facility was designed in collaboration with Renesas, the world’s leading supplier of microcontrollers, whose sponsorship helps ensure that students are always working with the latest technologies and development tools.

Featured Lecturer:
Professor Ifiok Otung

Professor Ifiok Otung is an award-winning academic and internationally recognised engineering educator. His is an expert in many aspects of mobile/satellite communication systems, efficient telecom resources utilisation, and radio wave propagation, and the author Communication Engineering Principles, now in its second edition - the definitive book for communication engineering.

Professor Ifiok leads the Mobile and Satellite Communications Research Group at USW. The Group's work produces innovations in Mobile Communication Systems; Satellite Communication Systems and
Dynamic Resource Management.

Lecturers

The course is led by Professor Otung, a Chartered Engineer and internationally acclaimed author of Communication Engineering textbooks used in leading universities around the world, and supported by an impressive and highly-qualified teaching and supervision team.

Other lecturers on the course include Professor Nigel Copner, Dr Ali Roula, Dr Jurgen Richter, Dr Clive Morgan and Dr Kang Li.

Graduates from this course speak very highly of not only the cutting-edge expertise and technical skills that they developed on the course but also of the inspiration, professionalism and friendship of the entire teaching team.

Visit the Mobile and Satellite Communications Research website for current research in this area.

We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

A minimum 2:2 Honours degree in an appropriate discipline (Engineering, Physics, Computer Science or Mathematics), or HND in appropriate discipline plus three years’ experience in relevant industry. Applicants not meeting these qualifications may be considered on an individual basis.

The course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent.

Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.

August 2023 - July 2024 Fees

Full-time UK: £9500
Full-time International: £15100

August 2024 - July 2025 Fees

Full-time UK: £10250
Full-time International: TBC
Part-time UK: £1140 per 20 credits

August 2025 - July 2026 Fees

Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: TBC
Part-time UK: TBC

Student Perks

At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.

Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.

Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

Funding

Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs

Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.

Please register and apply directly to the University for this course.

Admissions statement

Exponential growth in mobile data consumption and advances in technology, such as 4G/5G wireless networks and high throughput satellite and optical communication systems, are creating exciting career opportunities for graduates with the right skills. Graduates of this Masters award can enter the telecommunications industry in many different roles, conduct research or work towards a PhD. Visit the Mobile and Satellite Communications Research website for current research in this area.