Embedded Systems Engineering MSc
Coventry, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Embedded systems are computing devices that perform dedicated functions or are designed for use with specific embedded software applications.
Course overview
This course will provide you with the opportunity to develop practical skills and theoretical knowledge in embedded systems engineering, including embedded systems programming, embedded operating systems, and embedded hardware engineering as well as advanced electronics including Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) based on digital system design, image and signal processing, digital communications, wireless intelligent systems, and robotics
- Embedded systems engineering is a discipline that designs and implements hardware and software of embedded systems. To name a few, they are crucial to mobile communications, Internet of Things (IoT), household robots and video game consoles.
- The course is designed for graduates with an electronics and computing background. It can provide a leading-edge MSc degree education in embedded systems engineering.
- The technical focus of the course concentrates on a combination of advanced electronics including FPGA based on digital system design, image and signal processing, digital communications, wireless intelligent systems, and robotics as well as the subject-specific knowledge in embedded systems including embedded systems programming, embedded operating systems, and embedded hardware engineering.
- An emphasis on applied technical work can strengthen the engineering development skills of students from an academic background. Such work can provide the demonstrable expertise necessary to help secure professional-level employment in related industries.
- You will have the option to apply for a ‘professional work placement’ opportunity2, designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. See modules for more information.
Why you should study this course
At Coventry University, we believe that studying engineering should be so much more than just learning theory and passing examinations. Our activity-led learning approach should enable you to develop your skills and knowledge by working on real-life problems and projects, some commissioned by our industry collaborators.
- Designed to follow the Engineering Council UK-SPEC standard, the course encompasses theoretical and practical subjects within the broad area of embedded systems engineering as used by industries as diverse as mobile communications, IoT, household robots and video game consoles.
- We aim to regularly update course content to reflect emerging trends and knowledge fields to enrich your technical and transferrable skills. For example, embedded hardware engineering provides knowledge and experience of the engineering techniques and processes required for the realisation of embedded hardware systems. Robotics is another key area, so we will examine the sub-systems that a robot needs, such as sensors to perceive its environment, cognition to make informed decisions, image processing to ‘see’ and detect objects in the real world and the mechanics to enable movement through 3D space.
- You’ll study in our modern Engineering and Computing buildings, with access to extensive facilities4 and modern technologies in the fields of electrical and electronic engineering, such as a new machines and microprocessors laboratory.
- You’ll be taught by experts in their field, some of whom are currently active researchers in areas that include but are not limited to wireless sensors and pervasive computing, and embedded micro-electronics. This not only helps to inform your teaching, keeping you abreast of new developments and issues, but also provides opportunities to partner staff on research projects (subject to availability, staff are subject to change).
Admissions
Curriculum
One half of the course concentrates on areas such as embedded hardware engineering, wireless intelligent systems, signal processing and robotics. The other half examines areas such as embedded operating systems, embedded system programming, digital system design, communications systems, and consultancy.
Ultimately, you will be required to perform a detailed research or design study with the help of an experienced supervisor into a technical aspect from the course. With the agreement of your tutor, you can choose a topic to suit your interests, research to assist your career aspirations or a practical project. As an example, one former student worked on a project commissioned by RTF Europe to develop a recoiler unit for mobile phone display security in shops.
Modules
- Wireless Intelligent Systems
- Digital Signal and Image Processing
- Robotics - Kinematics, Dynamics and Applications
- Embedded Hardware Engineering
- Embedded System Programming
- Digital Communication Systems
- Embedded Operating Systems
- Field Programmable Gate Arrays Based Digital System Design
- Entrepreneurial Practice
- Individual Project
With work placement pathway
The ‘With Work Placement’ opportunity2 enables you to apply in semester 1 for an optional work placement of up to 12 months, extending the duration of your master’s to 24 months. The placement provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability upon graduation. The placement would take place in semesters 3, 4 and 5.
Please note that the optional placement modules will incur an additional tuition fee of £4,000. Placement opportunities may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Work placements are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of the Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the work placement option.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of this course, you will have knowledge of:
- Principles of embedded systems engineering and their relationships to leading-edge, real-world applications.
- Advanced analysis and design tools and processes relevant to embedded microelectronics and communications.
- The implementation and critical evaluation of design solutions through simulation and practical applications.
- The main approaches to research design, sampling and analysis appropriate to construct research questions or hypotheses.
You will be able to:
- Conceptualise complex technical aspects of embedded systems engineering.
- Conduct detailed and systematic technical analyses of aspects of embedded systems engineering.
- Devise technical solutions to problems in the design and implementation of embedded systems engineering.
- Critically evaluate literature and solutions relating to problems arising in the design and implementation aspects of embedded systems engineering.
- Select, apply and critically appraise tools and techniques of advanced analysis and design.
- Implement appropriate software and hardware solutions and simulations and critically evaluate the outcomes.
Where our graduates work
The specialist topics studied on the programme will help to prepare you for a wider range of roles in related industries that rely on the technology. To name a few, you can begin a career in the areas of consumer electronics industry, household robots, IoT, mobile communication devices and video game consoles. Other possible destinations include digital system design, robotics and associated activities and microelectronic applications.