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Telecommunications MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Dive into telecoms, one of the fastest developing areas of science and technology. This one-year Master’s programme will fast-track your career as a specialist telecoms engineer or manager. 

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£20,500
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£39,800
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 04 Apr 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


Join us on this one-year Master’s course to build your knowledge of modern telecommunication systems, and the background necessary to understand such systems. 

The course covers wide-ranging topics including telecommunications systems, communications technologies, network design and planning, data networks and architectures, next generation architecture and business aspects of telecommunications. 

Working alongside leading researchers and industry experts, you’ll learn about the most up to date developments in the field, including areas like IoT, 6G, wireless and optical communications. 

You’ll graduate with a comprehensive understanding of the key technologies, network architectures and systems that make up a modern, telecommunications network.  

Who this course is for

This programme is ideal for you, if you have a first degree in electronic engineering, computer science or a related discipline. We also welcome applications from candidates with appropriate industrial experience.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

  • A postgraduate degree from a top-ranked university. UCL is consistently ranked among the best universities globally (ranked 9th in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025), providing you with a prestigious qualification that is highly regarded by employers worldwide. 
  • Tackle the fundamentals of telecoms systems, as well as the latest developments at the forefront of the field. 
  • Learn from UCL's telecommunications experts, with guest lecture and seminar contributions from industrial and government specialists. 
  • Get up to speed with the latest developments in areas like IoT and 6G. The course is continuously updated to reflect the rapid changes in the field. 
  • Build the skills and confidence to progress in a successful career as a telecoms engineer or manager.
  • Study and network with renowned academics and experts at UCL Electronic & Electrical Engineering, a Department ranked 5th in the UK (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024). 
  • Study in the world's best city for university students (QS Best Student Cities 2024). UCL’s Bloomsbury campus is in the heart of a London district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

This programme gives you the opportunity to explore the foundations of modern telecom networks, from physical to application layers, and learn more about mobile and wireless communications, including standards like LTE and WiMAX. 

The blend of theory with hands-on practical assignments provides a comprehensive learning experience, and will also set you up for the world of work or further research.

I chose this course to advance my career with both business and technical learnings and upskilling focused on the ICT industry.

Headshot of alumni student Naveen Veludevan

Naveen Veludevan

MSc Telecommunications

Read Naveen's story

Employability

By the end of the course, you’ll be in a strong position to pursue a career as a network or telecommunications engineer, consultant or systems architect in networking technologies. 

Graduates of this course have gone onto work with AWS, IBM, and MediaTek. 

Networking

You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and build professional contacts as part of your Master’s.   

  • Benefit from UCL’s central location in the heart of London, offering rich industry connections and opportunities.
  • Tap into our deep industry connections, giving you access to opportunities like site visits and placements. 
  • Learn to applying theory to practice with access to guest lectures and invited seminars. 
  • Gain valuable career insights from our world-renowned academic team who bring their own industry experience to the table. 
  • If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, connect with like-minded innovators and successful entrepreneurs through UCL’s innovation hubs and startup incubators.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Teaching and learning

This programme is delivered through a combination of formal lectures, laboratory and workshop sessions, seminars, tutorials and project work. 

You'll be assessed through unseen written examination, coursework, design exercises and the dissertation. 

This is a full-time course, which means students should expect a working schedule of approximately 35 hours a week divided between contact hours and self-directed learning. The exact number of contact hours and composition varies throughout the term depending on the module choices of the student. Full-time students can expect their weekly schedule to include approximately 12 to 16 contact hours.

Modules

You'll undertake modules and a project dissertation to the value of 180 credits. These credits are spread across 6 modules, 2 core modules and 4 compulsory modules, as well as 3 additional optional modules taken during the period October to April/May. 

You will then carry out a project dissertation comprising 18 to 20 weeks of supervised study during the period April/May to September.

Compulsory modules








Optional modules









Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Telecommunications.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Where you'll study

Two students working at desk opposite each other in room filled with computer equipment and wires

UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering’s facilities feature a variety of test equipment, including soldering stations, microscopes, and reflow ovens. Workstations offer test software, oscilloscopes, waveform generators, and digital multimeters. We provide 3D printers and a benchtop laser cutter for rapid prototyping of mechatronic designs. Our PCB Facility, staffed by experts, produces PCBs like RF, multilayer, and flexible circuits, using CNC machines, electroplating, laser ablation, and etching equipment. The department includes a computer lab and CPU/GPU servers. Research labs feature cleanrooms, nanoscale labs, quantum measurement labs, an anechoic chamber, and photonic and optical communication labs, supporting final-year projects and advanced research.

Find out more

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Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £20,500
Tuition fees (2025/26) £39,800

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Students are expected to have their own computer/laptop, in order to carry out independent study and any programming assignments.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) awards competitive scholarships for postgraduate study, for details visit www.theiet.org.

Please visit the UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering Scholarships website for more information on funding.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Telecommunications at graduate level
  • why you want to study Telecommunications at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • how you envisage your career path after the MSc.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Electronic and Electrical Engineering

eee-msc-admin@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.