Communications and Information Engineering (MSc)

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

A minimum 2:i undergraduate UK Honours degree or equivalent international qualification, in an engineering, physical sciences or mathematical subject.

Please note that applicants will need post A2 Level (or equivalent) knowledge in Mathematics, covering topics such as linear algebra, calculus and analysis, and including differential equations. This could be gained through a mathematics module taken as part of an undergraduate course. It is expected that candidates have a good understanding of these topics at the start of their MSc studies.

You can see how your current degree score or GPA equates to the British system in our Study pages in the equivalent scores table.

We are willing to consider applications from students with lower qualifications on a case-by-case basis, particularly when the applicant can evidence relevant employment, practical experience or strong performance in undergraduate modules related to their proposed postgraduate course of study.

To ensure you have the essential foundations for the course, and depending on your overall academic profile, we may require you to take a mathematical skills test.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band A
• IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.

Additional requirements

There are no additional requirements for this course.

Core modules

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

Teaching

The degree comprises eight taught modules and an individual research project. The individual research project is an in-depth experimental, theoretical or computational investigation of a topic chosen by you in conjunction with your academic supervisor.

Previous project titles include: Machine learning for end-to-end design of wireless and optical communication systems; Cyber-physical system security in smart energy systems, robotics, and healthcare applications. Our research within the School of Engineering covers a wide range of expertise in communication systems, cyber-physical systems (smart grids, robotics, and healthcare), optical networks, internet-of-things, digital twins and applied artificial intelligence.

Class sizes

Class sizes for lectures, practical laboratory sessions and seminars vary depending on the number of students taking the module.

Typical contact hours

The MSc degree (totalling 180 credits) comprises:

• Eight taught modules (15 credits each)
• A research project (60 credits)

The typical workload for a 15-credit module is as follows:

• 20-30 hours of lectures/seminars
• 5 hours of laboratory work
• 45 hours of private/directed study
• 70 hours of assessed work

The research project is valued at 60 credits and students should plan to execute around 600 hours of work towards the completion of the project dissertation.

Assessment

You will experience a variety of assessment methods, and can expect to mostly sit examinations and complete coursework assignments.

Reading lists

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platform.

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue.

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Your career

Graduates of this programme typically follow one of two main career pathways. One route leads into industry, where graduates are well prepared to join leading global companies such as Nokia, Bell Labs, Qualcomm, BT, Samsung, or Jaguar Land Rover, all of which are engaged in cutting-edge work in wireless communication systems and related technologies. Alternatively, the MSc also provides a strong foundation for further academic study, equipping students to pursue doctoral research and advance knowledge in this rapidly evolving field.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Options in Engineering
• Meet an Engineer
• Engineering, Science and Technology Fair
• Considering a PhD in the STEM Subjects
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year

Engineering at Warwick

Use your maths and science skills to creatively solve real-life problems.

Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

• Advanced Mechanical Engineering (MSc)
• Biomedical Engineering (MSc)
• Communications and Information Engineering (MSc)
• Diagnostics. Data and Digital Health MSc
• Diagnostics, Data and Digital Health (Medical Diagnostics) MSc
• Diagnostics, Data and Digital Health (Medical Imaging) MSc
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering (MSc)
• Electrical Power Engineering (MSc)
• Humanitarian Engineering (MSc/PGDip/PGCert/PGA)
• Humanitarian Engineering (with Management) (MSc)
• Humanitarian Engineering (with Sustainability) (MSc)
• Predictive Modelling and Scientific Computing (MSc)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• Modelling of Heterogeneous Systems (PhD)
• MSc by Research in Engineering
• PhD/MPhil in Engineering

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees  

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2025/26 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and funding