MSc Analogue and Digital Integrated Circuit Design
Gain experience in the practical issues of device-level design and system-level performance requirements.
Key information
Applications are now closed
Overview
Our MSc in Analogue and Digital Integrated Circuit is aimed at future integrated circuit (IC) designers with in-depth knowledge of analogue, mixed signal and digital circuits.
You will gain experience in both the practical issues of device-level design and system-level performance requirements.
A key feature is a balanced approach to both analogue and digital IC design, and the in-depth treatment of low power circuits and embedded systems.
We cover issues that are related to digital system design using modern programming languages, to embedded systems and their OS, to the design of high performance systems based on GPUs and FPGAs, to the design of low power and high performance analogue circuits, as well as issues related to communication of systems (optical and RF) and to MEMS and nanotechnology.
Study programme
You study taught modules, both core and optional, in the Autumn term (October–December). Modules are taught through a blend of lectures, tutorials and practical laboratories. You will then take written exams on the studied modules between May and June.
You also complete a substantial individual research project, which will be carried out in an area of special interest.
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council.
It meets the full academic requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meets the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.
Our accreditation agreement with the Institution of Engineering and Technology is renewed every 5 years, and the current agreement runs between 2019 and 2023.
Structure
This page reflects the latest version of the curriculum for this year of entry. However, this information is subject to change.
The curriculum of this programme is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for this year of entry.
We recommend you check this page before finalising your application and again before accepting your offer. We will update this page as soon as any changes are confirmed by the College.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about any changes made.
Page last reviewed on 25 October 2021.
Structure
Core modules
You take all of the core modules below.
A1 LAB (Spring)
This lab aims to develop advanced skills in utilising industry-strength Electronic Design Automation tools for microelectronic design. Tools and design flows include the Cadence Design Systems for full-custom analogue/mixed signal, and standard-cell digital. Lecturer: Dr Christos Bouganis.
Advanced Digital System Design
The module aims to teach how to design, implement, analyse and optimise advanced digital systems. Lecturer: Dr Christos Bouganis.
Analogue Integrated Circuits and Systems
The aim of this module is to provide a general overview of analogue integrated circuits and systems in CMOS and Bipolar technologies with particular emphasis on high frequency circuit design for wireless products. Lecturers: Prof Chris Toumazou and Dr Pantelis Georgiou.
Analogue Signal Processing
This module aims to introduce analogue signal processing techniques that can be used to perform computation in the analogue front end prior to back end processing and/or communication, with the aim to increase signal integrity as well as reduce the power consumption of the system as whole. Lecturer: Dr Pantelis Georgiou.
Full-Custom Integrated Circuit Design
CMOS Technology is currently the industry mainstream for the vast majority of all analogue, digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits. Most modern day consumer electronics including microprocessors, mobile phones, digital cameras are all implemented using CMOS technology. Lecturer: Dr Timothy Constandinou.
Optional modules
You choose either four or five* modules from below.
Advanced Computer Architecture
Module run by the Department of Computing. Lecturer: Dr Paul Kelly.
Advanced Electronic Devices
The purpose of the module is to study the influence of very short channel lengths on the performance of MOSFETs. Lecturer: Dr Kristel Fobelets.
Biomedical Electronics
The course aims to familiarise students with the area of Biomedical Electronics for creating medical devices that interface to the human body. A number of biomedical devices will be discussed both architecturally and at the circuit level, analysing fundamentals of biomedical signals in addition to the required building blocks for such systems. Lecturers: Dr Pantelis Georgiou and Dr Timothy Constandinou.
Digital Signal Processing and Digital Filters
This module aims to give a thorough grounding in the design of digital filters and in multirate signal processing techniques. Lecturer: Mr Mike Brookes.
Hardware and Software Verification
This module will introduce students to techniques used to verify software and hardware. On the hardware side, we will see SystemVerilog testbenches and formal verification tools (Mentor Questasim and Cadence JasperGold). On the software side, we will see interactive theorem-provers (Isabelle) and automatic software verification tools (Dafny). Lecturers: Dr John Wickerson and Prof Peter Harrod.
High Performance Analogue Electronics
This module is concerned with the design and implementation of high performance analogue integrated circuits and systems, with emphasis on the design of high-frequency circuits for wireless receivers. Lecturer: Prof Esther Rodriguez-Villegas.
Instrumentation
This module aims to give an overview of electrical measurement theory and practice, especially at GHz frequencies. A main objective is to provide an understanding of measurement capabilities and limitations. Lecturer: Dr Christos Papavassiliou.
MEMS and Nanotechnology
This module studies the underlying physical principles, methods of fabrication and applications of a broad range of micro- and nano-scale devices and systems. Lecturers: Dr Zahid Durrani and Prof Andrew Holmes.
Microwave Technology
This module presents the fundamental principles and applications of Microwave Technology Lecturer: Prof Stepan Lucyszyn.
Optical Communication
This module aims to provide an understanding of the structure, operating principles and underlying physical concepts of optical communication systems (particularly fibre links), and thus to show what the capabilities and restrictions of such systems are, in both a current technological sense and in terms of fundamental principles. Lecturer: Prof Eric Yeatman.
Optoelectronics
The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to a wide variety of modern optoelectronic devices, particularly those used in optical communications systems. As these devices are primarily semiconductor-based guided-wave optical components, the two main theoretical elements of the course are electromagnetic theory and rate equation modelling. Lecturer: Prof Richard Syms.
Radio Frequency Electronics
Teaches the terminology, concepts and basic methods of radio frequency design. Generalise system and circuit design techniques used at RF and microwave frequencies, for both hybrid and monolithic implementations. Lecturer: Prof Stepan Lucyszyn.
* If you choose five optional modules, the four modules in which you achieve the highest mark will be counted toward your final degree grade.
Research project
You will also carry out an individual research project: three months part-time (January–March) and four months full-time (June–September).
The project gives you the opportunity to carry out research that deepens your knowledge of an area in which you have a special interest.
It also develops your report writing, presentation and time management skills.
An academic supervisor will mentor you, and the project is assessed by a written report and poster presentation in September.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
- Blackboard
- Coursework
- Group projects
- Labs
- Lectures
- Research project
Assessment methods
- Coursework
- Examinations
- Practical
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Entry requirements
Minimum academic requirement
Our minimum requirement is a first-class degree in electrical/electronic engineering, or a related subject with a substantial electrical/electronic engineering component.
The overall degree grade must be at least 75% overall.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.
The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.
For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.
If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the higher College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.
Competence standards
Our competence standards highlight the core skills students should be able to demonstrate by the end of this course.
View the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering's competence standards [pdf]
We believe in providing the widest practicable access to all of our degree programmes and will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible to support your study. For more information, please contact the Department using the contact details below.
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
T: +44 (0)20 7594 3123
E: admit.eee@imperial.ac.uk
How to apply
Making an application
Apply online
All applicants must apply online.
Visit our Admissions website for details on the application process.
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can usually choose up to two courses.
Application fee
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course:
- £80 for taught Master's applications (excluding MBAs)
- £135 for MBA applications
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
ATAS certificate
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Further questions?
Find answers to your questions about admissions. Answers cover COVID-19, English language requirements, visas and more.
Tuition fees and funding
The level of tuition fees you pay is based on your fee status, which we assess based on UK government legislation.
Find out more about fees and funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Home rate of tuition
2022 entry
£15,400
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Overseas rate of tuition
2022 entry
£35,700
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Postgraduate Master's loan
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount is £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to support you through your studies. Find out more about our scholarships to see what you might be eligible for.
A number of external organisations also offer awards for Imperial students. Find out more about non-Imperial scholarships.
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
You can compare costs across our different accommodation options on our Accommodation website.
A rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London is available on our Fees and Funding website.
Further information
Got a question?
T: +44 (0)20 7594 3123
E: eeepgoffice@imperial.ac.uk
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