The course

Electronic Engineering (MSc by Research)

Electronic Engineering is at the heart of many systems that we use on a daily basis, including mobile communications, computers, transport systems, most domestic appliances, TV, radio, music studios and gaming devices. There is nothing around us today that has not been engineered to be fit-for-purpose. Electronic Engineering is a broad and ever-expanding discipline, providing ample scope for students seeking to carry out research.

At Royal Holloway, University of London we are building world-class centres of expertise through research groups in areas such as audio and voice, nano-technology and power systems. Our research group leaders are experts in their fields and work with many external partners both in academia and in industry, offering opportunities to specialise in research that puts technology into the service of humankind.

You can expect to enjoy an inspiring and collaborative research culture where you will be fully involved in the research activities of the Department in an established university setting. With a highly supportive staff network, you’ll become a part of a dynamic research culture. We are dedicated to promoting equality in science, and we strongly encourage and support female applicants.

You will study at one of the UK’s most beautiful campuses, and use our purpose-built state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to the creative engineering process. Our location is in close proximity to London and to the South East Regional Hub of electronics businesses.

We invite strong graduates with an Electronic Engineering background and students with professional experience to apply for our MSc by Research.

You will have the opportunity to gain advanced, research-specific skills and academic knowledge to take forward into further study or into your career.
You will become part of a dynamic research environment where you will acquire industrially relevant knowledge to make a successful contribution to tomorrow’s systems that support everyday life.

From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Teaching & assessment

The Electronic Engineering MSc by Research is a research degree with the chosen topic being negotiated with a member of staff during the application stage. This topic will be an area that fits well within one of our research groups.

Candidates are able to attend third and fourth-year modules within the department’s MEng programme as desired to support their research (please note that these are not assessed as part of the MSc by Research).

There will be introductory activities on research skills, presentations, writing reports and laboratory safety.

You will be assessed by a dissertation.

Entry requirements

2:2

Normally, we require a UK 2:2 (Honours) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Relevant professional qualifications in an associated area will be considered.

Before applying we recommend securing a supervisor in order to apply for your research project.

We advise getting in touch with the Director of Postgraduate Education making an informal enquiry for your chosen research degree to inquire whether there is any other additional material they require you to submit in your application.

When applying please select one of the following research disciplines from the list of pathways within the application form: Biosignals and Intelligent Systems, Microwave Photonics and Sensors, Nano-Electronics or Power Systems.

International & EU requirements

English language requirements

All Postgraduate Research degrees (i.e. PhD and Masters by Research) require:

IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26.

Your future career

Electronic Engineering by Research at Royal Holloway, University of London has been designed for students to take their first steps towards an academic career, further postgraduate study or for application in industry.

You’ll gain valuable research skills and broaden your academic knowledge, making you a strong candidate for PhD study as well as an attractive prospect for employers in a variety of fields. We are supported by our Industry Advisory Board to ensure that the courses we offer are directly addressing the specific needs of industry and are kept updated and relevant. Our connections with industry ensure that graduates will enter employment prepared to make their mark in the creation of the next generation of technological solutions for business and industry.

Strong industry with the majority of leading UK-based electronics companies providing extensive networking opportunities
Supported by the South East regional hub of electronics and Industrial Advisory Board
On-site Careers Service to provide support and advice

Fees, funding & scholarships

Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £4,786

EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £28,700

Other essential costs***: There are no single associated costs greater than £50 per item on this course.

How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.

* and ** These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2025/26. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually. Be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year. The annual increase for continuing students who start their degree in 2025/26 will be 5%.  For further information, see the  fees and funding , and terms and conditions.

** This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26. Find out more

*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.

We adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry. For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the UKRI website.