Overview
Our Embedded Systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) course is industry-focused. It is tailored to meet the demands of companies that create mobile electronic equipment, which interfaces with wireless networks and applications.
Taught by world-leading academics and researchers, you’ll develop your knowledge of electrical and electronic engineering. You’ll focus on the fast-changing area of embedded digital systems for communication and control.
Our MSc programme is ideal for graduates in :
- electrical and electronic engineering
- computer engineering
- related disciplines
You’ll develop your knowledge and practical skills through a unique blend of modules which complement each other:
- tools, techniques and design of Embedded Systems and Internet of Things (ES-IoT) and subsystems
- scientific and engineering principles and practices of Computing Science and Electronic Engineering
- networking and communication systems
- sensors and security
- computer programming
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
You’ll learn core skills in:
- design and analysis of a real-time application
- skills in implementation of M2M networks
- analyse and plan telecommunications systems
- networking for computers, embedded devices or sensors
- low-power embedded computers, programming, interfaces and reconfigurable hardware platform
- image processing and machine vision
- problem solving, project planning, critical analysis and progress assessment
- teamwork
Our modules have been designed alongside industry experts, meaning you’ll gain the technical knowledge and skills needed for this dynamic industry.
Core modules typically include:
- Real Time Embedded Systems and Programming
- M2M Technology Internet of Things
- Wired and Wireless Communication Networks and Security
- Internet of Things and Wireless Sensor Networks
- Reconfigurable Hardware Design
- Image Processing and Computer Vision
- Individual Project
You’ll also develop skills in research and knowledge acquisition to provide the foundation for further study.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Embedded Systems and Internet of Things (ES-IoT) MSc modules
How you’ll learn
We have a multidisciplinary approach to teaching and you’ll engage with students across all key electrical and electronic engineering disciplines. This offers a rich and diverse learning experience.
Our teaching consists of:
- lectures
- tutorials
- seminars
- practical lab sessions
- research-led projects
- group work
- laboratory work
- computing workshops
- personal supervision
You’ll have the opportunity to carry out research and development projects in multi-million pound state-of-the-art facilities, and work alongside active collaborations between the University and industry.
Modules are taught by block delivery, allowing you to immerse yourself and understand the subject in more depth.
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- Report
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Additional assessment information
Assessment is by written examination at the end of each semester, coursework, and a project and dissertation conducted in association with one of the School’s research groups.
MSc Project and Dissertation in Embedded Systems (Individual Project)
The School of Engineering has an international reputation for transformative engineering and technology research. You’ll have the opportunity to be part of this research and development, particularly during your individual project.
You’ll choose the topic of your research project, supported by our expertise. You’ll combine the skills, knowledge and understanding gained from the modules you’ve undertaken and develop your research skills on a relevant topic.
Our innovative educational techniques will give you practical design skills and research methodologies.
You’ll have the ability to:
- formulate planning and organisational strategies
- review and summarise relevant technical papers, reports etc
- ability to critique different techniques and strategies
- identify relevant/irrelevant material related to MSc studies
Examples of projects have included:
- IoT System for Oil Refineries
- M2M IoT Parking Management System
- Stochastic Physical Unclonable Function Implementation with SRAM
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Degree Programme Director
Areas of expertise:
- Low-power design, interconnect protocols, interfaces and synchronisation
- Electronics for security applications, physical unclonable functions, resilience to side-channel attacks
- Embedded systems and Internet of Things
Senior Lecturer in Control of Electrical Power
Areas of expertise:
- Power electronics
- Advanced digital control of electrical power systems
- Design of novel power converter topologies
- Real-time digital control of power electronic converters
- Control of electric drives
- System modelling: system identification/parameter estimation
- Hardware in the Loop (HiL) emulation
Professor of Communications and Signal Processing
Areas of expertise:
- Wired and Wireless Communications Networks
- Cryptography and Security
- Fast Algorithms and Transforms for Communications
- Communication Systems
- Digital Signal and Image Processing
- Digital Signal Processing in the Encrypted Domain
Professor of Signal Processing Analysis
Areas of expertise:
- Machine/deep learning
- Biometrics
- Image/signal processing
- Security
- Biomedical imaging
- 3D imaging and multimedia healthcare
Professor of Sensor Technologies
Areas of expertise:
- Electromagnetic sensors
- Sensor array and sensor network
- Electromagnetic Non-destructive Evaluation Advanced signal processing monitoring systems and applications
Lecturer in Microsystems Design
Areas of expertise:
- Sustaining computation during intermittent supply
- Graceful performance modulation for power-neutral energy harvesting devices
- HW/SW design of high-performance and low-power embedded systems
- Design of Wireless Sensor Networks for monitoring environmental conditions
- Energy efficiency in historical building
- Smart-Energy Harvesting Systems for Non-intrusive Load-Monitoring and Energy Metering
EDA/CAD Systems Specialist
Lecturer
Areas of expertise:
- Design of faster processors: general purpose microprocessors, or special-purpose devices for applications such as DSP and graphics
- Development of the European Logarithmic Microprocessor
Your development
You’ll
- understand concepts and theory of embedded design, real-time scheduling, concurrent models, interfaces and real-time interfaces (ACM)
- gain knowledge in IoT M2M network technology including networking, system frameworks and comparative study and skills in implementation of M2M networks
- understand advanced topics in wired and wireless communications networks and security, their evolution and impacts on modern society
- gain skills and practical experience of wireless networking for computers, embedded devices or sensors
- acquire the knowledge and the ability to apply the hardware and software knowledge for the design of general and application-specific embedded systems
- gain knowledge, skills and design experience on reconfigurable hardware platforms (FPGA chips)*
- analyse the underlying mathematics of imaging algorithms, their implementation and performance. Also understand the global standards of multimedia – eg JPEG, MPEG and H26 series
In addition, you apply your engineering and computing expertise to investigate a complex problem as part of the Individual Project module during semester 2 and 3.
Your future
Industry links
Due to our close industry links, you’ll engage and network with key engineering companies as part of an enhanced learning journey. You’ll be taught directly by industry, the key technical skills required in the sector.
You’ll benefit from:
- guest lectures, allowing you to put theory into practice
- study tours
- site visits
- projects
- placements
- employment opportunities with added support from our Careers Service
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
Engineering Council
This course is professionally accredited by the Engineering Council. The accreditation ensures you receive a good foundation for professional registration. The Engineering Council is the UK regulatory body for the engineering profession. It sets and maintains the internationally recognised standards of professional competence and ethics that govern and award and retention of these titles.
The accreditation gives you an additional benchmark of quality to your degree, making you more attractive to graduate employers. It can also open the door to higher-level jobs, most of which require Chartered Engineer status.
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
This course is professionally accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). The accreditation ensures you receive a good foundation for professional registration. IET is one of the world’s largest engineering and technology institutions. It is a global diverse home for over 168,000 engineering and technology professionals in 150 countries. It provides support at every stage of your career.
The accreditation gives you an additional benchmark of quality to your degree, making you more attractive to graduate employers. It can also open the door to higher-level jobs, most of which require Chartered Engineer status.
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
The School of Engineering has large, modern teaching laboratories providing superb learning opportunities for you, the next generation of technology and computing specialists.
You’ll have access to a range of specialist facilities. Each research group in the school has dedicated equipment and laboratories, including:
- Power Electronics, Drives and Machines Lab
- Computer Aided Design (CAD) Lab
- Electronics Teaching Lab
Stephenson Building
The Stephenson Building is a £110 million investment in world-class education, research and collaboration across Engineering. It’s a place for future engineers, researchers and designers to collaborate and tackle global challenges, together.
