Overview
Our innovative skills-based MSc meets the needs of the modern microelectronics industry. This will give you an advanced education and enhance your employability.
Learn from world-leading academics and researchers in microsystems and emerging technologies and materials. They are developing the next generation electronic device:
- designs
- materials
- processes
This Master’s in Microelectronics is for graduates in:
- electrical and electronic engineering
- computer engineering
- applied physics
- related disciplines
You’ll develop practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Our strong industrial links and experts help to deliver topics of industrial relevance.
As a graduate you will be ready for a wide range of careers in this thriving sector as well as others across wider engineering.
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:
- using hi-tech clean-room based fabrication and characterisation equipment
- new VLSI circuit and system designs
- engineering autonomous microelectronic systems and artificial intelligence
- problem solving, analysing results and assessing progress
- low-power design methods
- industrial technology and VLSI CAD tools
- independent learning and team work
- effective communication and presentation (group work/report writing/oral presentation)
- planning and organisation
- risk assessment and ethical awareness
Our modules have been designed alongside industry experts. This means you’ll gain the technical knowledge and skills needed for this dynamic industry. You’ll also gain an appreciation of emerging application-specific electronic applications. Such as those in:
- biomedical
- Artificial Intelligence
In addition you’ll apply your engineering and computing expertise to investigate a complex problem. This is part of the Individual Project module.
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.
How you’ll learn
We have a multidisciplinary approach to teaching. You’ll engage with students across key engineering disciplines and be taught by senior industry experts, including:
- network operators
- solution developers
- infrastructure manufacturers
- consultants
This offers a rich and diverse learning experience.
Our teaching covers a broad range of subjects and typically 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. With access to multi-million-pound state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll work alongside active collaborations between the University and industry.
This course consists of compulsory modules and an individual project.
Our 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
- projects
- dissertation conducted in association with one of the School’s research groups.
MSc Project and Dissertation in Microelectronics (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. This will be particularly during your individual project.
You’ll undertake advanced research on an appropriate related topic. This is part of an independent dissertation across all 3 three semesters. You’ll combine the skills, knowledge and understanding gained from the modules you’ve undertaken. You’ll develop your research skills on a relevant topic.
You’ll develop the ability to
- formulate planning and organisational strategies
- review and summarise relevant technical papers and reports
- critique different techniques and strategies
- identify relevant/irrelevant material related to your MSc
Examples of research-led projects have included:
- Energy-autonomous Circuits and Systems Design
- Asynchronous Circuit Design
- Design Automation for Asynchronous Systems
- Neuroprosthetic Circuits and Systems
- Visual Prosthetic Circuit Design
- Artificial Intelligence Hardware and Application Design
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.
Dr Rishad Shafik
Senior Lecturer in Electronic Systems/Degree Programme Director
Areas of expertise:
- Energy-driven Circuits and Systems Design.
- Machine Learning systems.
- Low-Power Design
- Adaptive Many-Core Systems
- Energy-efficient Artificial Intelligence
- Approximate Computing Systems Design
- Software/Hardware Co-design
Professor Anthony O’Neill
Siemens Professor of Microelectronics
Areas of expertise:
- Interface engineering and heterogeneous integration
- Ferroelectric materials for nanoelectronics
- Biomedical engineering
- Nanoelectronics for future biomedical applications
- power electronics
- Interconnects and nanowires for integrated circuits
- Strained Silicon: materials, technology and characterisation
Professor Alex Yakovlev
Professor of Computer Systems Design
Areas of expertise:
- Design of Asynchronous VLSI Systems
- Petri Nets and concurrency models in system design
- Hardware Description Languages
- Low Power Electronics
- Energy-Proportional and Energy-Modulated Computing
- Energy-Harvesting Electronics
- Asynchronous circuits for Analogue Electronics
Professor Satnam Dlay
Professor of Signal Processing Analysis
Areas of expertise:
- Machine/deep learning
- Biometrics
- Image/signal processing
- Security
- Biomedical imaging
- 3D imaging and multimedia healthcare
Dr Sarah Olsen
Senior Lecturer
Areas of expertise:
- Computational Modelling
- Technology Computer Aided Design
- Emerging Electronic Technologies
- Collaborative Research
Dr Alex Bystrov
Lecturer
Areas of expertise:
- Next Generation Energy-Harvesting Electronics – holistic approach
- Next Generation of interconnection technology for multiprocessor SoC (NEGUS)
- Secure Circuit Design (SCREEN)
- Secure Design Flow (SURE)
- Synthesis and Testing of Low-Latency Asynchronous circuits (STELLA)
- Hazard-Free Arbiter Design
Dr Domenico Balsamo
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
Professor Patrick Degenaar
Professor of Neuroprosthetics
Areas of Expertise:
- Optogenetic retinal prosthesis
- Epilepsy prosthesis
- Biophysical models
- Neural control algorithms
- Implant control systems
Dr Nick Coleman
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
- real-time interfaces (ACM)
- gain knowledge, skills and design experience on reconfigurable hardware platforms (FPGA microchips)
- understand the needs of modern electronics and the communications industry
- have the ability to analyse electronic devices operation from a physical perspective
- understand the main elements of hierarchical VLSI design and apply VLSI design methodology for the design of general and application-specific Integrated Circuits
- gain advanced knowledge and experience of the key aspects of:
- semiconductor technology
- electronic device characterisation: both are relevant to the production of state-of-the-art devices and integrated circuits
- use industry standard commercial software packages for design and simulation of semiconductor devices, libraries and circuits, including:
- design capture
- simulation
- physical design
- verification
Your future
Graduate destinations
We’ll prepare you for a wide range of careers across the globe. Our graduates have gone on to destinations including:
- Arm
- Intel
- Huawei
- Infineon
- Cadence
- Synposys
- Microsoft
This course also provides a route into PhD level study.
Industry links
We have strong industrial links through our research and degree programmes. This provides you with many benefits:
- industry guest lectures
- 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 200 for Engineering – Electrical and Electronic – QS World University Rankings by Subject 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
You’ll have access to a range of dedicated specialist facilities in the School of Engineering and across campus to support your studies and enhance your learning experience.
Teaching facilities include:
- Computing Lab
- Electrical Power Teaching Lab
- Electronics Lab
Research facilities include:
- CAD Lab
- Clean-Room Microfabrication Lab
- Cockle Park Farm
- Embedded Systems Lab
- Electrical Power Research Lab
- Newcastle Helix
- InTEGReL
- Microelectronic Characterisation Lab
- Modelling and Device Design
- Neuro-Prosthesis Lab
- Sensors, Electromagnetics and Acoustics (SEA) Lab
- Smart Grid Lab and Energy Storage Test Bed
- Urban Sciences Building Facilities
- µSystems Lab
Our Electrical and Electronic Engineering research group also has dedicated equipment and laboratories:
- Intelligent Sensing and Communications
- Emerging Technology and Materials (ETM)
- µSystems
- Electrical Power
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.
