Mobile Broadband Communications MSc
Why study Mobile Broadband Communications?
Third generation wireless and beyond (B3G) systems have generated ever-increasing interest over the last few years. This has been fuelled by a demand for higher frequency utilisation and a large number of users requiring simultaneous multi-dimensional high data rate access for applications of wireless Internet, mobile TV, location based services, presence, etc. B3G mobile will use new network architectures to deliver these innovative services in a more generic structure to customers. Large bandwidth, guaranteed quality of service, system convergence, and ease of deployment are all challenges that must be met by B3G mobile. This course provides students with the necessary knowledge to successfully enter this field and will introduce them to some of the systems that will be necessary to meet these challenges such as latest standards (IEEE802.16m, LTE and LTE-Advanced), IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), MIMO systems, space-time coding, software defined radio and re-configurable analogue and digital RF systems.
Key Facts
Study the technologies, standards and technologies needed by employers in the field such as latest standards (IEEE802.16m, LTE and LTE-Advanced), IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), MIMO systems, space-time coding, software defined radio and re-configurable analogue and digital RF systems.
Choose from a range of complementary advanced level courses closely aligned to our areas of research expertise, including Error protection and Sensor Networks.
Enjoy unique state of the art interactive learning including novel methods.
Be taught by internationally renowned researchers, leading experts in their field, and benefit from significant individual research or industrial led projects with one-to-one supervision.
Study in block mode, which offers the luxury of focusing on one course at a time as a full-time student spending a year on campus or convenience as a part-time student balancing this course and your role in industry.
Flexible full and part-time study options.
Course Details
The course contains a set of compulsory modules, option modules and a dissertation project.
Compulsory Modules
Option Modules
- Error Protection
- Speech/Audio and Image/Video Processing
- Wireless Broadband, WiMax and LTE
- Adaptive Filters and Intelligent Systems
- Estimation in Navigation, Positioning and Communications
Dissertation Project
- A substantial piece of individual project work in the area of Mobile Broadband Communications that is supervised by one of the internationally recognized members of staff.
Entry Requirements
At least a second class honours degree, or its equivalent, in Computer Science or a closely related discipline. Applicants who do not meet this criterion but who have significant industrial experience will also be considered subject to individual circumstances.
Overseas Students
For students whose first language is not English, there may be an additional requirement to demonstrate fluency in English. The school requires one of the following: a minimum of IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 580 (paper-based test), 238 (computer-based test), 93 (internet-based test); or Pearson PTE Academic 62.
You will require a visa to be able to study with us in the UK (you do not also need an ATAS certificate). The UK Border agency will be scoring applications against a new points based system. There is more information on the Home Office website.
To get a visa you will need to show that you have the money to pay the course fees and to support yourself for 9 months. You must have held the funds for 28 days when you apply for the visa. See here for more information.
Tuition fees
- For UK and EU students: £6,500(full time)
- For overseas students: £15,650(full time)
Fees are revised annually; the above information is for guidance and relates to the 2012/13 academic year. Fees are normally payable on Registration Day. Alternatively, you may opt to pay the fees in three instalments with the first instalment being due on Registration Day in October, then January and April.
Course fees do not cover residential accommodation or living expenses. However, as a campus based University, Lancaster is a relatively inexpensive place to study. As a guide, a reasonable estimate of living expenses is about £8,500 for 12 months including rent. Being in the North West, you will also find that the cost of accommodation, food and entertainment are all cheaper than more major cities like London and Birmingham.
Additional information is available on the University website.
Many students choose to work during their studies to help make their studies here more affordable. Normally visa's permit part-time work of up to 20 hours per week and full time over the vacations. More information about this can be found on the University website. The Knowledge Business Centre, based in InfoLab21, can help you find full and part-time work using their ICT JobShop.
Open Days
We recognise that it will not always be possible to visit us before considering whether to apply to Lancaster. So we are always happy to receive your questions via email, the phone, or through the postgraduate applications portal.
If you are able to visit then please do contact the school and we will normally be able to arrange for an informal tour of our facilities.
Online tours
There are a number of 'virtual tour' options and videos describing the campus and campus life that may be of interest to you.
Applying for a Masters
You will need to apply online via the Postgraduate Admissions Portal. Once you have created an account you will be able to fill in your personal details, background and upload supporting documentation. If you are experiencing any technical problems when trying to apply please feel free to contact Faculty Admissions