Wireless and Computer Communication Networks MSc

Overview

Brunel’s Wireless and Computer Communication Networks MSc will deepen your theoretical understanding of wireless and computer communication systems, as well as equip you with the ability to analyse complex problems associated with such systems.

You will study and work to solve complex industrial problems in wireless and computer communications. This specialist course has a particular emphasis on traditional, new and emerging technologies and subjects, including communication network technologies, communication network security, intelligent systems, internet of things, radio and optical communication systems, business and enterprise and engineering ethics and sustainability.

Access is available to modern technical facilities including computers, electronics, and power and control laboratories where you’ll work on your lab exercises. The latest industry-standard engineering software packages are available for you to use in purpose-built computer laboratories.

During your studies, you will benefit from guest lectures delivered by industry professionals. You’ll participate in conferences and deliver poster presentations on your research work. This allows you to network and exchange ideas with experts in wireless and computer communication networks.

At the end their final year, engineering and maths students are invited to showcase their project work at Brunel Engineers +, an event that both celebrates their achievements and gives them the chance to network with industry figures and employers. This video shows some of the projects exhibited at the 2024 Brunel Engineers + event, with explanations by the students themselves.

Our MSc wireless and computer communication networks degree is seeking accreditation from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). This professional engineering institution ensures that your degree meets the academic requirement to qualify as a professional engineer.

Dean’s International Scholarship: This course is eligible for a £2,000 fee waiver, per academic year, subject to availability. This Scholarship is for full-time international students only. Find out more.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

Course content

You will study the taught modules in the first two terms and then spend four months working on your dissertation. The dissertation is an advanced investigation into a current problem area related to wireless and computer communication networks.

Year 1

Compulsory

Communication Networks Security
This module enable graduate to acquire an important aspect of future networks concentrating on cryptography and secure communication networks.
Communication Network Technologies
This module will focus on advanced communication technologies and networks. Indicative contents: Network Basics: ISO/OSI Reference Model and TCP/IP Reference Model, Network layer operation: TCP/IP, Packet Scheduling and Delay, IP Quality of Services (QoS), Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP), Integrated Service Model and Differentiated Service Model, Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), ATM Networks, Traffic Engineering IP Multicasting Mobile and wireless communication systems: Cellular system, Frequency reuse, 1st and 2nd generation systems, 2 and 2.5 G (GSM, GPRS, EDGE), UMTS-3G, (UTRAN, Core Networks, Handover, Power Control, Rake receiver), 4G (LTE – Advanced, S/P, IFFT, CP, P/S), 5G (Introduction, C-RAN, MIMO), ZIGBEE, UWB, Bluetooth. Ad-hoc and Mesh Networks: Introduction to mesh networks, power spectral efficiency and green radio, Mesh network Components, Ad-Hoc Routing protocols.
Design for Internet of Things
The aim of the module is equip students with topics in digital communication systems and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The indicative content includes, Coding and Compression, Modulation Schemes, Propagation and Channel Modelling, MIMO Systems, IoT Systems Architectures, IoT Physical Connectivity.
Engineering Ethics and Sustainability
This module aim to enable Engineering students to deal with legal, social, ethical and environmental issues and apply professional codes of conduct. Indicative content: Ethics and Legal Aspects, Risk and environment management systems, Risk Assessment and engineering failure methods and sustainability.
Artificial Intelligence System Techniques
The aim of the module is: To understand the full range of state-of-the-art artificial intelligence systems techniques; To raise critical awareness of the issues affecting the performance of artificial intelligence systems; To develop the skills required to develop artificial intelligence applications; To gain hands-on experiences through learning, applying and implementing artificial intelligence systems to a given simulated system. The indicative content includes, Overview of artificial intelligence systems techniques, Intelligent Computation Techniques (Fuzzy Logic: Concepts, Membership functions, Inference methods and design; Neural Networks (NN): Representations, Topologies, Deep Learning techniques; Neuro-Fuzzy Systems (NF): Design, Topology, Training, Comparison to NN; Genetic Algorithms: Representations, Genetic operators, Selection schemes, Fitness & population evaluation, Constraint handling, Learning and evolution; Swarm Intelligence: Particle swarm, Ant Colony optimisation), Intelligent Data Processing Techniques, Applications (Wireless and computer networks, Bioinformatics, Medical imaging & visualisation, Pattern recognition & biometrics, Computer vision, Future trends).
Radio and Optical Communication Systems
This module aims to consider the operation of radio and optical frequency systems and their integration into global systems for effective communications.
Project and Dissertation
This module aims to provide experience in defining and organising, executing and evaluating a substantial individual in-depth investigation into a topic related to the appropriate wireless and computer communication networks and presenting the information in the form of a dissertation.

Optional

Embedded DSP for Communication Systems
The aim of the module is develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of real-time signal processing, reconfigurable computing and embedded DSP system architecture and to develop students’ ability to implement real time algorithms on embedded DSP processors for communication applications.
Advanced Embedded Systems Design
The aims of this module are to: 1. provide a detailed knowledge of computing for embedded and control computer systems; 2. illustrate and develop an understanding of the various engineering, scientific and economic trade-offs necessary in the design of embedded systems; 3. understand the principles and the role of embedded systems in real world applications; 4. provide familiarity and experience with a range of architectural and programming techniques for embedded engineering systems and their evaluation; 5. understand the process of implementing algorithms on embedded systems.
Applied Sensors Instrumentation and Control
This module aims to enable students to focus on particular aspects of sensors, instrumentation and control through the use of real-world examples and hence to acquire knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of sensors and associated systems for monitoring and control, and the skills to evaluate, design and implement them.

This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel

Careers and your future

A wireless and computer communication networks degree from Brunel will equip you with the broad knowledge and skills relevant to the rapidly expanding and fast-moving wireless and data communications sector.

Brunel’s closeness to the highest concentration of the UK’s electronic engineering and telecommunications industry – in London and along the M4 corridor – means our careers network is second to none.

Our graduates have been recruited by a wide range of wireless and communications equipment manufacturers, vendors, service providers, and end users.

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in Electrical or Electronic Engineering; Computer Science; Information Systems; Mathematics or Physics.

Other qualifications and relevant experience will be assessed on an individual basis.

EU and International entry requirements

Select your country

If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
Pearson: 59 (59 in all sub scores)
BrunELT: 58% (min 55% in all areas)
TOEFL: 77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.

Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.

Fees and funding

2025/26 entry

UK

£14,435 full-time

International

£26,250 full-time

More information on any additional course-related costs.

Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.

See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.

Scholarships and bursaries

Teaching and learning

Our wireless and computer communication networks is delivered by a diverse team of academic staff. Many are world-renowned researchers and they feed their active research into the course.

There will also be guest lectures from our industrial partners and the opportunity for networking at conferences with key industry specialists.

Study will combine lectures, seminars, workshop sessions, computer simulation, self-study, and individual and group project work.

Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.

How the course will be delivered

All lecture-based modules will be held on campus, allowing you to work with both staff and other students on practical applications.

All laboratory classes will be held on campus. You will have the opportunity to perform experiments and other hands-on practical activities in the College’s labs and workshop spaces. Small group project work will also be carried out in person on campus, supported by regular on-campus interactive discussion sessions (workshops).

You will need to come onto campus on most days to participate in all the teaching activities.

The online Wiseflow platform will be used for submitting written course work. All exams will be run in-person on campus. Other forms of assessment, such as presentations, are also expected to be run on campus.

Required equipment

Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.

We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.

How you'll learn on your course