Sensor Systems Engineering
Learn to develop complete sensor systems and networks.
Learn to develop complete sensor networks and systems
Design, fabricate, and characterise individual sensors and develop sensor instrumentation
Carry out an individual research project in an area of your interest
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£23,400 Home
£43,800 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
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First class Honours in electrical and electronic engineering, physics, or a related discipline
Course overview
Master the entire process of sensor system development, from design, fabrication, and characterisation of individual sensors, to sensor instrumentation and signal processing to sensor networks and systems.
You will study background theory and practical knowledge in designing and analysing sensors, sensor instrumentation, sensor signals, and sensor systems and networks.
This course will provide you with experience in both the practical issues of device-level design, and in system-level performance requirements.
A key feature of this programme is a balanced approach to all levels of sensor systems design, and an in-depth treatment of electromagnetic, semiconductor, quantum, and MEMS sensors and imaging systems.
You will gain both theoretical understanding and practical experience of sensor design and measurements through laboratory work.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You'll take all of the following core modules.
Core modules
Design, fabricate, and characterise sensors.
Gain working knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of signal measurement strategies, and practical skills in applying them.
Learn how sensor systems are implemented and deployed to provide optimal information about the physical world.
Learn about the underlying physical principles, methods of fabrication and applications of a broad range of micro-scale devices that combine mechanical, electrical/electronic and optical functionalities.
Work in a team to develop, make, and validate a complete sensor system.
You will choose four optional modules in total: two in the Autumn term, and two in the Spring term.
Optional modules - Autumn term
Study the sources and detectors used in radio and optical communication links, and the behaviour of their signals as they propagate in various media.
Learn about the physical operation of different imaging systems, starting with acoustic imaging and rising in frequency through electromagnetic methods operating at radio, microwave, terahertz, thermal, optical and X-ray frequencies.
Understand analogue-integrated circuits and systems in CMOS and Bipolar technologies.
Familiarise yourself with how biomedical electronics can be used to create medical devices that interface with the human body.
Learn how to design computer algorithms for finding minima and maxima and discover how to interpret and modify algorithms found in standard computer packages.
Study a co-design approach that leverages the symbiotic relationship between hardware and algorithms.
Optional modules - Spring term
Analyse the design of digital filters and in multirate signal processing techniques.
Explore the theoretical basis and applicability of modern methods for spectral estimation, algorithms which underlie adaptive signal processing, and machine intelligence techniques.
Discover the analogue signal processing techniques that can be used to perform computation.
Examine the design and implementation of high performance, analogue-integrated circuits and systems.
Examine the main concepts of information theory and its effect on communications.
You'll also carry out an individual research project in an area of your interest.
The project is assessed by a written report and poster presentation.
You’ll have an academic mentor to support you throughout the project.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures and classes
- Laboratory work and individual project
- Independent study
- 10% Lectures and classes
- 60% Laboratory and individual project
- 30% Independent study
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Seminars
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Small group coursework projects
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Quizzes
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Guided laboratory experiments
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Individual research project
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Independent study
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Problem-solving exercises
Balance of assessment
Key
- Coursework
- Examinations
- Practical
- 50% Coursework
- 40% Examinations
- 10% Practical
Assessment methods
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Project reports
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Coursework
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Written exams
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Oral presentations
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Poster presentations
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Individual research project
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 1 closes on Thursday 16 January 2025
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Application rounds
Round 1
- Applications open on Friday 27 September 2024
- Applications close on Thursday 16 January 2025
- Decision by Thursday 6 March 2025
Round 2
- Applications open on Friday 17 January 2025
- Applications close on Thursday 27 March 2025
- Decision by Thursday 1 May 2025
Round 3
- Applications open on Friday 28 March 2025
- Applications close on Thursday 15 May 2025
- Decision by Thursday 17 July 2025
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2025 entry
£23,400
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2025 entry
£43,800
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Electrical and electronic engineering graduates at Imperial are highly sought after in a wide range of sectors.
Gain essential skills in design and production of a wide range of electronics, including vehicles, industrial plants, and spacecraft.
Other potential career paths include consultancy, finance, or management.
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Our graduates often pursue doctoral research.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 3123
- Email: eee.pgadmissions@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Oleksiy Sydoruk
Visit the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering website.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications