Analogue and Digital Integrated Circuit Design
Gain experience in the practical issues of device-level design and system-level performance requirements.
Gain experience in the practical issues of device-level design and system-level performance requirements
Use industry grade tools to design digital system-on-the-chip devices
Carry out projects with direct relevance to industry
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
£19,400 Home
£45,000 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
First-Class Honours in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a related subject with a substantial Electrical/Electronic Engineering component
Course overview
Gain in-depth knowledge of analogue, mixed signal and digital circuits on this MSc course for future integrated circuit (IC) designers.
Consider the practical issues of device-level design and system-level performance requirements, as well as examine low power circuits and embedded systems.
You'll be taught through a blend of lectures, tutorials and practical laboratory sessions, and have the opportunity to design a complex digital VLSI from conception to fabrication.
You'll also apply your skills to a practical problem via an individual research project, in an area of your interest.
This course gives you the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills to become an integrated circuit designer within a range of industries, or go onto further research.
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 modules.
Core modules
Understand analogue-integrated circuits and systems in CMOS and Bipolar technologies.
Advance your knowledge of CMOS Technology, the industry mainstream for circuits.
Learn how to design, implement, analyse and optimise advanced digital systems.
Discover the analogue signal processing techniques that can be used to perform computation.
Develop advanced skills in utilising industry-strength electronic design automation tools for microelectronic design.
You’ll choose four optional modules.
Optional modules
Develop a thorough understanding of high-performance and energy-efficient computer architecture.
Analyse and assess the principles of modern deep learning systems.
Examine the process of downsizing transistors to finFETs and transitioning to stacks of nanowire and nanosheet transistors.
Familiarise yourself with how biomedical electronics can be used to create medical devices that interface with the human body.
Study the sources and detectors used in radio and optical communication links, and the behaviour of their signals as they propagate in various media.
Gain a thorough grounding in the design of digital filters and in multirate signal processing techniques.
Explore the techniques used to verify software and hardware, including formal verification tools, interactive theorem-provers and automatic software verification tools.
Examine the design and implementation of high performance, analogue-integrated circuits and systems.
Unravel electrical measurement theory and practice, especially at GHz frequencies, and understand measurement capabilities and limitations.
Discover the underlying physical principles, methods of fabrication and applications of a broad range of micro- and nano-scale devices and systems.
Deepen your knowledge of the fundamental principles and applications of microwave technology.
Broaden your understanding of the terminology, concepts and basic methods of radio frequency design.
Learn how sensor systems are implemented and deployed to provide optimal information about the physical world.
Carry out a piece of individual research with originality and scientific rigour, in the culmination of your postgraduate studies. The project will require you to adopt analytical, computation and/or experimental methods.
You will be supervised by staff who are experts in the topic area of the project. This project will be assessed by written report and a poster presentation.
Professional accreditation
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to fully meet the CEng registration educational requirements.
Our accreditation agreement with the Institution of Engineering and Technology is renewed every 5 years, and the current agreement runs between 2025 and 2029.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Lectures and lab work
- Independent study
- Research project
- 20% Title 1 goes here
- 36% Title 2 goes here
- 44% Title 3 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
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Virtual learning environment
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Lectures
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Seminars
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Computer-based work
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Guided readings
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Quizzes
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Software development exercises
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Independent study
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may be different depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Coursework
- Examinations
- Practical
- 50% Title 1 goes here
- 40% Title 2 goes here
- 10% Title 3 goes here
Assessment methods
-
Coursework
-
Examinations
-
Practical
-
Individual research project
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Poster presentations
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 2 closes on Wednesday 7 January 2026
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.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Monday 29 September 2025
- Applications close on Wednesday 7 January 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 4 March 2026
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 8 January 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 6 May 2026
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 12 March 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 29 April 2026
- Decision by Thursday 2 July 2026
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to Imperial Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to Imperial Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to Imperial 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.
Fees and funding
Home fee
2026 entry
£19,400
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.
The maximum value of the loan is £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- The loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start.
- If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee
2026 entry
£45,000
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.
The maximum value of the loan is £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- The loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start.
- If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsEEE MSc Studentships
Value per award
- Will cover difference between Home and Overseas fees.
Who it's for
- Prospective students of specific EEE MSc courses.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Develop the essential core knowledge and skills for an integrated circuit designer career.
Gain an in depth knowledge of analogue, mixed signal and digital circuits.
Build a variety of practical and transferable skills for future career advancement, including communication, IT, and management expertise.
Electrical and electronic engineering graduates at Imperial are highly sought after in a wide range of sectors.
These include sustainable energy, research and development, oil and gas, water, and technology.
Further links
Contact the department
Email: eee.pgadmissions@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Aaron Zhao
Visit the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering website.
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Request info
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Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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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