Sensor and Imaging Systems MSc

​The MSc programme in Sensor and Imaging Systems is a 12-month programme and requires a minimum of 180 credits.

​You will take a minimum of 60 credits at the University of Glasgow in Semester 1 and 60 credits at the University of Edinburgh in Semester 2.

​The remaining 60 credits will consist of an extended MSc project, focused on a specific theoretical, computational or experimental aspect of Sensor and Imaging Systems.

​You will conduct your project either at the University of Glasgow or at the University of Edinburgh, under the direct supervision of a member of academic staff and as part of your research group or groups.

How you will be taught

​This programme is both flexible and interdisciplinary. The curriculum will be tailored to your prior experience and expertise and your particular research interests. It will also be tailored to the nature of your research project topic, which you will choose at the start of the programme.

​The courses you will take in Semester 1 will focus on the fundamental skills, understanding and knowledge you will need to complete an MSc in Sensor and Imaging Systems. In Semester 2, you will take courses that provide training in more specialist aspects.

Courses can change from year-to-year depending on availability. Those listed provide a representation of courses previously offered. Courses for the forthcoming year will be published on the Degree Programme Table in the Spring.

​Semester 1

​In Semester 1 you will study your courses at the University of Glasgow.

​You must take 30 credits of compulsory core courses and select 30 credits of optional courses.

Core courses (30 credits)

• ​Fundamentals of Sensing and Measurement (20 credits)
• ​Research Methods (10 credits)

Optional courses (30 credits)

• ​Detection and Analysis of Ionising Radiation (10 credits)
• ​Circuits & Systems (10 credits)
• ​Digital Signal Processing (20 credits)
• ​Microelectronics In Consumer Products (10 credits)
• Waves & Diffraction (10 credits)
• ​Lasers and Electro-Optic Systems (10 credits)
• ​Nanofabrication (10 credits)

​Semester 2

​In Semester 2 you will study your courses at the University of Edinburgh.

​You must take 20 credits of compulsory core courses and select 40 credits of optional courses.

​Core courses (20 credits)

​You must take:

• ​Applications of Sensor & Imaging Systems (10 credits)

and one of the following core courses:

• ​Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship (10 credits)
• Technology and Innovation Management (10 credits)

​Optional courses (40 credits)

​You must select a further 40 credits of optional courses from the following:

• ​Lab-on-Chip Technologies (10 credits)
• ​Microfabrication Techniques (10 credits)
• ​Bio-Inspired Engineering (10 credits)
• ​Solar Energy & Photo Voltaic Systems (10 credits)
• ​Advanced Analogue IC Design (10 credits)
• ​Sensors and Instrumentation (10 credits)
• ​Data Convertor Design in Simulink (10 credits)
• ​Radio Frequency Engineering (10 credits)
• ​Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship (10 credits)
• ​Technology and Innovation Management (10 credits)

​Semester 3

In Semester 3, you will undertake a project worth 60 credits.

You will conduct your project at either:

• University of Glasgow (School of Physics or School of Engineering)
• University of Edinburgh (School of Chemistry or School of Engineering)

You will be allocated an academic supervisor from the appropriate School and University. Your project may also involve an industry placement.

​Some project options may not be available if your academic background is not suitable.

Sensor and imaging systems (SIS) underpin a vast range of societal, research and industrial needs.

Sensing is essential for advances in capability across all fields of physics, engineering and chemistry and is enhanced when individual sensing units are configured in arrays to enable imaging and when multiple sensing functions are integrated into a single smart system.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in engineering, physics, chemistry or another relevant physical science. Entry is competitive, so we would prefer a UK first class honours degree, or a UK 2:1 honours degree supported by an MSc degree, or their international equivalents.

We may also consider your application if you have other qualifications or experience, or a background in another field; please contact us to check before you apply.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

• Fees for MSc Sensor and Imaging Systems (The University of Glasgow website)

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money
  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding