DEGREE PROGRAM
Imperial College London
London
MSc Analogue and Digital Integrated Circuit Design
One of the most respected IC-design master's programs in Europe.
- LENGTH
- 1 year
- FOCUS
- Analog + digital IC
Home / Institutes / United Kingdom
INSTITUTES · UNITED KINGDOM
Studying chip design in the UK
UK master's degrees take one year, which keeps total cost and time down. A handful of programs are built specifically for IC design and have strong links to Arm, the Cambridge design scene and the compound-semiconductor cluster in Wales.
- 7PROGRAMS LISTED
- 1 yearTYPICAL MSc LENGTH
- £30–45kTUITION (APPROX.)
- Graduate visaPOST-STUDY WORK
Checked by hand, last reviewed October 2026. Program names, fees and intakes change, so confirm on each institute's official site.
THE LANDSCAPE
Short, specialised programs
Imperial's MSc in Analogue and Digital Integrated Circuit Design and Southampton's MSc in Microelectronics Systems Design are the best-known IC-specific programs. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Bristol have strong electronics departments, and Cardiff specialises in compound semiconductors.
A one-year MSc means less time but a packed schedule: internships during the degree are rare, so plan projects that show real design work.
The Graduate visa lets you stay to work after your degree; the UK government has announced it will be shortened for new applicants, so check gov.uk. Employers then sponsor the Skilled Worker visa, with a lower new-entrant salary rate for recent graduates.
ADMISSIONS AT A GLANCE
How admission works in the UK
| Degree | MSc, usually 12 months full-time. |
|---|---|
| Entry | Relevant bachelor's (typically first class or high 2:1 equivalent); IELTS or TOEFL. |
| Intake | September; some programs also January. |
| Cost | About £30,000–45,000 tuition for international students, plus living costs. |
| After graduating | Graduate visa, then Skilled Worker sponsorship. |
Fees, thresholds and deadlines change every year. Treat these as orientation and confirm on the official sites before you apply.
DIRECTORY
All 7 programs and institutes, filterable
Filter by type, or search a name, city, role or technology. Every link goes to the organisation's own site, not a job board.
Showing all 7
UNIVERSITIES
University programs
DEGREE PROGRAM
University of Southampton
Southampton
MSc Microelectronics Systems Design
Long-running program with its own cleanroom and strong industry links.
- LENGTH
- 1 year
- FOCUS
- Digital systems, fab
DEGREE PROGRAM
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland
MSc Electronics
Edinburgh has a strong imaging and mixed-signal tradition.
- LENGTH
- 1 year
- FOCUS
- Mixed-signal, imaging
DEGREE PROGRAM
University of Glasgow
Glasgow, Scotland
MSc Electronics and Electrical Engineering
Strong in nanofabrication via its James Watt Nanofabrication Centre.
- LENGTH
- 1 year
- FOCUS
- Devices, nanofab
DEGREE PROGRAM
University of Bristol
Bristol
MSc in electronic and microelectronic engineering
Bristol is one of the UK's chip-design hubs.
- LENGTH
- 1 year
- FOCUS
- Design, systems
DEGREE PROGRAM
Cardiff University
Cardiff, Wales
MSc Compound Semiconductor Electronics
Specialist program inside the Welsh compound-semiconductor cluster.
- LENGTH
- 1 year
- FOCUS
- GaN, SiC, photonics
DEGREE PROGRAM
University of Manchester
Manchester
MSc programs in electrical and electronic engineering
Large department; Arm has an office in Manchester.
- LENGTH
- 1 year
- FOCUS
- Broad EEE
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AFTER THE DEGREE
From UK MSc to a job
- Apply to graduate schemes in autumnArm and others hire a year ahead.
- Build a portfolio projectYour MSc project is your main evidence.
- Check sponsorshipOnly licensed sponsors can hire on the Skilled Worker visa.
KEEP GOING
Related guides
FAQ
Common questions
Which UK MSc is best for VLSI?
Imperial's Analogue and Digital IC Design and Southampton's Microelectronics Systems Design are the best-known IC-specific programs. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol and Cardiff are strong for particular specialisms.
Can I work in the UK after my MSc?
Yes, on the Graduate visa, which the government has said will be shortened for new applicants. After that, employers can sponsor a Skilled Worker visa.
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