MSc in Reliable Embedded Systems (University of Leicester)
TTE Systems is working in partnership with the University of Leicester (the “UK University of The Year”) to deliver a highly-innovative new MSc programme in Reliable Embedded Systems.
Starting in January 2009, you can study for the MSc in Reliable Embedded Systems over a two-year period, on a part-time basis. While anyone is welcome to apply, the programme is primarily intended to be taken by working engineers who are in full-time employment.
You can attend public classes on this new MSc programme either in the UK or in Malaysia: alternatively, we can create a custom programme for your company (modules can be taught anywhere in the world, on dates of your choosing).
To summarise how this programme works: you need to be available for three weeks per year (over two years) to attend intensive training modules. You will also need to find time for private study, and for project work.
In most cases, we find that employers are very supportive of staff who wish to understake such programmes.
Where can I find a brochure for these programmes?
You’ll find MSc brochures for both the UK and Malaysian MSc programmes on our Downloads page.
How do I apply (and how much will it cost)?
Please see our Application page for information about course fees, entry requirements and a link to the University of Leicester application form.
Why study for an MSc in Reliable Embedded Systems?
Embedded processors form a core component of an enormous range of systems, from aircraft, passenger cars and medical equipment, to childrens’ toys, DVD players and washing machines.
The growth in the power and features of processors has helped to drive the semiconductor industry from start-up some 50 years ago to more than £150 billion in annual revenue today. The embedded market is now estimated to be worth around 100x the “desktop” market, and is forecast to grow exponentially over the next decade.
As embedded processors become ever more ubiquitous, the new MSc in Reliable Embedded Systems (awarded by the University of Leicester) is designed to help ensure that developers of embedded systems have the skill set needed to deal with the challenges involved in the creation of flexible and robust designs which meet the needs of customers both today and in the future.
This advanced MSc programme covers both the development of software for COTS (commercial off the shelf) processors and the development of designs based on FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays), using ‘soft’ processor cores. In addition, pattern-based design techniques are included (with a clear focus on embedded systems): such techniques can help companies to capture and re-use existing design experience.
Six key modules
In total, there are six (15-credit) modules on the programme: each module involves some preparatory reading (detailed notes are provided) followed by a one-week programme of seminars and laboratory sessions and subsequent period of laboratory work and examination.
Modules are delivered approximately every 3-4 months.
Further information is available is available about these modules.
Please note:
You can join the programme at any module (for example, you can start with Module A1, or Module A2, or Module A3, etc).
To obtain an MSc or Postgraduate Diploma an appropriate project must also be completed. In most cases, project work will be carried out “in industry”, in parallel with the taught modules.
MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate?
Several different options are available through this programme. To summarise:
An MSc (Reliable Embedded Systems) will be awarded by the University of Leicester for successful completion of all 6 modules plus MSc Project.
A Postgraduate Diploma (Reliable Embedded Systems) will be awarded by the University of Leicester for successful completion of all 6 modules plus Diploma Project.
A Postgraduate Certificate (Reliable Embedded Systems) will be awarded by the University of Leicester for successful completion of 4 modules, as follows: Module A1 plus Module A2 plus Module A3 plus Module B1.
Detailed regulations for these programmes are also available.
Laboratory equipment and software
Because the programme is taught by “distance learning”, students will - clearly - not be able to use the laboratory facilities at the University of Leicester.
In order to ensure that students on the programme have full access to the required equipment, hardware packs will be provided at the start of each module (on loan, for the duration of the module). For example, students will be provided with a complete embedded PC (based on an Intel Atom motherboard) at the start of Module A1: they will have use of this equipment until the start of Module A2 (when a different hardware pack will be provided). Please note that students will have the opportunity to purchase their hardware packs (at the end of the module) should they wish to do so.
In addition, software will be required to carry out some of the laboratory exercises. The University of Leicester has chosen TTE Systems to provide the software (RapidiTTy™ Pro) which will be used in some of the laboratory classes. As a consequence, everyone registered for the MSc will receive a full (permanent) licence for RapidiTTy™ Pro as part of their course fee. These copies of RapidiTTy Pro will include an extended (2-year) maintenance agreement: this will ensure that the software is kept up-to-date throughout the MSc programme. The normal purchase price of RapidiTTy Pro with a 2-year maintenance agreement is approximately £3800.
Everyone taking the programme is required to bring with them a laptop computer (on which RapidiTTy and other software packages will be installed). Please note that you will need “Administrator” rights in order to install the software.
Interested in training in India? China? Brazil? Other locations?
If you are interested in the MSc programme in Reliable Embedded Systems and don’t live in either the UK or in Malaysia, you have two options.
First, if your company has a number of people interested studying on this MSc programme, we may be able to deliver a custom programme for you (on site).
Please note that such a solution is usually only cost-effective for groups of 20 people (or more).
Second, you can consider whether it will be cost-effective to travel to the UK or Malaysia (for 3 weeks every year, over two years) to attend this programme. When considering this option, please note that you may find that this is considerably cheaper than undertaking a full-time MSc programme at a top UK university.
Please contact us if you would like further information about MSc costs.
Short courses
Individual modules on the MSc in Reliable Embedded Systems can also be taken as individual short courses. Please note that the short courses are open to anyone (there are no educational requirements and no need for references, etc).
To take these individual modules, you can simply register to attend one of the public courses (either in the UK or in Malaysia). Please contact us for pricing and registration details.
Alternatively, the individual modules can be delivered as stand-alone short courses (1-week duration) anywhere in the world, on dates of your choosing.
When delivering short courses on site, we are happy to adapt the course contents to match your precise requirements (or, for example, to present key material from a number of courses in a single integrated module with a duration from a day to several weeks).
Please contact us for further information about on-site training options.
How do I apply (and how much will it cost)?
Please refer to our Application page for information about course fees, entry requirements and a link to the University of Leicester application form.
MSc in Embedded Systems & Control Engineering
The University of Leicester also offer a “conventional” MSc programme in “Embedded Systems & Control Engineering”.
This full-time programme is taught at the University (in Leicester, UK)over a period of 12 months.
Further information is available from the University WWW site.
Further information
For further information about the MSc in Reliable Embedded Systems, please use the contact form to send an e-mail to the University of Leicester or to TTE Systems Ltd.