Microsystems and Nanoengineering
Full-time
Part-time
One year
Two year
September 2025
In a nutshell
The ability to construct and integrate numerous miniature devices into a single chip-scale microsystem has led to remarkable advancements in various fields of engineering and technology. Notable examples of this progress can be seen in the microprocessor and mobile phone industries. These achievements have been made possible by the development of advanced microfabrication technologies, enabling the placement and interconnection of hundreds to millions of individual components on a single semiconductor chip.
Although this technology was initially intended for the microelectronics sector, it is now being utilised for the creation of integrated photonic chips (such as optical communication transceivers), biomedical implants, environmental sensors (e.g., optical gas sensors), sensors for extreme environments (e.g., radiation detectors), navigational sensors (e.g., LIDAR), and energy harvesting devices. At the same time, advances in nanoengineering are providing new opportunities in this field, leading to new devices for quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
International applicant? Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.
Start your MSc Microsystems and Nanoengineering study journey
Register for our next Open Day where you can learn more about the course, tour our new engineering facilities and meet the tutors
You will:
- Learn the fundamental science underlying microsystems and nanotechnology, including microelectronics, nanophotonics and microelectromechanical systems.
- Be trained to use a wide range of microfabrication tools (e.g., laser micro-lithography) in a microfabrication cleanroom facility.
- Carry out a full-cycle microsystem design, fabrication and characterisation project, which will prepare you for an exciting, applied engineering career.
students accepted
This is for you if...
You have a background in any of the following engineering or science disciplines: Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Materials, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Bioengineering
You are interested in applying engineering, physics and material science towards solving cutting-edge problems.
You are good at designing devices, systems and manufacturing processes and you enjoy working with precision equipment and advanced technologies.
You are planning an industry career in advanced technologies such as semiconductors, intelligent transport, bioengineering, AI hardware, sensors and robotics,
Your future plan is to obtain a PhD in advanced engineering or science fields.
All about the course
Course delivery
Our MSc Microsystems and Nanoengineering course will be delivered as a combination of hands-on laboratory work alongside modules teaching the fundamentals. You will learn basic concepts in microelectronics and nanophotonics. You will also learn how to design and simulate microscale and nanoscale devices using advanced simulation and design tools.
Part of the laboratory work will be taught in a professional cleanroom environment. You will learn how to pattern and etch semiconductor chips (e.g. silicone) and deposit thin films on these chips. You will also learn various characterisation techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, profilometry, alongside electronic and photonic device measurements.
The course will also provide you with the tools and training to design, fabricate and characterise complete microsystems on a chip, which you will deliver as a self-contained final project on a relevant topic of your choice. There will also be an opportunity to send your designs to an external nanofabrication facility and work with industry standard design tools.
Design and Characterisation Lab
In this module, you will work with various types of characterisation tools used in the microengineering and nanoengineering domains. These will include scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, surface profilometry, ellipsometry. You will also carry out measurement and use software analysis techniques to process the collected data with MATLAB. In parallel, you will learn to use the finite element simulation tool COMSOL and the lithography layout tool Klayout.
Microfabrication Lab
In this module, you will learn to use a range of microfabrication equipment in a cleanroom environment. You will process semiconductor chips to realise microsystem designs and use a range of measurement tools to characterise the devices. The module will culminate with two hands-on mini-projects. During the module technical seminars and external visits to manufacturers will also be organised.
Semiconductor Microdevices
You will learn the fundamentals of electricity, magnetism and solid-state physics from an engineering perspective, including the study of electrons in semiconductor crystals and quantum wells. You will also learn about microfabrication processes and fundamental devices such as diodes and transistors.
Nanophotonics
You will study the science underlying light from an engineering and applied perspective. You will learn how light is generated (e.g. lasers), manipulated and detected. You will also learn how integrated photonic devices, optical waveguides and optical fibres are designed and fabricated, with a special focus on silicon photonics.
Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)
You will learn the fundamentals of designing and fabricating miniature devices that integrate mechanical and electrical components at the microscale. The module will covers key topics such as micromechanics, materials used in MEMS, microfabrication techniques, and sensing/actuation principles. You will also explore real-world applications, including accelerometers, pressure sensors, and biomedical devices, while gaining hands-on experience in simulation, design, and testing of MEMS devices. The module will bridge concepts from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and materials science towards real world technologies.
Microsystems Project
In this module your MSc training will culminate in an individual project, in which you will individually design, fabricate and characterise a complete microsystem or nanodevice on a chip. The application area will depend on your own interest and your assigned supervisor’s area of expertise.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our postgraduate courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers, consultants and leaders.
Driven by industry, and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the knowledge and skills to take your career potential further.
The course relies heavily on the microfabrication cleanroom and the ‘Microsystems and Nanophotonics’ measurement laboratory at Salford University.
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
Due to the breadth and depth of training, graduates of this course have a multitude of career paths in different disciplines. Possible industries are semiconductor chip manufacturing (Diodes Inc.), Augmented Reality (Meta), Telecommunications (Infinera), Biotechnology (Illumina), Autonomous driving (Waymo), Navigational Sensing (Honeywell).
You can also continue in further studies for a PhD degree, where MSc graduates with your skill set are in high demand.
LINKS TO INDUSTRY
We have links to Diodes Inc, Nexperia, NXP, Waveoptics/Snap
Employers have informed us that they always have a difficult time recruiting staff with the skill sets targeted in this course.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
This course is recommended for graduates and experienced professionals who have a background in engineering (e.g., mechanical, electrical, electronics, materials) or science (physics, chemistry, biology, bioengineering) who are good at designing devices, systems and manufacturing processes and enjoy working with precision equipment and advanced technologies.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
International applicants will be required to show a proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element below 5.5) is proof of this.
Read more about our English language requirements, including information about pathways that can help you gain entry on to our degree courses. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS
Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.
Undergraduate degree
- A 2:2 degree or above in engineering or science.
International student entry requirements
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
For more information or enquires about this scheme, please contact: AdmissionsSEE-PGT@salford.ac.uk
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £10,350.00per year |
| Full-time international | 2025/26 | £19,100.00per year |
| Part-time | 2025/26 | £1,725 per 30 credits |
Additional costs
You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
International student scholarships
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Learn more about our latest international scholarships.