Networking & Data Communications MSc
Why choose this course?
This course will provide you with the opportunity to gain a sound understanding of the internet protocol suite that forms the core for current data networks. The fusion of the internet world and multimedia is also addressed, as well as wireless communications.
You can combine this course with management studies. The aims of the course are to:
- Provide knowledge, skills and a critical appreciation of the principles of data communications.
- Enable you to analyse a system and design an appropriate, custom solution.
- Develop subject related practical skills.
- Provide you with the opportunities to develop written and oral communication skills;
- Prepare you for employment, research, further study and lifelong learning by developing their intellectual, problem-solving, practical and key (transferable) skills.
Key features
- This course is accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
- Thanks to the many collaborations of WMN with industries, you will have the possibility to perform your final project in collaboration with a relevant industry.
- The teaching team has strong links with professional bodies such as the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), with key lecturers in the Course in leading roles.
Networking & Data Communications MSc
| Mode | Duration | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | 1 year | September 2020 |
| Full time | 2 years including professional placement | September 2020 |
| Part time | 2–3 years | September 2020 |
Networking & Data Communications with Management Studies MSc
| Mode | Duration | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | 1 year | September 2020 |
| Full time | 2 years including professional placement | September 2020 |
| Part time | 2–3 years | September 2020 |
| Location | Penrhyn Road |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- You will have the possibility to gain practical experience via a one-year professional placement (on request).
- Dedicated equipment and laboratories include test LAN/ WLAN with a diverse range of platforms and equipment, including several types of wireless networks and enterprise scale networking technologies. Equipment for testing Internet of Things communication. Specific lab with equipment for quality testing including professional UHD and HDR cameras and displays, 3D displays, and VR devices.
- Our research labs are involved in EU and UK research collaborations and offer opportunities for performing your project / dissertation in collaboration with industry, as well as for research fellowships after your MSc.
Accreditation
British Computer Society
The British Computer Society (BCS) accredits this course. This means that you can gain some exemption against BCS professional examinations, leading to Chartered membership and CEng, IEng or CSci status. For full details of exemption and accreditation levels, please check the BCS course search.
Please note: The programme delivered at our partner institution overseas is not currently accredited by the BCS.
The Faculty is a long-time member of BCS. For many years we have hosted meetings of the local BCS Kingston and Croydon Branch, contributing to members' continuing professional development programmes.
What you will study
The full MSc course consists of an induction programme, four taught modules, and project dissertation. Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.
Teaching on this course usually takes place in 2 separate specific week blocks (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm). For further details please contact secpgstudentoffice@kingston.ac.uk.
Students will be required to pass every module to then go on placement.
Networking & Data Communications MSc
Networking & Data Communications with Management Studies MSc
Core modules
Data Communications
30 credits
This core module provides a working knowledge of data communications covering TCP/IP networks and digital communications. Topics covered include transport layer services, multiplexing, TCP congestion control, network layer – network service models, IP addressing and IP network design, routing principles, dynamic routing, digital transmission, modulation, multiplexing and channel coding.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Compare computer network architectures.
- Evaluate the performance of TCP under varying flow control and congestion conditions.
- Design an IP addressing scheme for a network.
- Define and calculate transmission performance over a communication link.
- Study and analyse characteristics of modulation methods.
Wireless Communications and Networks
30 credits
This module addresses theory and practice of wireless communication systems and networks, including the most recent wireless communication standards. This module will focus on the propagation characteristics of wireless channels and the main techniques for efficient communication, including modulation and channel coding. Practical and useful knowledge of the wireless industry will be provided to include real-world wireless systems and networks covering wireless broadband systems and wireless sensor networks.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Develop an appreciation of a wide range of wireless communication systems and networks.
- A comprehension of the propagation characteristics of wireless channels.
- An understanding of digital modulated transmission and of channel coding for wireless systems.
- An understanding of multiplexing and multiple access techniques used for wireless networking.
- The tools for system design and deployment, as well as performance estimation, evaluation and measurement for wireless networks.
- An in-depth understanding of advanced technologies, standards' update, system architecture and performance characteristics, in particular for All-IP networks WLANs, cellular / broadband wireless systems and wireless sensor networks, as well as relevant legal and regulatory aspects.
Network and Information Security
30 credits
The core module provides an overview of a wide range of security aspects and techniques of computer networks, both cabled and wireless. An introduction to basic aspects of information security progressing to cryptography. After studying fundamental concepts and algorithms, the topic of network security is introduced.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- critically discuss legal and ethical aspects of computer security;
- compare and contrast data encryption algorithms suitable for encrypting, signing and protecting data and highlight their correct usages and significance in different security protocols;
- analyse, model and evaluate the performance and security vulnerabilities, threats, risks and controls of cabled and wireless networks;
- evaluate the role of firewalls, intrusion detection systems and vulnerability assessment tools in monitoring and securing a network, and analyse the protection provided by them;
- discuss the statistical underpinnings of network traffic modelling including Erlang's theorems and queuing system in equilibrium; and
- apply appropriate methodology to formulate the data, performance and security requirements of an organisation, to obtain potential solutions.
Multimedia Communications
30 credits
This module addresses the theory and practice of multimedia communication systems and networks, with a special focus on multimedia signals (audio, images and video) and relevant compression and transmission techniques.
The first part of the module focuses in particular on the representation of multimedia sources and on lossless and lossy compression methods for data, audio, image and video signals.
The second part of the module focuses in particular on the transmission of multimedia sources over communication systems and networks and on the strategies adopted to protect multimedia content from channel and network errors and losses.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Articulate the various types of multimedia networks and the trends in multimedia communications and networking.
- Critically analyse specific source coding techniques for multimedia sources.
- Critically analyse multimedia transmission systems and protocols.
- Measure, analyse and specify the QoS support required by different multimedia sources.
- Appraise different aspects in the design, operation, and implementation of advanced multimedia communication systems and apply the learned concepts in a laboratory environment.
- Write succinct, accurate technical reports.
Project Dissertation
60 credits
This module constitutes the major individual piece of work of the masters programme where you will carry out a project involving independent critical research, design and implementation (where applicable).
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Select, justify and use effectively the research methods and techniques appropriate for particular cases in order to carry out a literature search and an independent work of research.
- Critically identify the need to position your research in the wider academic or business context and structure the dissertation format to agreed conventions.
- Plan, manage and critically evaluate the project using the techniques and tools needed in order to bring it in successfully on time and within resourcing limits.
- Identify and critically analyse real-world problems or knowledge gaps to which academic concepts and methods can be realistically applied to improve or resolve the problem situation.
- Apply skills to show an ability to engage in academic and professional communication with others in their field through report and presentation.
- Present critical awareness in applying appropriate legal, social or ethical obligations and when required, respond to the financial and other constraints of a corresponding business environment.
Core modules
Data Communications
30 credits
This core module provides a working knowledge of data communications covering TCP/IP networks and digital communications. Topics covered include transport layer services, multiplexing, TCP congestion control, network layer – network service models, IP addressing and IP network design, routing principles, dynamic routing, digital transmission, modulation, multiplexing and channel coding.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Compare computer network architectures.
- Evaluate the performance of TCP under varying flow control and congestion conditions.
- Design an IP addressing scheme for a network.
- Define and calculate transmission performance over a communication link.
- Study and analyse characteristics of modulation methods.
Wireless Communications and Networks
30 credits
This module addresses theory and practice of wireless communication systems and networks, including the most recent wireless communication standards. This module will focus on the propagation characteristics of wireless channels and the main techniques for efficient communication, including modulation and channel coding. Practical and useful knowledge of the wireless industry will be provided to include real-world wireless systems and networks covering wireless broadband systems and wireless sensor networks.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Develop an appreciation of a wide range of wireless communication systems and networks.
- A comprehension of the propagation characteristics of wireless channels.
- An understanding of digital modulated transmission and of channel coding for wireless systems.
- An understanding of multiplexing and multiple access techniques used for wireless networking.
- The tools for system design and deployment, as well as performance estimation, evaluation and measurement for wireless networks.
- An in-depth understanding of advanced technologies, standards' update, system architecture and performance characteristics, in particular for All-IP networks WLANs, cellular / broadband wireless systems and wireless sensor networks, as well as relevant legal and regulatory aspects.
Network and Information Security
30 credits
The core module provides an overview of a wide range of security aspects and techniques of computer networks, both cabled and wireless. An introduction to basic aspects of information security progressing to cryptography. After studying fundamental concepts and algorithms, the topic of network security is introduced.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- critically discuss legal and ethical aspects of computer security;
- compare and contrast data encryption algorithms suitable for encrypting, signing and protecting data and highlight their correct usages and significance in different security protocols;
- analyse, model and evaluate the performance and security vulnerabilities, threats, risks and controls of cabled and wireless networks;
- evaluate the role of firewalls, intrusion detection systems and vulnerability assessment tools in monitoring and securing a network, and analyse the protection provided by them;
- discuss the statistical underpinnings of network traffic modelling including Erlang's theorems and queuing system in equilibrium; and
- apply appropriate methodology to formulate the data, performance and security requirements of an organisation, to obtain potential solutions.
Business in Practice
30 credits
This module runs on Saturdays.
This module is aimed at the practical needs of students from different academic contexts such as, but not limited to computing, science, medicine, biotechnology and the health services who are aspiring team leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs in business within the context of the commercial, public, voluntary, or academic sector.
The module introduces and uses activities and problem-solving to investigate business topics ranging from finance, accounting, budgeting, and marketing, to organisational management by developing the leadership skills to meet business challenges and cope with its complexity.
Project Dissertation
60 credits
This module constitutes the major individual piece of work of the masters programme where you will carry out a project involving independent critical research, design and implementation (where applicable).
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Select, justify and use effectively the research methods and techniques appropriate for particular cases in order to carry out a literature search and an independent work of research.
- Critically identify the need to position your research in the wider academic or business context and structure the dissertation format to agreed conventions.
- Plan, manage and critically evaluate the project using the techniques and tools needed in order to bring it in successfully on time and within resourcing limits.
- Identify and critically analyse real-world problems or knowledge gaps to which academic concepts and methods can be realistically applied to improve or resolve the problem situation.
- Apply skills to show an ability to engage in academic and professional communication with others in their field through report and presentation.
- Present critical awareness in applying appropriate legal, social or ethical obligations and when required, respond to the financial and other constraints of a corresponding business environment.
The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.
Work placement scheme
Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University allow students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Tier 4 visa.
Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Who teaches this course
This course is delivered by the School of Computing and Information Systems in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing.
The Faculty's wide selection of undergraduate and postgraduate courses covers a diverse range of subject areas, from aerospace to geography; from maths and computing to biotechnology; and many more. Our collaborative set-up provides new opportunities for our students, and we design our courses with industry professionals to ensure you stay up to date with the latest developments.
School of Computing and Information Systems
The School of Computing and Information Systems offers high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate courses, designed to reflect the developing needs of business and industry. We deliver our teaching in an exciting and challenging learning environment, and make use of modern, well-equipped facilities.
Our courses cover the range of modern technologies in computer science, information systems and software engineering, with specialisations in games technology; network and wireless technologies; information security; electronic business; and embedded systems.
Postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
Course fees and funding
Home and European Union 2020/21
- MSc full time £9,200
- MSc part time £5,060
Overseas (not EU) 2020/21
- MSc full time £15,200
- MSc part time £8,360
Fees for the optional placement year
If you choose to take a placement as part of this course, you will be invoiced for the placement fee in Year 2. Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme and the costs for the placement year.
Funding and bursaries
Kingston University offers a range of postgraduate scholarships, including:
If you are an international student, find out more about scholarships and bursaries.
We also offer the following discounts for Kingston University alumni:
After you graduate
Where this course will take you
The Networking and Data Communications MSc helps to prepare you for roles such as:
- technical project manager
- solutions architect
- algorithm manager
- wireless software engineer
- technical integrations manager
- test engineer
- RF test automation engineer
- Project manager
- Security consultant
- 3GPP RAN WG2 standardisation consultant
- multimedia streaming standardisation consultant
- communications and signal processing consultant
- digital and RF field applications engineer
- RF design consultant
- business manager
- IT administrator
- streaming performance manager
- lecturer
- research scientist
Careers and recruitment advice
The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing has a specialist employability team. It provides friendly and high-quality careers and recruitment guidance, including advice and sessions on job-seeking skills such as CV preparation, application forms and interview techniques. Specific advice is also available for international students about the UK job market and employers' expectations and requirements.
The team runs employer events throughout the year, including job fairs, key speakers from industry and interviews on campus. These events give you the opportunity to hear from, and network with, employers in an informal setting.
Our modern teaching environment at Kingston University
There is a wide range of facilities at our Penrhyn Road campus, where this course is based. You will have access to a modern environment with the latest equipment, including:
- dedicated postgraduate computing laboratories, fully-equipped with fold-flat LCD screens, data-projection systems and high-spec processors
- development software and tools, such as Linux, Microsoft.net, Dreamweaver MX, Flash 8, Eclipse, Java 2 Standard and Mobile Editions, tools for Motorola and Nokia phones, UML and CASE tools and NXP Processors Development Kits
- Digital Signal Processors (dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers)
- IP Set Top Box development environment (NXP's STB810)
- Electronics Laboratory
- a mix of wireless LAN technologies
- the learning resources centre, offering subject libraries, online database subscriptions and resource materials
- a postgraduate teaching suite
- the dedicated Graduate Centre on campus, providing seminar rooms and social spaces.
Our dedicated team of IT technicians support the labs and are always on hand to provide assistance.
Resources in London
Kingston is just a 30-minute train journey away from central London. Here you can access a wealth of additional libraries and archives, including the British Library and the Institute of Engineering and Technology.
Industrial Advisory Board
To ensure your studies are kept up to date and answer the needs of business, our courses are created and reviewed in consultation with an advisory board of key industry experts and senior academics. The Board also provides input and advice on our research portfolio.
With members from Google, Microsoft, Easyjet, games developer Colossal and Chief Information Officers from local government – our Advisory Board represents the diverse spectrum of industries and public sector organisations that make up the jobs market for our graduates.
Links with the British Computer Society
The Faculty is also a long-time member of the British Computer Society (BCS). For many years we have hosted meetings of the local BCS Kingston and Croydon Branch, contributing to members' continuing professional development programmes.
Current research in this subject
Many of our staff in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
Computing research activities are focused around two main research centres:
- Digital Imaging Research Centre – offering expertise in computer vision, medical imaging, visual surveillance, ambient intelligence, machine learning and computer graphics;
- In particular, research in the area of Networking and Data Communications is performed within the Wireless Multimedia and Networking (WMN) Research Group.
Extra activities for this course
The range of events and lectures in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing enhances your studies and adds an extra perspective to your learning.
For example, the Digital Information Research Centre (DIRC) runs seminars which have recently covered:
- How social media affects police operations
- Dimensionality issues in weighted differential entropy
- Link quality based routing framework for wireless sensor networks
- Data integration for smart urban transport
- HTTP video streaming adaptation
