MSc Communication Systems
Stockholm, Sweden
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
SEK 342,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* non-EU/EEA/Swiss is 342,000 SEK.
Introduction
The master's programme in Communication Systems focuses on wired and wireless network infrastructure, services and applications, and explores how the growth of the internet creates new business ideas and ventures. Students learn the fundamental design principles of different networks and novel innovations such as cloud computing, internet-of-things, tactile internet, and 5G. Graduates develop secure and sustainable systems and services for the next generation.
Communication Systems at KTH
Communication networks have evolved dramatically over recent decades. Accommodating the data traffic generated by billions of users and trillions of digital devices requires continuous technological evolution. Innovative internet and wireless infrastructure will be needed to cater for these challenging and unprecedented growth and performance characteristics. The master's programme in Communications Systems will prepare you for a career in such an essential field for our society.
The programme takes a holistic view of different network infrastructures and their services and applications and covers the topics required to develop communication systems for the next generation. The programme also covers novel concepts and issues, the current trends in communication systems such as cloud computing, software-defined networking, 5G mobile network technology, internet of things and tactile internet. You will also learn about the fundamental design principles behind wired and wireless networks, which have enabled explosive growth and have, in turn, stimulated the introduction of new business ideas and ventures.
The first study period consists of mandatory core courses, which provide in-depth knowledge in communication systems and networks. The programme continues with specialisation tracks that consist of mandatory courses and a wide range of elective courses, allowing the student to specialise within one of the programme’s subject areas. Many courses are problem-oriented, with self-directed and project-based work. The fourth semester is devoted to a master's degree project. The purpose of this degree project is for students to demonstrate the skills they have acquired during the programme by applying them to solving real problems. The topic of the degree project may be suggested by a faculty member, an external agency, an industry collaborator, or the student, but should be relevant to the focus of the course work and must be approved as a topic by the potential degree project examiner.
During the programme, you work in a research environment with ample experimental resources and close contact with the industry – including leading system manufacturers, service developers and providers, and advanced early adopters.
The programme offers three specialisation tracks: Internetworking, Wireless Networking, and Security and Mobile Computing.
Internetworking
In this specialisation, you will develop skills related to the fundamental design behind the internet, including services and applications. You will learn how to apply network function virtualisation and software-defined networking technologies to the design and operation of telecommunication networks.
Wireless Networking
In this specialisation, you will develop skills to analyse and design different communication systems and apply electromagnetic signal propagation principles, wireless transmission techniques, protocols, standards and technologies to build secure and efficient wireless communication systems and the internet of things. You will gain hands-on communication systems knowledge with software-defined radio.
Security and Mobile Computing
In this specialisation, you will develop skills related to product development and services for modern cloud and mobile computing platforms and how to do this securely.
This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is given mainly at KTH Kista campus in Stockholm by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (at KTH).
Admissions
Curriculum
The two-year master's programme in Communication Systems consists of three terms of courses and one final term dedicated to the master's degree project. Each term consist of approximately 30 ECTS credits. Depending on which track you choose, you will study different courses. The courses presented on this page apply to studies starting in autumn 2024.
Year 1
Mandatory courses for all tracks
- Research Methodology and Scientific Writing (II2202) 7.5 credits
- Internet Security and Privacy (IK2206) 7.5 credits
- Advanced Internetworking (IK2215) 7.5 credits
- Mobile Networks and Services (IK2560) 7.5 credits
Year 2
Mandatory courses
- Degree Project in Computer Science and Engineering, specialising in Communication Systems, Second Cycle (DA246X) 30.0 credits
- Degree Project in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Communication Systems, Second Cycle (EA246X) 30.0 credits
- Communication System Design (IK2200) 15.0 credits
Program Outcome
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Communication Systems are:
- 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
- 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
Energy Efficiency is a fundamental cornerstone of any sustainable network design and it defines the key methods used in the integration of energy-harvesting sources. Proper control of how the energy is drained and balanced across network elements is therefore necessary for self-sustainable network design. In this program, you will learn about energy-sustainable paradigms and methods for addressing the energy savings of existing communication systems and how to work toward (nearly) energy-self-sufficient and high-capacity networks.
The Internet of things (IoT) and the development of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication are causing an explosion in the number of interconnected devices. These technologies provide various applications, functions and services in everyday life and a wide range of markets and industries. However, the heterogeneous nature of future networks and connected devices are making systems more complex. The programme will provide you with the theoretical foundation and the practical skills needed to contribute to the design of modern and sustainable communication systems.
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Communication Systems are:
- 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
- 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
Energy Efficiency is a fundamental cornerstone of any sustainable network design and it defines the key methods used in the integration of energy-harvesting sources. Proper control of how the energy is drained and balanced across network elements is therefore necessary for self-sustainable network design. In this program, you will learn about energy-sustainable paradigms and methods for addressing the energy savings of existing communication systems and how to work toward (nearly) energy-self-sufficient and high-capacity networks.
The Internet of things (IoT) and the development of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication are causing an explosion in the number of interconnected devices. These technologies provide various applications, functions and services in everyday life and a wide range of markets and industries. However, the heterogeneous nature of future networks and connected devices are making systems more complex. The programme will provide you with the theoretical foundation and the practical skills needed to contribute to the design of modern and sustainable communication systems.
- Research engineer
- Doctoral studies
- Software engineer
- Test engineer
- Network engineer
- App developer
- Web marketing manager
- Information security analyst
- Consultant
- Database analyst.
Scholarships and Funding
KTH offers four different scholarship opportunities for master's studies. The KTH Scholarship covers the tuition fee of a one or two year master’s programme. The KTH One-Year Scholarship is aimed at current KTH master's programme students and covers the tuition fee of the second year of studies. The KTH Joint Programme Scholarship is aimed at students in certain joint programmes and covers the tuition fee for the study period spent at KTH. The KTH India Scholarship is aimed specifically at students from India.
- KTH Scholarship
- KTH One-Year Scholarship
- KTH Joint Programme Scholarship
- KTH India Scholarship
Swedish Institute
The Swedish Institute (SI) offers a number of scholarships for students from targeted countries coming to Sweden.
KTH associated scholarship organisations
KTH cooperates with the following organisations providing scholarship opportunities for prospective KTH students.
- COLFUTURO (Programa Crédito Beca) for students from Colombia
- LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education) for students from Indonesia
- FUNED for students from Mexico
Scholarship portals
IEFA database
The IEFA database offer a comprehensive scholarships search, grant listing and international student loan programmes.
Studyportals
The Studyportals scholarship database lists over 1,000 scholarship and grants for students worldwide applying for studies in the EU.
Scholars4dev
Scholarships for Development is a database of scholarships open to students from developing countries.
WeMakeScholars
WeMakeScholars helps students from India secure education loans from banks and NBFCs. They also lists more than 26,000 international scholarships from different trusts, foundations and govt. bodies.
Deferment of student loans in the United States
KTH is an accredited institution at the US Department of Education and holds a Title IV 'Deferment Only' status (OPE ID 03274300). US students may defer payments on existing federal student loan accounts while enrolled in a master’s programme at KTH. The 'Deferment Only' status does not allow students to take out federal student loans for enrolment at KTH. However, the accreditation facilitates grant and loan opportunities for US students as many private student loan institutions in the US use this designation as a requirement to grant new loans. Students who wish to defer payments must contact their lending institution in the US.
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the institute website for more information.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Today's technical challenges concern developing network systems to support a wide range of applications and connected devices while ensuring that the next generation of communication systems is scalable, flexible, secure, and sustainable. These systems will give users global access to numerous possibilities, such as advanced services based on sensor data produced by large amounts of constrained devices, and cloud-based distributed services for computation and storage empowered by high-performance networks and powerfully connected data centres. Commercialising these new ideas will create value for users, vendors, operators, and society. Consequently, entrepreneurship, product realisation and economics are inextricably linked to communication systems.
The programme provides an excellent basis for a career in research and development, as well as in network design and management. Graduates from the programme can be found in academia, as well as in the industry – on the producer side with system manufacturers and operators, on the consumer side with industry, in the public sector, and among regulators. There is a huge demand for network designers and administrators, especially in emerging markets in developing regions. Finally, as evidenced by Google, Skype, Spotify, and others, entrepreneurs have rich opportunities to change the world.
After graduation
Research engineer, doctoral studies, software engineer, test engineer, network engineer, app developer, web marketing manager, information security analyst, consultant, and database analyst.
Student Testimonials
Program Tuition Fee
Program Admission Requirements
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