Why this programme

• The MSc is delivered through a suite of taught courses delivered by the Schools of Physics & Astronomy, Engineering, and Computing Science, giving you a broad base of training in the fundamentals of imaging and sensing, device-engineering, system engineering and end-to-end processing of data.
• You will conduct an in-depth independent research project embedded within one of our specialist research groups, gaining the hands-on experience that is ideal preparation for a PhD or industrial research.
• All training is delivered by subject experts.
• You will benefit from the world-leading research at Glasgow University across a broad range of Imaging and Sensing.
• Physics research has been evaluated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021).
• There is the opportunity for some students to conduct projects with one of our industry partners.

Career prospects

You will gain an understanding of the physical principles and applications required to embark on a research career in imaging and sensing. Students can tailor the training programme to increase the emphasis on specific specialisations, such as in imaging systems, device technology, computational imaging, microscopy, surveillance, biomedical imaging or remote sensing. The programme also includes training in essential research skills such as creativity, technical communication and project management.

The need for skills in this area is driven by an imaging and sensing systems market valued at £500Bn with an annual growth rate of 10%. The Scottish sensor systems market is worth £2.6Bn pa. There are over 170 sensor systems companies based in Scotland (SMEs and large companies), employing 16,000 people in high-value jobs including product R&D, design, engineering, manufacturing and field services.

The academic rigour of this programme makes it an excellent choice for those wanting to focus on academic or industrial research careers and to play a leading role in the development of the next generation of imaging and sensing.

Fees & funding

Funding opportunities

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for the MSc in Advanced Imaging and Sensing are normally a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in Physics, Theoretical Physics, Astrophysics or Electronic Engineering or related subject.

Applications are also welcome from candidates with a 2:1 or above in Mathematics, Computer Science, Materials Science or Engineering subjects, provided they are able to demonstrate an enthusiasm and aptitude for science and technology pertinent to sensing and imaging.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of pre-Masters courses.

Additional documents required for application

You are required to complete and submit a question-based personal statement explaining why you want to undertake this programme at Glasgow.

• Physics & Astronomy - Personal Statement form (MS Word) 

Prerequisite experience needed

Assumed knowledge for the core courses in this degree include:

• Introductory scientific computing: data handling, simple statistics (computing means and variances), plotting functions and histograms, writing simple programs in a general-purpose programming language e.g. Python or C++.
• Basic mathematics for physics: single and multi-variable calculus (differentiation and integration), trigonometry, complex numbers, vectors, vector calculus, Taylor and Fourier series, Fourier transforms.

You must also have the following:

• Familiarity with basic optics, including geometric-optics modelling (thin lenses, image formation, refraction, diffraction, interference, and optical resolution.
• Awareness of the electromagnetic spectrum, the nature and propagation of light, Maxwell’s equations, potentials and fields, and EM potentials in simple geometries.
• An awareness of basic concepts in signals and systems, sampling and signal processing, including conversions between time- and frequency domains, use of high-, low-, and band-pass filters, and the Nyquist sampling criterion.

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

• Find out more about entry requirements and other country-specific information
• International student support & visas

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

• A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
• A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
• Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
• One reference letter on headed paper
• Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
• Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
• A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, check Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application then you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.

• Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
• Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
• Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
• Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
• Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
• English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
• Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Application deadlines

September 2023

International applicants

As there is extremely high demand for places on this degree programme, the University has established an application process with application rounds which recognises that different geographical areas complete and submit their applications at different times of the year. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants from all geographic regions.

Round 1 application dates

1 October to 1 November 2022. All International and EU applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 23 December 2022.

Round 2 application dates

2 November 2022 to 9 January 2023. All International and EU applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 4 March 2023.

Round 3 application dates

10 January to 9 March 2023. Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 26 April 2023.

Round 4 application dates

10 March to 9 May 2023. Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 1 July 2023.

Round 5 application dates

10 May to 1 July 2023. Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 11 August 2023.

All International and EU applications submitted by 9 January (application rounds 1 and 2) will be reviewed and processed normally with no priority given to any geographic region. From 10 February, priority will be given to applications from geographic areas which have been unable to submit applications before that point.

As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.

UK applicants

• 17 August 2023