MSc Communication Systems
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 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. This programme is currently being relocated from the KTH Kista campus to the KTH main campus in Stockholm. We plan for students who start in the autumn of 2025 to study at the KTH main campus. The programme is provided by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (at KTH).
Courses in the programme
The courses in the programme cover topics such as internet infrastructure, internet security, wireless networks, internet-of-things, cloud computing, software-defined networking and network function virtualisation, 5G mobile network technology, mobile applications and services, techno-economic and business model analysis of telecom systems and services.
Courses in the master's programme in Communication Systems
Future and career
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, cloud-based distributed services for computation and storage empowered by high-performance networks and powerful 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 and the industry – on the producer side with system manufacturers and operators, on the consumer side with industry, in the public sector, and among regulators. Previous graduates have worked as research engineers, software engineers, test engineers, network engineers, app developers, web marketing managers, information security analysts, consultants, and database analysts. In addition to PhD studies at KTH, some of our graduates have gone to doctoral studies at other prominent universities in Europe and North America, including the University of Barcelona, Ilmenau University of Technology, Concordia University, University of Toronto, Technical University of Munich, Stanford University, and the University of California. There is a huge demand for network designers and administrators, especially in emerging markets and developing regions. Finally, as evidenced by Google, Skype, Spotify, and others, entrepreneurs have rich opportunities to change the world.
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:
Energy efficiency is a fundamental cornerstone of any sustainable network design, and it defines the critical methods used in integrating energy-harvesting sources. Therefore, proper control of how the energy is drained and balanced across network elements is necessary for self-sustainable network design. In this programme, 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.
Faculty and research
The programme in Communication Systems is given by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The programme is coordinated via the division of Communication Systems. Research issues involve technical and economic aspects of wireless and wired communication systems and networks, fixed and mobile communication systems and networks, communication-related services, applications, and usage.
Increasingly these systems are built using internet technology. The technology focus lies on communication at the Media Access and Control (MAC) layer and above, and implementation aspects of all layers. This includes but is not limited to wireless and mobile transmission and networking IP over optical, copper, and wireless links, local and inter-domain routing, network architectures & services, network operation and service provisioning, business models, economics and policy issues.
Faculty involved in the programme
