Master of Science in Integrated Circuits
MSc(IC)
Both full- and part-time
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 2 years
Full-time: HK$208,000
Part-time: HK$183,000
New students admitted with credit transfer are also required to pay the full program fee. Students who take additional courses or need to retake any courses are required to pay additional fee.
Program Director:
Prof Man Sun CHAN, Chair Professor of Electronic and Computer Engineering
With recent advances in modern electronics and AI hardware, the demand for skilled IC designers has increased significantly. Our specialized Master of Science (MSc) program in Integrated Circuits (IC) is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in the design and development of ICs, which are the building blocks of modern electronic devices and the core of the AI revolution. Our comprehensive curriculum covers the fundamentals of IC design, including analog and digital circuits, microelectronics, and the design flow from system definition to tapeout. Upon completion of our program, you will be equipped with the necessary skills to enter this exciting and rapidly evolving field.
On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Identify, formulate, analyze, design and test integrated circuits and systems for various applications;
- Develop and conduct experiments and analyze and interpret the resultant data;
- Use appropriate simulation tools to help develop integrated circuits and systems with good understanding of their limitations and optimization;
- Simulate and apply basic integrated circuits and systems subject to practical constraints; and
- Communicate effectively the holistic development of integrated circuits supply chain via oral presentations and written reports.
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Minimum Credit Requirement
25 credits
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Credit Transfer
Subject to the approval of the Program Director and the University regulations governing credit transfer, a maximum of 3 credits can be transferred to the program.
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Core Courses
22 credits
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Elective Courses
3 credits
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Remarks
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Subject to prior approval of the Program Director, students may take a maximum of 9 credits from outside the above course lists offered by other programs to fulfil the credit requirements of core and elective courses of the program. These 9 credits may include:
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EESM courses not in the above lists, and
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A maximum of 3 credits of non-EESM courses.
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The availability of courses offered by other programs may be subject to quota limitations imposed by individual programs.
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Students may take EESM 5900 Special Topics for a maximum of 6 credits.
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Part-time students may take a maximum of 9 credits in each term.
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Students failing to meet the graduation grade average (GGA) requirement of 2.850 or above are required to repeat or take additional course(s) even if they attain passing grades for all courses.
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification.
Applicants have to fulfill English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:
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TOEFL-iBT: 80 *
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TOEFL-pBT: 550
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TOEFL-Revised paper-delivered test: 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections)
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IELTS (Academic Module): Overall score: 6.5 and All sub-score: 5.5 *
* Refers to scores in one single attempt only. Test at home option is not accepted.
Applicants are not required to present TOEFL or IELTS score if
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their first language is English, or
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they obtained the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.
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A bachelor's degree with second class honors in Electronic Engineering, Engineering Science or Physical Sciences.
Integrated Bachelor-Master Pathway
- Only for HKUST students in Year 3 or above, with priority to those from ECE, who are studying a bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering or related area with academic performance equivalent to second class honors or above.
- Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer for admission to MSc(IC) and need to pay a deposit at the prevailing deposit rate.
- They will be allowed to start taking MSc(IC) courses in their final year of undergraduate study, and will enter the MSc(IC) Program upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree.
- Upon entering MSc(IC), they can transfer up to 6 credits taken during the undergraduate study to fulfill the MSc(IC) program requirements. They will pay tuition fee for the remaining credits on a pro-rata basis, with a minimum payment for 19 credits.
Apply online before the application deadlines.
HK$450
For 2025/26 Fall Term Intake (commencing in Sep 2025):
Non-local Applicants*
Full-time: 1 Dec 2024 (Round 1); 1 Apr 2025 (Round 2)
Part-time: 1 Dec 2024 (Round 1); 1 Apr 2025 (Round 2)
Local Applicants
Full-time: 1 Dec 2024 (Round 1); 1 Apr 2025 (Round 2)
Part-time: 1 Dec 2024 (Round 1); 1 Apr 2025 (Round 2)
* Applicants are considered as non-local students if they hold (i) student visa/ entry permit; or (ii) visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); or (iii) dependent visa/entry permit who were 18 years old or above when they were issued with such visa/ entry permit by the Director of Immigration. For details on student visa/ entry permit requirements, please click here.
