Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Entry requirements

You should have a first or strong second-class Bachelor's honours degree or international equivalent.

To apply for this course, you should have an undergraduate degree in electronic and electrical engineering, automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, vehicle engineering or mechatronics.

If your first language is not English but within the last two years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Learn the essential skills and techniques needed to develop robotics, autonomous systems, and embedded artificial intelligence.

Our master’s is for graduates with backgrounds in electronic, electrical, or mechanical engineering or related areas looking for careers working in robotics. Combining engineering principles and advanced theory with practical application, you’ll explore robotics engineering, robotics software, machine learning, and autonomy.

With a focus on project work and practical learning, you’ll learn how to solve complex engineering problems. You’ll use industry-standard platforms, tools, and software to give you hands-on experience and develop skills valuable to working in the sector. You’ll also think about your stakeholders’ needs and wider factors such as technical, economic, environmental, and social. This whole-systems approach helps you understand how to design and implement effective robotics and autonomous systems.

Key benefits

• Project-based learning: get hands-on experience with indusry-standard tools and sustainable design practices.
• Industry engagement: study a course that draws on our partnerships with industry to make sure content reflects sector needs
• Professional growth: develop skills for your career such as problem-solving, teamwork, communications, leadership, and analytical capabilities.
• Shape your degree: complete your studies with the choice between a research project or group consultancy project with industry.

Learn from experts in the field

You’ll learn from academics with expertise in robotics, autonomous systems, computer science, and mechanical engineering. Their experiences in advancing research and international collaborations feed into your teaching.

Our inclusive community is here to support you through your degree. You’ll receive guidance from personal academic tutors and career advisors and access tailored resources to help with your professional skills development.

Use specialist facilities

Project work gives you access to facilities and workshops including:

• rapid prototyping (3D printers, laser cutting, additive manufacturing)
• advanced electronics systems design
• power electronics
• equipment for electric vehicles, robotics, and autonomous systems
• advanced CNC and manual machining
• real-time digital simulation
• Nimbus cloud supercomputer facility

Placement

We also offer this course with an optional three-month industrial placement after semester 2. This gives you the chance to apply your knowledge in industry. You could go on placement with one of our partner companies or businesses such as Intel. You'll have the opportunity to do your individual project at your placement company or at the University.

We will do our best to help you find a placement and support and guide you through the process. Our placements team runs workshops in CV writing and interview techniques to prepare you for applying. However, we cannot guarantee you a position. If you are unable to secure a placement, you’ll carry out your individual project during the summer period instead.

From course to career

You’ll graduate with the skills to innovate and deliver resource-efficient practices and solutions for robotic and autonomous systems. Your knowledge will help prepare you for a career in the engineering sector or for further postgraduate study and research. Our graduates work at companies including Thyssen Krupp, Unique Group, CMR Surgical, Ocado Technology and Small Robot Company.

Information for international students

English language requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
• The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
• TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Learn more via the fees and funding page.