MSc Robotics & Automation

This MSc programme aims to enhance both your technical expertise and employability skills. Within this framework, you will:

• Apply industrially recognised and relevant technologies, and examples whenever possible.
• Receive guidance and feedback from industry partners, including participation in assessments where appropriate.
• Progressively tackle increasingly complex challenges and projects, many of which are industry-based.
• Explore advanced manufacturing solutions with consideration of inclusivity, ethics, health and safety, economics, sustainability, and environmental impact.

The programme is structured around the Conceive–Design–Implement–Operate (CDIO) framework, which emphasises the industrial relevance of your learning. You will take part in active, interdisciplinary group projects and problem-based learning activities, many of which are industry-sourced and include direct industrial involvement.

Your learning experience will include a blend of in-person lecture, workshop and practical sessions in robotics, control, mechanical, and computing laboratories, alongside theoretical and applied learning.

To further enhance your learning experience, additional support workshops will be provided. These may include sessions on mathematics and statistics, career development and training, as well as open-access workshops where you can use the machine shop and engineering lab facilities for your own development and experimentation.

Ultimately, this MSc programme is designed to build upon the skills and knowledge you developed as an undergraduate, fostering an inquisitive mindset and enhancing your ability to systematically solve and critically analyse complex engineering problems, while strengthening your professional and technical capabilities.

You can expect to dedicate approximately 300 hours of your time to this course. This includes class attendance, independent study, group work, and preparation for assessments. While this may seem like a significant investment, it is important to remember that this time is crucial for developing a deep understanding of the subject matter and achieving your academic goals.

The overall course structure consists of five 30-credit modules delivered across three semesters. Each module and project is thoughtfully designed to ensure progressive learning, enabling you to build a solid foundation that supports your development through increasingly advanced topics and project activities.

For each 30-credit module, you will engage in 66 hours of contact time (6 hours per week for 11 weeks in one semester) delivered through interactive lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions.

The final dissertation project will allow you to apply your acquired knowledge and skills to a complex, real-world challenge, demonstrating your ability to integrate theory, design, and practical implementation within a professional engineering context.

Module structure:

• Trimester 1 modules: Intelligent Embedded Systems; Robotics and Mechatronics
• Trimester 2 modules: Industrial Control and Automation; Selective PG Challenge module
• Trimester 3 modules: Major Project; Project and Innovation Management

Independent study

You will spend a significant portion of your time (around 190 hours in a semester for a 30-credit module) outside of scheduled classes engaging in independent learning. This involves actively reading textbooks and research articles, watching videos/tutorials to deepen your understanding of the module content, especially during project work.

Beyond scheduled contact hours, you will also benefit from guided pre-reading materials and task-based learning activities, typically amounting to 44 hours per module over 11 weeks. You will also have access to individual or group-based support sessions when required.

The MSc course is delivered by a team of experienced academics supported by highly skilled technical staff. Most members of your teaching team are also active researchers in their respective fields, ensuring that your learning is informed by the latest developments in engineering and technology.

Many of your lecturers are Chartered Engineers (CEng), Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), and members of leading professional and research organisations, bringing a wealth of expertise that blends theoretical knowledge with real-world application.

To strengthen your understanding of industry practices, you will also benefit from guest lectures by industry professionals, who will share practical insights, case studies, and current challenges shaping the engineering sector.

In addition, PhD researchers, under academic supervision, may support tutorials or laboratory sessions, providing valuable peer guidance and sharing their research experiences. Throughout the course, you will have opportunities to participate in active research projects, enhancing both your technical expertise and research capability as you advance through your studies. 

The MSc programme emphasises on practical learning using open-source, student-licensed, and cloud-based software such as MS Visual Studio Live. Learning is supported through the Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment for synchronous and asynchronous sessions, discussion boards, and chats, alongside digital tools including Padlet, Mentimeter, Socrative, Kahoot, YouTube, MS Whiteboard, MS Teams, GitHub, Autodesk, MATLAB, Simulink, COMSOL, and ANSYS.