2 years part-time
Part-time
£14,000 (INT) *
We’re planning to teach through a flexible combination of online and face to face learning for the first few months of the new academic year. If you’re thinking about starting with us in autumn 2020 or spring 2021, check back for more detail on arrangements for this course in July and August, and see our current plans for teaching and learning.
Overview
In the near future robotic and other autonomous systems will be present in virtually every industry, with their global impact estimated to reach $6.5 trillion per year by 2025 (McKinsey). As new markets turn to robotics for the next step in their evolution, the need for qualified robotic engineers has never been greater.
Why Study MSc/PGDip/PGCert Robotics at Middlesex University?
Our hands-on masters degree in robotics blends practice with theory to equip students with the skills, knowledge and experience they need for a career as a robotics engineer. The postgraduate degree includes significant time working in laboratories under the supervision of our expert teaching staff, many of whom have worked in robotics since the early days of the technology.
Over the duration of the course you will gain experience working with industry-standard equipment in our cutting-edge labs and workshops. You will also benefit from our close to links to leading industry organisations, be encouraged to enter national robotics competitions and supported to undertake industry work placements during the masters.
If you do not wish to study the full MSc, you can apply to the PGDip where you study only four modules or a PGCert where you study only two modules.
Course highlights
- Learn in specialist facilities, which includes a wide range of robots, a £250,000 3D printer and Festo didactic automation training systems
- Undertake a major study project in the area you wish to specialise in
- Contribute to the wide range of robotics research being carried out in the school
- Course leader Professor Martin Smith is one of the UK's leading robotics experts and was a judge on BBC Two's Robot Wars for six years.
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Course content
What will you study on the MSc/PGDip/PGCert Robotics?
You will study the key hardware and software skills demanding by the robotics industry, enabling progression into more specialised areas of robotics, depending on your interests.
You will learn how to use open systems and the appropriate programming environments to work on various types of robots.
The workshops will take place using a variety of industry standard and domestic robots in our specialist labs, providing you with a breadth of experience using technologies such as industrial manipulators, multiple-arm collaborative robots and mobile platforms.
What will you gain?
In addition to an in-depth understanding of the subject, you will also gain experience in using industry standard equipment, on current technologies, and the skills needed to progress into careers in robotics as well as a wide range of other disciplines. Depending on the modules selected, you will be able to specialise in different sectors such as mobile solutions or sectors requiring image processing such as medical or space applications. You will also develop key skills such as advanced programming, interfacing and system integration
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Modules
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Software Engineering and Simulation of Robotic Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory
This module, together with the Robotic Systems and Control module, lays the foundation for the remainder of the course. The part of a robot system that gives the system a degree of intelligence is the software and you will learn to the software designed for controlling robotic systems.
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Robotic Systems and Control (30 Credits) - Compulsory
This module is designed to provide the necessary knowledge of the various types of robotic systems and their key features to enable you to design your own systems later on in the course. Controlling robotic systems requires a knowledge of control methods and techniques which can be implemented in software. For this reason this module is run in parallel with the module above.
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Group Project (15 Credits) - Compulsory
This module, with the aid of fellow students, will allow you to establish and develop the skills needed to jointly design, build and test a practical robotic system using the knowledge gained in the previous two modules. You will be required to demonstrate team-working skills and to show how you used a formal project management approach to budget, time manage and prioritise effectively.
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Robot Systems Integration (15 Credits) - Compulsory
This module is designed to enable you to bring together various parts and sub-systems to create a coordinated working whole. New designs often depend on sub-systems not designed to work together and interfacing such systems is often a major challenge to be overcome.
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Industrial Manipulators (15 Credits) - Optional
This module will enable you to design and implement systems based on robot arms and manipulators such as those in car production lines, CNC machines and medical research. Such machines are generally mounted in fixed positions and can move with speed or with load carrying capability and precision.
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Robotics in Medicine (15 Credits) - Optional
This module is designed for those who have an interest in robotic surgery and medical procedures. The use of such machines is increasing as a result of the precision of operation and the relatively small incisions that can be achieved.
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Mobile Robotics (15 Credits) - Optional
Mobile robots are being used widely in defence and in dangerous locations such as nuclear reactors and disaster sites. Machines, such as driverless cars, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) and submarines, are required to operate in continuously changing, unfamiliar, complex environments. This module will enable you to design such intelligent sensor-guided systems.
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Individual Major Project (60 Credits) - Compulsory
This module is designed to give you the opportunity to integrate the knowledge and skills gained in the previous modules. You will be required to demonstrate that you have taken a systematic formal project management approach to designing and building a robotic device. You will also be required to demonstrate your presentation and communication skills at the end of the project.
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You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.
Teaching
How is the MSc/PGDip/PGCert Robotics taught?
The course is taught through a series of practical workshops as well as self-directed study and project-based learning. There will be no formal lectures as all course content will be embedded within workshop sessions.
Specialist facilities have been developed on campus exclusively for this degree and you will be taught how to use them by a number of experienced staff. In addition, there are technical tutors and Graduate Academic Assistants to support the individual student during and after formal class situations.
Assessment
The course is entirely assessed through coursework and projects.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Careers
How can the MSc/PGDip/PGCert Robotics support your career?
Well-qualified graduates with a Masters in Robotics are in high demand and as a result, the career options available are extensive. Robotics knowledge and skills are central to the design and production of a wide range of products including cash dispensers, cars, televisions and mobile phones.
The development of intelligent systems has become vital to many major UK and international companies and emerging industries. You could be working in a variety of sectors from advanced manufacturing to agriculture, transport healthcare and defence. Space exploration also relies heavily on robots, and there is an increasing number of applications in dirty and dangerous situations which could be possible opportunities for you.
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