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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.
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.
The course is entirely assessed through coursework and projects.
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.
Start: October 2018
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGH730
Start: October 2018, September 2018 (EU/INT induction)
Duration: 1 year full-time
Code: MA PGW280, MSc PGW281
Start: October 2018, September 2018 (EU/INT induction)
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGG404