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Robotics MSc

With high demand for qualified robotics engineers, our department's industry-standard equipment and experienced staff will help you take the next step in your robotics career
Code
PGH671
Start
September 2024
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Fees
£11,000 (UK) *
£17,300 (INT) *
Course leader
Dr Purav Shah
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Our Masters in Robotics blends practice with theory to equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience you’ll need for a career in robotics.

Why choose Robotics MSc at Middlesex?

Significant growth is predicted in many robotics sectors with enhanced interest from several businesses and governments. Our course will teach you the principles of robotics and develop your hands-on skills using state-of-the-art equipment.

You’ll learn to program different types of robots, from manipulators to mobile robots and social robots, using industry-standard hardware and software, such as Python and ROS.

The course includes practical projects working under the supervision of our expert teaching staff, who are involved in industrial and academic activities in robotics and AI. You’ll benefit from our close links to leading organisations.

What you will gain

Some of the benefits of joining us on this master's course include:

  • Direct personal access to advanced robotic equipment in our state-of-the-art facilities that include mobile robots, ABB robotic arm, Universal Robots UR10's, various sensors like LiDAR, computer vision and depth cameras for integration into robotic systems.
  • A focus on both industrial robotics and autonomous AI systems
  • Opportunities to contribute to the wide range of robotics research being carried out in the school
  • Preparing for further studies at PhD level.

3 great reasons to pick this course

  • Outstanding career prospects
    As a qualified robotics engineer, you'll have a broad range of career opportunities across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors
  • State-of-the-art facilities
    Access our dedicated facilities, which include industry-standard equipment for the study of robotics, electronics, mechatronics, and networking solutions
  • Excellent resources
    You'll have access to essential industry-standard software including LabVIEW, SolidWorks and STEP-7, and a wide range of robots – social, industrial and mobile.

Find out more

Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.

On the Robotic masters degree, you'll use a variety of industry-standard and domestic robots, giving you experience using industrial manipulators, multiple-arm collaborative robots, mobile platforms, and social robots.

You’ll work with state-of-the-art sensors and actuators, and learn how to link and control them to build autonomous robotic systems and apply AI and machine learning techniques.

We'll teach you how to program different robotic systems through the appropriate environments (e.g. ROS, Python, MATLAB, TensorFlow) and you will learn the hardware and software skills valued by the robotics industry, which will help you progress into more specialised areas of robotics, depending on your interests.

We’ll also teach you how to present your work to an academic or professional audience, through different means (reports, presentations, multimedia).

  • Modules

    • Mobile Robotics (15 credits) - Compulsory

      Mobile robots are widely used in dangerous and remote locations and are increasingly being introduced into everyday human environments (self-driving cars, autonomous delivery systems, UAVs). In this module you’ll study how such intelligent sensor-guided systems work, and you’ll learn to program them to achieve complex autonomous behaviours.

    • Robot Manipulation (15 credits) - Compulsory

      In this module you’ll learn use and program state of the art robot arms and end effectors, such as those employed in car production lines, CNC machines, medical research, pick and place operations. Such machines are generally mounted in fixed positions and can move with speed or with load carrying capability and precision.

    • Machine Learning for Robotics (15 credits) - Compulsory

      This module is designed to provide you with state-of-the-art knowledge of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence techniques that are widely used in robotics, to enable you to design your own intelligent robotic system. You’ll be able to evaluate ML and AI techniques used in robotics, and strategically apply and combine them into real robot applications.

    • Intelligent Sensing for Robotics (15 credits) - Compulsory

      This module explores advanced sensor solutions and sensing mechanisms, such as computer vision and tactile exploration, and how they are used in autonomous robots. You’ll learn to gather sensory data and employ appropriate techniques, including machine learning algorithm, for intelligent data processing in robotics.

    • Robot Control (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module will introduce you to the sensors and actuators currently most used in robotic systems, and how these are programmed and controlled. Fundamental notions of control methods are enriched by projects performed with real hardware, showing the practical effects of various control strategies. The module will also introduce you to academic reading and writing for robotics research and development.

    • Robotic Systems Integration (30 credits) - Compulsory

      The module will review how the various hardware and software components of a robotic system can be joined and integrated. A range of different robot systems will be analysed and explained. In addition, through a group project coursework, the module provides you with the opportunity to develop their competence in undertaking projects through a systematic research and development process, using a formal project management approach.

    • Project (60 credits) - Compulsory

      The module is designed to consolidate the knowledge and skills you’ve gained in the preceding modules and provide you with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate mastery in undertaking advanced robotics projects in their future employment. You’ll display advanced skills and practical experience in planning, problem solving, and implementing robotics solutions and in making effective written and oral project presentations.

To find out more about this course, please download the Robotics MSc specification (PDF).

How we'll teach you

The course is taught through a series of practical lab sessions as well as self-directed study and project-based learning.

You’ll be taught how to use state-of-the-art robots by experienced academic staff. In addition, there are technical tutors and graduate academic assistants to support you during and after classes.

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience. Your personal tutor will support you with help and advice throughout your studies.

Where will I study?

You will be based at our north London campus - mainly in the Ritterman and Hatchcroft buildings.

Teaching vs independent study

In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.

Timetable

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on campus sessions.

Typical weekly breakdown

A typical week looks like this:

Learning

Hours per week

On-campus

12

Online

As required

Independent study

10

Learning terms

On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.

Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like MS Teams or Zoom, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.

Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.

Part-time study

You can also study this course part-time.

Academic support

Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop your skills from research and practical skills to critical thinking. Our Sheppard Library is open 24 hours a day during term time. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus.

Coursework and assessments

There are no exams on this course. Instead, you'll be assessed through a variety of tasks and assignments such as individual and group projects, coding and hardware implementations with live or recorded demos, reports, presentations, project proposals and literature reviews, logbooks and blogs.

Feedback

You'll evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you'll work in groups and assess each other's progress. Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.

Facilities

The image on the right is an artist's impression of the MDX Robotics lab.

The Sheppard Library

Our library is open 24 hours a day during the term and includes:

  • Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
  • 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
  • Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing.

Artist's impression of the MDX Robotics lab

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

How can the Robotics MSc support your career?

Robots and autonomous systems are being introduced in most industries. As new markets look to robotics for the next step in their evolution, the need for qualified robotic engineers has never been greater.

Well-qualified graduates with a master's in Robotics are in high demand and as a result, you'll have a wide range of career options available to you. Robotics plays a large and increasing role in manufacturing and product handling, exploration, the office and the home. Products include unmanned ground and air vehicles, automated warehousing and delivery solutions, autonomous robot cleaning and other household devices, semi-autonomous biomedical and assistive applications, toys and gaming, etc.

On graduation, you'll be ready for careers in a range of industries, from advanced manufacturing and handling to oil and gas exploration, nuclear energy to railways and automotive, healthcare to defence. You'll could also continue your studies at PhD level.

Our university's postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career. 95% of our postgraduate students go on to work or further study – Graduate Outcomes, 2022.

Career paths

Some of the roles our graduates have gone on to work in industry like Siemens/Festo, ABB Robotics, etc.; while others have gone on to start their own businesses.

MDXworks

Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.

Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognized with the following awards:

  • The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023 
  • A top 10 university for producing CEOs  – Novuana, 2023

MDXcelerator: student start-up support

Want to be your own boss? You'll have the chance to pitch your business to gain mentoring and grants of up to £15,000.

Global alumni network

You’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.

  1. UK entry
  2. International entry
  3. How to apply

The fees below are for the 2024/25 academic year:

UK students1

Full-time students: £11,000
Part-time students: £73 per credit
Part-time students: £37 per dissertation credit

International students2

Full-time students: £17,300
Part-time students: £117 per credit
Part-time students: £59 per dissertation credit

Additional costs

Apart from fees, we cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies.

  • Free – laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
  • Free specialist software for your course
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

Financial support

We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.

Postgraduate scholarships

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

  • The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
  • The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
  • The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
  • The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
  • Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees.

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.

Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.

Help from your employer

Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Dr Eris Chinellato

Dr Eris Chinellato's expertise touches a number of different fields related to robotics and AI research, from grasping optimisation based on visual and tactile processing to computational neuroscience models applied to bio-inspired robotic systems. He teaches the Machine Learning and project modules.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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