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03rd January 2023
Thinking of studying robotics engineering at postgraduate level? Here, you’ll find information on various aspects of studying robotics and the jobs you might be able to move on to with a degree in the subject.
You might be trying to choose between robotics and other similar subjects, such as computer science or electronic engineering. It’s important to know what robotics courses can offer you that other study pathways can’t, and what kind of jobs a robotics degree can help you land.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about studying robotics engineering, why you should do a degree in the topic, the entry requirements, and where you could study.
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Robotics engineering is a discipline that brings together elements of electronic and mechanical engineering, as well as computer science. The subject focuses on designing, building and applying robotic systems in various settings and industries. This includes both the physical machinery and underlying computer systems that control them.
Robotics is applied in an ever-increasing range of sectors, driving exciting innovation in fields ranging from manufacturing to medicine, energy or communications. It’s a fascinating discipline that attracts many students who are looking to solve problems and address some of society’s biggest challenges through technological innovation.
Graduates of postgraduate robotics degrees will be equipped with advanced skills and specialist knowledge in robotics and engineering, making them highly desirable to a wide range of employers.
You’ll be able to work towards one of several different types of qualification at postgraduate level when studying a robotics course.
For taught students, the MSc master’s degree is the only option at postgraduate level. These programmes are designed to equip you with a deep knowledge of various parts of robotics engineering, and give you the opportunity to tailor your learning through optional modules in specialised areas.
There are several options open to postgraduate research students in robotics. A research master’s, or MRes, is a great option for students who are looking to gain research experience and focus their studies on a particular topic without committing to a several year-long doctorate.
The MPhil offers the chance for students to gain a doctoral qualification in two years, while the PhD is an opportunity to become an expert in your niche and contribute to research progress in your field.
Choosing to study robotics will open employment opportunities across a broad range of sectors. In general, you could expect to work in areas including technical robotics, process engineering or computer programming, as well as research, industries ranging from automobiles to pharmacology.
You might choose to specialise in a certain technical area or combine your technical knowledge with management and leadership skills, moving into senior or business management roles.
Some of your possible robotics jobs include:
To enroll on a robotics course at postgraduate level, you’ll typically need at least a 2:2 at undergraduate level. This should be in a relevant area, such as computer science. Some courses will ask for a 2:1 grade or above. International qualifications and professional experience may factor into the admissions process, depending on the university and department.
There are a variety of postgraduate robotics courses which you can choose from, tailoring your learning to the roles you want to move in to after graduation. Possible programmes include:
While each robotics course will have its own individual mix of compulsory and optional course content, in general you could expect to study modules such as:
As a postgraduate robotics student, you’ll be trained and educated towards being able to operate effectively as a robotics engineer in a variety of industry settings. Postgraduate taught courses will equip you with the practical skills and critical behaviours needed to design and create intelligent robotics systems for a range of purposes.
You’ll examine areas such as the interaction between humans and robots, the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in robotic systems, and technical aspects such as programming and constructing robotic systems.
As a robotics engineer, you’ll develop a range of transferable skills including critical thinking, problem solving, investigation, an eye for detail and technical communication. You’ll also have an interdisciplinary range of skills that brings together elements of electronics engineering, industrial engineering, computer science and physics.
As a postgraduate student on a robotics course, you’ll learn in different ways depending on whether you’re studying a taught or research degree. As a taught master’s student, you’ll have lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions and group work. Research students will have limited contact time, focused on supervisory meetings and discussions, but otherwise will likely work independently.
Your assessment will typically be via coursework, which may be written or practical project work. In many cases you’ll complete a dissertation or extended project to form a significant component of your final grade.
If you’re a research student, you will likely be assessed entirely or almost entirely on your thesis or final project.
A robotics degree will typically last one year if you’re a master’s student studying full-time. Your robotics course might be shorter if it’s a postgraduate certificate or diploma, or longer—up to two years—if it contains a year in industry.
Studying a doctoral level qualification in robotics, such as an MPhil or PhD, will take between two and four years.
Studying part-time will typically double the length of your chosen course.
You can study robotics engineering at different universities across the UK. With our university finder tool, you can easily find your perfect institution. Some of the top-rated universities for robotics include:
You might also consider other subjects that involve engineering processes or computer systems. Possible options include:
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