MSc Robotics with Extended Research

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
Master of Science
Duration
2 Years Full-Time
Entry requirements

We require a First or strong Upper Second-class honours degree (2:1 with 65% average), or international equivalent, in Electrical, Electronic, Mechatronic, Mechanical, Aerospace, Biomechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or Mathematics with evidence of programming ability.

To progress to the second year of this course, we usually require performance at Distinction level. Students who do not meet the criteria for progression to the second year will instead graduate with the one-year Robotics MSc or an alternative appropriate qualification.

When assessing your academic record, we take into account your grade average with particular emphasis on relevant course units and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place must demonstrate that they have met all the conditions of their offer by 31 July 2024 .

Full entry requirements

How to apply

We operate a non-staged admissions process for this programme. Provided your application is complete we aim to give you a decision on your application within 3 months from the date in which it was submitted. However, due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may take longer than the standard time frame to receive an outcome. Please note that all places are subject to availability.

Applications placed after 30th June 2024 may be considered at our discretion if there are still places available on the programme.

Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place must demonstrate that they have met all the conditions of their offer by 31 July 2024.

Apply online

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MSc Y N N N

Course overview

  • Study at one of the largest departments in the country, with a distinguished history and a focus on the future.
  • Combine robotics and autonomous systems by incorporating the mechatronic aspects (mechanical and electronic) with computer science.
  • Make use of an incredible array of equipment and facilities.
  • Gain practical robotic experience using state-of-the-art cyber-physical systems to help address real-world challenges.
  • Learn in our brand-new, purpose-built space for innovation and creativity that is transforming the way our students study, research, and shape the world forever. Explore   Our Home for Engineering and Materials  .
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Discover MSc Robotics with Extended Research
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Discover MSc Robotics with Extended Research

Open days

For details of the next University Postgraduate open day, visit  open days and visits

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £14000 year 1, £7000 year 2
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £35,000 year 1, £21,00 year 2

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Contact details

Department
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Contact name
Postgraduate Admissions Team
Telephone
+44 (0)161 543 4018
Email
Website
https://www.eee.manchester.ac.uk/
School/Faculty

The School of Engineering creates a world of possibilities for students pursuing skills and understanding. Through dynamic research and teaching we develop engineering solutions that make a difference to society in an ethical and sustainable way.  Science-based engineering is at the heart of what we do, and through collaboration we support the engineers and scientists of tomorrow to become technically strong, analytically innovative and creative. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require a First or strong Upper Second-class honours degree (2:1 with 65% average), or international equivalent, in Electrical, Electronic, Mechatronic, Mechanical, Aerospace, Biomechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or Mathematics with evidence of programming ability.

To progress to the second year of this course, we usually require performance at Distinction level. Students who do not meet the criteria for progression to the second year will instead graduate with the one-year Robotics MSc or an alternative appropriate qualification.

When assessing your academic record, we take into account your grade average with particular emphasis on relevant course units and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place must demonstrate that they have met all the conditions of their offer by 31 July 2024 .

English language

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is:

  • IELTS  at least 6.5 overall with no subtest below 6.0.
  • TOEFL iBT : at least 90 overall with no subtest below 20. We do not accept 'MyBestScore'. We do not accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
  • Pearson PTE : at least 70 overall with no subtest below 65.
  • An  acceptable equivalent English Language qualification .

Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found  here .

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Application and selection

How to apply

We operate a non-staged admissions process for this programme. Provided your application is complete we aim to give you a decision on your application within 3 months from the date in which it was submitted. However, due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may take longer than the standard time frame to receive an outcome. Please note that all places are subject to availability.

Applications placed after 30th June 2024 may be considered at our discretion if there are still places available on the programme.

Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place must demonstrate that they have met all the conditions of their offer by 31 July 2024.

Apply online

Advice to applicants

We require the following documents before we can consider your application:

  • Official Bachelor degree transcripts, including official translations and original language copies if study not undertaken in English. 2+2 and 3+1 applicants must provide official transcripts and certificates from both institutions.
  • An official document from your university verifying your current weighted average mark (not arithmetic average) if this information is not included in your transcript of study.  Please note : where grades are given as a percentage, the weighted average mark must also be recorded as a percentage, not as a GPA grade.
  • Degree certificate if you have already graduated.
  • If still studying, please provide an official list of all the modules you are taking in your final year.
  • A CV if you graduated more than three years ago.
  • We require one supporting academic reference. Referees will be contacted and asked to submit a reference directly to us via our referee portal. We will let you know when they have done this. Make sure your referees are aware in advance as they play a vital part in the assessment of your application.

Personal statements are not required for your application for this programme.

If English is not your first language, we also require proof of your English language ability. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application.

You must submit all these supporting documents with your application. If any of the above information is missing, we will not be able to consider your application and it may be withdrawn.

How your application is considered

We consider your full academic history including the content of course units you have taken and the marks obtained. Even if you have met our minimum entry requirements, we will take into account your grades in relevant course units in our final decision making.

If you graduated more than three years ago, we will also consider the information contained on your CV, and any relevant work experience you have, to assess if you are still able to fulfil the entry criteria.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than  three months before the start date  of your course. The Admissions Team will contact you at the appropriate time.

Deferrals

Applications for deferred entry are not accepted for this course. If you receive an offer and wish to be considered for the following year of entry, you will need to place a new application. Please be aware there is no guarantee of receiving another offer, and offer conditions are subject to change in line with entry requirements.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

Robotics is a multi-disciplinary subject which will have a profound impact on society over the next 50 years. It has already revolutionised the manufacturing industry and it has the potential to have similar impacts in areas such as green energy, social care, transport and logistics and the exploration of hostile environments both terrestrial and extra-terrestrial.

This course will provide students with an encompassing education in robotics and autonomous systems by incorporating the mechatronic aspects (mechanical and electronic) with computer science. The course is underpinned by world-leading facilities and researchers and emphasises students gaining practical robotic experience using state-of-the-art cyber-physical systems to help address real-world challenges.

The field of robotics is currently one of the most rapidly developing technologies that offers exciting and ample career paths for suitably qualified engineers and scientists. In recent years The University of Manchester has established itself as one of the leading UK and international institutions in the field of robotics, both in terms of fundamental research (such as cognitive robotics, AI, sensors) and also applications (such as nuclear, offshore wind, health and social care), including a significant and wide-ranging portfolio of industrial collaborations. 

The MSc Robotics course will offer a truly interdisciplinary course at The University of Manchester. There are four strategic themes that will be followed in this course including:

  • a) mechatronics and control; verification, security and trust in autonomous systems;
  • b) human-robot interaction and cognitive robotics;
  • c) artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science;
  • d) ethics and human-centred robotics issues.

This course offers a unique opportunity to blend fundamental aspects with robot system design and integration. The course will be a practically-oriented course with an emphasis on real-world applications of robotics in various real-life scenarios.

Aims

  • Provide an advanced education in robotic systems engineering.
  • Give students the education, knowledge, and theoretical as well as practical skills they need to make sound decisions in the rapidly changing robotics industry.
  • Provide a sound understanding of the principles, design techniques, and applications of robotic systems.
  • Enable students to appreciate the broad knowledge of the issues and problems faced by robotic systems engineers.
  • Enhance students' ability to engage in independent project work both in software and hardware.

Special features

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Where Ideas Come to Life

All students will be given a laptop when they start the degree. This laptop will be used extensively in all of the units for the duration of the studies and will enable students to immerse themselves in robotics software and simulation environments as well as allow innovative teaching methodologies to be adopted.

In our new Home of Engineering and Materials, we’re ripping up the rule book to offer a truly innovative teaching and learning experience. You’ll have access to world-leading sustainable research facilities and some of the most unique, industry-leading equipment and instrumentation in the sector to meet today’s requirements and those of the future. Explore  Our Home for Engineering and Materials .

With access to an  extensive range of leading facilities , you will get hands-on with industry-standard equipment - improving your knowledge and skills, and preparing you for work post-graduation. Our flagship facilities include the  High Voltage Lab  and  Photon Science Institute

Course unit details

Year 1:

Semester 1:

1- Robotic Systems (15 credits)

2- Foundations of Machine Learning (15 credits)

3- Software for Robotics (15 credits)

4- Robotic Systems Design Project (30 credit unit – 15 credits per semester)

Semester 2:

5- Autonomous Mobile Robots (15 credits)

6- Robotic Manipulators (15 credits)

7- Cognitive Robotics and Computer Vision (15 credits)

8- Robotic System Design Project (30 credit unit – 15 credits per semester)

Year 2:

9- Extended Research Dissertation (60 credits)

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Autonomous Mobile Robots AERO60492 15 Mandatory
Robotic Systems Design Project AERO62520 30 Mandatory
Foundations of Machine Learning COMP61011 15 Mandatory
Cognitive Robotics and Computer Vision COMP61342 15 Mandatory
Dissertation EEEN60070 60 Mandatory
Extended Dissertation Project EEEN60770 120 Mandatory
Robotic Systems EEEN62011 15 Mandatory
Robotic Manipulators EEEN62012 15 Mandatory
Software for Robotics EEEN62021 15 Mandatory

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a number of postgraduate-taught scholarships and awards to outstanding UK and international students each year.

The University of Manchester is committed to widening participation in master's study and allocates £300,000 in funding each year. Our  Manchester Master's Bursaries  are aimed at widening access to master's courses by removing barriers to postgraduate education for students from underrepresented groups.

For more information, see the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Fees and Funding page  or visit the University of Manchester  funding for master's courses  website for more information.

Facilities

Come to our Home of Engineering and Materials - a place like no other. This is where engineers, material scientists, and fashion students collaborate, innovate and make their mark on the world. Unleash your potential in our creative, academic playground that signals the evolution of a proud history of innovation spanning almost 200 years.

In this very special place, we’re ripping up the rule book, offering you a truly innovative teaching and learning experience. As well as our creative classrooms, you’ll also have access to world-leading sustainable research facilities in our new buildings.

Our variety of spaces allows for greater collaboration for all our students, and it is the place to connect and tackle real-life challenges together. So, a chemical engineer could be sat alongside a materials scientist working on clean water or bump into a fashion student developing their own sustainable brand, or an aerospace engineer sending a rocket into space. It is a place like no other for interactions and one of the biggest communities of engineers and materials scientists in any University in the world.

Dive into a world of possibilities, whether you are interested in aerospace, robotics, or sustainable fashion, there’s a home for you here. 

Explore  Our Home for Engineering and Material Science

What's more, our strong, ever-growing links with industry not only help to inform our courses, but also boost our excellent teaching and research facilities. These include: 

The University of Manchester also offers an extensive  library and online services , helping you get the most out of your studies. 

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

Manchester is a multicultural city full of great museums, entertainment, and science and industrial hubs.

The University of Manchester does a great job at tying all those things together into their education offerings to make them a truly rounded educational institution. The UoM has incredible facilities, professors, technical staff and student societies that helped me shape my professional life by allowing me to explore the world of robotics during my studies by providing me the tools and support needed to achieve my projects. The world’s industry and services are starting to rely heavily on robotics to increase safety, reliability and efficiency. Having a robotics focused education allowed me to contribute to real-world projects that have significant impat on people’s life.

Dr. Pepe Espinosa / Robotics Software and Electronics Lead at Ross Robotics

Graduates from the course will be employed in a variety of industries, from start-ups and supply chain companies through to end users. The adoption of robotics is expanding significantly in areas such as nuclear, offshore-wind, transport infrastructure (rail, highways), logistics, automotive (driverless cars), construction, social care, manufacturing, healthcare (surgery), and agriculture. 

The MSc can also be used as a springboard for postgraduate research. There are still many fields within robotics that require significant research to develop further.  

In regards to the extended research programme:   

Prior to your summer break, a preliminary study and outline of your MSc dissertation project is completed, which is fully developed throughout the second year of your course. The year-long enhanced individual research provides great opportunities to develop advanced research skills and to explore in depth some of the topics discussed during the course. This includes training in research methods, and advanced simulation and experimental techniques in robotics, as well as academic publications. 

Our graduates have been prepared for opportunities in firms such as:

  • Dyson 
  • Airbus 
  • Ocado 
  • Saab 
  • GE Aviation 
  • Atkins 
  • Labman Automation 
  • Street Drone 
  • Createc 
  • Jacobs 
  • Sellafield 
  • National Nuclear Laboratory 
  • Ross Robotics 
  • Oxbotica 

Therefore, a Robotics degree from The University of Manchester will open a world of opportunity, and the skills you develop will be sought across a wide range of industries.

What's more, graduate with a degree from us and you'll be in demand among the top graduate employers by attending one of the most targeted universities according to  The Graduate Market in 2021 - High Fliers Research.

Careers Service

We are committed to helping you get the best start after graduation, that's why The University of Manchester's  award-winning Careers Service  will continue to support you two years after graduation. 

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Blog

Explore more about our student's experiences, our alumni and where they are now, and our department in  our blog .