MSc Robotics, Autonomous Systems and Telecommunications

• Normally, you should have at least a lower second class honours degree (2.2) in an engineering-related subject. Examples of relevant qualifications include BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, BEng (Hons) Electronics and Computing, BEng (Hons) Mechatronics and BEng (Hons) Robotics.
• As an exception to the academic requirement, you may be considered if you can demonstrate extensive relevant professional experience with clear potential to benefit from the programme.
• We welcome your application if you hold a degree awarded by an overseas institution. The University will assess the equivalence of your qualifications.
• We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
• We're more than happy to have an informal chat with you about this course, either over the phone or in person. If you wish to meet in person, please contact the Programme Leader to arrange a mutually convenient time. (While we reserve the right to interview it's not our usual practice for this course.)

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

The MSc ROBUST course is likely to have significant appeal to anyone interested in how technology is likely to shape society over the next few decades, and especially to graduates of electrical and electronic engineering, computer science or mechatronics honours degree programmes.

To be competitive in the job market, students are increasingly opting for a master’s degree qualification rather than concluding their studies at bachelor level. The MSc ROBUST course is designed with the needs of industry firmly in mind. It covers advanced engineering and technology topics such as the Internet of Things, 5G mobile and robotics.

'Engineering and technology' was ranked seventh in the Complete University Guide’s Top 10 postgraduate subjects for employability (1) and third for postgraduate subjects for starting salaries (2).

(1) https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/what-to-study/top-ten-postgraduate-subjects-for-employability accessed on 24 November 2020 (2) https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/what-to-study/top-ten-postgraduate-subjects-for-starting-salaries accessed on 24 November 2020

What can I do with this qualification?

Successful completion of the MSc ROBUST course will provide you with an in-depth understanding of advanced technologies that will shape the future of society. A master’s degree provides the academic pathway to Chartered Engineer status. This qualification may help you progress to a senior position in an engineering-based organisation.

Career opportunities may include positions in electrical and electronic engineering, manufacturing, network design, project management and systems analysis. Graduates will be able to apply for roles in a wide variety of organisations including academic institutions, engineering consultancies and design practices, energy suppliers, government agencies, product developers, research organisations, and telecommunications operators.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:

• Analysis and consultancy
• Autonomous systems engineering
• Applications development
• Digital design
• Education and training
• Embedded systems engineering
• Environmental and sustainable engineering
• Hardware and software design
• Knowledge management and patent protection
• Manufacturing and product management
• Project management
• Regulation and standardisation
• Research and development
• RF and microwave engineering
• Robotics engineering
• Satellite engineering
• Support engineering
• Systems engineering
• Technical sales
• Telecommunications engineering
• Test and validation
• Vehicular technologies
• Wireless engineering

Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £8,496 for the academic year 2024/25.

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £15,950 for the academic year 2024/25.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

Bursaries

Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.

We offer a range of teaching and learning approaches, including case studies, discussions, lectures, tutorials and demonstrations. We expect you to be fairly autonomous and self-directed in your studies, but of course, we will offer you plenty of encouragement and support along the way. The project aspect of the programme is your chance to integrate and demonstrate the practical and theoretical aspects of the course. The project carries a third of the total marks for this qualification.

Each module on the programme involves several assessments, all of which contribute towards your final grade for the module and to your overall master’s qualification. Assessment types are varied, but typically involve assignments, practical work, projects, oral presentations (including presentations based on your main project) and formal exams at the end of the programme.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Research Skills and Project Management
• Autonomous Systems
• Principles of Mobile Communications
• Robotics
• Advanced Engineering Modelling and Analysis
• Satellite Communications
• Wireless Sensors and Automation
• Individual Major Project

Assessment methods

Learning activities

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.