Heriot-Watt University
Study Postgraduate

MSc Robotics with Industrial Application

The course

Delivery
Full-time, Part-time
Course type
Taught
Location
Edinburgh
Entry date
September

Study MSc Robotics at Heriot-Watt's Edinburgh campus where the UK's National Robotarium is located. Develop advanced knowledge and skills in modern robotics and apply your learning to industrial settings with a prestigious work placement in Year 2.

Find out how to apply More about this subject area

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Overview

September 2023 entry

The deadline for applications from Scottish and RUK students is 31st August 2023. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 1st August 2023.

 

MSc Robotics with Industrial Application (2-years)

MSc Robotics with Industrial Application will provide you with advanced knowledge of the core elements of modern robotics and autonomous systems in Year 1, and the opportunity to implement your knowledge in Year 2 with an industrial work placement or interdisciplinary research project linked to industry. 

Our well-established masters programme in Robotics will prepare you for rewarding careers in industries where robots can be used to improve productivity, transform transportation, work in extreme environments, and improve quality of life.

On MSc Robotics with Industrial Application, you will:

  • be introduced to core robotics techniques, from basic kinematics to robot control, robot navigation, robot planning and human-robot interactions
  • receive an extensive training in robot programming (especially ROS) and practical implementation of solutions on real robots
  • apply skills in various applications through major robotics projects, relevant to research and industry, and involving systems such as autonomous robots (cars, subsea vehicles), humanoid robots, advanced manipulators for compliant control and novel robot designs
  • obtain access to staff from leading research groups to mentor their development and guide their research projects

This programme offers flexibility in the optional courses you study, allowing you to specialise in specific areas of robotics and autonomous systems.

Industrial work placement

In Year 2 of this MSc, you will have the unique opportunity to apply your learning and enhance your employability with a work experience placement. Each student is ultimately responsible for securing a placement, but Heriot-Watt University will assist in your search, providing access to our excellent careers service and extensive industrial links. 
The work placement will be with a high profile, globally recognised organisation which will help you distinguish yourself from other graduates in the careers market. If a student is unable to secure a work experience placement, we will arrange an industry focussed project with complimentary learning outcomes. 

Why study Robotics?

Robotics and AI are seen as key technologies for the future and the subject of massive commercial investment.

There is a rapidly growing worldwide demand for graduates with the technical skills and industry awareness to create an innovation pipeline from academic research to global markets in the field of robotics. Key application areas include manufacturing, assistive and medical robots, offshore energy, environmental monitoring, search and rescue, defence, and support for the aging population.

Apple, Google, Uber, Amazon and Facebook all have major ongoing research programs in robotics. In the UK, Dyson, 5AI and a plethora of SMEs and start-ups are trying to grasp the huge market opportunity that is foreseen. Predictions of the worldwide economic impact of Robotics and Autonomous Systems range from US$1.7 trillion to US$4.5 trillion by 2025.

A centre of excellence in Robotics

Heriot-Watt University is an international centre of excellence in Robotics. Our MSc Robotics draws on a well-established programme in postgraduate study.

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and Autonomous Systems (CDT-RAS) is leading in the UK effort to realise the potential of Robotics and AI technology, by producing a new generation of highly skilled researchers, trained to take a central role through technical skill coupled to industry and market awareness. 

National Robotarium

Heriot-Watt hosts the UK National Robotarium, a new place for interactions between research and teaching where the upskilling of existing workforce and the provision of new graduates in the field of robotics and AI will be prominent. The multimillion pound hub, built in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, opened at Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh campus in 2022. It is the UK's leading innovation hub for robotics and autonomous systems, delivering leading-edge research and support for business creation and growth, as well as data skills.

Go Global

Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information.

Course content

Year 1

Semester 1

Mandatory courses
  • Robotics Systems Science
  • Intelligent Robotics
Optional courses
  • Embedded Systems
  • Sensors, Actuators and IoT
  • Biologically Inspired Computation
  • Data Mining and Machine Learning
  • Human Robot Interaction
  • Scalable Inference and Deep Learning 1

Semester 2

Mandatory courses
  • Multi-Disciplinary Group Project
  • Robotic Mechanical Systems
Optional courses
  • Embedded Software
  • Critical Analysis and Research Preparation
  • Conversational Agents and Spoken Language Processing
  • Research Methods and Project Plan
  • Image Processing
  • Scalable Inference and Deep Learning 2

Year 2

Semester 1

Optional courses
  • Masters Project and Dissertation (60 credits)
  • MSc project (60 credits)

Semester 2

Optional courses
  • Interdisciplinary Project 1 (30 credits)
  • Industrial Placement (60 credits)

Semester 3

  • Interdisciplinary Project 2 (30 credits)

Entry requirements

A first class or upper second honours degree in mathematics, physics, engineering, and computer science or other relevant disciplines with a numerate background and sufficient computer programming experience. Equivalent overseas qualifications will also be considered.

Fees

Tuition fees for entry
Status Full-time Part-time
UK £9760 £4880
Overseas £24520 £12260

Footnotes

  1. Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.
  2. Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

Additional fees information

Year 2 fees: Fees are payable for both years of this degree. The fees listed above apply to Year 1 of this MSc. The fees for the Industry Placement year are indicated below.

Tuition fees for Year 2
Status Full-time
UK £3,000
Overseas £3,000

Scholarships and bursaries

We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.