MSc Robotics with Industrial Application

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    Key information

    Location
    Edinburgh
    Mode of delivery
    On-campus
    Delivery type
    Full-time, Part-time
    Start date
    September
    Duration
    1 year
    Qualification
    MSc

    Contact

    Contact our enquiries team

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    Overview

    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.

    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.

    September 2024 entry

    The deadline for applications from UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.

    Video

    Course content

    Year 1

    Semester 1

    Mandatory courses
    • Robotics Systems Science
    • Intelligent Robotics
    Optional courses
    • Embedded Systems
    • Internet of Things
    • Biologically Inspired Computation
    • Data Mining and Machine Learning
    • Human Robot Interaction
    • Scalable Inference and Deep Learning 1

    Semester 2

    Mandatory courses
    • Machine Vision
    • 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)

    Go Global

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

    Fees and funding

    Tuition fees

    Year 1

    Tuition fees
    Status [footnote 1] Full-time Part-time
    UK 10736 5368
    Overseas [footnote 2] 26976 13488

    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 fee information

    Fees are payable for each year of this degree.

    Year 2 (Industry placement)

    UK and 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.

    Entry requirements

    Entry

    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.

    Why Heriot-Watt?

    National Robotarium

    A world-leading centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, creating innovative solutions to global challenges. Pioneering research moves rapidly from laboratory to market, developing skilled visionaries and delivering substantial benefits for society

    Clubs and activities

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    Edinburgh campus accommodation

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    Edinburgh Campus facilities

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    Heriot-Watt Student Union

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    Living in Edinburgh

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    Sport facilities

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    Your career

    Employers around the world actively seek out our graduates because they are work-ready. All our degrees are career-focused and relevant to the needs of industry. Around 95% of our students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

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