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Robotics and Autonomous Systems MSc

1 year, starting in September 2025

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Learn how to design and develop autonomous systems, embedded artificial intelligence and robotics, using tools and techniques found in industry. 

Our master’s is for graduates with backgrounds in electronic, electrical, or mechanical engineering or related areas looking for careers working in robotics. Combining engineering principles and advanced theory with practical application, you’ll explore robotics engineering, robotics software, machine learning, and autonomy.

With a focus on project work and practical learning, you’ll learn how to solve complex engineering problems. You’ll use industry-standard platforms, tools, and software to give you hands-on experience and develop skills valuable to working in the sector. You’ll also think about your stakeholders’ needs and wider factors such as technical, economic, environmental, and social. This whole-systems approach helps you understand how to design and implement effective robotics and autonomous systems.

Key benefits

  • Project-based learning: get hands-on experience with indusry-standard tools and sustainable design practices.
  • Industry engagement: study a course that draws on our partnerships with industry to make sure content reflects sector needs
  • Professional growth: develop skills for your career such as problem-solving, teamwork, communications, leadership, and analytical capabilities.
  • Shape your degree: complete your studies with the choice between a research project or group consultancy project with industry.

Learn from experts in the field

You’ll learn from academics with expertise in robotics, autonomous systems, computer science, and mechanical engineering. Their experiences in advancing research and international collaborations feed into your teaching.

Our inclusive community is here to support you through your degree. You’ll receive guidance from personal academic tutors and career advisors and access tailored resources to help with your professional skills development.

Use specialist facilities

Project work gives you access to facilities and workshops including:

  • rapid prototyping (3D printers, laser cutting, vacuum forming)
  • advanced electronics systems design
  • power electronics
  • equipment for electric vehicles, robotics, and autonomous systems
  • advanced CNC and manual machining
  • real-time digital simulation
  • Nimbus cloud supercomputer facility

From course to career

You’ll graduate with the skills to innovate and deliver resource-efficient practices and solutions for robotic and autonomous systems. Your knowledge will help prepare you for a career in the engineering sector or for further postgraduate study and research. Our graduates work at companies including Thyssen Krupp, Unique Group, CMR Surgical, Ocado Technology and Small Robot Company.

Find out more about how our master's courses can help improve your employability

2025/26 Academic Year

Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 1 year. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Year 1

Semester 1

Compulsory units

  • Autonomy and AI/ML

    10 credits

  • Leadership in Engineering

    10 credits

  • Robo-ethics

    5 credits

  • Robot software

    10 credits

Semester 2

Compulsory units

  • Commercialisation of new technology

    5 credits

  • Leadership in Engineering

    Continued

  • Robotic and autonomous systems design and integration project

    10 credits

  • Robotic engineering analysis

    10 credits

Summer

You'll choose one project unit.

Optional units

  • Consultancy project

    30 credits

  • Research project

    30 credits

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.

Learning

  • Laboratory sessions
  • Lectures
  • Practical sessions
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Attendance
  • Coursework
  • Practical work
  • Projects
  • Written examination
  • Other

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activities. You’ll be expected to work on your own and as part of a group.

Class contact hours, which can be made up of lectures, seminars, and tutorials, vary throughout your course but are typically 12 hours a week during the taught semesters.

Additional briefing sessions will be provided to help you prepare for the summer project and as part of the co-curricular offering of live projects. You’ll receive direct guidance from an allocated member of academic staff for your summer project activity.

As well as timetabled contact hours, you're expected to undertake independent learning and assessment. Typically, this might be around 24 hours a week, and include individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework, presentations, or revising for exams.

Assessment breakdown

You'll be assessed in different ways including individual and group assignments, as well as examinations. Work may include written submissions, presentations and group work. We've designed assessment to support your professional development in important business and practical skills.

  • Approximately 30% of your course will be assessed through examinations
  • Approximately 62% will be assessed through coursework
  • Approximately 8% will be assessed through practical work

You’ll be expected to complete a consultancy project or individual research project. You'll mostly be assessed as an individual but may also be assessed as part of a group.

Recognition of professional qualifications

As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

An image of Varun Kumar smiling at camera
‘My unique skillset and passion for robotics helped me get a place on the graduate scheme at the UK Atomic Energy Authority after I finished my degree.’
— Varun Kumar MSc Robotics and Autonomous Systems (Graduating year, 2020)

Entry requirements

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

You should have a Bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a high 2:2 or above.

To apply for this course, you should have an undergraduate degree in electronic and electrical engineering, automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, vehicle engineering or mechatronics.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Robotics and Autonomous Systems MSc

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

See the most recent fees for postgraduate courses.

Extra costs

If you receive an offer, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £1,000 when you accept to secure your place. This will be deducted from your tuition fee when you register.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying a postgraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. You do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.

Application information

  • Course title
    Robotics and Autonomous Systems
  • Final award
    MSc
  • Mode of study
    Full-time
  • Course code
    TDUEE-RB01
  • Department
    Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Home application deadline
    31 August 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full.

  • Overseas application deadline
    31 July 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full. We may consider late applications but if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will need time to apply for and receive your visa to be in the UK by the start of the course.

  • Application eligibility
    Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator
    The Office for Students (OfS)

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