Although we often don’t give it a second thought, robotics engineering and artificial intelligence are incorporated into many of the systems, products and devices that we use on a daily basis. Robotics engineering can affect everything from the manufacturing supply chain to the temperature of your fridge. It is a growing and developing field which means that pursuing a master’s degree in robotics engineering can significantly enhance your skills and knowledge opening up numerous career opportunities and trajectories. We explore why studying for a masters in robotics engineering could be right for you, delve into robotics engineering programmes and curriculum, and reveal some of the best universities for robotics.
What is robotics engineering?
To kick off it’s useful to revisit exactly what robotics engineering is. Many people ask, “Which branch of engineering is robotics?”. The answer is that it’s an interdisciplinary engineering subject that incorporates aspects of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering and computer science.
The primary focus is on the design, development and deployment of robots and robotic systems to perform given tasks. This may be to increase efficiency or to perform tasks that would be too dangerous for a human being to undertake. In some cases, it’s about the precision that robots provide, such as in intricate surgical procedures.
Robotics engineering is used in a wide range of sectors and industries, from manufacturing to aerospace and medicine to transportation. As a robotics engineer, you’ll be responsible for the development of programmes and applications that dictate how a robot operates, requiring a keen level of detail and intimate understanding of logic, mathematics and engineering.
Explore some of the top institutions offering engineering in the UK:
- Durham University
- University of Warwick
- University of Dundee
- Swansea University
- Queen Mary University of London
What will I learn in a master’s degree in robotics engineering?
If you have decided to take the bold step of pursuing a masters in robotics engineering, you’ll be committing to a professional degree that looks to build considerably upon your prior knowledge, most likely an undergraduate degree in robotics engineering/computer science or a related engineering field.
At the top universities in the world for robotics engineering you can expect to be exposed to advanced concepts in engineering and computer science. As a professional degree, the aim is to prepare you to take on the complex tasks of implementing robotic solutions in an industry setting.
Some of the core areas that you will likely focus on when studying for a masters in robotics engineering are:
- Computational tools
- Computational components
- Artificial intelligence
- Machine learning
- Machine optics
- Robotic systems
- Autonomous systems
Masters programmes in robotics engineering may differ in content and structure between universities, but the principles will remain fairly standard. You will take a variety of modules, both compulsory, optional and elective with the likely requirement of a final project or dissertation to submit for examination. Some modules that you may study in a robotics engineering degree include:
- Mathematics and artificial intelligence
- Robot vision, sensing and control
- Robotic optimisation
- Neural computation
- Advanced data analytics
- Advanced algorithms
- Computational modelling
- Virtual reality
- Robotic processing and imaging
- Data modelling
- Computational intelligence
- Machine learning models
The assessment during your course will likely take the form of coursework submissions, examinations and project assessment. You’ll also attend regular lectures and tutorials. A full- time master’s degree in robotics engineering will take you a year to complete, with two years for part-time options.
Take some time to check out a number of the institutions that offer engineering programmes in Canada:
What other degrees are related to robotics engineering?
You may be wondering, “How can I study robotics engineering?” and what degrees are related to the field. If you are interested in undertaking a master’s degree in robotics then you will first and foremost need to have studied a related discipline at the undergraduate level. These can include:
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Biomedical engineering
- Aeronautical engineering
- Industrial engineering
- Software engineering
- Physics
- Computer science
- Mathematics
In addition, you will have also needed to have obtained good academic results, the equivalent of a 2:1 degree, or above a 70 per cent average for your degree, or a GPA above 3.0. Having a good command of written and spoken English will be needed, usually with a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 in all bands, however in a number of cases you may find that this is higher at 6.5.
What you will find is that a number of institutions offer pre-master’s courses for international students. These help you get up to speed with the academic requirements of a postgraduate master’s degree and often include introductory modules from the degree you intend to pursue. You can also undertake a pre-sessional English course that will equip you with the language skills and level for admission to your master’s course.
Why not make a quick stop off in Australia and visit some of the universities with engineering degrees?
- The University of Sydney
- University of New South Wales
- The University of Queensland
- The University of Adelaide
- The University of Western Australia
What can I do with a degree in robotics engineering?
If you qualify as a robotics engineer you’re guaranteed to have a fairly good employment outlook. In fact, as a master’s degree in robotics is considered a professional degree this will also increase your employability, boost your career progression and improve your earning potential.
As a robotics engineer, you could find yourself working in a wide number of sectors for companies or engineering firms overseeing projects and systems. Some of the sectors more commonly employing robotics engineers include:
- Medicine
- Automotive manufacturing
- Mining
- Aerospace
- Computing
- Information technology
- Biomedical science
Robotics engineering, and STEM skills in general, are considered in demand and scarce. In fact, engineering is one of the top five degrees for the best graduate starting salary. Engineering graduates enjoy an employment rate of between 80 and 90 per cent six months after finishing their studies.
Hopefully, you feel a bit more informed about studying for a master’s in robotics and some of the reasons why you may want to pursue this qualification. For extra inspiration and information, you can also read our guide on what you can expect when studying engineering, the eight traits every engineer needs and five reasons to study a master’s degree abroad.
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