Mechatronics and Robotics MSc (Eng)

Mechatronics, robotics and autonomous systems represent a range of important technologies which underpin many applications – from manufacturing and automation through to self-driving cars and robotic surgical tools.

Our Mechatronics and Robotics MSc will give you a strong grounding in this exciting industry, with the opportunity to specialise your knowledge in areas that interest you the most through our broad selection of optional modules. You’ll also have the chance to build a professional skill set too, undertaking practical project work throughout the course.

This programme is delivered by the Schools of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computing. All three Schools are home to specialist teaching facilities and a wealth of leading researchers working on real-world issues and contributing to global change. This means you'll be learning the most up-to-date practices, equipping you with the technical skill set and holistic knowledge you’ll need to pursue a career in this multidisciplinary field.

Why study at Leeds:

• Graduate with an MSc accredited by the IET and the IMechE from a university that ranks top ten in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Guardian University Guide 2023.

• Learn the latest innovations in areas such as robotics, autonomous systems and sensing, assistive and rehabilitation robotics, surgical and medical robotics, ultrasonic and embedded systems, and communication, sending and control from our world-leading research conducted right here on campus that feeds directly into the course.

• Advance your knowledge and skills in modern industry practice and the global engineering industry.

• Tailor the course to suit your specific interests with a selection of optional modules to choose from, including bio-inspired computing, power electronics, aerial robotics, biomechatronics and medical robots – plus many more.

• Build industry experience conducting both team and individual projects which focus on a real-world topic of your choice, giving you the chance to attempt to solve an industrially relevant design problem and develop professional skills in research and critical thinking.

• Access specialist facilities including industry-standard software like RobotStudio and SolidWorks3D design in the CAD suite, alongside fully equipped labs like our Robotics Laboratory with a Drone flying zone.

• Experience expert theoretical and practical teaching delivered by a programme team made up of researchers and academics who are active members of Robotics at Leeds, an interdisciplinary network that drives innovation in robotics science and research.

• Enjoy small groups that are used to support the teaching, giving you access to regular feedback and help with solving problems you may have with a particular topic directly from the academic staff.

• Enhance your career prospects and join our successful alumni who have secured jobs in organisations worldwide.

Accreditation

The MSc is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students. For this course, these are the quality standards set by the IET.

This programme is also accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.

In the first half of the year, you'll cover a core range of modules that will provide you with a thorough foundation in the many applications of mechatronics and robotics and develop your understanding of the wide range of industry sectors that use robotics and mechatronic systems.

You can then select from a range of optional modules that will allow you to focus on specialist topics that suit your personal interests or career plans. These modules cover the electronic engineering, mechanical engineering and computing aspects of Mechatronics and Robotics, meaning that you are sure to study modules that appeal to you.

The focal point of the degree course is your individual project. Your supervisor will help you to select a project that is right for you, in an area that interests and motivates you.

This may give you the chance to work on a project allied to one of our research groups, spanning an exceptionally wide range of areas ranging from computer vision and artificial intelligence through robotic communications, sensing and embedded systems to mechanical design, industrial inspection, biomedical engineering and medical robotics. This is your chance to make your own contribution to science.

The project will equip you with the independent research and critical thinking skills that you'll draw on throughout your future career.

Recent projects have included:

• ABB robot arm with Kinect control

• Swarm robotics for mapping and inspection

• Smart bioleg

• Exoskeleton design, construction and test

• Upper limb rehabilitation robot

• Brain computer interface

• Pick-and-place assembly robot

• Design and characterisation of vehicular ad-hoc networks in a motorway scenario

• Robot Jungle

• Node positioning and localisation in wireless sensor networks

• Multiple antenna transmission and OFDMA for WiMax

• Modelling and control of a DC motor simulating a wind turbine

• Radio telescope

• Optimised control of autonomous air vehicle for indoor navigation

• High frequency sensing

• Ultrasound sensing for pipeline inspection

• Surgical inspection robot

• Therapy and tissue repair laparoscopic tools

• Capsule robotics for diagnosis and surgery

Want to find out more about your modules?

Take a look at the Mechatronics and Robotics module descriptions for more detail on what you'll study.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Mechatronics and Robotics MSc (Eng) in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll have regular contact with staff who are at the forefront of their disciplines, through lectures, laboratory sessions, seminars, examples classes, tutorials and project meetings.

Independent study is also important to the programme. You'll develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge while studying the modules taught modules and undertaking your project work.

Specialist facilities

Our Schools are an exciting and stimulating environment where you'll learn from leading researchers in specialist facilities. You'll have the chance to gain experience of a wide range of industry-standard software and hardware, including RobotStudio, LabVIEW in the National Instruments Academy, SolidWorks3D design in the CAD suite, and electronic design and testing in the Keysight Technologies Electronics Laboratory, the Arm Embedded Systems Laboratory and our Robotics Laboratory with a Drone flying zone and ABB industrial robot arms,

For your professional project, you could also have access to research facilities such as the EPSRC National Facility for Innovative Robotic Systems, a national resource for the fabrication of complex systems. The facility specialises in assistive robotics, surgical technologies, exploration robotics and smart cities.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and your modules.

You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.

Programme team

Many of the team are part of the Assistive and Rehabilitation research group, and the Surgical Robotics and Technologies research group. The team are also active members of Robotics at Leeds, which hosts the £5.5 million EPSRC national facility for innovative robotic systems.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You'll be assessed using a range of techniques including mini-projects, case studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests and coursework assignments.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in electronic/electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, automation, control engineering, computing or a related subject. Applicants should have high marks in relevant modules such as mechatronics, robotics, automation, control systems.

A bachelor degree with a first class (hons) bachelors degree in physics, physical sciences or mathematics.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Engineering (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

We operate a staged admissions process for this course with selection deadlines throughout the year.

Please read our Staged Admissions page for full details, including application deadlines and what to include with your application.

Apply

This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

Fees

• UK: £12,750 (total)
• International: £28,000 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Mechatronics and robotics is a multidisciplinary field with a strong future, exciting career opportunities and a huge range of applications in robotics, manufacturing, automation, automotive engineering, aerospace, healthcare and medicine, leisure and entertainment, and many more.

After graduating from this Masters degree course, you'll be in a good position to seek employment as a development, project or graduate engineer with leading organisations.

Plus, the University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2022 report.

Here’s an insight into some of the job positions and organisations previous graduates from this course have secured:

• Engineer, MAHE Dubai

• Graduate Product Development Engineer, Segula Technologies UK Ltd

• Process Engineer, Segula Technologies

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our wide range of careers resources — including our award-winning Employability team — are on hand to offer guidance and support, ensuring you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Employability events — we run a full range of events including careers fairs in specialist areas and across broader industries — all with employers who are actively recruiting for roles. 

• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.

• Qualified careers consultants — gain guidance, support and information to help you choose a career path. You’ll have access to 1-2-1 meetings and events to learn how to find employers to target, research before interviews and brush up on your interview skills.

• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

Find out more about career support.