Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering MSc(Eng)

Course overview

Please note: applications for this course open on the 1^st October 2024.

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 Engineering 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 Computer Science. 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:

• This Masters degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
• Our globally-renowned research conducted right here on campus feeds directly into the course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking in areas such as robotics, assistive and rehabilitation robotics, surgical and medical robotics and ultrasonic and embedded systems.
• 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 by 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.
• Make the most of your time at Leeds by joining our student society ShockSoc where you can meet more of your peers, attend high-quality technical visits, enjoy social events and get the chance to put theory into practice by participating in our own Robot Fighting League (RFL). Watch our RFL video to find out more.

Accreditation

Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students.

This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council.

This Masters degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning to Masters Level for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng)*.

*It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited IEng degree or a non-accredited bachelor degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council.

This Masters degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning to Masters Level for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng)*.

*It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited IEng degree or a non-accredited bachelor degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.

Course details

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 engineering 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.

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 Engineering MSc (Eng) in the course catalogue

Compulsory modules

Modern Industry Practice – 15 credits

This module will engage you in developing a detailed understanding of the global engineering industry and support you with your career plans.

Team Design Project – 15 credits

Alongside your professional project, you’ll also participate in a group activity. You'll take a multidisciplinary approach to achieve a solution to a programme-specific, industrially-relevant design problem.

Professional Project – 60 credits

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. 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
• Design and characterisation of vehicular ad-hoc networks in a motorway scenario
• Robot Jungle
• Modelling and control of a DC motor simulating a wind turbine

Optional modules

Please note: The modules listed below are indicative of typical options.

Bio-inspired Computing – 15 credits

During this module, you’ll consider examples of cooperative phenomena in nature and the concepts of emergence and self-organisation. On completion of this module, you’ll have: designed and applied simple genetic algorithms; interpreted the behaviour of algorithms based on the cooperative behaviour of distributed agents with no, or little, central control; and implemented bio-inspired algorithms to solve a range of problems.

Power Electronics and Drives – 15 credits

Appreciate how power electronics can play an important role in many engineering systems as well as to develop the knowledge and skills required by an engineer working in power electronics.

FPGA Design for System-on-chip – 15 credits

This module will provide you with an understanding of the design principles of modern FPGA systems using Hardware Description Languages and contemporary, industry-standard design tools.

Control Systems Design – 15 credits

Gain the knowledge and understanding of linear systems are developed to enable them to analytically investigate control systems and simulate them using computer tools. You will have the opportunity to design and evaluate PID and compensator-based controllers using several analytical techniques.

Embedded Microprocessor System Design – 15 credits

Explore the options for advanced embedded system implementation and study the operation of System-on-Chip development systems. The module provides you with an opportunity to develop skills in the use of contemporary design tools which support the optimization of embedded processor architectures.

Medical Electronics and E-Health – 15 credits

In this module, you will gain a knowledge and understanding of how electronics technology is used in medical applications and healthcare, and to consider a range of possible future developments in this field.

Programming – 15 credits

You will develop a competence in computer programming, using both Matlab and the C programming language.

Engineering Computational Methods – 15 credits

Be introduced to the basic computational methods used to solve engineering problems modelled by ordinary differential equations and parabolic or hyperbolic partial differential equations. You will also learn how to implement the learned methods in practice. Engineering simulation software packages rely on computational methods and a good understanding is crucial to knowledgeably use them.

Aerial Robotics – 15 credits

This module will introduce the topic of aerial robotics and provide the foundations to be skilled in the design, control, and operation, ethical and legal aspects.

Biomechatronics and Medical Robotics – 15 credits

Biomechatronics is the application of mechatronic engineering to human biology. The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of biomechatronic and Medical Robotic engineering systems challenges, solutions and analysis.

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.

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.

Applying

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 strong grades in relevant modules such as mechatronics, robotics, automation, control systems.

Due to the high demand for programmes in the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, incomplete applications may be rejected without full assessment.

International

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. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

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

How to apply

Please note: applications for this course open on the 1^st October 2024.

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

30 June 2025 – International applicants

12 September 2025 – UK applicants

If you're still 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 Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Mechanical Engineering
School of Computer Science

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: pgtelec@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £14,250 (Total)

International: £33,000 (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 on our living costs and budgeting page.

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.

Career opportunities

Mechatronics and robotics engineering 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 5 most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2024 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. We have a wide range of careers resources — including our award-winning Employability Team who are in contact with many employers around the country and advertise placements and jobs. They are also on hand to provide 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, write your CV and cover letter, 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.

Explore more about your employability opportunities at the University of Leeds.

Find out more about career support.