TEF Gold Undergraduate course

MEng (Hons)

Robotics

The MEng Robotics course offers an IET-recognised qualification, fast-tracking students to Chartered Engineer status. It combines core and specialist robotics topics with hands-on lab experience, preparing graduates for cutting-edge careers.

Our typical offer

120 UCAS points

Immersive, practical learning

Engage in hands-on learning, with practical elements embedded in nearly every module. From building real-world projects to showcasing functional robots, the experience is deeply applied, research-informed, and aligned with global challenges like AI and renewables.

Connect with emerging industry

With employers attending the final showcase and an active industrial liaison board, the course stays tightly aligned with industry needs. Benefit from expert career coaching, job opportunities and placements.

Step into world-class facilities

Receive a personal electronics toolkit and gains access to cutting-edge labs, including robotics, machine vision and nanotech clean rooms. These facilities support deep exploration and innovation in robotics.
MEng (Hons) Robotics
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About

Robotics engineers lead innovation by designing intelligent systems that power industries – from autonomous vehicles to bio-inspired machines – and address global challenges like sustainable energy, smart cities and advanced manufacturing.
Dive into this four-year integrated master’s programme in robotics – offering comprehensive practical learning and embedding extensive lab sessions into its modules, helping you turn theoretical knowledge into hands-on experience. In your final year, you'll lead a major robotics project that showcases both your technical ability and leadership. Earlier in the course, you can take a work placement, team up with industry partners, and dive into summer internships and advanced research opportunities.
 

This course is for you if...

you want to study an integrated master’s programme in robotics, fully preparing you for the future of technology
Ticklist depicting goal setting for graduates
you are eager to build and programme real robots and explore topics like sensors, motors and intelligent automation
Drone
you are eager to gain industry-ready skills and experience through placements with top companies
Icon showing hand and cog
you seek to graduate with professional recognition, thanks to IET accreditation
person with lines around their head, depicting experience

Details

 
 
 

Year 1

From your very first year, you’ll be learning by doing in our dedicated robotics and electronics labs. You’ll build the essential foundations for robotics: the maths and physics that underpin engineering, analogue and digital electronics to sense and control the world, and embedded systems that bring it all together. Through projects you’ll design, build and test early robotic systems, gaining confidence in teamwork, problem solving and communication along the way.
Electrical and electronic engineering and robotics

Core modules

BPIE112
Stage 1 Electrical/Robotics Placement Preparation 0 credits

Undertaking a sandwich-year placement (also known as an industrial or work placement) offers many benefits, including valuable hands-on work-experience and enhanced employability. This module is for first-year students who may undertake a placement in their third year. It is designed to support students in exploring placement opportunities and developing the skills and knowledge required to successfully secure one.

ELEC141
Analogue Electronics 20 credits

This module provides an overview of analogue circuit characterisation, analysis and design, linking theory to practice. It will examine how common analogue systems are constructed from elementary components.

60% Examinations

40% Coursework

ELEC142
Digital Electronics 20 credits

This is a foundation module in digital electronics and computer control, which introduces digital devices and provides a background in the principles, design and applications of combinational and sequential logic circuits.

60% Examinations

40% Coursework

ELEC144
Electrical Principles and Machines 20 credits

This module gives an introduction to the electrical properties of materials, capacitance, Inductance, and electromagnetism. Basic circuit principles and their application in dc and ac circuit analysis are then applied to electrical machines, transformers and energy conversion.

100% Coursework

PROJ100
Embedded System Design and Build 40 credits

The module enables students to work collectively to build prototype solutions to real-world problems using both software and hardware. This will include development and verification skills in both hardware and software.

100% Coursework

MATH191
Engineering Mathematics 20 credits

This module provides students with a number of fundamental mathematical skills, and techniques, which are essential for the analysis of engineering problems.

70% Coursework

30% Examinations

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll go deeper into the principles that make robots work. You’ll learn how to control movement, how sensors and actuators give robots awareness and motion, and how to model and simulate robotic systems using industry-standard tools. Projects will see you design and program robots in real time, preparing you for placements and final-year challenges. At this stage, you’ll start to see how the theory connects directly to building intelligent robotic machines.
Computing students working in a group

Core modules

BPIE212
Stage 2 Electrical/Robotics Placement Preparation 0 credits

A year-long work placement is a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop skills that will enhance future career prospects. This module prepares students to begin their placement search by providing practical guidance on where to look, how to apply, and how to present themselves effectively to potential employers; featuring insights from students who have recently returned from their own placements.

MATH237
Engineering Mathematics and Statistics 20 credits

This module provides an introduction to mathematical and statistical methods that are important in the study of electronic and communications engineering. The mathematical techniques (transforms) are central to the study of linear, time-invariant systems. As well as introducing descriptive statistics, basic probability distributions, the module also considers the more advanced topics of reliability and quality control.

80% Examinations

20% Coursework

ROCO219
Control Engineering 20 credits

This module introduces basic concepts in how to control systems that have dynamics. This can involve making an unstable system stable, like balancing a Segway transporter to ensure it always remains upright. Or to get a system to follow a desired input and reach the desired goal. For example, controlling a robot arm so it moves directly to a target location without oscillating or overshooting.

70% Examinations

30% Coursework

ROCO224
Introduction to Robotics 20 credits

This module covers the theory and implementation of robotics, for both physical and simulated robots. Industry standard robot kinematics and simulations are used to analyse different robot designs, and are practically experienced through commercial tools. The basic mechanical principles for building physical robots are also covered, as well as the algorithms required for planning and generating movement.

60% Examinations

40% Coursework

PROJ200
Real Time Systems Project 40 credits

The module enables students to build robust and scalable real-time solutions to real-world problems using both Microcontroller and FPGA technologies. This will include both hardware and firmware development skills.

50% Coursework

50% Practicals

ROCO226
Sensors and Actuators for Robotic Systems 20 credits

A systems level study of the principles and design requirements of modern electronic motor systems. Operating performances of various electrical machines are characterised in four quadrants and the requirements of the corresponding power electronic converter topologies are examined. Control strategies are investigated in terms of drive system performance.

60% Coursework

40% Examinations

Optional placement year

Take the chance to put your skills into action with an industrial placement in the UK or abroad. It’s your opportunity to work with leading companies, gain invaluable experience, and make connections that could shape your career. Many students return with job offers or final-year sponsorships, giving them a head start when they graduate.
Computing, Electronics, Mathematics and Engineering. Getty Images

Core modules

BPIE332
Electrical Industrial Placement

A year-long work-placement, undertaken with an approved placement provider and in a role relevant to the students programme. Students will leave with practical and relevant work experience, where they put theory into practice. This module is attached to the Placement and provides students with a single digital space to refer to for key reminders, FAQs, contact details, top tips and their Placement-year handbook.

Year 4

In your final year as a BEng student, you’ll study advanced topics such as computer vision, mobile and humanoid robots, and machine learning. You’ll also complete an individual project where you’ll design and develop a robotic solution to a real-world problem, guided by your own interests or research areas in the department. Past projects have ranged from drone navigation systems to assistive humanoid robots. Your work will be showcased at our project open day to visitors from industry and beyond.
Robotics Student

Core modules

ELEC351
Advanced Embedded Programming 20 credits

The module aims to develop programming skills in embedded programming, by making use of advanced features of high-level programming languages and by deepening the knowledge of modern programming techniques in embedded systems. The module has a strong practical bias where students are required to solve various problems by programming existing microcontroller hardware.

60% Coursework

40% Examinations

PROJ300
Individual Project 40 credits

Investigate problems from industry or current research, define the problem boundaries, investigate possible solutions and present your results. You’ll have the chance to demonstrate a wide range of skills in project management, ethics, IP, research, critical thinking, engineering decisions, hardware, electrical/electronic and mechanical, design and simulation, software implementation, schematic capture and testing.

70% Coursework

30% Practicals

ROCO321
Computer Vision 20 credits

The module will provide an advanced knowledge of artificial vision systems for interactive systems guidance and control. It will be underpinned by current theoretical understanding of animal vision systems.

100% Coursework

ROCO318
Mobile and Humanoid Robots 20 credits

This module examines the technology, control and modelling of mobile and humanoid robot systems. Practical considerations and case studies are underpinned by mathematical analysis and computational algorithms.

70% Examinations

30% Coursework

Optional modules

ELEC345
High Speed Communications 20 credits

A circuit and system design module covering analogue and high frequency techniques and their place in modern communications systems.

70% Examinations

30% Coursework

ROCO351
Machine Learning for Robotics 20 credits

This module introduces basic concepts in the area of machine learning, which is a rapidly expanding field that allows computers to learn how to behave and perform complex tasks without being explicitly programmed to do them. Applications range from signal processing, image recognition through to the control of robotics systems.

70% Examinations

30% Coursework

Final year

If you continue to MEng, you’ll take on more specialist robotics topics and a major group project, often in partnership with industry or cutting-edge research groups. You might be designing advanced robotic arms, autonomous vehicles, or bio-inspired walking machines. These large-scale projects combine mechanical design, electronics, software, and AI to tackle complex real-world challenges. They are presented to industrial visitors and often go on to win national research prizes, showing just how far your skills have come.

Core modules

ROCO507Z
Advanced Robot Design and Prototyping 20 credits

This module aims to give the students a theoretical and practical understanding of designing and building advanced robot assemblies and mechanisms, through engineering and bioinspired approaches.

70% Coursework

30% Examinations

COMP5019
Natural Language Processing and Large Language Models 20 credits

This module introduces the foundational concepts and applications of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLMs). It covers the theoretical underpinnings of language processing techniques and provides experience in developing and fine-tuning LLM models. Students will learn how NLP and LLMs, such as BERT and GPT, are utilized in diverse domains enabling them to tackle complex challenges effectively.

100% Coursework

PROJ500
MEng Group Project 60 credits

This group project involves an in-depth study of a complex real-world problem originating from industry, commerce or research. It could include theoretical, computational and experimental work in addition to a critical literature survey and also involves the design and build of a prototype to support the claims made in the project execution plan.

80% Coursework

20% Practicals

Optional modules

ELEC520
Distributed and Interactive Communications Systems 20 credits

In this module, students will develop applications involving interconnected hardware devices and software capabilities. Devices include both embedded and networked computers. Capabilities include sensor data acquisition, actuator control, and behaviour generation. The module will cover both theory and practical work, including management of code complexity, and dealing with real-time and reliability issues.

70% Coursework

30% Examinations

NUC5000
Going Nuclear: Nuclear Applications for Science and Engineering 20 credits

This module provides essential skills and understanding needed to excel in the nuclear industry, from fundamentals of nuclear fission and fusion to more intricate topics such as reactor functionality, safety, and nuclear waste management.

50% Coursework

50% Practicals

 
 
 
 
 
 

What’s the difference between BEng and MEng?

BEng (Hons)
  • A three year degree, with the potential for it to be four years with a placement year
  • Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
MEng (Hons)
  • A four year integrated masters, with the potential for it to be five years with a placement year
  • Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Course-specific academic regulations

This course has unique rules relating to:

  • Passing a module
View the full regulations for this course

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Experience

Specialist high-tech facilities

Plymouth’s robotics facilities in the Smeaton Building offer a dynamic, hands-on learning environment for you to engage with both custom-built and industrial robots throughout your studies. From robot dogs and drones to humanoid platforms, these advanced tools are available for coursework and student-led projects. 
The labs are equipped with cutting-edge resources such as 3D printers and design software for rapid prototyping, while dedicated research spaces delve into areas like motor learning, artificial intelligence, and sustainable agriculture using state-of-the-art robots including iCub, Baxter, and autonomous farming systems.
Smeaton BuildingFirst and Final year students working with Robots in the labs – bipedal robotics and control engineering 
 
 
 

Showcasing your work

Each year, students from robotics are involved in our Student Showcase event. 
This event offers you an opportunity to demonstrate your passion to lecturers and your fellow students, as well as to industry professionals and potential employers.
“I've had the opportunity to meet multiple people in the industry, all of them have seemed very interested in my project which was a great relief as the nature of my project is quite niche and I was curious about the actual industry applications”
 
 
 

MEng (Hons) Robotics student spotlights

Estilla

“Having always been drawn to robotics, it became my passion when I realised it could be used to help people. Social robots have the capabilities to raise people's self-esteem, make them feel more connected, and improve their welfare. On placement, I developed a system to help children learn how to read and study another language. My projects are now used by the company.”
Estilla Hefter: MEng (Hons) Robotics

Becky

As part of her final year project, Becky collaborated with fellow students to design and produce the Wearable Enhanced Awareness System. 
“The idea of this system is that, for example, you can be walking down the street alone at night and, using radar and lidar technology, it will detect if there is another human approaching you, or a bicycle or something like that. The aim is to reduce knife crime, mugging, accidents, these kinds of things.”
 

A placement puts learning into practice

Take up the option to undertake a paid work placement in industry during your third year. A placement consolidates and develops your engineering knowledge, is an excellent way to gain a competitive edge and helps with making career decisions – many of our students receive job offers or sponsorship as a result of their placements.
Mechanical engineering - student using a soldering iron
  • Get your career off to a great start by spending a year working professionally as a student engineer between years two and three.
  • You could earn £15,000 a year or more, and possibly gain sponsorship through your final year(s) at university.
  • Gain experience that will help you find a job when you graduate and a Certificate of Professional or Work Experience in addition to your degree award.

“Completing the placement year and seeing the different areas where students studying similar degrees worked within the same company has given me more of an idea of which areas I would like to explore further and potentially specialise in.”

 
 
 
 
 

Meet your expert teaching staff

The School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics is a collaborative and interdisciplinary community of world-leading academics and researchers focused on creating knowledge and innovative solutions that positively impact society.
Dr Ian Howard Associate Professor Computational Neuroscience


Associate Professor Computational Neuroscience

Dr Toby Whitley Associate Head of School (Engagement)


Associate Head of School (Engagement)

Dr Dena Bazazian Lecturer in Robotics and Machine Vision


Lecturer in Robotics and Machine Vision

Show all

Support for students

As well as support you'll receive from academics, we have a team of technical staff who assist you with projects and research. 
Our technicians are integral to the delivery of all our programmes and bring a diverse range of expertise and skills to support students in laboratories and workshops.
Senior Robotics Technician, Jake, talks about his work with students.
“I would say be as ambitious as you want, you can almost guarantee you can make it, you just have to be determined.”
 
 
 

Level up your studies with the Robotics Society

The Robotics Society welcomes all students to explore robotics – collaborating and innovating together and hosting events like Robot Wars to showcase student creations and inspire new members. Throughout the year, the society offer fun socials, peer support and learning opportunities for anyone curious about robotics or needing support with their studies.
Join the Robotics Society
Technical college students exchanging ideas. Getty 1455935808.
 
 
 

Life in Plymouth

Plymouth's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
 

The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.

Jenna
Current student

Students sitting on the Barbican
Life in the city
Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer
Accommodation halls internal
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
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Get involved with one of our many student groups
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene

Careers

MEng (Hons) Robotics student Katherine Page-Bailey

I would recommend the University of Plymouth for a number of reasons: the practical hands-on learning, the support available to aid studying from the lecturers, and also services such as Peer-Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS) and SUM:UP, the mathematics and statistics drop-in.

Katherine
MEng (Hons) Robotics graduate

 
 
 

Where could robotics take you?

Learn more about the diverse range of successful career pathways our robotics graduates take after completing the course

Matthew Preston

Matthew
Matthew works as a Robotics Engineer for MSubs Ltd

Joel Gibbard, with the robotic hand he made for his final year project

Joel
Joel works as an Applications Engineer at National Instruments

Jane Sheard

Jane
Jane has been working as a graduate systems engineer at Chess Dynamics

 
 

Launch your career

Our robotics degrees can open doors to a wide range of exciting and impactful careers. Whether you're designing intelligent machines, developing cutting-edge AI systems, or shaping the future of manufacturing, the possibilities are vast. Our graduates have gone on to become:
  • Junior robotics engineers
  • Machine learning engineers
  • Research and development electronic engineers
  • Product and manufacturing engineers
  • Secondary school teachers
They have joined leading companies like Raytheon, Moley Robotics, Babcock International, and Spirent Communications – working on real-world innovations that push the boundaries of technology.
From research labs to industry giants, a robotics degree equips you with the skills to thrive in a fast-evolving world.
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    100% of our robotics graduates felt that staff explained things well

  • Ê

    90% of our robotics graduates felt that staff supported their learning well

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.
 

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

 
 
 
Tuition fees for new full-time students starting in 2025-2026 or
 2026-2027.
Full-time study
£9,535 per year
Part-time study
£795 per 10 credits
Optional placement year completed in the UK
£1,905
 
Optional placement year completed outside the UK
£1,430
 
 
 

Tuition fee price changes
In November 2024, the UK Government announced an increase to tuition fees and maintenance support for 2025/26 academic year, setting the standard tuition fee and student maintenance loan at £9,535 per year and the University’s tuition fees were increased to this rate.
The UK Government has indicated that further fee increases may be announced this year and in subsequent years. If the UK Government does so, the University may increase annual tuition fees in subsequent years, which may include the fees for the 2026/2027 academic year, in line with the Student Contract and all times in line with the maximum tuition fee caps set by the Government. More information about  fees and costs of studying .
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2025-2026 academic year.
Full-time study
£18,650 per year
Optional placement year completed in the UK
£1,905
 
Optional placement year completed outside the UK
£1,430
 
 
 
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2026-2027 academic year.
Full-time study
£19,200 per year
Optional placement year completed in the UK
To be confirmed
Optional placement year completed in the UK
To be confirmed
 

Tuition fee price changes
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and costs of studying .
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Fund your studies

As an undergraduate at Plymouth, there are plenty of funding options available, including tuition fee loans, living cost loans, scholarships, bursaries and support funds.
 

The Tamar Engineering Project

The Tamar Engineering Project is for ambitious students who want to embark on a career in engineering and who have shown potential for high academic achievement at A level, but whose background or personal circumstances may be a barrier to university study.
Successful applicants will receive:
  • £3,000 per annum towards living costs for the duration of the taught element of their degree (usually three years)
  • £1,500 fee waiver per annum
  • one-to-one mentoring from an industry expert.
 

IET awards and scholarships

All our electronics and robotics courses are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET); any student embarking on our courses are eligible to apply for a number of IET engineering scholarships. Amounts can vary between £1,000 and £3,000 per annum, and closing dates for applications are usually at the end of June. For more information on the different scholarships available, details on how to apply and confirmed closing dates for applications, please visit the IET website for more information on awards, prizes and scholarships.
 
 
 

Supporting students with the cost of living

The cost of living in the UK has risen faster than household income, meaning that most people will have less to spend on essential goods and services. This is an ongoing situation that is likely to affect everyone in some way.
The University provides advice and guidance and has a range of services, facilities and offers to help students with rising everyday costs.
 
Careers Hub

Apply

 
 
 
 
 
 

Entry requirements

Our typical offer
120 UCAS points

You may be eligible for a contextual offer

Contextual offers: Typically, the contextual offer for this course is 8 points below the advertised tariff. A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university.

Check your eligibility for a contextual offer

GCSE
Mathematics and English at grade C / 4 or above is required.

A levels
120 points from a minimum of 2 A levels, to include B at A level Mathematics and grade B in a second relevant subject. Relevant subjects include Chemistry, Computing, Design & Technology, Electronics, Engineering, Physics, Further Maths, Pure Maths, Use of Maths and Statistics. 

International Baccalaureate
30 to 34 points overall to include 5 in Higher Level Mathematics and 5 in a second relevant Higher Level subject. English and Mathematics must be included.

BTEC RQF National Extended Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
DMM – DDM in a relevant Science, Engineering, or Technology subject, to include a Distinction in relevant Mathematics units.
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Access to HE Diploma
The tutor will look at Access on an individual basis. Please contact the admissions team at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Irish Leaving Certificate
120 UCAS tariff points, including H3 in Maths and H3 in a second relevant science subject. GCSE equivalent English and Maths accepted within. 

SQA Advanced Higher
120 UCAS tariff points, including grade B in Advanced Higher Maths and grade B in a second relevant Advanced Higher subject. GCSE equivalent English and Maths accepted within. 

Extended entry requirements

To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification. 
 

Ready to apply?

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS.com. Please refer to the course facts below when completing your application for this course.
 
Please note: We understand that many applicants remain anxious about meeting the exact terms of our standard conditional offers. We will look again at your application and revise our offer for those applicants who we continue to believe are a good match for our courses, once we have the certainty of your actual results in August.
UCAS course code
H676
Institution code
P60
Duration

4 years
(+ optional placement)
Course type

Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
  • Apply at UCAS.com

    • Other routes into this course

    The following courses are available as routes into this programme.

    BEng (Hons) Robotics with Foundation Year

    Build a strong foundation in robotics and electronics, covering maths, physics and engineering. It's ideal if you're returning to education or don’t meet entry requirements for the 3-year programme.

     

    Entry requirements

    We welcome applicants with international qualifications and we accept a range of qualifications from across the globe.
     
    Our typical offer
    120 UCAS points
     
     

    BSearch entry requirements for your country

    5

    English language requirements

    To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification. 
     

    Ready to apply?

    As an international student, you can apply for this course through UCAS or an agent in your country.
     
    Short of the entry requirements for this course? Don’t worry you may be eligible for a foundation year to prepare you for possible entry onto this course for the following year.
  • Apply at UCAS.com
  • Find an agent
    • UCAS course code
    H676
    Institution code
    P60
    Duration

    4 years
    (+ optional placement)
    Course type

    Full-time
    Study location
    Plymouth
     
     
     

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    The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) and the Graduate Outcomes survey (GO) are made available to prospective students and their advisors through the Discover Uni website.