What can you do with a robotics degree?

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after studying a robotics degree

Knowledge and skills

There is a strong emphasis on learning by doing within the robotics degree which means that you spend a good deal of your time working within the laboratory as well as being engaged in individual group project. By the end of your degree, you will have developed an enviable combination of specialist knowledge and skills in addition to the transferrable skills that graduate employers are seeking, for example:

excellent problem-solving skills from taking a methodical approach to analysing a problem or system and using lateral and creative thinking to make improvements or efficiencies
thorough working knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD) and industry-standard software such as AutoCAD and Solidworks
able to code and write software programs to program robotics equipment or systems
practical capabilities to turn an idea into reality
effective written and verbal communication from writing technical reports, working within project groups and presenting to diverse audiences, from fellow students and industry professionals
strong time management skills from planning and prioritising projects and undertaking laboratory work
a professional approach and ability to work to ethical codes of conduct.

Career options 

15 months after graduating*

95% of graduates in work or further study

78% of graduates agree that their current activity is meaningful

94% of graduates said their degree was a formal requirement for their job or gave them an advantage

As a robotics engineer, you will be involved in the design and development of machines to perform automated tasks and functions. You could design and build a range of different machines and systems, for purposes as diverse as defence, flight, retail and manufacturing. The links below, provided by Prospects will give you an insight into just some of the occupations that you can consider with this versatile qualification.

Robotics graduates are in high demand in the same industries as Electrical, Electronic and Software Engineers which includes:

Aerospace
Automotive
Construction
Defence
Electronics
IT industry
Manufacturing and fast-moving consumer goods
Marine
Power generation
Rail
Utilities

*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.

Researching your career options

To find out more about the scope of this fascinating discipline, you may want to explore some of the following links to find out what the current thinking and developments are.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – Robotics and Automation Society

Institute of Engineering and Technology

Indian Underwater Robotics Society

Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems

Intelligent Robotics Group

Gradcracker advertises STEM-based Graduate and Placement opportunities and worth exploring to gain an idea of the roles being advertised by the larger graduate employers. You may find that not many graduate employers specify “Robotics” in their job titles however this is often because it is part of broader Electronic or Mechanical Engineering graduate training programme. A search on wider job vacancy boards like those on Indeed and LinkedIn however will yield more results if you use these search terms.

Employment opportunities

Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth electrical and electronic engineering graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation:

Junior Robotics Engineer
Machine Learning Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Product Engineer

R&D Electronic Engineer
Research and Development Engineer
Robotic Engineer
Secondary School Teacher

Employers

Alstom
Babcock International Group
Cyber Stein
DeGould Ltd
Heles School
Hoare Lea
M Subs Ltd

Moley Robotics
Raytheon
Seamap
Spirent Communications
Valeport Ltd
Wittenstein High Integrity Systems Ltd

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after studying a robotics degree

Discover employment and further study opportunities that you could consider once you graduate with a robotics degree, and learn how you can stand out to graduate employers.

We encourage you to:

undertake career planning and research
build your networks, meet employers and graduates
gain essential work experience during your course
attend career fairs and events
continually develop your skills and knowledge
get involved with relevant clubs and societies
visit the Careers Service for advice.

Further study

Some of the careers chosen by robotics graduates will require or benefit from further study and this should be considered carefully. The University of Plymouth offers the following postgraduate study options that could be of interest to robotics graduates:

MSc Artificial Intelligence

MSc Cyber Security

Mechanical Engineering Design

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your particular situation.

Some useful websites to help you find a suitable post-graduate programme;

Find a Masters

Find a PhD

Prospects

It is also worth investigating what

further study options the University has to offer

as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni –

find out your funding options

Careers Service support

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the

Student Hub

or access our

24/7 online resources

There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

effective career planning
job hunting techniques
finding part-time work
CVs and interviews
mastering LinkedIn
and more.

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service, however they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Connect with graduates

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

search LinkedIn for ‘University of Plymouth’
select ‘Alumni’
filter the results by subject, sector, company or location.

For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or

come to one of our workshops

Other advice and guidance

Work experience

Work experience will provide a major boost to your employability when you graduate as well as giving you a real insight into what to expect from different occupations and industries. You will develop your confidence and professional skills while meeting colleagues who may assist with your career development.

Many organisations offer placement years and shorter internships or you could work part-time around your studies or approach organisations speculatively directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Gradcracker advertises opportunities with larger organisations and can give you an early indication idea of what might be available to you.

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities and there are many organisations within the not-for-profit sector who could benefit from your skills and expertise and volunteering generally will help to build your employability skills, confidence and make a real impact on your CV.

Clubs and societies

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities, it also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion.

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to robotics such as RoboSoc or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.

Tutor and academic support

Your tutor and other academic staff have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, so establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.