Robotics and Smart Technologies

Study options

Full-time

Full-time, with a placement year

Award

MSc

Key facts

Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:: Full-time
Study option:: Full-time, with a placement year
Duration:: 13 Months
Duration:: 25 Months
Start date:: 23 September 2024; 25 September 2023
School:: School of Digital, Technologies and Arts

Become a specialist

Gain invaluable knowledge in a growing industry

Real life applications

You’ll be work-ready on completion of the course

Excellent facilities

Including Engineering laboratories and the Digital Shed

Studying Robotics and Smart Technologies enables you to experience an expert knowledge of the multi-discipline areas of robotics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, smart cities and ‘internet of things’ for network-enabled products.

This course offers a full spectrum of learning and current research with our experienced staff. Face-to-face teaching and use of our specialised laboratories will ensure you have the latest knowledge in this dynamic field.

You’ll get a practical understanding of the use of robotics both inside and outside of the industry, as well as embedded systems, the use of network-enabled devices in the home, autonomous vehicles (both automotive and aeronautical), and the use of artificial intelligence.

With this Masters course, you’ll undertake a major project where you can specialise in an area of interest to support your work goals. The course has been designed with employability in mind to ensure graduates meet the demands of a growing sector.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Robotics and Smart Technologies

Course content

You’ll undertake eight modules and an MSc project. All modules are designed for the practical application, so you’ll be work-ready on completion of the course.

Modules cover a range of important topics such as the use of embedded systems, artificial intelligence and advanced robotic systems. You’ll also work on 'internet of things' devices, as well as autonomous vehicles and their applications.

Professional body accreditation

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.

Robotics and Smart Technologies

Video

Join the exciting world of automation, robotics and smart technologies and be a pioneer in the future of smart homes, smart transportation and more.

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Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning	15 credits
Autonomous Vehicles	15 credits
Engineering Design And Manufacture	15 credits
Internet Of Things Devices	15 credits
Msc Project	60 credits
Real-Time Embedded Systems And Control	15 credits
Research Methods And Project Management	15 credits
The Professional Engineer (Masters)	15 credits

Entry requirements

Normal requirements are at least 2:2 honours degree or equivalent in a related engineering discipline, such as Electronic Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, or Mechatronics, for example.

If your first language is not English, a minimum score of IELTS 6 or TOEFL 550 (213 computer-based) is normally required.

Introducing: The Smart Zone

Video

Our £1.3m Smart Zone gives students access to the latest 3D printing, VR technology and more.

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For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

Facilities

Smart Zone

A bustling centre of invention, innovation and creation with two floors of dedicated workshop and collaboration spaces for engineering and creative students.

Video

Engineering Laboratories

Packed with state-of-the-art software and hardware resources reflecting current trends in the development of engineering subjects.

Video

Real Time Lab

Our Real Time Lab has a suite of 20, 6 axis programmable robotic arms, autonomous vehicles, micro-controllers, motors, sensors and state-of-the-art design suites for embedded software programming and electronic design.

Video

Careers

After completing the Robotics and Smart Technologies MSc, you’ll be equipped to work in the following roles:

Research and development
Engineering consultancy
Project management
Teaching

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you’ll be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Staffordshire University shows substantial improvement in REF 2021

Blog

Staffs Uni has welcomed the results of REF 2021 which has recognised more of its research as "internationally excellent" and "world leading"

Postgraduate Open Day

Saturday 7 October 2023

Join us on campus to chat with lecturers from your postgraduate subject area of interest.

Book now

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We know that everyone learns differently. So not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures and tutorials, we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills.

For this course, you'll:

Work with others on group work
Work in specialist laboratories
Be expected to study independently

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

We’ll also assign you a supervisor to support you throughout your research project.

Assessment

There are two types of assessments: practice (also called formative) or formal (also called summative).

Practice assessments do not count towards your final mark. These are your chance to test your understanding – and learn how to improve for the real thing.

You’ll have formal assessments at the end of each module. These could include essays, exams, or portfolios.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do. We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Staff

The content of the Robotics and Smart Technologies MSc draws on a range of research specialisms within Engineering at Staffordshire University, allowing students to benefit from working alongside leading academics. This allows the content to maintain its currency by supporting staff to integrate their research into their teaching practice. MSc students have the opportunity to develop MSc projects supported by the research specialism of the staff team, allowing them to actively participate in the research culture with Engineering.

Dr Alison Griffiths

Associate Professor

Alison's expertise includes smart grids and their protection and renewable integration, smart homes, wireless sensor network design, implementation and optimisation.

Alison's profile

Dr David Dyke

Course Director

David's expertise focuses on control engineering, electrical circuit analysis, analogue electronics and hardware-based digital electronics. His research interests focus on social implications of technology and the use of AI for power systems design.

David's profile

Dr Anas Amjad

Course Director

Anas is Course Director for Electrical and Electronic Engineering. His expertise lies in the use of smart systems for a diverse range of applications, such as smart healthcare, smart homes, smart cities etc.

Anas's profile

Professor Abdel-Hamid Soliman

Professor

Abdel-Hamid's expertise includes automation, including Smart Cities, Building automation, Energy management, Security, Safety and health applications.

Abdel-Hamid's profile

Debi Roberts

Interim Head Of Department

Debi has a keen interest in Automotive and Aeronautical Aerodynamics, Engine Design and Engineering History (Automotive and Aeronautical).

Debi's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 23 September 2024 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MSc-Full-time
Study option	UK / Channel Islands	International
Full-time	£10,300 per course	£16,750 per course

Tuition fees for MSc Full-time, with a placement year
Study option	UK / Channel Islands	International
Full-time	£9,830 per course	£16,750 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a Staffordshire University undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Included in tuition fees
Included in the fees:
Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module. The use of all laboratories, workshops and specialist facilities relating to the course of study. Heavily discounted tuition fees during the (optional) placement year. Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module. The use of all laboratories, workshops and specialist facilities relating to the course of study. Heavily discounted tuition fees during the (optional) placement year.

Not included in tuition fees
Not included in the fees:
The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies. Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course. Dependent on a student’s choice of final year project, some additional costs may be incurred for materials to support the development and delivery of the project. The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies. Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course. Dependent on a student’s choice of final year project, some additional costs may be incurred for materials to support the development and delivery of the project.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning.

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MSc	Full-time	23 September 2024	Apply now

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MSc	Full-time, with a placement year	25 September 2023	Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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