Earn your MSc in Industrial Robotics flexibly, 100% online.

Become part of the next generation of world-class roboticists and automation engineers, ready to drive forward Industry 4.0 and the digital transformation of industry operations.

In this flexible online Masters degree, you’ll develop your knowledge of core concepts of robotics, AI and mechatronics.

With expert guidance you’ll learn about:

  • the use of machine learning and AI in industrial processes
  • real-time data analysis
  • robot kinematics and dynamics
  • robot programming and control
  • robot localisation and mapping (SLAM), and
  • mobile robotics, biorobotics and soft robotics.

You’ll learn to understand and design robotics technologies for sectors as diverse as manufacturing, energy, transport, food, logistics and healthcare.

Using industry-grade software, you’ll build skills in hardware and software development for robot control, bioinspiration and mobile robots (wheeled and legged).

Prepare for roles in a range of sectors

You’ll graduate from this degree ready for leadership roles in sectors including industrial automation, AI, automobile, aerospace, manufacturing and biomedical, as well as academia and research.

Gain a competitive edge

Through this MSc’s unique combination of core topics and specialised areas, you’ll develop an interdisciplinary understanding of various aspects of robotics that will set you apart in the job market.

Interdisciplinary learning

Robotics is an interdiscplinary field, and you’ll learn from industry experts and specialist staff drawn from electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science.

You can also study MSc Industrial Robotics on campus.

Who can join this online robotics degree?

This distance-learning robotics MSc welcomes graduates and professionals from a broad range of academic backgrounds, including engineering, computer science or the physical or mathematical sciences.

Choose the University of Aberdeen for your online Masters in robotics

Fits around full-time work

This degree fits around full-time work, with flexible hours and 24/7 study access.

Earn a respected Masters degree

You’ll earn exactly the same Masters degree online as you would on campus.

You’re in expert hands

We’ve been training world-class engineers for over 100 years and delivering online learning for decades.

What you’ll study

You’ll study the following courses that make up the 180 credits of this Masters degree.

You can also choose to exit early, earning a:

  • Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits), or
  • Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits).

How you’ll study

Online learning

This distance learning Industrial Robotics MSc is delivered flexibly, 100% online.

You can learn with us anywhere in the world, no student visa required, and set your study hours to suit you.

Your teaching

Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.

You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources available, including:

  • pre-recorded video lectures
  • lecture slides
  • tutorial sheets
  • reading materials
  • discussion boards with your tutors and peers
  • online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.

Your tutors

This degree is delivered by our School of Engineering.

You’ll learn from highly experienced engineers and academics from electrical and mechanical engineering as well as computer science. Your tutors include:

Professor Sumeet S. Aphale

Sumeet is a Chartered Engineer and the Director of the Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Mechatronic Systems Group (ARMS), at the University of Aberdeen.

He possesses more than two decades of experience in the design, analysis and control of robotic and mechatronic systems, as well as advanced sensor technologies.

Sumeet has provided expert consultancy to industry and has been integral to funded projects exceeding £3 million in value. His research has been published in over 120 peer-reviewed journals.

View Sumeet’s profile

Dr Elena Giannaccini

Elena is a Lecturer in Robotics in our School of Engineering. She has an honours degree in biomedical engineering and holds a PhD in robotics.

Elena’s expertise is in the fields of bioinspiration, mechatronics, soft robotics, robot sensing and safety in human-robot interaction. She is driven by her passion for designing and building robotic platforms for medical robotics and safe physical interaction between humans and robots.

View Elena’s profile

Dr Andres San Millan Rodriguez

Andres is a Lecturer in Robotics in our School of Engineering.

His expertise and research interests include origami-inspired soft robots, mobile robots, applied control, and mechatronics.

View Andres’ profile

Dr Dewei Yi

Dewei is a Senior Lecturer in our School of Natural and Computing Sciences. He leads our MSc in AI and MSc in Robotics and AI programmes.

Dewei’s research interests include AI-enabled healthcare, hybrid intelligent systems and robotics, applied machine learning, intelligent vehicles, and personalised advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

View Dewei’s profile

This degree is assessed online.

We’ll use several types of assessment throughout your studies, which may include:

  • timed online exams
  • take-home exercises
  • individual and group design and project reports
  • coding assignments
  • presentations.

Hours for taught courses

If you plan to study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term. Students typically take one or two 15-credit short courses per term.

15 credits

  • Around 150 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
  • You’ll study 10 – 15 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.

30 credits

  • Around 300 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
  • You’ll study 20 – 30 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.

This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes. This includes time for independent study, as well as teaching and assessments.

You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.

Activities at fixed times

Some activities will be scheduled for fixed times, such as online meetings with your tutor or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through each course at your convenience.

Hours for 60-credit projects and dissertations

A 60-credit project or dissertation is around 600 hours of study time.

This is around one term of full-time study.

You can dedicate a full term to your project or dissertation and work on it full-time. Or you can complete it part-time, spreading the hours you dedicate to it over two terms.

When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.

But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.

Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.

Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:

  • Be realistic
  • Create a weekly schedule as a guide

If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.

Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen and Microsoft Teams. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.

We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:

Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.

We’re a member of the Access scheme run by the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).

Access study spaces, books and journals in your area

The SCONUL Access scheme allows you, as a University of Aberdeen student, to access books and resources at university libraries across the UK and Ireland, or visit them for a quiet place to study.

You’ll be able to use study spaces, books and journals at over 150 university libraries which belong to the scheme.

Find out about the SCONUL Access scheme for libraries.

Your support team

Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.

Professor Sumeet S. Aphale

Sumeet is the degree coordinator. He’ll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.

Lyn Magee

Lyn is part of the School’s administration team. She’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.

Get in touch

The online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.

Ask us a question

Where this will take you

Your MSc Industrial Robotics qualification

You’ll graduate with a respected MSc in Industrial Robotics from the University of Aberdeen, one of the UK’s six ancient universities.

You’ll receive exactly the same degree qualification online as you would on campus. Your degree title will not mention online or distance learning.

Your MSc qualification will be recognised by employers and educational institutions around the world, opening up international opportunities.

Careers

This MSc is designed to prepare you for leadership roles in a range of technical or professional fields.

Because this interdisciplinary degree covers a variety of engineering disciplines, its versatility opens doors to employment in a wide range of industry sectors.

You can pursue rewarding careers in various aspects of robotics and mechatronics, in sectors including industrial automation, automobile, aerospace, manufacturing and biomedical.

Roles you’ll be ready for include:

  • Roboticist
  • Automation Engineer
  • Control Engineer
  • Software Engineer
  • Data Scientist, specialising in machine learning.

You’ll also possess valuable transferrable skills in areas including computer programming, project planning and management, report writing, and research.

Further learning and research

As well as preparing you for industry, this MSc is a stepping stone into further learning and roles within academia and research organisations.

You may wish to continue on to further education and research via the PhD route.

Lifelong career support

Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.

You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.

  • 1:1 appointments
  • CV checks
  • Interview prep
  • Job opportunities

Fees and funding

The fee quoted above is based on you starting your studies with us in the 2024/25 academic year.

We have confirmed that our fees will rise by 5% for the 2025/26 academic year. Our indicative cost includes a 5% fee rise each year.

Pay as you go

This is a pay-as-you-go degree.

You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.

You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.

How it works

  • You decide how many credits to study for each term.
  • At the start of term, you pay only for the credits you’re taking that term.
  • This gives you control over your costs and workload for each term of your degree.

Your personalised cost breakdown

Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.

Learning resources

Access to all the essential books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.

We also provide optional recommended reading lists. Many of these resources are available electronically through our library, although purchases may be required if you wish to read the full list.

Printing

You may want to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.

There are several ways you may be able to get help funding your studies:

Find out more about funding options.

Student card

All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.

20% Alumni discount

You’re entitled to 20% off our postgraduate taught degrees and short courses if you have a degree from the University of Aberdeen. View Alumni discount details.

How discounts work

Discounts are applied during your application process. You can only use one discount per application.

Choose the University of Aberdeen for flexible online robotics degrees

Over 525 years of excellence

You’ll graduate from the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world, founded in 1495.

Learn anywhere

On smartphone, desktop and laptop, with no need for a student visa.

20% alumni discount

University of Aberdeen alumni receive 20% off fees for this online degree.

Entry requirements

MSc

For entry to this degree:

  • a 2:1 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Electrical / Electronics / Mechanical / Mechatronics / Automation / Control / Computer Engineering or Computer Science is preferred.

You can also apply if you have:

  • a 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline and can demonstrate at least one years’ relevant experience.

We also welcome applications from students from other academic backgrounds. Provide your latest academic transcript with your application, listing all the courses you’ve studied, and our Admissions Team will review these and get back to you with an offer decision.

Entry requirements

We welcome students from all over the world.

See the minimum entry requirements above. If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check equivalent qualifications from your country.

Visa requirements

You do not need a student visa to study online with us.

English language requirements

Teaching is delivered in English.

If English is not your first language, use our English requirements checklist to see if you need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you apply.

English language tests and scores

If you do need to provide English language test scores, these are the tests and minimum scores we accept for this course or degree.

These are our Postgraduate Standard requirements.

IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, and IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)

  • 6.5 overall
  • 5.5 for listening, reading and speaking
  • 6.0 for writing

TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition

  • 90 overall
  • 17 for listening
  • 18 for reading
  • 20 for speaking
  • 21 for writing
  • TOEFL DI code is 0818

Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency

  • 176 overall
  • 162 for listening, reading and speaking
  • 169 for writing

LanguageCert Academic/LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • 70 overall
  • 60 for listening, reading and speaking
  • 65 for writing

LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator (Written and Spoken) – Online / In-centre

  • Overall High Pass
  • 33 for listening, reading and speaking
  • 38 for writing

Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online

  • 7.0 overall
  • 5.0 for listening, reading and speaking
  • 6.0 for writing

PTE Academic (online test not accepted)

  • 62 overall
  • 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing

Duolingo tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward

  • 120 overall
  • 95 for listening, reading and speaking
  • 105 for writing

University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)

  • Pass
  • Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date

Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities

  • Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
  • B2 in all four skills
  • Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course

For full information about language requirements, see our English Language Requirements page.

You apply through our online Applicant Portal. It allows you to upload relevant qualifications and documents.

There is no application fee for our online degrees.

What you need to apply for this degree

  • Degree transcript
  • Personal statement

Apply now

Start with our step-by-step guide. It explains degree transcripts, what to write in your personal statement and how to use our Applicant Portal.

You can apply to start in either September or January.

Apply as early as you can. This is so we have time to review your application and get a decision to you. We also want to ensure you have time to enrol before teaching starts.

January 2025 intake

For our January 2025 intake, the application deadline is 9 December 2024.

You will need to accept your offer and provide any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer by 18 December 2024.

Teaching starts on 27 January 2025.

September 2025 intake

Teaching starts on 22 September 2025.

Application deadlines will be announced in due course.

You will need access to:

A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:

  • Windows 10 or later
  • macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.

Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.

Reliable internet access

We recommend:

  • a wired connection
  • a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.

Speakers or headphones

  • We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
  • A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.

Software

We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.

If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.

See our detailed IT requirements for more information.

Try our degree scheduler

Choose your courses

Choose your courses

See all the courses that are part of this degree and choose what you want to study.

Manage your study schedule

Manage your study schedule

Control the pace and cost of your degree. Decide how much you want to study each term.

Save to your wishlist

Save to your wishlist

Save your schedule to your wishlist so you can view and edit anytime.

Customise your degree

Master of Science

180 credits

£14,760

This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in January 2025.

Apply for this programme

Start month
January or September
INDICATIVE COST
£14,760

This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in January 2025.

Apply via our Applicant Portal
Added to your wishlist