Introduction to the Robotics MSc Program

The Robotics MSc program at Cranfield University is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to pursue a successful career in robotics. The program is unique in its focus on human aspects and is supported by practical applications, enhancing employment prospects by providing relevant theoretical knowledge and practical skills to meet the rising global demand for professionals in this field.

Overview of the Program

• Start date: October
• Duration: One year full-time, two-three years part-time
• Delivery: Taught modules 40%, group project 20%, individual research project 40%
• Qualification: MSc
• Study type: Full-time / Part-time
• Campus: Cranfield campus

Course Details

The course consists of eight one-week assessed modules, a group project, and an individual project. Students are also supported in their learning and personal development through industry seminars, a group poster session, group discussions, group presentations, video demonstrations, case studies, laboratory experiments, coursework, and project work.

Compulsory Modules

The following modules are compulsory for the Robotics MSc program:

1. Fundamentals of Robotics: Introduces students to different types of robots and their practical uses, including offline programming of industrial robots and hands-on programming during a study tour.
2. Robotics Control: Provides fundamental knowledge for solving robot control problems, covering control theories essential for the control of robot manipulators and mobile robots.
3. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Robotics: Applies machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to real-world industrial problems within the domain of robotics, including decision tree modeling, logical reasoning, probability theory, and Bayesian methods.
4. Programming Methods for Robotics: Focuses on object-oriented programming using C++, including programming concepts, the OOP methodology, classes, abstraction, encapsulation, destructors, memory management, stream input and output, function and operator overloading, inheritance, aggregation, polymorphism, virtual functions, templates, exception handling, and the C++ Standard Library.
5. Psychology, Ethics, and Standards: Explores the changing landscape of robotics in society, focusing on fundamental human factors and psychological principles to optimize the integration of people with different types of robotic systems and environments.
6. Human-Robot Interaction: Introduces human-robot interaction design and technology, including natural user interface and its applications in interaction, with opportunities to practice hands-on programming of industrial collaborative robots.
7. Machine Vision for Robotics: Covers the processing of visual information in computer systems, including image applications, representation, capture hardware, sampling, noise, geometry, locality, processing operations, camera projection, transformation, enhancement, stereo vision, and object tracking.
8. Autonomy in Robotic Systems: Introduces algorithms suitable for real-life problems concerning autonomy in robotics, including path planning, task allocation, robotic perception, mapping, navigation, cooperative robotics, accuracy assessment, and uncertainty reduction.

Teaching Team

The course is taught by leading academic staff from Cranfield University, including:

• Dr. Gilbert Tang, Senior Lecturer in Robotics and Course Director
• Professor Phil Webb, Royal Ac of Eng Airbus Chair AeroSDes
• Professor Karl Jenkins, Professor of Computational Engineering and Head of Centre for Computational Engineering Sciences
• Professor Antonios Tsourdos, Professor and Director of AI, Autonomy, and Robotics
• Dr. Seemal Asif, Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
• Dr. Iveta Eimontaite, Lecturer in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology
• Dr. Anne-Marie Oostveen, Lecturer in Industrial Psychology and Human Factors
• Dr. Leonard Felicetti, Reader in Space Robotics and Guidance Navigation and Control
• Dr. Stuart Barnes, Lecturer in Computational Intelligence and Data Analytics and Course Director for MSc Computational & Software Techniques in Engineering
• Mr. Angelos Plastropoulos, Lecturer in Automated Inspection and Diagnostics
• Dr. Hae In Lee, Lecturer in Autonomous Systems
• Dr. Boyu Kuang, Research Fellow in Computer Vision and AI
• Mr. Mikel Bueno, Research Assistant in Intelligent Automation
• Miss Rebecca Raper, Lecturer in Robotics

Accreditation

The Robotics MSc is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for further learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Career Prospects

The MSc in Robotics is designed to equip students with the skills required to pursue a successful career working in the UK and overseas. Typical jobs that graduates go into include:

• Robotics Engineer
• Embedded Software Engineer
• Software Engineer
• Test Engineer
• Consultant
• Mechanical Project Engineer
• Researcher
• Automation Engineer
• Electrical Engineer

Part-time Route

The part-time study option is designed to provide a manageable balance for students who wish to continue in full-time employment while studying. Part-time students are required to attend teaching on campus in one-week blocks, for a total of 9 blocks over the 2-3 year period.

Fees and Funding

Course Fees

• Home: MSc Full-time ｣13,005, MSc Part-time ｣13,005
• Overseas: MSc Full-time ｣29,025, MSc Part-time ｣29,025
• Deposit: Home ｣1,000, Overseas ｣3,000

Funding Opportunities

• ASEAN-UK: Women in STEM Scholarships
• Cranfield University GREAT Scholarship
• Master's Loan from Student Finance England
• Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Countries
• Chevening Scholarships
• Lendwise Postgraduate Student Loan

Entry Requirements

• A UK lower second-class undergraduate degree with honors, or equivalent international qualification
• Ideally, applicants will have studied in aeronautics/aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical/electronic engineering, pure mathematics, computer science, software engineering, mechatronic engineering, or information technology disciplines
• English language requirements: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall and 5.5 in all skill components, or equivalent tests such as TOEFL iBT, Cambridge Assessment English, Duolingo English Test, Kaplan Test of English, LanguageCert Academic, and Pearson PTE Academic.

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Overview:

Cranfield University is a postgraduate-focused institution specializing in science, technology, engineering, and management. It is renowned for its strong industry links and practical approach to education.

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Services Offered:

Cranfield University offers a wide range of services to students, including:

Careers and Employability Service:

Provides guidance and support for career planning and job searching.

IT Services:

Offers access to computer labs, software, and technical support.

Libraries:

Provides access to extensive collections of books, journals, and online resources.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Industry Links:

Cranfield University has close relationships with numerous organizations, providing students with opportunities for internships, placements, and networking.

Practical Approach to Education:

The university emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world applications, preparing students for successful careers.

World-Class Facilities:

Cranfield boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including laboratories, workshops, and research centers.

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Academic Programs:

Cranfield University offers a variety of postgraduate programs, including:

Taught Degrees:

MSc programs in various fields, such as aerospace, energy, and management.

Research Degrees:

PhD and MPhil programs for students seeking to conduct advanced research.

Apprenticeships:

Level 7 apprenticeships for professionals seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Professional Development:

Short courses and executive development programs for individuals and organizations.

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Other:

• Cranfield University has two campuses: Cranfield Campus and Cranfield University at Shrivenham.
• The university is committed to sustainability and has a strong track record in environmental research.
• Cranfield University is ranked highly in various international rankings, including those for sustainability and engineering.