Program Overview

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Mechatronic Systems Engineering MSc

Developed through industry connections with companies like Siemens and Festo, this course will prepare you for exciting careers in fields including systems integration, automation and robotics.

Course Overview

This course is designed to be taught using practice-led teaching and learning approaches and is intended to replicate the current practice in the industry. The sessions are delivered in labs and workshops supplemented by weekly guest lectures led by industry speakers.

About Your Course

The course is made up of three semesters, each lasting 12 weeks. Semester one will be devoted to drives, sensors and controllers, robotic applications and their programming techniques, software modelling of mechatronic systems and additive manufacturing technologies along with AR and VR applications.

Semester two will feature a group project where the knowledge and skills developed in term one will be applied to a systems integration project. You'll also study machine learning and AI applications in robotics. There will also be further input into PLM solutions and how organisations can use these to manage their products and services. We'll also introduce you to the technologies that make up Industry 4.0 and their applications.

Semester three will be an individual project which you can propose yourself or select from a choice of projects offered by our research centres or industry partners including our renowned London Digital Twin Research Centre.

Modules

• Digital Product Modelling and Visualisation (15 credits) - Compulsory

This module will cover latest techniques in digital product modelling applied to manufacturing systems. The module also will also cover modelling of components, assemblies and systems including their physical behaviour in virtual space. There will also be visualisation techniques (VR, AR etc.) of such systems as well as design strategies for digital manufacture, including additive manufacturing.

• Robot Manipulation (15 credits) - Compulsory

This module equips students with knowledge of fundamental concepts of robot manipulators, such as coordinate systems, transformations, kinematics, motion planning. Students will put the knowledge of these principles into practice by modelling, simulating, programming and operating robot arms. They will gain experience of specialised software frameworks for robotic manipulation.

• Robot Control (30 credits) - Compulsory

This module focuses on methods for controlling sensors and actuators in robotic and related systems, exploring different control techniques and their relevance to the development of robotic/mechatronic devices and their integration with their environment. The module also introduces the student to tasks and skills related to academic research techniques and writing at graduate level.

• Mechatronic Systems Integration Group Project (30 credits) - Compulsory

This module introduces a systems approach to designing and integrating mechatronic systems. The module will explore mechatronic applications in various contexts and look at approaches to designing and implementing such integrated solutions, which will include various sub-systems. In doing so, the module will expose the student to a number of different technologies making up complex mechatronic systems.

• Machine Learning for Robotics (15 credits) - Compulsory

This module is designed to familiarise students with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques that are widely used in robotics and similar systems. The module will cover different types of autonomous robots and devices. Students will learn about machine learning methods and algorithms, and how these are applied to real-life robotic applications and autonomous systems. The students will make use of their own development of AI/ML systems in robots and will explore theoretical issues in AI and robotics.

• Product Lifecycle Management and Industry 4.0 (15 credits) - Compulsory

The module will introduce Product Lifecycle Management and how this can be implemented in a product based organisation to add value to the business. The module will also cover Industry 4.0 technologies and how these relate to an organisation’s PLM environment.

• Individual Project (60 credits) - Compulsory

This module consolidates the knowledge and advanced skills gained in the preceding part of the programme, and provides students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate mastery in undertaking projects on their own. Students will be required to use a systematic, effective and efficient research and development processes employing formal project management techniques in executing a practical project to prepare them for their future employment. The module aims to develop advanced skills and practical experience in research methods, project planning, problem solving, written and oral communication on projects within the scope of the programme.

Teaching and Learning

The course is designed to be taught using practice-led teaching and learning approaches and is intended to replicate the current practice in the industry. The sessions are delivered in labs and workshops supplemented by weekly guest lectures led by industry speakers.

Facilities and Support

Our dedicated Festo mechatronics facility is equipped with the latest industrial automation equipment and an integrated flexible manufacturing.

The course benefits from having specialist facilities to support its educational aims. These are provided by our industry partners which are identical to their facilities offered to their own customers.

These include a dedicated suite of automation equipment comprising 18 stations of electro-pneumatic workstations with HMIs and PLCs, approximately 15 modular production systems, several bespoke IoT workstations and a 6-station Smart Factory (Cyber-Physical Lab) with dedicated logistics devices (mobile robots). The automation equipment is supported by a suite of high end computers allowing full product simulation and commissioning as well as optimisation for designing Digital Twin technologies.

In addition, there is an extensive range of robotics equipment in the recently refurbished and enlarged robotics lab.

Careers

The global manufacturing industry is being transformed by the recent advances in technology and their integration driven by the fourth Industrial Revolution. This has led to the need to develop new types of engineers who are able to integrate such technologies. Much of this relies on a high level of skills in discrete technologies, but what makes them more useful is their integration.

Mechatronics is one of these disciplines where several core engineering disciplines are blended together using a systems engineering approach. This approach defines the MSc Mechatronic Systems Engineering course and prepares graduates for the wealth of opportunities available in industries that rely on smart technologies on a global stage.

The interdisciplinary nature of mechatronics leads to a variety of career options in areas such as automotive, advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation, systems integration, aerospace, bio-engineering and healthcare, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy.

Entry Requirements

We welcome your application regardless of your background or experience.

For this course, ideally, we are looking for these qualifications:

• A 2:2 honours degree or above in engineering or another related subject.
• Experience in a high-level programming language such as Python, C++ or similar.

We also encourage applications from experienced engineers or graduates from wider engineering disciplines.

Candidates with other degrees are welcome to apply provided they can demonstrate appropriate levels of relevant experience.

If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.

Fees and Funding

The fees below are for the 2025/26 academic year:

UK Students

• Full-time students: £11,300
• Part-time students: £75 per credit
• Part-time students: £37 per dissertation credit

International Students

• Full-time students: £18,000
• Part-time students: £120 per credit
• Part-time students: £60 per dissertation credit

Additional Costs

We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies, such as:

• Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
• Free specialist software for your course
• Free printing for academic paperwork
• Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

With regard to the individual project at the end of the course, we'll do our best to provide the materials and components needed for you to complete the work however, in circumstances where the project is self-proposed, you may need to cover some or all of the cost of this yourself.

Financial Support

We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.

• Postgraduate Scholarships

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

• The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
• The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
• The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
• The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
• Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees.

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.