Program Overview

MSc Biorobotics

Overview

The next frontier in robotics will take inspiration from biology to design robots that are soft, smart, green and social. From microrobots for cancer treatment, to swarms powering warehouses, soft grippers for manufacturing, and new material interfaces for prosthetics, biorobots will provide solutions to today's global challenges. State-of-the-art robots will in turn power scientific discovery, allowing for the study of living systems in their natural habitats from robots automating experiments in the lab, to artificial fish studying pollution in the deep sea.

This programme brings together life scientists and engineers in an interdisciplinary environment where solutions are co-created with stakeholders in mind. For the life scientists, this will open new horizons powered by robotics and AI, skills in high demand in today's job market. For the engineers, this will go beyond a typical robotics training, towards reinventing the way robots are designed and used with bioinspiration at heart.

This unique combination of biology and engineering will develop core professional skills including working across disciplines and responsible open-ended innovation. The programme centres around a common core in fundamental robotics and life sciences, followed by dedicated taught- and project-based biorobotics units that will walk you through latest research and applications, with a hands-on understanding of how to build these systems yourself, and demonstrations of how they can be used for good.

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time; Two years part-time.
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline: Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025. Home applicants: 8 August 2025.
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

Programme Structure

The MSc Biorobotics shares a common core with other world-leading robotics programmes at Bristol and includes the units Robotics Systems, Artificial Intelligence for Robotics, and Advanced Robotics.

Throughout the programme, students will work towards demonstrating their skills in the bespoke capstone unit 'Biorobotics' and a final dissertation related to Biorobotics.

Entry Requirements

• You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics subject.
• Applicants from other backgrounds will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.
• We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer.
• We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time £15,700 per year
• Home: part-time (two years) £7,850 per year
• Overseas: full-time £35,400 per year

Career Prospects

MSc Biorobotics students will be at the frontier of bio-inspired robotics. This will make you attractive to the broader robotics and AI industry. Your cross-disciplinary understanding of life sciences will further mean you can work in the life science sector looking to embed robotics and AI in your workflow. Your unique view on robotics and life sciences will also ensure you are well-suited to work in and found startups, continue with academic research, or work with NGOs interested in deploying robots for good.