Artificial Intelligence and Robotics with Foundation Year

Program Overview

---

Course summary

BSc (Honours) Artificial Intelligence and Robotics with Foundation Year

Develop the skills and knowledge to create robots that are increasingly intelligent – combining artificial intelligence with principles of electrical engineering to create innovative, autonomous devices.

How you learn

• Lectures
• Hands-on lab sessions and tutorials
• Regular feedback
• Teamwork and group-based learning
• Applied learning
• Discussions
• Self-study

Modules

Year 1

• Engineering And Mathematics In Practice (20 credits)
  • This module supports and broadens your learning through practical experiments and application of mathematical knowledge.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Mechanical laboratory experiments
    • Electrical and electronic practical work and skills
    • Mathematical case studies with real-world problems
    • Town planning and traffic management
    • Monitoring natural phenomena
    • How to design experiments
    • How to deal with experimental errors
    • Scientific writing
• Foundation Mathematics, Mechanics And Electronics 1 (40 credits)
  • This module introduces you to core topics in science, physics, and mathematics.
  • You’ll develop an awareness of mathematics contexts and your ability to apply mathematics appropriately.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Numbers and order of operations
    • Algebra, mathematical functions, and solving simple equations
    • Geometry including trigonometry of right-angled triangles
    • Vector addition and resolution
    • Technology for calculations and plot graphs
    • Ohm's Law and capacitance
    • LR, CR, and LCR circuits
    • AC theory
    • SI units and motion in a straight line (rectilinear)
    • Forces, friction, and equilibrium
• Foundation Mathematics, Mechanics And Electronics 2 (40 credits)
  • This module consolidates your previous learning, developing further essential skills in science, physics, and mathematics.
  • You’ll study mathematical, electrical, and mechanical areas of the subject with a structured approach to problem-solving.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Functions and product, quotient, chain rules, gradients, min/max problems
    • Integration by function, parts, substitution, and integrals
    • Velocity and acceleration problems
    • Trigonometric graphs, equations, and sine/cosine rules
    • Logarithmic and exponential functions and graphs
    • Inverse and simultaneous equations using matrices
    • Electronics for measurement, diodes, power supplies, and sensors
    • Op amps, analogue to digital converters, and microcontrollers
    • Circular motion, work, energy, power, and simple harmonic motion
    • Specific and latent heat, changes of state, expansion/contraction

Year 2

• Fundamentals Of Analogue & Digital Electronics (40 credits)
  • Module Aim:
    • To develop a foundation for the understanding and familiarisation of basic analogue and digital electronic components, systems, and their applications and to introduce their applications.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Digital electronics
    • Mathematics for digital electronics
    • Digital electronic circuit components
    • Circuit design methods
    • Digital components and circuits
    • Software packages for digital circuit design
    • Analogue electronics
    • Analogue electronics key basic components
    • Analogue circuit concepts and signals
    • Measurement and testing techniques
    • Non-linear electronic devices principles and applications
• Maths And Computational Methods (40 credits)
  • Module Aim:
    • This module is intended to teach mathematical methods and the basics of computer programming, using a structured approach to mathematical techniques, programming, and appropriate software tools, thus enabling students to produce mathematical and programming solutions for a range of simple engineering problems.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Software development processes and tools
    • Number systems and character coding
    • Primitive data types and data structures
    • Variable declaration and initialisation
    • Basic arithmetic and logical expressions
    • Basic programming constructs
    • Creation of functions, arrays, pass by value and reference arguments
    • Relevant language-specific features and applications
    • Solving/manipulating equations involving elementary functions (polynomials, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic)
    • Differentiation, integration, and applications
    • Complex numbers and applications
    • Matrices and solving systems of linear equations
    • Analytical solutions of 1st and 2nd order ODEs
    • Software-based solution verification
• Professional Engineering Practice (20 credits)
  • This module will be delivered through design challenges such as IET Global Challenge, Engineers without Borders, etc. as an applied project using blended approaches.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Safe working practices, relevant codes of practice (including risk and environmental issues) and safety standards
    • Engineering processes (e.g., using hand and tools, test equipment, soldering, fabrication, and measurements)
    • Design and development tools, with appreciation of their limitations and applicability
    • Computer-based design tools (e.g., Solidworks, Eagle CAD, simulation tools, etc.)
    • Sketching and interpretation of engineering drawings and electrical/electronic circuit diagrams
    • Design, building, testing, and modification of appropriate artefacts to meet the requirement of an external body or competition, such as IET Global Challenge, Engineers without Borders, etc.
    • Report writing, team working, oral presentations
    • Professional and personal development planning
• Programming For Computer Science (20 credits)
  • This module introduces computer programming.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Problem-solving, top-down design, and functional decomposition
    • The development process - specification, design, implementation, testing
    • Variables, data types, and data structures
    • Algorithms and control structures
    • Object-oriented programming
    • Program quality
    • Software tools and integrated development environments (IDEs)

Year 3

• Advanced Programming (20 credits)
  • This module will continue to build your programming knowledge, looking at object-oriented programming in a modern programming language such as C/C++.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Object-oriented principles, concepts, and design: encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism
    • Abstract and interface classes
    • Dynamic memory management
    • Memory pointers and references
    • Memory profiling
    • Standard template libraries (STLs)
    • Operator overloading
    • Templates / generics
    • Event-based coding
    • Design patterns
    • Tool support for OO development
    • Version control software
• Algorithms And Data Structures (40 credits)
  • Aims:
    • This module will impart key concepts in computer science to students and to further develop important skills in computer-based problem-solving and data manipulation.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Introduction to algorithms (role and importance of algorithms in computer science)
    • Concurrent, and parallel algorithms
    • Sorting algorithms (merge sort, heap sort, quick sort)
    • Searching algorithms
    • Linked lists (Singly linked lists; double linked lists)
    • Stacks and Queues
    • Recursion
    • Tree structures (creating, searching, traversing, merging)
    • Graph structures (traversals, activity networks, critical paths, shortest paths)
    • The theory of algorithms (Big-O notation, Computability; Turing machines)
    • Complexity (computational and control flow)
    • Optimisation problems (Travelling Salesman Problem, Bin Packing)
    • Optimisation search methods (Genetic algorithm, Hill Climbing, Simulated Annealing, Tabu search algorithm, Iterated Local Search)
• Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning 1 (20 credits)
  • This module delivers knowledge and practical skills of machine learning algorithms for artificial intelligence applications.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Data-driven approaches to machine learning
    • Linear regression and gradient descent
    • Regression and classification problems
    • Machine learning algorithms: decision trees, support vector machines, ensemble learning, and k-mean/mean-shift clustering
    • Data pre-processing, cleansing, and feature extraction
    • Evaluating machine learning system by using cross-validation, confusion matrix, and receiver operating characteristic
• Industrial Group Embedded System Project (40 credits)
  • Module Aim:
    • This module, through an applied project, will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and develop engineering solutions that meet a combination of societal, user, business, and customer needs.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Identifying, understanding, and defining the problem
    • Identifying system goals and constraints
    • Evaluate and select appropriate Processor system(s) and peripherals
    • Understanding of hardware and software I/O and relevant interfacing technologies
    • Developing a solution that meets the system's goals and constraints
    • Evaluating the solution
    • Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems and minimise adverse impacts, while reflecting upon their career aspirations

Year 4

• Advanced Robotics, Automation, Machine Vision, And Sensor Fusion (40 credits)
  • Module Aim:
    • This module will develop the skills and knowledge needed that will allow students to identify and analyse tasks that can be automated using real-time input devices (sensors and vision) to control and produce desirable behaviours in robotic devices.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Machine vision, including colour, object, and feature detection and identification
    • Sensor and actuator applications
    • Simulation and modelling techniques
    • Embedded robotic devices
    • Control algorithms
    • Handling real-time data
    • Human-machine interactions and interfaces
    • Safety and ethics of automated advanced robotics
• Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning 2 (20 credits)
  • This module expands your experience of designing and creating gameplay prototypes for Windows-based PCs, using high-level commercial engines such as Unity and Unreal.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Game development in a scripting language such as Lua and C#
    • Researching and applying common design paradigms to mobile gaming
    • Advanced techniques of a commercial games engine
    • Particle systems, shader programming, post-processing effects, and networking
    • Monetisation of the mobile gaming platforms
    • Common industry practices to mobile game financing
• Development Project (40 credits)
  • This module emphasizes the necessity of incorporating ethical design principles into AI and data science projects, highlighting the importance of fairness, transparency, and accountability.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Data Protection and Privacy Regulations
    • Technologies for anonymizing data: k-anonymity, and differential privacy
    • Risk and Accountability Regulations
    • Professional Ethics and Codes of Conduct
    • Ethical practices of data handling including issues of inequality, bias, and fairness in domain
    • Conflicts of Interest and Ethical Decision Making Client Relationships, Communication, and Complaints Handling
    • Strategies to reduce race and gender discrimination from automated systems

Elective modules

• Machine Learning Algorithms And Heuristics (20 credits)
  • This module explores some of the important applications we use – from Google and Amazon to the many social media platforms – which have built their utility and success on top of machine learning systems.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Machine learning in AI, social media, and web applications
    • Python libraries for machine learning
    • Recommendations based on the ‘likes’ of individuals and groups
    • Using neural networks to learn about computer vision tasks
    • Ranking search results based on the context they were created in
    • Building pricing models using a variety of techniques
    • Building systems whose intelligence evolves using genetic algorithms
• Secure Software Engineering (20 credits)
  • This module introduces the practice of secure software engineering, exploring the main objectives of security in the construction of large complex applications.
  • You’ll study topics such as:
    • Information security concepts, objectives, and properties
    • Confidentiality, integrity, availability
    • Security in the software development lifecycle
    • Cryptography foundation and application
    • Digital identity management and access control
    • Identification, authentication, authorisation, and audit
    • Vulnerabilities, threats, and attacks
    • Protection and defence mechanisms and tools

Future careers

This course prepares you for the following career pathways:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning research and development
• Robotics engineering
• Embedded systems engineering
• Software development
• Electrical engineering

Equipment and facilities

On this course, you work with:

• Industry-standard software tools and hardware devices
• Embedded Systems including IoT and SBC devices
• A robotics and automation laboratory

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars, and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Entry requirements

• All students
• Additional information for EU/International students

All students

UCAS points

• 80

This must include at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example:

• CDD at A Level.
• MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
• Pass overall from a T level qualification with C from core
• A combination of qualifications, which may include a maximum of one AS level, EPQ, and general studies

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

GCSE

• English Language at grade C or 4
• Maths at grade C or 4
• Science at grade C or 4

GCSE Equivalents

• Level 2 Literacy or Functional Skills Level 2 English
• Level 2 Numeracy or Functional Skills Level 2 Maths

• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.

We may also accept you if you have no formal qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying the subject.

Some applicants may be invited to attend an informal interview with the course leader to ensure that the programme is suitable for themselves and their aspirations.

UK students may be able to claim financial support for the course.

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country-specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.

Fees and funding

• Home students
• International students

Home students

Tuition fees for 2026/27 are not yet confirmed. Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course, or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £18,000 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)

Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans, and other financial support available.

Learn more

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for School of Computing and Digital Technologies (PDF, 600.1KB)