PHD Robotics

Program Overview

PHD Robotics

Course summary

Conduct extensive research within the field of robotics and related areas of engineering, graduating with sought-after expertise and credentials.

How you learn

• independent research
• mentoring with your supervisory team
• research training, including mandatory ethics sessions
• optional extra training in teaching, Linux, ROS, Matlab, OpenGL, Indesign, Illustration and After Effects

Applied learning

• Networking opportunities
  • You'll be part of the university's community of researchers, with the opportunity to attend and/or contribute to a range of discipline, college and university-wide presentations, training and conferences.

Course leaders and tutors

• David Asquith
  • Senior Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering
  • Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in

• Software and robotics
• Academia

Equipment and facilities

On this course you work with

• mobile robots – pioneer, summit, guardian, Khepera, e-puck, bebot, robotina, social robot (emma)
• robot arms – Denso, Mitsubishi, Staubli, Kinova Jaco
• mobile arm – Fetch
• humanoid – Pepper, NAO

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

• All applicants should hold a strong undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (or expectation of the same).
• All applicants must submit a completed postgraduate application form including a 1500 word research proposal.
• You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes. Before submitting your proposal, please contact the member(s) of staff listed against the relevant research theme.
• Applicants are required to give a short 10–15 minute presentation followed by an interview. Interview panel members will include the head of research degrees for the relevant research area or centre, a local postgraduate research tutor and a prospective director of studies.
• Where English is not your first language, you must show evidence of English language ability to the following minimum level of proficiency: an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or above, with at least 6.0 in each component or an accepted equivalent. Please note that your test score must be current, i.e. within the last two years.

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

• Our tuition fee for UK postgraduate research students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £4,786 per year. An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.
• 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 postgraduate research students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £17,205 per year. An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.

Doctoral student loans

• Up to £25,700 available to help you while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

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 Engineering courses (PDF, 507.6KB)

Legal information

• Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.