Robotics

Robotics is one of the most dynamic and cross-disciplinary fields in engineering, combining mechanical design, electronics, computer science, control theory, and artificial intelligence to build machines that can sense, plan, and act in the physical world. From autonomous vehicles and industrial automation to surgical robots and search-and-rescue systems, the applications of robotics are expanding rapidly, and the demand for engineers who can work across the full breadth of the discipline is growing with them.

At the University of Plymouth, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year for students who need to build their technical and academic foundations before entering the core degree, making it accessible to a wider range of learners. The degree equips you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to design, build, and programme robotic systems, exploring the hardware, software, and algorithmic components that make autonomous machines work. A sandwich year gives you the chance to gain extended professional experience in a working environment, and the option of a year abroad broadens your perspective on how robotics is approached in different industrial and research contexts.

Work placement experience is integrated into the programme, ensuring you graduate with real-world exposure alongside your academic qualification.

You will develop programming skills, an understanding of control systems and sensing, and the ability to work with the kind of interdisciplinary technical challenges that define robotics as a field.

Graduates go on to careers as robotics engineers, automation specialists, systems engineers, and research and development engineers in sectors including manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, defence, and space technology. The degree also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in robotics, autonomous systems, or related disciplines. As automation transforms more industries, the skills developed in this programme are becoming increasingly valuable across a wide range of engineering careers.