MSc Robotics, Autonomous Systems and Telecommunications
Course Overview
Over the next decade, information and communication technology (ICT), including fifth-generation (5G) mobile and the Internet of Things (IoT), will have a significant bearing on how we go about our daily lives. Our MSc ROBUST focuses on preparing you for industry. It’s designed to take you from your bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering, computer science or mechatronics to a role in advanced engineering and technology. Our dedicated, knowledgeable team will cover the key areas needed to make you stand out to employers.We are now entering an information society, where technology-assisted living permeates our environment. Smart cities, towns and villages throughout the world are embracing technologies for a more connected and sustainable way of life and agri-tech has the potential to make farming more efficient through the use of wireless sensors, satellite earth imagery and drones. Additionally, all-electric autonomous vehicles are set to create a new, environmentally friendly travel experience and factories will make greater use of robotics and IoT to become fully automated, under what is known as Industry 4.0. These are exciting times for the technology sector, with significant opportunities for challenging and rewarding careers throughout the world.
Highlights
- The MSc ROBUST course provides a unique blend of modules, delivered by experienced and knowledgeable academic staff.
- Key enabling technologies are introduced through dedicated 20-credit modules, which deal with the principles of mobile communications, satellite communications and applications, wireless sensors and the Internet of Things, autonomous systems and robotics.
- The technical modules are supported by a module addressing research skills and methods, which provides a solid platform for a 60-credit ROBUST project, culminating in a dissertation in one of the subjects covered by the course.
Key Features
- The MSc ROBUST course has been carefully designed to address the worldwide demand for top technology talent.
- The course follows the University’s ethos of being teaching intensive, research informed (TIRI).
- The course is designed to meet professional institution standards in the UK and Europe.
- This course is based at the University of Bolton’s campus in Greater Manchester, which is home to one of the fastest-growing digital technology sectors in Europe and boasts the largest number of digital workers in the UK outside of London. In particular, the University is only a short distance from MediaCity:UK, which hosts some the UK’s leading technology organisations, including Vodafone and its 5G testbed, Smart Cities Catapult, and Huawei. (Reference: http://mediacityuk.co.uk/newsroom/huawei-opens-new-office-in-mediacityuk/ accessed on 24 November 2020)
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Entry Requirements
- Normally, you should have at least a lower second class honours degree (2.2) in an engineering-related subject. Examples of relevant qualifications include BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, BEng (Hons) Electronics and Computing, BEng (Hons) Mechatronics and BEng (Hons) Robotics.
- As an exception to the academic requirement, you may be considered if you can demonstrate extensive relevant professional experience with clear potential to benefit from the programme.
- We welcome your application if you hold a degree awarded by an overseas institution. The University will assess the equivalence of your qualifications.
- We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- We're more than happy to have an informal chat with you about this course, either over the phone or in person. If you wish to meet in person, please contact the Programme Leader to arrange a mutually convenient time. (While we reserve the right to interview it's not our usual practice for this course.)
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
The MSc ROBUST course is likely to have significant appeal to anyone interested in how technology is likely to shape society over the next few decades, and especially to graduates of electrical and electronic engineering, computer science or mechatronics honours degree programmes.
To be competitive in the job market, students are increasingly opting for a master’s degree qualification rather than concluding their studies at bachelor level. The MSc ROBUST course is designed with the needs of industry firmly in mind. It covers advanced engineering and technology topics such as the Internet of Things, 5G mobile and robotics.
'Engineering and technology' was ranked seventh in the Complete University Guide’s Top 10 postgraduate subjects for employability (1) and third for postgraduate subjects for starting salaries (2).
(1) https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/what-to-study/top-ten-postgraduate-subjects-for-employability accessed on 24 November 2020
(2) https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/what-to-study/top-ten-postgraduate-subjects-for-starting-salaries accessed on 24 November 2020
What can I do with this qualification?
Career opportunities may include positions in electrical and electronic engineering, manufacturing, network design, project management and systems analysis. Graduates will be able to apply for roles in a wide variety of organisations including academic institutions, engineering consultancies and design practices, energy suppliers, government agencies, product developers, research organisations, and telecommunications operators.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:
- Analysis and consultancy
- Autonomous systems engineering
- Applications development
- Digital design
- Education and training
- Embedded systems engineering
- Environmental and sustainable engineering
- Hardware and software design
- Knowledge management and patent protection
- Manufacturing and product management
- Project management
- Regulation and standardisation
- Research and development
- RF and microwave engineering
- Robotics engineering
- Satellite engineering
- Support engineering
- Systems engineering
- Technical sales
- Telecommunications engineering
- Test and validation
- Vehicular technologies
- Wireless engineering
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £8,496 for the academic year 2025/26.
International Fees
Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £17,500 for the academic year 2025/26.
Bursaries
Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
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Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
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Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
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Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
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Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
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Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton MSc Robotics Autonomous Systems & Telecoms - 22 September 2025
International Applicants
Thank you for your interest
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
Teaching & Assessment
We offer a range of teaching and learning approaches, including case studies, discussions, lectures, tutorials and demonstrations. We expect you to be fairly autonomous and self-directed in your studies, but of course, we will offer you plenty of encouragement and support along the way. The project aspect of the programme is your chance to integrate and demonstrate the practical and theoretical aspects of the course. The project carries a third of the total marks for this qualification.
Each module on the programme involves several assessments, all of which contribute towards your final grade for the module and to your overall master’s qualification. Assessment types are varied, but typically involve assignments, practical work, projects, oral presentations (including presentations based on your main project) and formal exams at the end of the programme.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Research Skills and Project Management
- Autonomous Systems
- Principles of Mobile Communications
- Robotics
- Advanced Engineering Modelling and Analysis
- Satellite Communications
- Wireless Sensors and Automation
- Individual Major Project
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 62% Written exams 38% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 85% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 15% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
