MSc Robotics and Autonomous Systems

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Sussex

Program Overview

This MSc is a one-year (full-time) conversion programme (two years with industrial placement) aimed at non-engineering graduates with strong analytical skills. Students study robotics design, control systems, autonomous vehicles, sensors, and complete a major project.

Curriculum Structure:
In the taught modules, you’ll cover Computer-Aided Design, Control Engineering, Mechanics of Mechanisms and Robots, and Reawakening Mathematics to build your technical foundations. Then modules like Autonomous Vehicles and Robot Design and Implementation, plus optional ones such as Machine Learning, Embedded Systems & Sensors, or Image Processing let you specialise in perception, embedded robotics or AI. The programme ends with the MSc Project (Robotics and Autonomous Systems) where you apply your skills to a real-world or lab-based project under faculty supervision.

Focus areas (in a string):
“Robotics Design; Control Engineering; Autonomous Vehicles; Sensors & Embedded Systems; Machine Learning; Image Processing; Project Development”

Learning outcomes (in a string):
“Design and implement robotic systems; understand control and mechanics; apply ML or embedded sensor techniques; manage project planning, documentation and evaluation; work with autonomy and perception”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Not stated to be formally accredited by a professional body, but strong industry links, labs, placement options and faculty research involvement make it very relevant.

Reputation (employability rankings):
87.9 % of Sussex’s Engineering research outputs were rated world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you're ready to specialise and push the boundaries of what's possible with technology, the Advanced Computer Science MSc at the University of Sussex is designed to give you a deep, research-led, and practical advantage. This programme allows you to dive into the most current and complex areas of the field, from advanced data science and machine intelligence to secure systems and human-centred computing. You'll be based in our Future Technologies Labs, a £12 million state-of-the-art facility that provides a world-class environment for innovation and hands-on experimentation with the technologies of tomorrow.

Your learning is built around applying advanced theory to solve real-world problems, supported by exceptional resources:

Specialist Research Laboratories: You will have direct access to our suite of specialist labs, including the Interact Lab for practical work in human-computer interaction and ubiquitous computing, and the AI Research Lab, equipped for work in intelligent systems and machine learning.
Industry-Standard & Research Software: You will gain hands-on experience with the tools that drive innovation. This includes data science and deep learning platforms like Python with TensorFlow and PyTorch, professional development environments, and specialised software for areas such as network security and data visualisation.
Research-Led Group Projects: You'll be taught by active researchers from groups like the Data Science Research Group and the Cognitive and Language Processing Research Group. A core part of your experience will involve collaborative projects, tackling challenges that mirror the cutting-edge work happening in our research centres.
Substantial Individual MSc Project: The programme culminates in a significant individual research project. This is your opportunity to work deeply on a specialist topic of your choice, often supervised by one of our research experts, to create a substantial and impressive piece of work for your professional portfolio.
High-Performance Computing (HPC) Resources: For projects requiring significant computational power, such as processing large datasets or running complex simulations, you will have the opportunity to utilise the School's High-Performance Computing resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc Robotics and Autonomous Systems at the University of Sussex are well-prepared for careers at the forefront of robotics and automation, with skills applicable to sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and AI. Alumni typically work as Robotics Engineers, Automation Specialists, Research Scientists, and Systems Analysts, leveraging extensive lab training and industry engagement for rapid career progression:

Sussex’s careers and entrepreneurship service provides personalized job search support, employer events, internship and placement programs, and entrepreneurship initiatives, helping students secure industry positions or launch ventures in robotics.
This programme boasts a high graduate employment rate; graduates often secure roles within months, and typical starting salaries range from £32,000 to £48,000, depending on role and experience.
Industry partnerships include collaborations with leading robotics companies, AI firms, and automotive manufacturers, along with active links to Sussex AI and robotics research centres, providing students with live project experience, internships, and networking opportunities.
The MSc’s practical curriculum—delivered by world-leading faculty and enhanced by state-of-the-art labs—ensures sustained recognition and value for graduates across international robotics and automation industries.
Sussex robotics graduates demonstrate strong outcomes in machine learning integration, control system design, and applied project management, readying them for leadership in rapidly evolving sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this MSc, students can advance to PhD programmes in Robotics, Autonomous Systems, Artificial Intelligence, or Mechatronics at Sussex or other top institutions. Further opportunities include academic research projects, postdoctoral roles, or advanced industry certifications in robotics, automation, and intelligent systems design.