Robotics BEng (Hons)
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UCAS Code: H671|Duration: 3 years|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Work placement opportunities|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Robotics is on the cusp of an exciting new era as Robots become more intelligent and find applications in an ever more diverse range of industries including Consumer and Healthcare Robotics.
According to a recent report, Robotics is the fastest growing industry in the world and is poised to become the largest in the next decade. We are in the midst of an increase in the pace of technological change and the changes in the coming decade will be a magnitude of order greater than anything that has gone before. A shift is about to take place that will forever change society; our ability to manufacture novel robots and new intelligent systems will both change the way we interact with technology and will allow technology to interact with us and our world in a far more nuanced way.
Our Robotics degree reflects recent Software and Hardware technological advances and exposes you to new, much sought-after skills and up-to-date areas of research. The degree includes recent technological advances in areas such as Embedded Systems, Intelligent Systems and Mechatronics. You will experiment and interact with specialist software, hardware interfaces and systems, as well as commercial robots and fabrication facilities. You will be taught by academics whose research is rated as internationally excellent by the latest Research Excellence Framework in areas including Robotics and Intelligent Systems.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars of smaller groups of around 15-20 students, and tutorials which typically have no more than 10 students.
During your first year of study, there are approximately 12 teaching hours each week, which reduces to approximately 10 teaching hours in your second and third years. On top of teaching hours, you are also expected to spend a number of hours studying independently each week, as well as studying in groups to prepare for any group
Assessment and feedback
You will have a number of assessments each year, including exams and coursework.
You will be given written feedback on your assessments, and you will have the opportunity to discuss this with your tutor in more detail.
Year One
In the first year, you will develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that underpin Robotics. Topics studied include:
- Engineering Principles: This provides the fundamental blocks for the curriculum and covers topics such as electromagnetism, circuit theory, analogue and digital electronics, mathematics and engineering programming. You will also develop a small microcontroller based robotics project.
- Computing Principles & Professional Development: Professional Development prepares you for learning and study in an engineering discipline and also introduces the fundamental practices, values and expectations of an engineer. Computing principles introduces the fundamental aspects of computer systems and databases along with the principles of algorithm design and programming.
Year Two
In the second year, you will develop a broader understanding and knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of Robotics. You study:
- Robotics platforms: You gain hands-on experience with real robots, learning how to program them and you will develop a robotics project.
- Robot Operating System (ROS): ROS is the industry standard software architecture for the control of robots and you will gain practical hands on experience.
Kinematic and mechanics: You study the motion of an object in 3D which leads to understanding the relationship between a robot's joint coordinates and its spatial layout in robotics kinematics. - Microcontrollers: Microcontrollers are everywhere and are fundamental to your course. Being able to program microcontrollers and interface them to sensors and actuators are critical skills.
- Control theory: Control systems are fundamental to the stable and reliable operation of electronic and electromechanical systems.
- Computer vision: vision is generally accepted as the key sensor modality in robotics and you will study image sensors [for use on a robot] and the main aspects of image processing, including image formation and preprocessing. You will be equipped with a comprehensive and solid understanding of image processing techniques and mechanics.
- Professional Skills: A range of topics are covered in this block, more generally equipping you for working in industry.
- Applied electronics: This block of study builds on introductory electronics, looking more in-depth at transistors, operational amplifiers and application circuits, with an emphasis on sensors, signal conditioning and control of actuators.
Year Three
Your third year helps you develop a deeper understanding of the theoretical aspects of Robotics and be able to critically select appropriate tools and techniques to solve problems. Topics will depend on latest developments, but will include areas such as:
- Intelligent Systems: The course focuses on artificial intelligence, with a particular emphasis on machine learning. You will begin with foundational knowledge of different ML models, moving toward metaheuristics (genetic algorithms) and reinforcement learning. You will then move toward natural language processing and more exotic models within machine learning, such as meta-learning and semi-supervised learning.
- Machine learning hardware: You will study the use of hardware systems to accelerate machine learning algorithms using computing architectures that are more appropriate for artificial intelligence.
- Electronics systems: You will study embedded systems including the use of a hardware description language and programmable logic such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), control systems and mechatronics.
- Spatial computing: You will learn using the software commonly used for virtual reality development, i.e. Unity and Unreal Engine, but also touch upon other technologies, such as for VR in the browser. You will also have access to cutting edge technology to test out your creations.
- Internet of Things (IoT): You will broaden your knowledge to the emerging internet-of-things, whereby physical things in the world are part of the internet. As with VR, you will have access to a range of technologies on which to develop and test your ideas.
- Robotics systems: You will study advanced sensors and actuators, human-robot interaction and neurorobotics.
- Robotics Project: You will carry out a major, independent project that allows you to draw on your skills and learning and focus on an area of interest to you.
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BBC |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 112 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications. |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access to HE | 112 Tariff Points |
| IB | 28 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 112 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| T-Levels | 120 Tariff Points / Merit |
| Subject Requirements | In addition, you need an A Level (or equivalent) in a science or mathematics discipline such as Mathematics, Physics or Electronics, or an appropriate Access Award. |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall (with reading and writing at 6.0) and no individual score lower than 5.5. We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirements page. |
Careers
A degree in Robotics from Liverpool Hope will make you highly employable, having developed a range of highly sought after skills. With the robotics industry growing very fast, there will be opportunities to work as a robotics engineer designing or programming a wide range of robots. Your diverse range of skills will make you highly employable in other sectors too.
Enhancement opportunities
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2024/25 academic year are £9,250 for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,250.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
Additional costs
You will also need to consider the cost of your accommodation each year whilst you study at university. Visit our accommodation pages for further details about our Halls of Residence.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2024/25 are £12,500.
Visit our International fees page for more information.