Course Description Document

Course Title	Robotics and Autonomous Systems (2026-27)
Course Code	9675
Award Title	Master of Science (MSc)
Awarding Body	University of Southampton
Teaching Institution	University of Southampton
Regulated by	Office for Students
Accreditation	None
Regulations	The Regulations of the University can be found on the University's Governance Webpages: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/about/governance/regulations-policies
Location of study	Southampton
Length of the course	1 Years
Tuition Fees	Fees for students can be located by the student fees page. https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/money-matters/student-fees/index.page

Course Overview

This programme provides a comprehensive foundation in the key principles and practical applications of robotics and autonomous systems. It is designed for graduates with backgrounds in engineering, computer science, or related disciplines who wish to develop the specialist knowledge and technical skills required to design, build, and deploy intelligent robotic systems across a wide range of sectors.
Through two taught semesters, you will study core modules in robotics fundamentals, modelling and dynamics, sensing and data interpretation, and planning and control. These are complemented by cross-cutting modules that explore the societal, ethical, and regulatory dimensions of robotics, and offer hands-on experience through team-based projects using real-world robotic platforms. Optional modules allow you to tailor your learning to areas of particular interest such as computer vision, machine learning, or maritime robotics.
In the summer, you will complete an individual research project under the supervision of an academic aligned with your interests. Many projects will be industry-informed, allowing you to apply your knowledge to real-world challenges and strengthen your professional and research skills.
Graduates from this programme will be well prepared for careers in robotics, automation, AI, and intelligent systems development across a range of industries including aerospace, healthcare, defence, manufacturing, and maritime. The programme also provides a strong foundation for further study at doctoral level.
Your contact hours will vary depending on your module choices, and will include a mix of lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, and group work. Full information about contact hours is provided in individual module profiles.
Research Project
Candidates wishing to obtain the MSc qualification will undertake a research project culminating in a written dissertation. Projects may focus on any of the areas covered by the programme and are intended to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout your studies. The project will involve independent research, critical analysis, and creative problem-solving, with an emphasis on originality and innovation. Projects may involve experimental, computational, or applied industry-based work, with support from academic staff and access to our advanced robotics labs and computing facilities.
Please note: As a research-led university, we regularly review and enhance our programmes to ensure the best possible educational experience. As a result, some content or structure may be subject to change during your studies. Please refer to our programme disclaimer for further information.
All programme proposals and major changes are subject to the University’s programme validation process as outlined in the University’s Quality Handbook.

Aims of the Course

The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences offers a diverse portfolio of advanced programmes designed to prepare students for leadership in engineering and technology sectors. The MSc Robotics and Autonomous Systems programme aims to provide you with in-depth knowledge and technical expertise in the design, implementation, and application of intelligent robotic systems across a broad range of domains.
This programme has been developed for graduates with an engineering, scientific or computer science background who wish to specialise in the fast-evolving field of robotics and autonomous systems. It is designed to accommodate students from varied academic backgrounds by building foundational knowledge early in the programme and progressing toward advanced, research-informed applications.
The MSc programme aims to:
•Provide you with advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the fundamental principles, modelling techniques, control strategies, and system integration approaches relevant to robotics and autonomous systems.
•Equip you with the ability to design and implement intelligent systems that operate in real-world environments, making decisions based on sensing, planning, and learning algorithms.
•Foster a strong awareness of the ethical, legal, societal, and human factors dimensions of deploying robotic systems in practice.
•Develop your capability to analyse complex engineering problems, formulate appropriate solutions, and make sound technical decisions while considering wider contextual factors such as safety, sustainability, and user interaction.
•Create an intellectually stimulating learning environment that encourages independent inquiry, critical thinking, and lifelong learning as key attributes for professional development.
•Provide structured opportunities for hands-on project-based learning, teamwork, and engagement with real hardware and simulation platforms, enhancing your practical and collaborative skills.
•Prepare you for a wide range of professional careers in robotics, automation, AI, and intelligent systems design, or for further research at doctoral level.
The MSc programme offers a combination of core modules, optional specialist modules, and an individual research project, ensuring relevance to current industrial needs and alignment with the University’s research strengths. The PG Diploma and PG Certificate pathways offer subsets of the full MSc programme, excluding the research project element.

Course Structure

The tables below provide a list of the modules that make up your course.

Each module is worth a specified number of credits: you can take a combination of core and compulsory modules enabling you to cover key subject knowledge. Some courses have option modules which enable you to develop your own interests.

Your programme requires a certain number of credits. The number of option modules you can take depends on the number of core and compulsory modules and this is also influenced by the requirements of the regulatory requirements for professionally accredited courses. Some courses also have pre and co-requisites, and these are included in individual module information.

Your learning will be led by the latest research, and modules can change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. You can always find the most up-to-date information about your modules and who is teaching them via the information on our webpages and, post enrolment, via the Faculty hub.

If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an option module, it may not be offered. If an option module will not be run, we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

The core and compulsory modules available on your course are as follows:

Overview The programme involves 180 credit points (CP), distributed between taught and research components. The taught component comprises modules worth 120 credit points (60 ECTS / 120 CATS credits), of which at least 90 must be at Level 7. You will take a number of compulsory modules and select the remainder from a defined list of optional modules, allowing some flexibility to tailor the programme to your interests. The core modules focus on robotics fundamentals, modelling, sensing, control, and the societal context of autonomous systems. Optional modules include topics such as machine learning, computer vision, and domain-specific robotics applications. Any of these taught modules can contribute towards a Postgraduate Certificate. A Postgraduate Diploma or MSc requires completion of all 120 credit points from the taught component. In addition to the taught component, completion of an MSc also requires successful completion of an individual research project worth 60 credit points (30 ECTS / 60 CATS credits). Full-Time MSc The full-time MSc programme runs over a 12-month period. The first 8 months are primarily focused on the taught modules, delivered over two 12-week semesters (Semesters 1 and 2), followed by examinations at the end of each semester. The final four months are dedicated to the MSc research project, with preparatory activities beginning in Semester 2 to ensure a smooth transition into full-time project work. It is recommended that students commence initial project planning and background research before the Semester 2 examinations to maximise the time available for development and experimentation. The award of MSc is contingent upon successful completion of the taught modules and the submission of a dissertation based on the individual research project. Further details on award requirements are provided at: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/about/governance/regulations-policies/taught-students/general/postgraduate-masters Typical Course Content The content of the MSc Robotics and Autonomous Systems will depend on your selection of optional modules, but all students will undertake a shared core curriculum covering the key principles of robotics, including kinematics and dynamics, sensing and perception, motion planning, and control systems. A unique aspect of the programme is its emphasis on real-world application and societal context, with modules such as Robotics in Society and Robotics in Practice providing team-based and project-focused learning experiences. Progression Requirements This programme adheres to the University's regulations for Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Standalone Masters Programmes, as detailed in the University Calendar. Intermediate Exit Points (where available) If you do not complete the full MSc programme, you may be eligible for an intermediate award, provided the following minimum requirements are met: Qualification Minimum overall credit in ECTS(CATS) credits Minimum ECTS(CATS) credits required at level of award Postgraduate Diploma at least 60(120) 45(90) Postgraduate Certificate at least 30(60) 20(40)
Overview Core modules
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
FEEG6012	MSc Research Project	30	Core
Overview Compulsory modules
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
FEEG6053	Intelligent Mobile Robotics (MSc RAS)	7.5	Compulsory
FEEG6052	Robots and Automation in Practice	7.5	Compulsory
FEEG6050	Robotics Fundamentals, Research Management, and Professional Development	7.5	Compulsory
ELEC6265	Robot Kinematics and Dynamics (MSc) 2026-27	7.5	Compulsory
FEEG6051	Robots and Automation in Society	7.5	Compulsory
Overview Optional modules Subject to consultation with the programme leads, you may be eligible to take ELEC6243, ELEC6228 and/or ELEC6260, pending confirmation that you meet the prerequisite requirements for these modules.
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
COMP6223	Computer Vision (MSc)	7.5	Optional
SESA6081	Spacecraft Instrumentation	7.5	Optional
ELEC6260	Nonlinear Control of Aerospace Systems	7.5	Optional
COMP6252	Deep Learning Technologies	7.5	Optional
SESS6072	Maritime Robotics	7.5	Optional
ELEC6218	Signal Processing	7.5	Optional
SESM3036	Automotive Mechatronics	7.5	Optional
COMP6246	Machine Learning Technologies (MSc)	7.5	Optional
ELEC6243	Control System Design (MSc)	7.5	Optional
COMP6253	Natural Language Processing (MSc)	7.5	Optional
SESM3030	Control and Instrumentation	7.5	Optional
ELEC6228	Applied Control Systems	7.5	Optional
AICE6004	Human Robot Interaction 2026-27	7.5	Optional

Learning and Teaching

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning, and assessment activity, with each ECTS credit taken equivalent to 20 hours of student effort. While your actual contact hours may depend on the option modules you select, the information available on our webpages give an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities.

When not attending lectures, seminars and other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and for other types of assessments and examinations.

Full information about contact hours is provided in individual module information.

How we'll assess you

Your course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your module mark. Each module normally contains at least one piece of practice or formative assessment for which you receive feedback.

Formative assessments are developmental, and any results do not count towards your module mark, but they are an important part of your learning.

Summative assessments usually take place at the end of each module, although some may have interim assessments throughout. Assessment methods might include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and projects for example. The marks from summative assessments count towards your module mark.

The information available on our website gives an indication of the assessment methods used on your course.

Staff involved in delivering the different elements of the course

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on your course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.

Postgraduate research students who have undertaken appropriate training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars if their research specialism is directly related to the topic of the module and may also be involved in practical classes, project work and field trips. All contributions will be carried out under the supervision of the module leader.

Fees

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Extra costs you may experience

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Depending on the nature of your course, you may be able to choose modules which may have additional costs, such as field studies, travel overseas or industrial placements which will change the overall cost of your course. Details of these costs can be found in module information.

Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations.

The following course-related costs are not included in your fees:

Type	Details
Calculators	Where a calculator is required, all Casio Calculators are allowed but they must be Non-Programmable, Scientific models. More information is available in the Examination Regulations https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/assessment/assess-overview/exam-regulations.page
Stationery	You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Any specialist stationery items that you may need will be specified in the relevant module profile.
Textbooks	Where a module specifies essential texts, the Library will identify the optimal option(s) to support the module via the course Reading List. This may include e-books (ideally with unlimited concurrent usage) or a digitised chapter extract, supported by a limited number of print books (where available). You may request that the Library purchases additional print copies via 'suggest a book', borrow an additional copy via our inter-library-loans service or you may prefer to buy your own copies for high demand titles.
Printing	In most cases, written coursework such as essays and projects are submitted online. However it may be necessary to submit a hard copy of some projects, business projects and dissertations. The costs of printing a hard copy for submission of such work will be your responsibility. You will also have to cover the cost of photocopying. https://www.southampton.ac.uk/isolutions/students/printing.
Software Licenses	The software required for the programme is available on all public workstations on campus, and accessible from your own computer via VPN.

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.

You may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs.

If you are a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.

Financial Support

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice regarding student finances. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course. You can find more information about financial support via our webpages: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/money-matters/student-support-fund/index.page

Academic support

The Student Support Hub is your first point of contact when it comes to seeking support. The team will answer your questions or concerns about your wellbeing, fees and funding, accommodation and visas. The team will help make sure you receive the support you need, guiding you to further support services where required. You can find more information about student support via our webpages:

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/index.page

One of the most important people you will meet while you are a student at Southampton is your Personal Academic Tutor, who will be allocated to you for your arrival at the University and who is normally a member of academic staff in your own or a closely related subject area. Your Personal Academic Tutor will offer one-to-one support and advice throughout your time at Southampton and will support you in your studies or with other issues you may have. You can find out more via our webpages:

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/academic-support-guidance/personal-tutor.page

Disclaimer

As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, this course may be revised during a student's period of registration; however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Please read our Disclaimer to see why, when and how changes may be made to a student's course.