Robotics, BSc (Hons), with industry placement

This Robotics BSc course equips students to develop innovative robotic solutions for real-world challenges, such as sustainable power systems and prosthetics. Through hands-on projects, you'll build expertise in cybernetics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and human-robot interactions, while honing skills in programming, electronics, and fabrication. Collaborative work in a dedicated lab emphasizes ethical, societal, and environmental considerations, with opportunities to engage in industry projects and explore applications in entertainment and marine technology.The curriculum spans foundational programming and computing in year one, advancing to robotics, cybernetics, and AI in year two, a professional placement in year three, and a final-year research project with interdisciplinary collaborations. Assessments are 100% coursework-based, including projects, portfolios, and pitches, mirroring industry practices to foster practical and professional growth. Located in Cornwall's vibrant tech hub, the course prepares graduates for impactful careers in robotics.

On this Robotics degree, we’ll provide you with exciting opportunities to bring your ideas to life by designing engaging human-robot interactions and working prototypes. Through our industry connections, you’ll get to work on live professional briefs that could range from developing humanoid robots to sensory toys to engage disabled children, animatronic systems for prosthetics, as well as control systems for sustainable power production. This practical experience is underpinned by explorations into the history of computing, the moral and legal considerations within digital creativity, accessibility and sustainability. Year one: In the first year, you’ll learn the foundations of the discipline. You’ll gain a practical introduction to programming and computer technology as well as learning about the various branches of computer science and the pipelines and processes used to create engaging digital products and services. Finally, you’ll explore approaches to physical computing and build your own autonomous robot. Modules: Principles of Computing Digital Creativity Development Foundations Data Fundamentals Individual Programming Project Multidisciplinary Teamwork Year two: In your second year, you’ll start to focus on your subject specialism. You'll develop your knowledge of embedded systems through simple robot construction, explore the principles of cybernetics and autonomous robotics, and enhance your computational mathematics skills. You’ll also learn the theory and design techniques required to build complex mechanisms to specifications, informed by physics and kinematics, and engage in digital prototyping. Modules: Computational Mathematics Digital Prototyping Robotics & Cybernetics Algorithms & Optimisation Robot Design Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Year Three: You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the employability team. Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. How you’ll study during your professional placement You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. Year four: In the final year, you’ll develop greater intellectual freedom. You'll produce an individual Research & Development project under the supervision of a subject-matter expert and work in a multi-skilled team to design and implement a potentially innovative product or service. You’ll also enhance your collaborative working skills by tackling “challenge briefs” with students across the university, and learn vital professional practice skills in our Future Skills module. Modules Research & Development: Proposal Future Skills Human-Robot Interaction Research & Development: Dissertation Major Collaboration As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.