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Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MSc

London, Stratford (UCL East)

Gain in-depth expertise in the rapidly growing robotics and artificial intelligence field through this cutting-edge programme. This Master's combines Computer Science, AI and Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, blending theory with hands-on experience. 

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£20,500
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£39,800
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 04 Apr 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree (or international qualification of an equivalent standard) in a highly quantitative subject such as computer science, mathematics, electrical or electronic engineering, or the physical sciences. Applicants must have studied mathematical subjects widely utilised across the programme (calculus, linear algebra, and probability), and understand concepts such as derivation, integration, series, matrix operations, Bayes inference. Additionally, applicants must have some experience with a programming language such as C/C++, Java, Python, or Matlab and must be able to understand programming concepts such as functions, classes, inheritance, branching, and looping.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


Robots and autonomous systems are crucial in our future society. On this programme, you'll become a future leader, engineer or researcher in intelligent robotics, artificial intelligence and technology.

This MSc builds on UCL’s strengths in AI and computer science, creating a new interdisciplinary study area that combines machine learning, computer science, mechanical engineering, and electronic engineering. The programme also addresses the ethical and legal impacts of robotics on society.

You will learn from world-leading lecturers who are active researchers, using your programming skills to implement robot algorithms. You will work with various robots, including medical robots, drones, and manipulators, and learn about computer vision, localisation, and mapping tools used in autonomous driving. 

You will also access UCL’s esteemed machine learning modules and complete a substantial project, either academic or industry-based.

Studying in London, recognised as the best city in the world to study AI, further enriches your learning experience.

Who this course is for

This programme is ideal for you if you have strong mathematics and programming skills and aspire to work or research in robotics. Experience with robotics, the Robotic Operating System (ROS), Raspberry Pi, or Arduino is beneficial.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

Recognition from a top-ranked university: UCL is consistently ranked among the best universities globally (ranked 9th in the QS World University Rankings 2025), providing you with a prestigious qualification that is highly regarded by employers worldwide. Additionally, UCL was named the Times and Sunday Times University of the Year 2024.

High-quality education from leading experts: Learn from world-renowned academics who are at the forefront of computer science innovation. UCL Computer Science is recognised for its research excellence, ranked first in England and second in the UK for research power in Computer Science and Informatics in the UK's most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

Real-world experience through project work: Apply your knowledge and skills in practical settings with a substantial research project. Many of these projects are conducted in collaboration with industry partners via the IXN Industry Exchange Network, giving you valuable hands-on experience and industry insights. 

Strong employability with high employment rates and starting salaries: Our graduates are highly sought after in the job market, thanks to UCL's strong reputation and the practical, industry-focused skills gained during the programme. You'll be well-prepared to enter a variety of high-demand roles in robotics and AI.

Access to state-of-the-art facilities: Study at UCL’s cutting-edge campus, UCL East - home to the Intelligent Robotics Lab and the Innovation Lab, featuring advanced manufacturing equipment, electronics testing areas, and a motion capture system.

Enhanced research skills: The research-based components of the programme will equip you with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, preparing you for potential doctoral studies or research-intensive roles in industry.

Technical AI skills: You will learn about the technical side of AI and how to apply it in real-life contexts and become part of the growing conversation on the ethics and social responsibility of AI. This burgeoning element of AI is critical to the technological outlook, and as a future AI expert, you will help shape and implement it. 

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme
Making an impact
UCL Portico building with welcome sign between columns.

Case study: Artificial Intelligence in court

We trained an artificial intelligence system that predicted court case verdicts to 79% accuracy.

The foundation of your career

As this programme admitted its first cohort of students in September 2024, graduate destination information is not yet available. 

Graduates from similar programmes work in sectors like medical device development, industrial processing, data analytics, machine learning, and autonomous navigation. There are ample opportunities to work in research and academia, too.

Employability

This programme prepares you for roles in robotics-related industries and occupations requiring engineering or analytical skills. You will develop the ability to create robotics solutions and tackle automation challenges across various sectors, including manufacturing, security, healthcare, and more.

Networking

You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and network with peers and members of academia and industry as part of your Master’s, particularly through collaborative project work and research seminars. 

  • As a student and later as a graduate, you will have access to a UCL Careers events programme, connecting you with employers and alumni. This programme provides invaluable insight into the reality of different roles, sectors, and current application processes.  
  • UCL also has a large number of clubs and societies, which can be an effective way to connect with peers who share similar interests and career goals.  
  • Be part of a university where entrepreneurial minds thrive. Our academic and industrial networks provide a safe and supportive environment if you want to grow your own company. 
  • London’s Tech scene is vibrant and has regular networking events.

Teaching and learning

This programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, lab classes. Your self-directed learning is supported by online resources.

You will be assessed through various methods, including coursework, projects, exams, and a final research project/dissertation.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are approximately 16-19 contact  hours per teaching week, depending on module selections and timetabling. These contact hours include lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, office hours and other events.

Outside of these sessions, students are expected to engage in significant self-directed study and complete assessments. Formal teaching and self-directed study together amount to a workload comparable to a full-time job, roughly 35-40 hours per week in total.

Modules

Term 1 consists of four compulsory modules, which cover the fundamental basics of how to model and control a robotic system using project-based learning. 

Term 2 comprises a further compulsory module on mapping and localisation, and students choose three optional modules, with optional subjects including Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence; Human Robot Interaction and Teleoperation; and Practical Robotic Systems. 

Term 3 will be devoted to your individual final project/dissertation.

Compulsory modules








Optional modules







Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Where you'll study

Two small wheeled remote control vehicles on floor with group of students in background

UCL Computer Science boasts state-of-the-art facilities that are designed to enhance your learning experience. Our recently renovated labs, with 55 high-performance PCs, ample laptop space, and versatile power options, create an optimal study environment. UCL East is home to our Intelligent Robotics Lab, a hub of innovation and cutting-edge technology. Facilities include the new Innovation Lab, which combines a computer cluster, advanced manufacturing equipment (such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and power tools), and an electronics manufacturing and testing area, all within a single space. The lab also features a motion capture system for conducting experiments on robot and human movement. Additionally, UCL boasts an award-winning Student Centre and 18 specialist libraries, ensuring you have access to top-tier resources and study spaces.

Find out more

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All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you - Alumni Perspectives

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Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you? Join us for a panel and Q&A event with UCL Engineering alumni. You'll learn what you can expect from postgraduate study at UCL Engineering and get application advice from previous students! This is an opportunity for all applicants to hear personal experiences of studying with us, but may be most relevant to those applying from the USA, Latin and South America.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you - Alumni Perspectives

—

Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you? Join us for a panel and Q&A event with UCL Engineering alumni. You'll learn what you can expect from postgraduate study at UCL Engineering and get application advice from previous students! This is an opportunity for all applicants to hear personal experiences of studying with us, but may be most relevant to those applying from the USA, Latin and South America.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £20,500
Tuition fees (2025/26) £39,800

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Students will require a modern computer with minimum specifications of 8GB RAM and 500GB SSD storage with a camera and microphone. However, we recommend at least 16GB RAM and 0.5-1 TB SSD storage. If you are considering undertaking a machine learning project, there will be computational capability available to you from within the Computer Science department, but you may nevertheless find it helpful to have a capable GPU in addition to the above.

This programme requires that you set a Linux Ubuntu environment in your laptop capable of running ROS graphical applications such as Gazebo and RViz. Dual booting is the preferred option, but virtual machines are also viable if set-up properly. For users less experienced with Linux distributions, we find that this is typically harder to set-up on Mac than Windows machines. We highly recommend that you take these factors into consideration when choosing a laptop for this programme.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For more information about funding opportunities for UCL Computer Science taught postgraduate programmes, please see the department's scholarships webpage.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver. Your application will be judged entirely on the evidence you provide.

Your personal statement should include:

  • why you want to study Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at taught postgraduate level.
  • why you want to study Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at UCL.
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme.
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme.
  • what mathematics experience you have to meet the requirements of the programme.
  • what programming experience you have.
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Due to competition for places on this programme, no late applications will be considered. Students with visa requirements or applying for scholarships are advised to apply early.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Computer Science
Computer Science

cs.pgt-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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