Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng
London, Stratford (UCL East)
This is the programme information for 2026 entry
Join us on the exciting, interdisciplinary MEng Robotics and Artificial Intelligence programme at UCL, where you'll absorb leading-edge research and use it to engineer real-world solutions. As an expert in this field, you’ll help to forge a future where intelligent robots can support humans to overcome complex practical challenges.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
Programme starts
September 2026Application deadline
14 Jan 2026UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- A*A*A
- Subjects
- A* in either Mathematics or Further Mathematics required.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- A*AB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics required.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
- Points
- 40
- Subjects
- A total of 20 points in three higher level subjects including grade 7 in Mathematics. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 38 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including grade 7 in Mathematics, with no higher level score below 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
D2,D2,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, to include either Mathematics or Further Mathematics at D2.
A1,A1,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A1 at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher), to include Mathematics at Advanced Higher A1.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
If you do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry to this undergraduate programme, you may be eligible to apply for the Engineering Foundation Year at UCL. Designed for individuals from non-traditional educational backgrounds who do not meet standard entry requirements for UCL's undergraduate engineering degrees, this pre-degree programme helps you develop confidence, academic and study skills, and subject specific knowledge. On successful completion of the Engineering Foundation Year, you can gain access to a selection of the engineering undergraduate degree programmes at UCL. Find out more about the Engineering Foundation Year.
Additional tests
TARA admissions test
For the 2026 cycle, alongside the UCAS application, UCL will require all applicants to sit the TARA (The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions) run by University Admissions Tests UK.
TARA is a new test available from 2026. It is a non-subject-specific test designed to assess essential skills required for undergraduate study. There will be an entry fee for the test. More information about the test will be shortly available on University Admissions Tests UK website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 1
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
Robotics technologies are set to transform our societies and improve our lives, performing complex and dangerous physical tasks for us with power, consistency and precision.
On this 4-year integrated Master's programme, you’ll work alongside the pioneering AI and robotics experts who are finding new applications for these technologies every day, in diverse fields such as life sciences, healthcare, manufacturing, operational services, transportation, and more.
Drawing on the expertise of world-leading academics and researchers across the disciplines of computer science, AI, electronic and mechanical engineering, you’ll combine theoretical frameworks and approaches from all these areas to solve real-world problems. You’ll put your solutions into practice using the state-of-the-art robotics labs available at UCL East.
You’ll develop a wide range of practical computing skills, applying algorithms to data, debugging, designing and running experiments.
You’ll also engage deeply with the ethical considerations and dilemmas surrounding transformative AI and robotics technologies, evaluating the possible societal and environmental implications of new developments in this field. By the time you graduate, your expertise will extend beyond the technical – you'll be a conscientious and responsible practitioner, with the tools and expertise to help shape and change the world for the better.
What this course will give you
This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities:
- Immerse yourself in practical robotics, with access to our suite of robotics facilities containing industrial, educational and service robotic systems.
- Gain opportunities to work on real-world engineering challenges with industry partners such as Microsoft, Intel, Cisco and the NHS, through the department’s Industry Exchange Network (IXN).
- Study at UCL East - our new, purpose designed campus in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
- Graduate from one of the world’s most influential computer science departments. UCL is currently ranked first in England and second in the UK for research power in computer science and informatics (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
- Learn from leading academics and absorb perspectives from globally-recognised research groups. UCL was named The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year 2024 and is consistently ranked among the best universities globally (ranked 9th in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025).
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 480 credits, you will be awarded a MEng (Hons) in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
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 is 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.
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In each year of your degree, you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng is a 4-year course.
Year 1:
You'll gain a firm foundation in mathematical topics underpinning the analysis of robotic and AI systems, including calculus, discrete mathematics, probability and statistics. You will also learn advanced topics of mechanics, electronics, programming and will become familiar with control theory, small-scale manufacturing and prototyping.
Year 2:
You’ll take compulsory modules in the second year, including advanced topics in control theory, machine and reinforcement learning, modelling and simulation. You will also learn system engineering, object-oriented programming and sensor fusion. You will also undertake group industrial project.
Year 3:
You’ll study advanced topics in robotics and AI that include deep learning, robot learning and planning, networking and cybersecurity. You will also undertake a group supervised project.
Year 4:
You will learn about multi-agent systems, situational awareness, human-robot interaction and economics of robotics. You will also choose a module from a wide selection of specialist optional modules that are also taken by taught postgraduate students on our Master’s programmes, typically including, for example, legged and soft robotics, computer vision, medical robotics and advanced applications of AI. You’ll also undertake an individual supervised substantive project/ dissertation.
Compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Your learning
On the core curriculum of the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng, you’ll engage in a range of learning activities, such as lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory classes.
There’s also a strong emphasis on independent study and project-based learning throughout the course, which means you'll be expected to supplement the curriculum content provided by lecturers with your own research activities, This might include additional reading and attending robotics and AI seminars.
Throughout your degree, you’ll apply theoretical knowledge to practical activities such as workshops, demonstrations and visits, working with your peers to solve real and challenging problems of increasing complexity.
Students can typically expect to have 25 contact hours per week during teaching term time.
Contact hours may vary depending on the year of study, module selection, and timetable. You will be able to review each module’s indicative timetable in advance of making and confirming your module selections for each year.
In addition to contact hours, students are expected to dedicate approximately 15 hours per week to independent study. This may involve preparing for classes, completing assignments and engaging with required reading or practical activities.
Assessment
Your progress will be assessed through a broad range of methods, which typically include individual and group coursework, lab demonstrations and reports, individual and group projects, tests and written examinations, and oral assessments. In your final year, you’ll also be asked to produce a substantive Master's-level project or dissertation report.
Assessment methods used may vary, depending on the optional and elective modules you choose.
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.
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The foundation of your career
This new course is the latest addition to the portfolio of UCL Computer Science, one of the world’s leading teaching and research departments in this field (REF 2021). As this is a new course, there are no graduate outcomes or employment data available yet.
However, graduates from UCL Computer Science degrees benefit from nationally-leading employment rates and starting salaries, with students going onto IT analyst roles at banks in the City of London, IT specialist roles with manufacturing industries, and global IT consultancies (UCL Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2017-2021).
This integrated Master’s degree also provides you with significant research experience and understanding of research methodology – making it the ideal preparation for anyone interested in pursuing further postgraduate and doctoral study.
Employability
As a graduate of this course, you’ll possess key critical skills in mathematics, engineering, computer science, AI and robotics.
These core technical competencies, combined with your practical group project experience and Master’s-level research methods, leave you well equipped for a wide variety of roles across a range of industries.
Due to the rapid expansion of applications for AI and robotics technologies, our graduates will find themselves, their skills and competencies in increasingly high demand.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
Fee description | Full-time |
---|---|
Tuition fees (2025/26) | £9,535 |
Tuition fees (2025/26) | £43,500 |
Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
Additional costs
You will require a modern computer (PC or Mac) 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. Approximate costs may range from £800-£1500. 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.
For in-person teaching, 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. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
Your application
In addition to academic requirements, we are looking for you to demonstrate a proven interest in computing and a clear understanding of what studying robotics and artificial intelligence entails. We are keen to see evidence of your interest in subjects that relate to applications of computer technology.
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
Once an offer has been made, applicants are invited to attend an Offer-holder Open Day (in person or virtual), where they can find out more about us and what it’s like to study Computer Science at UCL. Additionally, the Open Day gives you the opportunity to ask questions to the Admissions Tutor and students currently enrolled on the programme.
The UCAS application is assessed by a central UCL team against the published entry criteria. Applicants with non-standard qualifications are referred to the Computer Science Admissions Tutor for review.
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