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Is Mechatronics/Robotics a valuable degree?

I was intending on applying to Manchester , Sheffield and QMUL for Mechatronics and Robotics as that is the area of Engineering im most interested in, however i've been told that choosing such a niche early on isnt advisable and that most companies would rather hire a Mechanical/CS/EE Engineer instead as in Mechatronics you get "spread too thin" between ME/EEE/CS without getting the indepth knowledge you would have in other degrees. So is Mechatronics still a viable degree to go into if you want to eventually end up working in Robotics?
If you select degrees with a placement year you will have relevant experience on your CV, and work contacts - and possibly you first job offer - when you graduate. Go for the degree subject that interests you.
Original post by saif12346789
I was intending on applying to Manchester , Sheffield and QMUL for Mechatronics and Robotics as that is the area of Engineering im most interested in, however i've been told that choosing such a niche early on isnt advisable and that most companies would rather hire a Mechanical/CS/EE Engineer instead as in Mechatronics you get "spread too thin" between ME/EEE/CS without getting the indepth knowledge you would have in other degrees. So is Mechatronics still a viable degree to go into if you want to eventually end up working in Robotics?

Hi!
My name is Izzy and I'm a 4th year mechatronic Engineering student at Lancaster University. I chose Mechatronic Engineering because combines Mechanical and Electrical & Electronic engineering but also includes robotics, control engineering, programming and more!

At Lancaster, many of our coursework projects are multidisciplinary so members of the team do different engineering courses. As a mechantonic engineering student I understand both the mechanical and electronic parts of the project so I can take responsibility of either of those sections if needed. Additionally, as a mechatronic student I can also help integrate and program both the mechanical and electronic parts together. So a broad range of knowledge is useful in project work. At my time at Lancaster, I've built and worked with multiple different robots and I've had the opportunity to work with people from industry. Some people think Mechatronics is too niche but ultimately if you are passionate about mechatronics then you should pursue it. You could also do some research into engineering graduate schemes/jobs for robotics to see which university disciplines/courses they recruit from.

I hope that helps. Best of luck with your application and if yo have any more questions, I'd be happy to help!
Izzy (Lancaster Engineering Student Ambassador)
Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador
Hi!
My name is Izzy and I'm a 4th year mechatronic Engineering student at Lancaster University. I chose Mechatronic Engineering because combines Mechanical and Electrical & Electronic engineering but also includes robotics, control engineering, programming and more!

At Lancaster, many of our coursework projects are multidisciplinary so members of the team do different engineering courses. As a mechantonic engineering student I understand both the mechanical and electronic parts of the project so I can take responsibility of either of those sections if needed. Additionally, as a mechatronic student I can also help integrate and program both the mechanical and electronic parts together. So a broad range of knowledge is useful in project work. At my time at Lancaster, I've built and worked with multiple different robots and I've had the opportunity to work with people from industry. Some people think Mechatronics is too niche but ultimately if you are passionate about mechatronics then you should pursue it. You could also do some research into engineering graduate schemes/jobs for robotics to see which university disciplines/courses they recruit from.

I hope that helps. Best of luck with your application and if yo have any more questions, I'd be happy to help!
Izzy (Lancaster Engineering Student Ambassador)

These are all the reasons I am applying for mechatronics engineering at Lancaster uni. I am very interested in mechanical engineering but also interested in electrical engineering, computer science and automated systems/control systems along with robotics. So I think it would be the perfect course for me!
Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador
Hi!
My name is Izzy and I'm a 4th year mechatronic Engineering student at Lancaster University. I chose Mechatronic Engineering because combines Mechanical and Electrical & Electronic engineering but also includes robotics, control engineering, programming and more!

At Lancaster, many of our coursework projects are multidisciplinary so members of the team do different engineering courses. As a mechantonic engineering student I understand both the mechanical and electronic parts of the project so I can take responsibility of either of those sections if needed. Additionally, as a mechatronic student I can also help integrate and program both the mechanical and electronic parts together. So a broad range of knowledge is useful in project work. At my time at Lancaster, I've built and worked with multiple different robots and I've had the opportunity to work with people from industry. Some people think Mechatronics is too niche but ultimately if you are passionate about mechatronics then you should pursue it. You could also do some research into engineering graduate schemes/jobs for robotics to see which university disciplines/courses they recruit from.

I hope that helps. Best of luck with your application and if yo have any more questions, I'd be happy to help!
Izzy (Lancaster Engineering Student Ambassador)

Great reply ! Your toolkit of skills sounds awesome . The future is mechatronics / automation - because it's the most useful upto date blend of industry needs. Most traditional departments have heavily invested in their respective institutes and so have become limited in scope and out of touch with the cutting edge . You should work for Elon Musk !
Reply 5
Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador
Hi!
My name is Izzy and I'm a 4th year mechatronic Engineering student at Lancaster University. I chose Mechatronic Engineering because combines Mechanical and Electrical & Electronic engineering but also includes robotics, control engineering, programming and more!
At Lancaster, many of our coursework projects are multidisciplinary so members of the team do different engineering courses. As a mechantonic engineering student I understand both the mechanical and electronic parts of the project so I can take responsibility of either of those sections if needed. Additionally, as a mechatronic student I can also help integrate and program both the mechanical and electronic parts together. So a broad range of knowledge is useful in project work. At my time at Lancaster, I've built and worked with multiple different robots and I've had the opportunity to work with people from industry. Some people think Mechatronics is too niche but ultimately if you are passionate about mechatronics then you should pursue it. You could also do some research into engineering graduate schemes/jobs for robotics to see which university disciplines/courses they recruit from.
I hope that helps. Best of luck with your application and if yo have any more questions, I'd be happy to help!
Izzy (Lancaster Engineering Student Ambassador)

Hi! need help putting stuff down on my personal statement extra/super curricular wise, any pointers?
Original post by resma
Hi! need help putting stuff down on my personal statement extra/super curricular wise, any pointers?

Hi @resma
For me personally when I did my personal statement (a long time ago!), I included all my relevant super/extra curricular in it to demonstrate my passion for engineering. A personal statement is about showing why you are interested in engineering (or a more specific discipline of engineering) and how you have explored it as an option. For example, for my personal statement I wrote about how I participated in a makerspace club so that I could learn how to use laser cutters and 3D printers. I also talked about the different summer courses I attended, not just engineering specific ones but a range of them to demonstrate how I narrowed my interest down to Mechatronic Engineering. A personal statement is tailored to the individual so my advice it to demonstrate your passion for the subject you are applying to, supported by some examples/experiences.

Hope this help, let me know if you have any questions.

Izzy (LU Engineering Student Ambassador)

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