What programs/unis are good for hands on robotics?

So I’m currently planning to switch my university applications from Computer Science and Software Engineering to more robotics-focused courses, but I’m not sure which programs would best suit my goals.

Here’s what I’m looking for in a program:

• Strong Hands-On Learning: I learn best through practical, project-based experiences, so I’m looking for courses with extensive lab work, projects, and opportunities to build real systems.

• Balanced Skill Set: I want to gain both programming and engineering skills so I can work on a full robotics project from start to finish, handling both the software and the physical/mechanical aspects.

• Interest in Robotics: While I’m considering robotics engineering as a potential career, I’m primarily looking into this field because I’m genuinely interested in it, rather than focusing on job opportunities or financial outcomes.

• Uncertain About Which Path to Take: I’m still figuring out whether I want to focus more on engineering or computer science, so a program that allows me to pursue both paths or transition between them would be really appealing.

I’ve been looking into Loughborough’s BEng in Robotics, Mechatronics, and Control Engineering, which seems like a good fit so far, but I’d love to know if there are other programs with a similar approach to hands-on learning and balanced training. Reputation means very little to me as long as the quality of education is good and it suits my learning style I’m happy to go wherever, as long as it’s in the uk.

Any advice or recommendations on programs and universities would be greatly appreciated.

Reply 1

University of Bath

Official Rep

Hello there!

Great to hear you're planning to go into Robotics, I'm sure a degree in this will open up many doors for you in a growing industry 👍️

Have you considered our Robotics MEng with a placement? I've linked the 5 year MEng, but you can do a 4 year BEng with a placement too, or non-placement equivalents if you wish.

You might like this one because you mentioned that you enjoy project work - well we put project work as a very strong focus in this course. You learn a lot about electrical/electronic, mech and and computer systems in the course so its quite varied in its scope which will allow you to find out more about which areas you like most.

This one also includes a professional placement where you can go and work in industry for a year. Placements add so much to your graduate CV, making you really stand out as well as being a fun opportunity to earn some money and do something different. Its worth looking into if you'd be interested in a placement.

I would also check out the TCU Guide's league tables to get some inspo for other unis you might be interested in.

Take a look at the content and see what you think! Happy to answer any questions you have 🙂

All the best!

Holly
University of Bath

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 2

cssius_cIay

Original post by University of Bath

Hello there!
Great to hear you're planning to go into Robotics, I'm sure a degree in this will open up many doors for you in a growing industry 👍️
Have you considered our Robotics MEng with a placement? I've linked the 5 year MEng, but you can do a 4 year BEng with a placement too, or non-placement equivalents if you wish.
You might like this one because you mentioned that you enjoy project work - well we put project work as a very strong focus in this course. You learn a lot about electrical/electronic, mech ang and computer systems in the course so its quite varied in its scope which will allow you to find out more about which areas you like most.
This one also includes a professional placement where you can go and work in industry for a year. Placements add so much to your graduate CV, making you really stand out as well as being a fun opportunity to earn some money and do something different. Its worth looking into if you'd e interested in a placement.
I would also check out the TCU Guide's league tables to get some inspo for other unis you might be interested in.
Take a look at the content and see what you think! Happy to answer any questions you have 🙂
All the best!
Holly
University of Bath

Hi Holly,
Thanks for the information about the course – it looks really interesting. I’m definitely hoping to learn more about the engineering aspect of robotics, but I also want to make sure I’m getting a solid understanding of the theory behind the CS aspect as well. Do you know how much of the course focuses on the engineering (mechanical, electrical, etc.) versus the software/programming side? I’m hoping to find somewhat of a balance between the two.

Reply 3

University of Bath

Official Rep

Original post by cssius_cIay

Hi there!

I personally did not study robotics so couldn't say from personal experience. Because it is classed as an MEng/BEng there will most probably be more of an engineering focus than a raw CS focus. As here at Bath Robotics modules are provided by the departments of Mech Eng and Electronic & Electrical Engineering rather than Computer Science I believe there is a more mechanistic than theoretical focus. However in year three there is a computer engineering unit where you learn about logical reasoning, probabilistic reasoning, logic programming, machine learning etc which are more computer sciencey.

The best people to give you a full breakdown will be our admissions team - [email protected]. If you have questions about the specific module structure then perhaps give them a call? 01225 383019 - they'll be more than happy to answer any specific questions you have!

All the best!

Holly
Uni of Bath