Mechatronics and Robotics BEng Honours

This module gives you a comprehensive understanding of electronics fundamentals and practical skills essential for constructing electronic circuits successfully. Through the exploration of analogue and digital systems, you will gain knowledge in basic electric circuit theory, standard electronic components, and circuit analysis techniques. You will also learn to design and apply standard analogue and digital circuits, including voltage dividers, amplifiers, logic gates, and sequential circuits. The module will focus on practical applications of electronics, such as interfacing analogue and digital signals, electronic system design, and embedded application design.

This module enhances your knowledge and understanding of the design process and project management principles in engineering contexts. By exploring a range of modelling and prototyping processes and techniques, you will learn the skills necessary to successfully execute engineering projects. Through practical application, you will develop proficiency in prototype development and utilise project management tools to effectively plan, organise, and execute project tasks. The projects undertaken in this module serve as a platform for you to apply problem-solving skills, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application.

This module introduces you to fundamental computational concepts and programming constructs relevant to physical computing and the Internet of Things (IoT). Through exploration of various programming languages and environments, you will develop problem-solving skills using code to interact with hardware components. This module equips you with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop computer programs tailored to specific requirements, integrating software solutions with physical devices and processes effectively. Through practical exercises and projects, you will learn to use programming languages and tools to create innovative solutions that bridge the gap between software and hardware domains.

This module equips you with a robust foundation in mathematical principles and tools essential for modelling and comprehending complex engineering problems. Through theoretical understanding and practical applications, you will gain the skills to analyse, interpret, and effectively communicate results, empowering you to make informed decisions and design solutions as competent engineers.

This module develops your understanding of the commercial, legal, financial, ethical and environmental context of design and engineering processes and their impact on society. We will cover issues such as sustainability goals, recognition of obligations to the society, the professional practice and a commitment to professional standards and code(s) of conduct relevant to your discipline (such as the Engineering Council). The module also covers other wider issues such as materials and their impact on environmental factors, waste management, ethics, EDI in a workplace, enterprise and entrepreneurship, security concerns, globalisation (global manufacturing, operating in global markets, cultural issues, financial concerns, risk etc) and its impact on business operations.

This module will help you develop an understanding of the concepts and theory of operation that lie behind mechatronic devices and systems and gain an experiential understanding of the effect that design has on these devices through construction, programming, demonstration and analysis. The module also develops realisable solutions to real-world situations and needs, practical capability in the design and realisation of mechatronic systems using appropriate hardware and software along with a wider knowledge of the application of mechatronics in the real world. 

This module will provide knowledge and practical skills in robotic systems. You will acquire the knowledge to formally describe a robotic system so they can plan and control a robot’s movement. You will learn about mobile robots and manipulators, the similarities and differences in the problems that need to be solved when using them, as well as techniques to use them together in a robotic system. You will also gain experiences using robot simulators and physical hardware along with the sensors used with them. 

This module will provide knowledge and understanding of the components of a typical control system involving sensors and actuators and how these can be controlled in applications such as level, position and speed control. This will involve developing knowledge of key aspects of classical control theory and their applications to engineering problems. You will use common industry standard software applications in modelling, analysing and prototyping control systems.

This module will provide you with knowledge and practical skills of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques used in robotics. The module will cover different types of autonomous robots in a variety of fields and applications. You will acquire knowledge and practical skills on robot sensory processing, particularly vision, and on the use of machine learning methods and algorithms, and how these are applied to real life autonomous robotic applications.

This module gives you the opportunity to synthesise prior learning and develop your planned graduation trajectory through a self-selected, self-initiated and self-directed major project and complementary professional practice components including EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) principles. The direction of the project is a personal choice supported by appropriate staff to help you best synthesise your course experiences into a project that develops your working practice and professional profile to a quality and in a direction suited to your exit trajectory. You will develop a body of coherent and detailed knowledge of project development, management and communication frameworks and methods in an appropriate professional sector.

This module will provide knowledge and understanding of the broad aspects of digital enterprise solutions within the scope of Industry 4.0. This module will develop your ability to analyse and critique mechatronics systems and to optimise such systems with the use of digital twin modelling and the integration of networking infrastructure. 

This module will strengthen, extend and apply the knowledge, skills and experiences you would have gained from your course in the context of a working environment, and to complement, stimulate, reinforce and encourage the development of discipline-specific technical knowledge, and your transferable skills. 

You will gain knowledge and understanding through a dynamic mix of teaching, learning and assessment strategies, designed to actively engage you and enhance your comprehension. The educational context is enriched with staff-led interactive sessions, complemented by hands-on laboratory activities, crucial for reinforcing theoretical knowledge through practice-led experiments and simulations.  

You will participate in a variety of interactive activities including seminars, group tutorials and collaborative exercises. These are crafted to foster critical thinking, problem-solving and the application of theory to practical, real-life societal challenges, with a particular focus on sustainable development. Additionally, you will undertake individual and group projects, deepening your subject mastery.   
 
Guided and independent study is highly promoted, complementing formal instruction supported by comprehensive resources such as key concept videos provided in advance, which explore topics more extensively and adopt a global perspective.   
 
Academic advising plays a crucial role in this holistic educational approach, guiding you through your academic journey, fostering an inclusive learning environment, and highlighting opportunities for work-based learning and engagement with industry.   
You will develop your skills within a stimulating and diverse teaching and learning framework, designed to nurture practical abilities, critical thinking and teamwork.   

Utilising state-of-the-art simulation tools and engaging in testing activities, you will gain insights into the practical aspects of their field, from conceptual design to tangible outcomes, preparing them for industry-specific tasks and decision-making.   
  
Through work-based learning opportunities and industry engagement, you will be prepared for the realities of their future careers, all while maintaining a focus on health and wellbeing.  

You will be mostly studying in the Ritterman Building at our leafy north London campus in Hendon. It is equipped with industry-standard equipment in mechatronics, robotics, electronics and networking solutions.

Year 1 – weekly timetable

During your first year, your weekly timetable will typically consist of 4 blocks of 3 hours of workshops (a total of 12 hours of contact time per week).

Teaching vs independent learning

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking self-directed research, self-directed, resource-based learning, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.

Here is an indication of how you will split your time.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Academic advising plays a crucial role in this holistic educational approach, guiding you through your academic journey, fostering an inclusive learning environment, and highlighting opportunities for work-based learning and engagement with industry.   
You will develop your skills within a stimulating and diverse teaching and learning framework, designed to nurture practical abilities, critical thinking and teamwork.   
Utilising state-of-the-art simulation tools and engaging in testing activities, you will gain insights into the practical aspects of their field, from conceptual design to tangible outcomes, preparing them for industry-specific tasks and decision-making.

Your knowledge and understanding will be assessed by examinations and practical, authentic written assignments.  Your cognitive skills will be assessed by practice based individual and group coursework assignments, oral presentations and written examinations.

There are formal assessments midway through each module and at the end which will count towards your module and your final marks.

Assessment methods vary in the modules you study. Coursework assessment types vary from presentations, business simulated case studies, online quizzes, portfolio analyses, reflective reports, business reports and academic essays. You'll have the opportunity to develop core graduate competency areas that will equip you for entering the workforce, or starting a business after graduating.

The balance between the two will depend on which modules you are taking. The table below is a good approximate guide.

To help you achieve the best results, we will provide regular feedback.