Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The MEng in Robotics, Mechatronics and Control Engineering aims to: 

• A1.   Prepare highly skilled graduates to pursue careers in Robotics, Mechatronics and Control Engineering  across a range of industries and activities involving the design, development and analysis of complex systems
• A2.   Provide a high-quality learning experience across a complete range of core subjects in order to give students the skills to investigate robotics, mechatronics and control engineering problems.
• A3.   Develop engineers capable of designing innovative systems and managing the development process in order to deliver solutions that meet the requirements of customers.
• A4.   Produce engineers with extensive knowledge and understanding of engineering management and business practices and of the relevant ethical, business, sustainability and legal constraints.
• A5.   Develop graduates capable of integrating their knowledge of mathematics, science and the broader engineering context to solve complex problems.
• A6.   Promote innovation in engineering practice by applying appropriate knowledge, skills, tools and techniques in the analysis, diagnosis and solution of industry-related problems.
• A7.   Support personal and professional development, including, problem solving, leadership, team work and both oral and written presentation skills, as well as the ability to take the initiative in improving personal performance.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence: Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer Standard, Engineering Council UK, 3rd edition, 2013.
• UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence: The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes, Engineering Council UK, 3rd edition, 2014.
• Guidance Note on Academic Accreditation, Engineering Council UK, July 2014.
• The UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, April 2012.
• Subject Benchmark Statement: Engineering, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, November 2010.
• Master's Degree Characteristics, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, March 2010.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

• K1.   Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of scientific, mathematical and engineering principles appropriate to robotics, mechatronics and control engineering
• K2.   Demonstrate an understanding of general engineering and broader principles relevant to engineering
• K3.   Understand the commercial, economic and sustainable aspects in the application of engineering processes
• K4.   Demonstrate awareness of the relevant codes of practice and regulatory frameworks and the operational practices for safe operation of engineering processes
• K5.   Demonstrate extensive knowledge of the application of management and business practices appropriate to engineering industries, including their limitations
• K6.   Recognise the professional and ethical responsibilities of engineers
• K7.   Demonstrate awareness of developing technologies in  robotics, mechatronics and control engineering
• K8.   Draw on a deep understanding of robotics, mechatronics and control to form original solutions to engineering problems, some of which may have incomplete specifications.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

• C1.   Apply engineering principles to the analysis of robotics, mechatronics and control engineering  problems;
• C2.   Apply mathematical and computer-based methods for modelling and analysing a range of practical and hypothetical engineering processes, components and products;
• C3.   Generate innovative designs for engineering problems within the framework of economic, social, ethical and environmental issues;
• C4.   Evaluate and respond to customer needs, including fitness for purpose and cost;
• C5.   Follow essential design principles appropriate to relevant components, equipment and associated software.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

• P1.   Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of design, modelling, simulation and analytical methods and tools appropriate to robotics, mechatronics and control engineering
• P2.   Demonstrate a thorough understanding of current practice in defining and solving practical engineering problems, including its limitations and likely future direction
• P3.   Demonstrate an ability to manage the design process
• P4.   Use conventional laboratory equipment and relevant test and measurement equipment in an appropriate and safe manner
• P5.   Apply engineering techniques taking into account relevant codes of practice, commercial constraints and industry standards
• P6.   Demonstrate awareness of contractual issues and intellectual property rights
• P7.   Work with technical uncertainty
• P8.   Use appropriate management tools for project work.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

• T1.   Search and retrieve information, ideas and data from a variety of sources
• T2.   Select and analyse appropriate evidence and data to solve problems;
• T3.   Apply skills in problem solving, communication, team working and in the use of general software tools;
• T4.   Develop a personal work plan and take responsibility for its execution, independently, as team member or as a team leader;
• T5.   Produce appropriate technical reports, papers, diagrams and drawings;
• T6.   Plan self-learning and be able to take the initiative in improving personal performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning

4. Programme structure

4.1 Part A 

Semester 1 and 2

Compulsory modules (20 credits)

 Semester 1

Compulsory modules (50 credits)

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (50 credits)

4.2 Part B 

Semester 1 and 2

Compulsory modules (20 credits)

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (50 credits)

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (50 credits)

4.3 Part I

For candidates who are registered for the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS), Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS), or the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS), Part I will be between Parts B and C or between Parts C and D and will be in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XI and Regulation XX.

4.4 Part C 

Semester 1 and 2

Compulsory modules (30 credits)

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (50 credits)

 Semester 2

Compulsory modules (20 credits)

Optional Modules (20 credits)

4.5 Part D 

Semester 1 and 2

Compulsory modules (60 credits)

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (30 credits)

Semester 2

Optional modules (30 credits)

All optional module choice is subject to availability, timetabling, student number restrictions and students having taken appropriate pre-requisite modules.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 Criteria for programme progression

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, from C to D and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX and in addition candidates must accumulate 120 credits and achieve an overall average of 55% in each part.

To qualify for the Degree of Masters of Engineering, candidates must accumulate 120 credits from Part D, and achieve an overall average of 55%.

5.2  Criteria for Candidates who do not receive Permission to Progress or gain the Award of a Degree

Any candidate who fails to achieve the criteria for progression from Part A to Part B, Part B to Part C or Part C to Part D shall have the opportunity to repeat module assessments in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XX.  Alternatively, the candidate may elect to enter the BEng Honours Degree programme in Robotics, Mechatronics and Control Engineering, provided that the candidate has satisfied the criteria for progression on the BEng programme at the appropriate point.

In addition, candidates should normally obtain a mark of at least 50% in all modules with the prefix WSD5xx in order to accumulate credit.

Any candidate who, having successfully completed Part C, is unable to commence or complete Part D or who fails to achieve the criteria necessary for the award of MEng may, at the discretion of the Programme Board, be awarded the degree of BEng in Robotics, Mechatronics and Control Engineering with a classification corresponding to the candidate’s achievements in the Part B and Part C assessments and determined on the basis of the weightings given for the BEng programme.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

A candidate's final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments at Parts B, C and D in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX. The average percentage marks for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 20: Part C 40: Part D 40 to determine the final Programme Mark.