Automation and Control

Think of any modern manufacturing or utility supply process, and you're seeing automated assembly lines, robotic systems and programmable controls. This post graduate qualification gives you the advanced knowledge you need to create these systems and devise innovative solutions in the broad field of automation and control.

Taking your existing knowledge of engineering theory and practice, the course focuses on the essential areas of this specialist field, such as embedded systems, control system design. Using specialist equipment in our dedicated laboratories, you'll learn to use Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, the industry standard for the development of effective control systems.

So that you'll be prepared for the extra demands of a senior or management role, you'll also develop project management skills and research techniques. You'll graduate with a skill set that has the potential to take you to the top of your profession.

When recruiting for senior roles, employers expect a correspondingly high level of specialist technical and organisational skills. This course equips you with those abilities: on graduation, you can expect to be able to analyse particular industrial applications and evaluate possible solutions in terms of automated (dedicated/flexible) or mixed manual/automated systems, design and develop embedded systems to meet predetermined specifications, and design and implement a distributed control system utilising PLCs and SCADA technology.

You'll also be able to design a product or process using a Mechatronic design methodology, critically evaluate a given research project and deliver the project proposal involving literature review, analyse management problems and synthesise solutions.

The full-time programme is based over three trimesters, and generally lasts for one year or one year and three months (depending on the intake trimester). The course will involve you in lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions and independent study.

The programme structure is currently under review and subject to approval. For more information please contact us.

Trimester 1

Sustainable Energy Technologies, Embedded System Applications, Automation and Robotics

Trimester 2

Research Skills and Project Management, Control Engineering, Mechatronic Systems

Trimester 3

MSc Project Dissertation

The entry requirement for this course is a UK Honours degree at 2:2 or above. We look for applicants to have a background in a relevant engineering field such as electrical, electronics, mechanical, automation or control in order to be eligible for the programme. We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient relevant work experience within the industry. If English is not your first language, it is usually required that you sit an English language test in order to gain entry onto our postgraduate programmes. This course requires the standard IELTS 6.0 with no individual component score of less than 5.5 or equivalent. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6 TOEFL iBT® test: 75 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

We have a selection of funding opportunities available such as the UK postgraduate tuition fee loan (Scottish & EU) and specific scholarships aimed at student from India and across Africa.