Systems, Control and Robotics

The Master's Programme in Systems, Control and Robotics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology offers students a comprehensive education in the fundamental principles and advanced technologies related to automation, control systems, and robotics. This interdisciplinary programme is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to design, analyze, and implement complex systems that are used in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and autonomous systems. Throughout the programme, students will gain deep knowledge in control theory, robotics, automation, sensor integration, and intelligent systems. The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, enabling students to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems. Students have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, robotics and mechatronics, or intelligent systems, depending on their interests and career goals. The programme emphasizes hands-on learning through laboratory work, projects, and collaborations with industry partners, preparing graduates for roles in research, development, and engineering. Students will also benefit from exposure to cutting-edge research in robotics, automation, and intelligent systems carried out at KTH. The programme encourages a problem-solving mindset, teamwork, and adaptive thinking, all essential qualities in the fast-evolving technological landscape. Graduates of this programme will be well-equipped to pursue careers in academia, research institutes, or industry, working on innovative automation solutions, robotic systems, and control strategies that improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The programme typically spans two years and is taught entirely in English, attracting students from around the world. Upon completion, graduates receive a Master of Science degree in Systems, Control and Robotics, opening up numerous professional opportunities and pathways in the fields of automation and intelligent systems.

Year 1

Mandatory courses

• Theory and Methodology of Science with Applications (Natural and Technological Science) 7.5 credits
• Image Analysis and Computer Vision 7.5 credits
• Power System Analysis 6.0 credits
• The Sustainable Systems and Control Engineer 3.0 credits
• Applied Estimation 7.5 credits
• Hybrid and Embedded Control Systems 7.5 credits
• Control Theory and Practice, Advanced Course 7.5 credits
• Nonlinear Control 7.5 credits
• Model Predictive Control 7.5 credits
• Modelling of Dynamical Systems 7.5 credits

Conditionally elective courses

• Artificial Intelligence 6.0 credits
• Deep Learning in Data Science 7.5 credits
• Robotics and Autonomous Systems 9.0 credits
• Computational Photography 6.0 credits
• Machine Learning 6.0 credits
• Artificial Neural Networks and Other Learning Systems 6.0 credits
• Machine Learning, Advanced Course 7.5 credits
• Speech and Speaker Recognition 7.5 credits
• Power System Stability and Control 7.5 credits
• Communication and Control in Electric Power Systems 6.0 credits
• Computer Applications in Power Systems 4.5 credits
• Electrical Machines and Drives 6.0 credits
• Power Electronics 6.0 credits
• Microsystem Technology 7.5 credits
• Hands-On Microelectromechanical Systems Engineering 7.5 credits
• Automatic Control, Project Course 15.0 credits
• Automatic Control, Project Course, Smaller Course 7.5 credits
• Stochastic Control and Optimization 7.5 credits
• Queuing Theory and Teletraffic Systems 7.5 credits
• Networked Systems Security 7.5 credits
• Digital Signal Processing 7.5 credits
• Adaptive Signal Processing 6.0 credits
• Optimal Filtering 6.0 credits
• Computer Hardware Engineering 7.5 credits
• Dynamics and Motion Control 9.0 credits
• Robust Mechatronics 6.0 credits
• Embedded Systems for Mechatronics, II 6.0 credits
• Complex Analysis 6.0 credits
• Mathematical Systems Theory 7.5 credits
• Geometric Control Theory 7.5 credits
• Optimal Control Theory 7.5 credits

Recommended courses

• Program System Construction Using C++ 6.0 credits
• Algorithms and Complexity 7.5 credits
• Software Engineering 6.0 credits
• Neuroscience 7.5 credits
• Language Engineering 6.0 credits
• Mathematical Modelling of Biological Systems 9.0 credits
• Statistical Methods in Applied Computer Science 6.0 credits
• Software Reliability 7.5 credits
• Bigger Advanced, Individual Course in Computer Science 9.0 credits
• Search Engines and Information Retrieval Systems 9.0 credits
• Human-Computer Interaction, Introductory Course 6.0 credits
• Multimodal Interaction and Interfaces 7.5 credits
• Electricity Market Analysis 7.5 credits
• Business Development and Quality Management 7.5 credits
• Management of Projects 7.5 credits
• Automatic Control, General Course 6.0 credits
• Systems and Control in Practice 1.5 credits
• Scientific Programming 7.5 credits
• Building Networked Systems Security 7.5 credits
• Signal Theory 7.5 credits
• Digital Communications 9.0 credits
• Speech Signal Processing 6.0 credits
• Sensor Based Systems 7.5 credits
• Embedded Systems 7.5 credits
• Embedded Software 7.5 credits
• English for Employment 7.5 credits
• Rhetoric - the Art of Persuasion 7.5 credits
• Technical Communication in English 7.5 credits
• English for Writing and Presenting a Degree Project in Science and Engineering 7.5 credits
• Industrial Management, Basic Course 6.0 credits
• Leadership in Cross-Cultural and Industrial Contexts 6.0 credits
• Optimization 6.0 credits
• Parallel Computations for Large- Scale Problems 7.5 credits
• Applied Linear Optimization 7.5 credits
• Probability Theory 7.5 credits
• Time Series Analysis 7.5 credits

Year 2

Mandatory courses

• Theory and Methodology of Science with Applications (Natural and Technological Science) 7.5 credits
• The Sustainable Systems and Control Engineer 3.0 credits
• Principles of Wireless Sensor Networks 7.5 credits

Conditionally elective courses

• Artificial Intelligence 6.0 credits
• Deep Learning in Data Science 7.5 credits
• Robotics and Autonomous Systems 9.0 credits
• Computational Photography 6.0 credits
• Machine Learning 6.0 credits
• Artificial Neural Networks and Other Learning Systems 6.0 credits
• Machine Learning, Advanced Course 7.5 credits
• Speech and Speaker Recognition 7.5 credits
• Power System Stability and Control 7.5 credits
• Communication and Control in Electric Power Systems 6.0 credits
• Computer Applications in Power Systems 4.5 credits
• Electrical Machines and Drives 6.0 credits
• Power Electronics 6.0 credits
• Microsystem Technology 7.5 credits
• Hands-On Microelectromechanical Systems Engineering 7.5 credits
• Automatic Control, Project Course 15.0 credits
• Automatic Control, Project Course, Smaller Course 7.5 credits
• Stochastic Control and Optimization 7.5 credits
• Queuing Theory and Teletraffic Systems 7.5 credits
• Networked Systems Security 7.5 credits
• Digital Signal Processing 7.5 credits
• Adaptive Signal Processing 6.0 credits
• Estimation Theory, Accelerated Program Course 6.0 credits
• Matrix Algebra, Accelerated Program 7.5 credits
• Computer Hardware Engineering 7.5 credits
• Dynamics and Motion Control 9.0 credits
• Robust Mechatronics 6.0 credits
• Embedded Systems for Mechatronics, II 6.0 credits
• Complex Analysis 6.0 credits
• Mathematical Systems Theory 7.5 credits
• Geometric Control Theory 7.5 credits
• Optimal Control Theory 7.5 credits
• Regression Analysis 7.5 credits

Recommended courses

• Program System Construction Using C++ 6.0 credits
• Algorithms and Complexity 7.5 credits
• Software Engineering 6.0 credits
• Neuroscience 7.5 credits
• Language Engineering 6.0 credits
• Mathematical Modelling of Biological Systems 9.0 credits
• Statistical Methods in Applied Computer Science 6.0 credits
• Software Reliability 7.5 credits
• Bigger Advanced, Individual Course in Computer Science 9.0 credits
• Search Engines and Information Retrieval Systems 9.0 credits
• Human-Computer Interaction, Introductory Course 6.0 credits
• Multimodal Interaction and Interfaces 7.5 credits
• Electricity Market Analysis 7.5 credits
• Business Development and Quality Management 7.5 credits
• Management of Projects 7.5 credits
• Building Networked Systems Security 7.5 credits
• Digital Communications 9.0 credits
• Speech Signal Processing 6.0 credits
• Sensor Based Systems 7.5 credits
• Embedded Systems 7.5 credits
• Embedded Software 7.5 credits
• English for Employment 7.5 credits
• Rhetoric - the Art of Persuasion 7.5 credits
• German B2 for Engineers 7.5 credits
• Technical Communication in English 7.5 credits
• French B2 for Engineers 7.5 credits
• English for Writing and Presenting a Degree Project in Science and Engineering 7.5 credits
• Spanish B2 for Engineers 7.5 credits
• Industrial Management, Basic Course 6.0 credits
• Leadership in Cross-Cultural and Industrial Contexts 6.0 credits
• Optimization 6.0 credits
• Parallel Computations for Large- Scale Problems 7.5 credits
• Applied Linear Optimization 7.5 credits
• Probability Theory 7.5 credits
• Time Series Analysis 7.5 credits

Degree project and thesis

The Master's thesis project is typically carried out during the second half of the second year, upon completion of the necessary programme credits. The project may involve work in a relevant industry or in a department at KTH, and may be combined with course work. For students who wish to pursue a career in research, the thesis project offers an excellent opportunity to develop contacts and the skills necessary to work within a research group; and for those wishing to go into industry, it serves as an important introduction and practical foundation for a career with a prospective employer.

Requirements

1. A completed Bachelor's degree, corresponding to a Swedish Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS credits), or equivalent academic qualifications from an internationally recognised university.
2. Students in their final year of undergraduate education may apply to KTH and, if qualified, receive conditional acceptance. If you have not yet completed your studies, please include a written statement issued by the degree awarding university. This statement must be certified and stamped by the Academic Registrar's Office, the Examinations Office or equivalent of the institution. Statements from other staff members, such as faculty members, will not be accepted.
3. Students who are following longer technical programmes, and have completed courses equivalent to a Bachelor´s degree (180 ECTS credits), will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
4. Cover sheet (generated from the web-based application). However, if you have a Swedish personal ID number or if you choose to upload your documents, the cover sheet is not required.
5. Certificates and diplomas from previous education at an internationally recognised university.
6. Transcripts of records (including course list). All courses taken and grades must be included. Sort them in reverse chronological order, i.e. put the last received document on top.
7. Proof of English proficiency.
8. A copy of your passport or some other document of identification. If you are from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and are required to document your citizenship status in order to be considered exempt from paying application and tuition fees, your passport copy must be certified. If you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, certification of your passport copy is not required.
9. Letter of motivation. A letter explaining why you are interested in this programme.
10. Two letters of recommendation (in English).
11. Relevant work experience, if any. Work experience with relevance to the subject/field of the programme.
12. Curriculum Vitae
13. Completed summary sheet
14. IELTS A minimum overall mark of 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic Training accepted). 
15. TOEFL Paper-based test: total result of 575 (written test, minimum grade 4.5)
16. TOEFL  Internet-based test: total result of 90 (written test, minimum grade 20)

• A Bachelor's degree, corresponding to 180 ECTS credits, including basic mathematics courses in linear algebra, calculus in one and several variables, probability theory and computer science. In addition a course in signals and systems including material about time-continuous and time-discrete systems, sampling, linear filters and systems, transform methods (Laplace and Z) and a course in control engineering is required. The above can also be described as the student to have completed courses corresponding to the following of KTH courses:

• SF1624 Algebra and Geometry
• SF1625 Calculus in One Variable
• SF1626 Calculus in Several Variables
• SF1901 Probability Theory and Statistics
• SF1634 Differential Equations II
• EL1110 Automatic Control, General Course
• DD1343 Computer Science and Numerical Methods, part 1

The specific requirements can be assessed as not fulfilled if the average grade is less than 75% of the highest average grade.

Scholarships

• KTH Scholarship
• Russian Presidency Scholarship for Abroad Studies

The Master's programme in Systems, Control and Robotics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology offers students a comprehensive education in the fields of automation, control systems, robotics, and intelligent systems. The programme is designed to equip students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to develop and implement advanced control strategies and robotic systems in various sectors, including manufacturing, aerospace, transportation, and healthcare. The curriculum covers core topics such as modern control theory, automation, system modelling, sensors and actuators, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and embedded systems. Students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on projects, laboratory work, and collaborations with industry partners, which enhance their problem-solving capabilities and prepare them for careers in research, development, or management within technological industries.

The programme typically spans two years and is taught entirely in English, attracting students from around the world. During their studies, students can choose elective courses to tailor their education to specific interests, such as autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, or intelligent robotics. The programme emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to meet the challenges of modern automation and robotics systems. Students also have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities at KTH, fostering innovation and experimental learning. Graduates of the programme often pursue careers in tech companies, automation industries, research institutes, or continue their academic journey through PhD studies. The programme aligns with KTH's strategic focus on sustainable technology and innovative solutions, preparing students to contribute effectively to technological advancement and societal development.