Top 10 Best UK Universities for Robotics Degrees (2025 Guide)

How we selected these universities

• Subject reputation – strong recent showings in national and international league tables for Engineering, Computer Science or Artificial Intelligence.

• Dedicated robotics content – named BEng/MEng/MSc routes or substantial specialist tracks rather than a single optional module.

• Research & facilities – access to humanoid platforms, autonomous-vehicle tracks, motion-capture suites, maritime tanks or agri-robotics test fields.

• Industry & placement links – collaborations with firms such as Ocado Technology, Dyson, Thales, Rolls-Royce or NHS Trusts, plus paid internships.

• Student experience – breadth of optional modules, interdisciplinary teaching (mechanical, electrical, computer science) and strong employment data.

1. University of Edinburgh

Department overview – The School of Informatics and the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics run an MSc Robotics & Autonomous Systems with pathways in machine vision, human–robot interaction and field robotics.
University of Edinburgh

Sample modules
• Robot Learning & Autonomy
• Advanced Vision for Robotics
• Human–Robot Interaction

Research environment – Indoor drone arenas, a 100-GPU edge-AI cluster and joint projects with Heriot-Watt on the ORCA subsea-robotics hub.

Careers & links – Alumni join Amazon Development Centre Scotland, ABB Robotics or pursue doctorates across Europe.

Admissions – Good 2:1 (or overseas equivalent) in engineering, computer science or physics plus solid C++ and linear-algebra skills.

2. Imperial College London

Department overview – The Department of Computing and the Dyson School of Design Engineering offer robotics tracks in the MSc Artificial Intelligence and the MEng Design Engineering.
Imperial College London

Sample modules
• Mobile & Humanoid Robotics
• Embedded Systems for Mechatronics
• Robot Learning and Control

Research environment – Lab 42 hosts Boston Dynamics Spot units, collaborative arms and motion-capture rigs; surgical-robotics projects run with London hospitals.

Careers & links – Graduate destinations include Ocado Technology, Dyson Robotics and deep-tech start-ups spun out of Imperial.

Admissions – First or high 2:1 with evidence of embedded-systems or ROS projects; strong mathematics expected.

3. Bristol Robotics Laboratory (University of Bristol & UWE)

Department overview – Europe’s largest academic robotics centre offers a one-year MSc Robotics and a CDT in Robotics & Autonomous Systems.
Bristol Robotics Laboratory

Sample modules
• Soft Robotics Design
• Swarm Intelligence
• Human–Robot Collaboration

Research environment – Swarm-robot arenas, advanced prosthetics suites and an autonomous-vehicle proving ground.

Careers & links – Placements with Dyson, Thales and the MoD; many spin-outs originate in the BRL incubator.

Admissions – Upper-second in engineering or computing; demonstrable Python/ROS experience preferred.

4. University of Sheffield

Department overview – The Department of Automatic Control & Systems Engineering partners with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre to deliver an MSc Robotics.
University of Sheffield

Sample modules
• Intelligent Control Systems
• Industrial Robot Programming
• Nuclear Robotics & Remote Handling

Research environment – Factory 2050 provides digital-twin suites and collaborative-robot cells; the nuclear-robotics group tackles hazardous-environment manipulation.

Careers & links – Rolls-Royce, Ocado and Festo recruit regularly; funded industrial doctorates available.

Admissions – 2:1 with strengths in control theory and algorithms; MATLAB or C experience advantageous.

5. Oxford Robotics Institute (University of Oxford)

Department overview – The MSc in Autonomous Intelligent Machines & Systems spans mobile autonomy, perception and manipulation.
University of Oxford

Sample modules
• Probabilistic Robotics
• Legged-Robot Dynamics
• Autonomous Vehicle Systems

Research environment – A dedicated self-driving track at Begbroke Science Park and subterranean mine test-sites for exploration robots.

Careers & links – Alumni founded Oxbotica and Animal Dynamics; strong partnerships with NVIDIA and Airbus.

Admissions – First-class degree and portfolio showing C++ projects; GRE General recommended for international applicants.

6. University of Plymouth

Department overview – The School of Engineering, Computing & Mathematics offers BEng, MEng and MSc Robotics programmes focused on marine and humanoid systems.
University of Plymouth

Sample modules
• Marine Robotics & Navigation
• Humanoid Locomotion
• Embedded Sensors & Actuators

Research environment – COAST wave tanks for autonomous-submersible trials and RoboCup-ready humanoid labs.

Careers & links – Graduates join Babcock Marine, Thales and offshore-energy robotics firms.

Admissions – BBB (undergrad) or 2:1 (MSc) plus enthusiasm for maritime engineering and electronics.

7. University of Lincoln

Department overview – The Lincoln Centre for Autonomous Systems leads UK agri-robotics and food-factory automation research, offering an MSc Robotics & Autonomous Systems.
University of Lincoln

Sample modules
• Field Robotics & Perception
• Crop Monitoring with Drones
• Robot Software Engineering (ROS)

Research environment – On-farm testbeds for strawberry-picking arms and wheat-scouting drones; EPSRC agri-robotics doctoral centre.

Careers & links – John Deere, Bosch Rexroth and Ocado Engineering sponsor projects; start-ups hire directly from L-CAS.

Admissions – 2:1 plus ROS or machine-vision project evidence; agricultural experience welcomed but not essential.

8. University of Leeds

Department overview – The Institute of Robotics, Autonomous Systems & Sensing delivers a five-year MEng and a one-year MSc in Mechatronics & Robotics.
University of Leeds

Sample modules
• Robot Manipulators & Kinematics
• Soft Robotics Fabrication
• Medical Robotics & Imaging

Research environment – Gait-analysis labs, subterranean pipe-inspection robots and partnerships with Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

Careers & links – Dyson, Zimmer Biomet and Network Rail recruit graduates; spin-outs include pipe-crawl inspection robots.

Admissions – AAB (undergrad) or 2:1 (postgrad); applicants should show competence in control systems and CAD.

9. University of Warwick

Department overview – Warwick Manufacturing Group and the School of Engineering offer a BEng Robotics and an MSc Smart, Connected & Autonomous Vehicles with extensive robotics content.
University of Warwick

Sample modules
• Sensor Fusion & SLAM
• Robust Control for Mobile Robots
• Autonomous Vehicle Software Engineering

Research environment – The National Automotive Innovation Centre features a private 5G network and full-scale driving simulators.

Careers & links – Jaguar Land Rover, Horiba-MIRA and Oxbotica recruit interns and graduates.

Admissions – 2:1 in engineering or computer science; C/C++ or Rust projects plus linear-algebra fluency recommended.

10. Cranfield University

Department overview – The School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing’s MSc Robotics & Autonomous Systems focuses on aerial, space and defence robotics.
Cranfield University

Sample modules
• Unmanned Aerial Systems Control
• Space Robotics & Docking
• Autonomous Vehicle Testing

Research environment – A dedicated airport, jet-engine test cells and a 180-degree motion simulator for real-world validation.

Careers & links – Defence primes, space-tech SMEs and offshore-inspection companies hire straight from the programme.

Admissions – 2:1 plus relevant professional or project experience; strong MATLAB/Simulink skills advantageous.

Final tips

• Pinpoint your niche – soft robotics? Bristol or Leeds. Agri-tech? Lincoln. Marine systems? Plymouth. Self-driving vehicles? Warwick or Oxford.

• Verify accreditation – IMechE or IET recognition supports Chartered Engineer ambitions.

• Prioritise hands-on modules – ROS, C++ and real-robot lab time boost employability.

• Plan placements early – Edinburgh, Sheffield and Warwick advertise paid internships that often turn into graduate roles.

• Keep your maths sharp – kinematics, control theory and optimisation underpin modern robotics.

A UK robotics degree from any of these institutions positions you to build the intelligent machines transforming tomorrow’s industries. Good luck—may your controllers stay stable and your SLAM always converge!