BEng (Hons) Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems 48 months Undergraduate Programme By Heriot-Watt University |TopUniversities
Programme Duration

48 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

25,808 GBPTuition Fee/year

Scholarship

6Scholarships

Main Subject Area

Engineering - GeneralMain Subject Area

Programme overview

Main Subject

Engineering - General

Degree

BEng

Study Level

Undergraduate

Study Mode

On Campus

Robotic and autonomous systems are now used in areas such as autonomous vehicle guidance, healthcare, remote surgery, industrial manufacturing and domestic assistance. This multi-disciplined BEng Robotics degree brings together electronics, computer software, and mechanics.  

We were recently ranked 1st in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Daily Mail, 2025), reflecting the exceptional quality of our teaching, research, and industry engagement in the field.

In the first three years, you’ll be given a background in all three disciplines, along with the opportunity to build integrated systems. In fourth year, you can either continue with a broad-based curriculum, or specialise in particular aspects of contemporary robotics. 

During your studies, you will apply our ‘learning by doing’ philosophy by practically developing your skills beyond traditional academic content. You’ll work on both individual and group projects from third year onwards, gaining valuable hands-on experience. The projects challenge you to solve a 'real life' problem – such as the project in which our students helped design an electronic egg to monitor penguin incubation. You will be taught how to use industry-standard equipment and facilities, and will be supported and encouraged by staff to use the equipment to further your studies, and innovate creative engineering solutions in your personal time.  

Why study Robotics? 

Robotics and AI are seen as key technologies for the future and the subject of massive commercial investment. 

There is a rapidly growing worldwide demand for graduates with the technical skills and industry awareness to create an innovation pipeline from academic research to global markets in the field of robotics. Key application areas include manufacturing, assistive and medical robots, offshore energy, environmental monitoring, search and rescue, defence, and support for the aging population. 

Apple, Google, Uber, Amazon and Facebook all have major ongoing research programs in robotics. In the UK, Dyson, 5AI and a plethora of SMEs and start-ups are trying to grasp the huge market opportunity that is foreseen. Predictions of the worldwide economic impact of Robotics and Autonomous Systems range from US$1.7 trillion to US$4.5 trillion by 2025. 


Our Expertise

Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active robotics and electrical and electronic engineers and academics.  


96% of Heriot-Watt University’s engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh. 


Our BEng Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems draws upon the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt as part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and Autonomous Systems (CDT-RAS). The centre is leading in the UK effort to realise the potential of Robotics and AI technology, by producing a new generation of highly skilled researchers, trained to take a central role through technical skill coupled to industry and marketing awareness.  


You will also benefit from the work completed by the on-campus National Robotarium. The multimillion-pound UK innovation hub for robotics and autonomous systems has been built in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and delivers leading research and support for business creation and growth. The presence of the National Robotarium provides you with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills at the forefront of robotics and AI.  


The research relevance of this undergraduate programme ensures your studies remain cutting-edge and industry focused. 

Your Learning Environment

The BEng Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems programme is taught though a combination of lectures, tutorials, and laboratory practicals, allowing you to get to know and build relationships with your teaching staff, academics, and peers. You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.  


During your studies, you’ll benefit from and have access to our specialist equipment, software and laboratories used by professional electrical, electronic, and robotic engineers. You will have the opportunity to work on real-world problems, and work across disciplines to deliver practical solutions with global impact in our state-of-the-art GRID facility.   


GRID will be the hub for all your undergraduate project and laboratory work, providing you access to innovative labs and facilities for electronics, electrical power, computing, embedded systems, communications, robotics, and mechanical prototyping. This will enable you to undertake a wide range of learning activities and to progressively develop your skills and knowledge throughout the degree programme. 


The specifically designed centre will also foster multi-disciplinary working and will provide you with experience of working in project teams, similar to being in the actual workplace. In addition, the facilities are available for students who want to work on their own projects either individually or as part of student societies.  


There are a number of societies you can join, where you can meet likeminded people, get involved in social and networking events, and gain insights into industry, including: 


  • Electrical, Electronics, and Computing Engineering Society where you can join regular social events and listen to industry talks and seminars outside of your teaching 
  • Robot Wars Society where you can battle robots and discuss fighting robots with other robotics students, and others around the university  
  • Robotics Society to join weekly Come&Build sessions, attend workshops, crash courses, and training throughout the year and meet interesting people and have fun at robotics related events and socials 


The Heriot-Watt IEEE student branch is very active and organises events and activities for all EECE students, whilst encouraging students to join the IEEE.  A variety of academic and social events are held throughout the semester including industrial seminars and soft skills workshops to improve career opportunities. 


Accreditation


Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. 


 

 

Programme overview

Main Subject

Engineering - General

Degree

BEng

Study Level

Undergraduate

Study Mode

On Campus

Robotic and autonomous systems are now used in areas such as autonomous vehicle guidance, healthcare, remote surgery, industrial manufacturing and domestic assistance. This multi-disciplined BEng Robotics degree brings together electronics, computer software, and mechanics.  

We were recently ranked 1st in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Daily Mail, 2025), reflecting the exceptional quality of our teaching, research, and industry engagement in the field.

In the first three years, you’ll be given a background in all three disciplines, along with the opportunity to build integrated systems. In fourth year, you can either continue with a broad-based curriculum, or specialise in particular aspects of contemporary robotics. 

During your studies, you will apply our ‘learning by doing’ philosophy by practically developing your skills beyond traditional academic content. You’ll work on both individual and group projects from third year onwards, gaining valuable hands-on experience. The projects challenge you to solve a 'real life' problem – such as the project in which our students helped design an electronic egg to monitor penguin incubation. You will be taught how to use industry-standard equipment and facilities, and will be supported and encouraged by staff to use the equipment to further your studies, and innovate creative engineering solutions in your personal time.  

Why study Robotics? 

Robotics and AI are seen as key technologies for the future and the subject of massive commercial investment. 

There is a rapidly growing worldwide demand for graduates with the technical skills and industry awareness to create an innovation pipeline from academic research to global markets in the field of robotics. Key application areas include manufacturing, assistive and medical robots, offshore energy, environmental monitoring, search and rescue, defence, and support for the aging population. 

Apple, Google, Uber, Amazon and Facebook all have major ongoing research programs in robotics. In the UK, Dyson, 5AI and a plethora of SMEs and start-ups are trying to grasp the huge market opportunity that is foreseen. Predictions of the worldwide economic impact of Robotics and Autonomous Systems range from US$1.7 trillion to US$4.5 trillion by 2025. 


Our Expertise

Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active robotics and electrical and electronic engineers and academics.  


96% of Heriot-Watt University’s engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh. 


Our BEng Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems draws upon the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt as part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and Autonomous Systems (CDT-RAS). The centre is leading in the UK effort to realise the potential of Robotics and AI technology, by producing a new generation of highly skilled researchers, trained to take a central role through technical skill coupled to industry and marketing awareness.  


You will also benefit from the work completed by the on-campus National Robotarium. The multimillion-pound UK innovation hub for robotics and autonomous systems has been built in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and delivers leading research and support for business creation and growth. The presence of the National Robotarium provides you with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills at the forefront of robotics and AI.  


The research relevance of this undergraduate programme ensures your studies remain cutting-edge and industry focused. 

Your Learning Environment

The BEng Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems programme is taught though a combination of lectures, tutorials, and laboratory practicals, allowing you to get to know and build relationships with your teaching staff, academics, and peers. You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.  


During your studies, you’ll benefit from and have access to our specialist equipment, software and laboratories used by professional electrical, electronic, and robotic engineers. You will have the opportunity to work on real-world problems, and work across disciplines to deliver practical solutions with global impact in our state-of-the-art GRID facility.   


GRID will be the hub for all your undergraduate project and laboratory work, providing you access to innovative labs and facilities for electronics, electrical power, computing, embedded systems, communications, robotics, and mechanical prototyping. This will enable you to undertake a wide range of learning activities and to progressively develop your skills and knowledge throughout the degree programme. 


The specifically designed centre will also foster multi-disciplinary working and will provide you with experience of working in project teams, similar to being in the actual workplace. In addition, the facilities are available for students who want to work on their own projects either individually or as part of student societies.  


There are a number of societies you can join, where you can meet likeminded people, get involved in social and networking events, and gain insights into industry, including: 


  • Electrical, Electronics, and Computing Engineering Society where you can join regular social events and listen to industry talks and seminars outside of your teaching 
  • Robot Wars Society where you can battle robots and discuss fighting robots with other robotics students, and others around the university  
  • Robotics Society to join weekly Come&Build sessions, attend workshops, crash courses, and training throughout the year and meet interesting people and have fun at robotics related events and socials 


The Heriot-Watt IEEE student branch is very active and organises events and activities for all EECE students, whilst encouraging students to join the IEEE.  A variety of academic and social events are held throughout the semester including industrial seminars and soft skills workshops to improve career opportunities. 


Accreditation


Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. 


 

 

Admission Requirements

6+
29+
Standard entry requirements
  • Highers AABB (over two sittings). Must include Maths and one of Physics, Technological Studies, Engineering Science, or Computer Science, with one required subject achieved at A.
  • A-Levels BBC- ABB. Must include Maths and either Physics or Electronics, with required subjects at BB.
  • International Baccalaureate 29 points. Must include Physics and Maths, both at Higher Level 5.
  • BTEC Extended Diploma DMM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths.
  • HNC A in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths. All HNCs must include Engineering Maths 1 and one of Engineering Maths 2 or 3.
  • HND BB in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths. All HNDs must include Engineering Maths 1 and one of Engineering Maths 2 or 3.

Year 2

  • Advanced Highers AB. Must include Advanced Higher Physics and Maths, and meet Year 1 Higher AABB requirements.
  • A-Levels BBB to include Physics and Maths.
  • International Baccalaureate 34 points. Must include Physics and Maths at HL 6.
  • BTEC Extended Diploma DDD. Must be in relevant science subject, including sufficient Physics and Maths.
  • HNC A in graded unit with 120 SCQF credit points. HNC must include sufficient Physics and Maths, including  SQA units Engineering Maths, 1, 2 & 3. Year 2 entry with HNC is only available to  applicants eligible for a minimum offer.
  • HND AA (standard entry) or AB / BA (minimum offer eligible only). Must include sufficient Physics and Maths including  Engineering Maths 1,2 & 3. HND BB will potentially be considered for minimum eligible applicants who have achieved additional suitable maths qualification.
  • Global College Successful completion of our Engineering with Accelerator Programme

4 Years
Sep

Tuition fees

International
25,808 GBP

Scholarships

IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)

IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)
Master Bachelors Open

Value

$21800

Deadline

31 Aug 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Norway Early Bird Scholarship

Norway Early Bird Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$6000

Deadline

1 May 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

International Merit Scholarship

International Merit Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$2000

Deadline

30 Jun 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt University Expenses Bursary

Heriot-Watt University Expenses Bursary
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$525

Deadline

31 Aug 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarships

Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarships
Master Bachelors Open

Value

25% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

31 Jul 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Americas and Europe (Non-EU) Scholarship

Americas and Europe (Non-EU) Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$5000

Deadline

15 Jun 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

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