MSc Biorobotics
- MSc
Overview
The next frontier in robotics will take inspiration from biology to design robots that are soft, smart, green and social. From microrobots for cancer treatment, to swarms powering warehouses, soft grippers for medical applications or handling in manufacturing, and new, smart materials that interface with the body, for example in prosthetics or medical education, biorobots will provide solutions to today's global challenges. State-of-the-art robots will in turn power scientific discovery, allowing for the study of living systems in their natural habitats from robots automating experiments in the lab, to artificial fish studying pollution in the deep sea.
This programme brings together life scientists and engineers in an interdisciplinary environment where solutions are co-created with stakeholders in mind. For the life scientists, this will open new horizons powered by robotics and AI, skills in high demand in today's job market. For the engineers, this will go beyond a typical robotics training, towards reinventing the way robots are designed and used with bioinspiration at heart.
Through this unique combination of bio-inspiration and engineering, you will develop core professional skills including working across disciplines and responsible open-ended innovation. The programme centres around a common core in fundamental robotics and life sciences, followed by dedicated taught and project-based biorobotics units that will walk you through the latest research and applications. You will do hands-on work, understand different and cross-disciplinary points of view, build these systems yourself, and demonstrate how they can be used for good.
Programme structure
The programme has mandatory and optional units for the first two teaching blocks between September and May, with additional optional components in one of the mandatory units (Advanced Topics in Robotics). The dissertation project unit takes place during the summer over 12 weeks, during which you will be working on the project of your choice, guided by an academic supervisor, who does research in biorobotics, soft robots, swarm robots, medical robots or other relevant area.
Throughout the first two teaching blocks, you will work towards demonstrating your new skills in the bespoke capstone unit 'Biorobotics', which is seminar-based and challenge-based learning, in order to build a robot to solve a United Nations sustainable development goal.
We value cross-disciplinary expertise in our cohorts. If you do not have programming experience, the programme will give you training and provide coding workshops to find support. If you come from engineering, and do not know anything about bioinspiration, a seminar series will expose you to the fundamentals that you need to know to get inspired.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc Biorobotics.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics subject. Applicants from other backgrounds will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional relevant work experience or qualifications. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing:
- a relevant postgraduate qualification
- at least six months of paid full time work experience (one year part-time) in a relevant field. Relevant work sectors include: Artificial Intelligence, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Humanities and other technology-related sectors.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £16,800 per year
- Home: part-time (two years)
- £8,400 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £37,900 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
As an MSc Biorobotics student, you will be at the frontier of bio-inspired robotics. You will engage with the people who might use these robot technologies going forward. This will make you attractive to the broader robotics and AI industry. Your cross-disciplinary understanding of life sciences will further mean you can work in the life science sector looking to embed robotics and AI in your workflow. Your unique view on robotics and life sciences will also ensure you are well-suited to work in and found startups, continue with academic research, or work with NGOs interested in deploying robots for good.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk