Control, Automation and Artificial Intelligence MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
automation system close-up

Gain expertise in developing advanced technologies, blending theoretical knowledge and practical experience for roles in automated systems, engineering and innovation.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
With Professional Placement

Duration

1 year full-time
Up to 2 years full-time with professional placement

Course code

EEST011

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026

The title of this course will change to Control, Robotics and Intelligent Automation MSc in April 2025. All other course content and learning outcomes will stay the same.


Course overview

If you aspire to develop innovative solutions for complex automation systems, this course could help advance your career in areas such as control systems, robotics or intelligent automation. 

  • Tackle the principles behind the control systems driving industrial automation, ensuring efficiency and precision in complex processes.
  • Explore the design and operation of advanced robotic systems, including their applications in manufacturing, healthcare and autonomous systems.
  • Develop skills in artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, enabling intelligent decision-making and automation in modern engineering challenges.
  • Gain proficiency in key programming languages and simulation tools used for modelling, testing and deploying automation solutions.
  • Apply your learned techniques to solve real-world challenges in a substantial research or industry-driven project.
Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Ranked 11th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

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Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

Today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape means the demand for professionals who can integrate control theory, robotics and AI into innovative solutions, is higher than ever.

This course aims to meet these industry needs by equipping you with the knowledge and hands-on experience to develop, implement and manage cutting-edge automation systems.  

  • Industry-relevant curriculum: designed in collaboration with industry, ensuring that you have opportunities to gain skills highly sought after by employers. 
  • Hands-on learning: engage in practical, immersive learning experiences through laboratory work and industry projects, enabling you to directly apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. 
  • Research and technology: learn from subject experts who are still actively involved in research and industry consultancy, ensuring you are trained in the latest techniques and technologies (staff are subject to change).
  • Network building: take advantage of opportunities to attend seminars and workshops, make valuable industry connections and develop yourself professionally.2
  • Professional experience: gain practical experience and boost your CV with an additional professional placement. See the modules for more details.

What you'll study

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include: 

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • presentations
  • group projects
  • workshops
  • practical laboratory sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include:

  • reports
  • tests
  • essays
  • exams
  • practical coursework
  • assignments
  • vivas
  • presentations. 

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes. 


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international pre-master's. Upon successful completion our International Pre-Master's - Engineering will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this postgraduate degree.

Visit our International Hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply. 

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no component lower than 5.5.
  • If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
  • For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £11,200 | £4,000 (work placement option additional fee) per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £11,200 | £4,000 (work placement option additional fee) per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £20,050 | £4,000 (work placement option additional fee) per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £20,050 | £4,000 (work placement option additional fee) per year
Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities that include: 

  • Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME)
  • ABB Dual-arm YuMi collaborative robot
  • ABB industrial robot manipulators
  • GO1 quadruped robot
  • Petoi Bittle robot dog kits
  • Quanser (Servo, Aero, Heat Flow and Active Suspension lab kits) 
  • Bytronic Control System Trainers 
  • Arduino kits
  • Industrial PLC Control work-cell.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

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The Library

You will benefit from our support designed to help you succeed and our industry-relevant teaching and resources. These include our modern library and computing facilities, dedicated careers advice and Your Students’ Union.

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Jaguar Centre

The Jaguar Centre has been specifically designed to provide facilities and services to support our postgraduate students including social spaces, computer suites and separate areas for small group study.

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The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student campus life. It's also home to the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Spirituality and Faith Centre, the Tank Studio, Student Success Coaches and the Enterprise Hub.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


Careers and opportunities

Successful completion of this course should provide you with skills applicable for industries including automotive, aerospace, process and chemical industries, manufacturing, robotics and automation, finance and banking. There may also be opportunities in research and development across a wide variety of these industrial and commercial sectors. 

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to: 

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of control engineering and the constituent components of a control system and analyse the behaviour using appropriate mathematical tools
  • assess the performance of a system via simulation and interpret the results quantitatively, such as numerically or statistically
  • evaluate and implement control algorithms and know their practical limitations
  • demonstrate specialist knowledge in control engineering within the broad themes of the course depending on the chosen pathway
  • understand and conceptualise a given complex problem and produce an appropriate model to generalise at a higher level of abstraction
  • critically analyse, evaluate and apply advanced analytical skills
  • apply knowledge of design via simulation to select appropriate algorithms for achieving a specific task
  • critically evaluate and demonstrate awareness of a range of hardware and software platforms for control system design and implementation
  • research information relevant to programme topics from a variety of sources and to critically analysis ideas, arguments and points of view.

Where our graduates work

Recent graduates of similar courses at Coventry University have gone on to work for companies including: 

  • JLR
  • AVL
  • BMW
  • IMO Precision Controls Ltd 
  • Cummins Inc.
  • Mott MacDonald 
  • DXC Technology 
  • KleanDrive Ltd 
  • Tata Technologies
  • Tesla Engineering Ltd.

How to apply

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