Mechatronics

Future focused

Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary subject covering aspects of mechanics, electrical, electronics and computing, and skillsets in these areas are essential in our advancing industry. Mechatronics provides inclusive, cost-effective and sustainable solutions to problems and designs and develops various intelligent integrated systems of manufacturing environments, products and services.  

Our MSc is designed to provide you with a range of industrial problem solving skills based on Mechatronics, allows you to explore industrial problems using the latest Mechatronics tools available in your current field or field of interest, develop specialist engineering knowledge, and gives an insight into the way an industrial organisation works and the technological challenges it faces every day to remain competitive, maintain its market share, and open a new market.

Examples of where a platform solution approach has been successful is with the powertrain, automation, robotics and instrumentation fields. Therefore, our MSc Mechatronics has been designed with the four pathways to ensure graduates meet the crucial and creative skills needed to apply to problem solving and produce inventive and novel solutions for a range of manufacturing environments, products and services. These pathways are:

• Powertrain
• Automation
• Robotics
• Instrumentation

As a student on this course, you will be exposed to the following concepts:

• Knowledge relating to acquisition of interrelated concepts, facts and laws related to Mechatronics systems engineering and technology
• Intellectual skills relating to the ability to process advanced knowledge and information, being able to make deductions and form conclusions
• Practical skills that cover a whole range of skills including computer modelling, design, development and manufacturing skills
• Transferable skills which may be taken into other fields of activity. They are diverse, but include the ability to use advanced quantitative methods, to communicate well in a variety of ways, to work in a team, to work with computers, and to manage other people, processes or organisations.

Designed by industry

Derby is the home of innovation and a multi-technological city with top international employers that include automotive, aerospace, railway, civil engineering, power generation and distribution, and nuclear engineering, so where better to study Mechatronics.  As a technological city hosting major names in this field, engineering skills are in demand for key companies such as Rolls Royce, Alstom, Balfour Beatty, Toyota, JCB, Severn Trent, URS Scott Wilson and Jacobs, with many small supporting companies involved in infrastructure, materials supply, technical consultancy and specialist testing. 

Not only are we home to these companies, but this programme has also been designed in collaboration with employers, East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) partners and professional institutions to produce graduates with specialist in-depth skills and knowledge in problem solving and the generation of creative and state-of-the-art engineering solutions based on a multidisciplinary approach. The programme offers you the chance to develop key in-depth specialisms.

You will study at our East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) and will benefit from the industry connections this centre provides. The EMIoT initiative is to deliver world class, research orientated, employer-led learning focusing on clean growth and digital delivery. 

You will also have access to and learn from guest speakers, visits to companies and participation in industry events, international conferences and exhibitions.  You may also have the opportunity to spend time in industry carrying out industrial projects and taking part in employer led competitions.  

Academic staff and research staff are also interacting proactively with employers and the world of professional engineering through their international collaboration, consultancy activities, channelled through both the Institute of Innovation in Sustainable Engineering and Institute of Technology. A selection of some these contacts includes Rolls Royce, Alstom, Bloc Digital, Fujitsu, ESO, Toyota, Uniper, ARM Holdings, Building Research Establishment, CoMech Metrology, Davis Derby, National Physical Laboratory, Phaedrus Systems, Smiths of Derby, TRW Conekt and Smart Technology Ltd. This enables them to keep their teaching up to date and relevant to industry needs.

Skills to go far

This course and the skills it produces are integral to addressing the challenges of the modern world, where sustainability, digital transformation, and environmental responsibility are paramount.

The content on this course is aligned to our Zero-carbon and creative and cultural industries research themes, through the design of energy semi and fully automated systems, the integration of renewable and green energy resources, the optimisation of manufacturing processes and the use of sustainable and lightweight advanced materials, among other strategies to mitigate climate change. 

Through these links it will allow you to enhance your professional and research skills so that you remain at the forefront in this field.  You will also be involved with writing conference and journal publications. 

Our experienced staff have expertise in mechatronics and the various gears of mechatronics as a platform such as, mechanical, electrical, electronics, control systems, instrumentation, powertrain, automation, robotics and software engineering, allowing you to explore different aspects. 

Professional standards

This course has been designed to complement the underpinning academic base for graduates to register towards Chartered Engineer status in line with the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC) by the Engineering Council for professional registration (2016).

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Your learning will focus on the industrial skills needs, technology revolution and knowledge transfer by using real industrial case studies, interactive media-rich materials, online resources in the form of podcasts, audio/video casts of lectures and inspirational teaching and learning approaches. 

You will take part in group activities, seminars of problem-solving approaches, individual and group reporting and carry out an independent scholarship applied research project if you complete the MSc.

This course will enable you to gain skills and confidence in scholarly writing, research, critical thinking, independent learning, communication and other transferable skills in order to engage with continued professional development and further advanced study in the disciplines of Mechatronics engineering and technology.

How you will be assessed

Assessment may take many forms of written work, presentations, contributions to online discussions, computer aided designs, laboratory assessments and viva voce. Many assessments, including the MSc project, require a written report. 

Some modules are assessed through coursework only, others by a combination of coursework, examination, case studies, oral and graphical presentations, collaborative and interdisciplinary teamwork projects.

The ultimate aim of the MSc Mechatronics programme is to prepare you to work on cutting-edge emerging industrial applications and projects where Mechatronics play a significant role.

You could progress into, or if already employed progress within, many fields of professional activity. The predominant one recently has been the smart and digital manufacturing industry, modern control systems, instrumentation, product design, and research and development. Opportunities exist within any industry where powertrain, automation, robotics and instrumentation are made, and Mechatronics platform solution approach is exercised. There are also many non-engineering possibilities, where employers appreciate the intelligence, reasoning and mathematical ability skills of Mechatronics graduate; these include banking, insurance, administration and retail.

You may also want to consider further studies like a MPhil or PhD.

You will normally be expected to have an appropriate first degree in Mechatronics, mechanical, electrical, electronics, robotics, automation, instrumentation or a closely related discipline, with a minimum classification of 2:2 or above. Consideration will also be given to equivalent qualifications, e.g., a professional qualification of equal standing, or significant industrial or professional experience gained following your initial qualification.

If you have studied a first degree which is not accredited by the Engineering Council as part of the initial learning to CEng, you may be required to undertake some preparatory study, drawn for example from final year material already on offer at the University.

If you are an international student, you can combine this with an appropriate English programme to meet the international entry requirements. If English is not your first language, you will need to hold IELTS 6.5 (with 6.0 in each skills area) or above.

2025/26 (August 2025 - July 2026)

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

About postgraduate awards

Please note at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.