Robots have the potential to revolutionise society and the economy, working for us, beside us, and interacting with us. This EPSRC-sponsored programme will produce graduates with the technical skills and industry awareness to create an innovation pipeline from academic research to global markets.
The robotics and autonomous systems area has been highlighted by the UK Government in 2013 as one of the eight Great Technologies that underpin the UK's Industrial Strategy for jobs and growth. Key application areas include manufacturing, assistive and medical robots, offshore energy, environmental monitoring, search and rescue, defence, and support for the ageing population.
The University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University are jointly offering this innovative four-year PhD training programme, which combines a strong general grounding in current theory, methods and applications with flexibility for individualised study and a specialised PhD project.
Robotics and autonomous systems are increasingly studied beyond the range of classical engineering. Today robots represent one of the main areas of application of computer science and provide challenges for mathematics and natural science.
It is impossible to imagine transportation, warehousing, safety systems, space and marine exploration, prosthetics, and many other areas of industry, technology and science without robots. Robots are used in theoretical biology and the neurosciences as a model of behaviour.
Areas of interest specific to the center include: movement control, planning, decision making, bio- and neurorobotics, human-robot interaction, healthcare applications, robot soccer, neuroprosthetics, underwater robotics, bipedal walking, service robots, robotic co-workers, computer vision, speech processing, computer animation realistic simulations, and machine learning.
Many more topics can be found be exploring the Centre’s web pages, particularly the personal web pages of the Centre supervisors:
Our four-year PhD programme combines Masters level coursework and project work with independent PhD-level research.
In the first year, you will undertake four or five masters level courses, spread throughout robotics, machine learning, computational neuroscience, computer architectures, statistics, optimization, sensorics, dynamics, mechanics, image processing, signal processing, modelling, animation, artificial intelligence, and related areas. You will also undertake a significant introductory research project. (Students with previous masters-level work in these areas may request to take less courses and a larger project.)
At the end of the first year, successful students will be awarded an MSc by Research by the University of Edinburgh. From this basis, the subsequent three years will be spent developing and pursuing a PhD research project, under the close supervision of your primary and secondary supervisors. The PhD will be awarded jointly by the University of Edinburgh and the Heriot-Watt University.
You will have opportunities for three to six month internships with leading companies in your area, and to participate in our industrial engagement programme, exchanging ideas and challenges with our sponsor companies.
Throughout your studies, you will participate in our regular programmes of seminars, short talks and brainstorming sessions, and benefit from our pastoral mentoring schemes.
Our user partners in industry include companies working in offshore energy, environmental monitoring, defence, assisted living, transport, advanced manufacturing and education. They will provide the real world context for research, as well as opportunities for reciprocal secondments, internships and involvement in our industrial engagement programme.
The School of Informatics holds a Silver Athena SWAN award, in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. The School is deploying a range of strategies to help female staff and students of all stages in their careers and we seek regular feedback from our research community on our performance.
You will have access to the outstanding facilities in the Edinburgh Robotarium, a national facility for research into robot interaction, supporting the research of more than 50 world-leading investigators from 17 cross-disciplinary research groups.
Research groups at the Edinburgh Robotarium include humanoid movement control, underwater, land and airborne autonomous vehicles, human robot interaction, bio- and neuro-robotics, and planning and decision making in multirobot scenarios.
In addition, our research groups contain a diverse range of compute clusters for compute and data-intensive work, including a large cluster hosted by the Edinburgh Compute and Data Facility.
Our aim is to produce innovation-ready graduates who are skilled in the principles of technical and commercial disruption and who understand how finance and organisation realise new products in start-up, SME and corporate situations.
We intend for our graduates to become leaders in the globally emerging market for autonomous and robotic systems that reduce risk, reduce cost, increase profit and protect the environment. This vision is shared by our industrial supporters, whose support for our internship programme indicates their strong desire to find highly qualified new employees.
Our component research groups already have excellent track-records in post-graduation destinations, including the research labs of industry-leading companies, and post-doctoral research positions in top tier universities.
This degree provides in-depth training for students interested in a career in industry or in research-oriented institutions focused on image and video analysis, and deep learning.
State-of-the-art computer-vision and machine-learning approaches for image and video analysis are covered in the course, as well as low-level image processing methods.
Students also have the chance to substantially expand their programming skills through projects they undertake.
Read about the experience of a previous student on this course, Gianmarco Addari.
This programme is studied full-time over 12 months and part-time from 24 to 60 months. It consists of eight taught modules and a standard project.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
This programme in Computer Vision, Robotics and Machine Learning aims to provide a high-quality advanced training in aspects of computer vision for extracting information from image and video content or enhancing its visual quality using machine learning codes.
Computer vision technology uses sophisticated signal processing and data analysis methods to support access to visual information, whether it is for business, security, personal use or entertainment.
The core modules cover the fundamentals of how to represent image and video information digitally, including processing, filtering and feature extraction techniques.
An important aspect of the programme is the software implementation of such processes. Students will be able to tailor their learning experience through selection of elective modules to suit their career aspirations.
Key to the programme is cross-linking between core methods and systems for image and video analysis applications. The programme has strong links to current research in the Department of Electronic Engineering’s Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing.
To support your learning, we hold regular MSc group meetings where any aspect of the programme, technical or non-technical, can be discussed in an informal atmosphere. This allows you to raise any problems that you would like to have addressed and encourages peer-based learning and general group discussion.
We provide computing support with any specialised software required during the programme, for example, Matlab. The Faculty’s student common room is also covered by the University’s open-access wireless network, which makes it a very popular location for individual and group work using laptops and mobile devices.
Specialist experimental and research facilities, for computationally demanding projects or those requiring specialist equipment, are provided by the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP).
Computer vision specialists are be valuable in all industries that require intelligent processing and interpretation of image and video. This includes industries in directly related fields such as:
Studying for Msc degree in Computer Vision offers variety, challenge and stimulation. It is not just the introduction to a rewarding career, but also offers an intellectually demanding and exciting opportunity to break through boundaries in research.
Many of the most remarkable advancements in the past 60 years have only been possible through the curiosity and ingenuity of engineers. Our graduates have a consistently strong record of gaining employment with leading companies.
Employers value the skills and experience that enable our graduates to make a positive contribution in their jobs from day one.
We draw on our industry experience to inform and enrich our teaching, bringing theoretical subjects to life. Our industrial collaborations include:
This course gives an excellent preparation for continuing onto PhD studies in computer vision related domains.
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
Spanning 12 months full-time, this degree programme focuses on the intricate and unique field of medical device development and the key entrepreneurship and management skills required to get the device to market, from concept to business planning and market emergence.
In addition to specific training in medical device entrepreneurship, you will also develop research and analytical skills related to bioengineering. This provides a solid foundation for those intending to go into industry or on to study for a PhD.
This is a very hands-on course, with much of the training and assessment based around a year-long project aimed at developing an engineering developmental and start-up business plan around a medical device concept.
The programme is supplemented by a small amount of formal teaching (see Course Structure below), and a requirement to attend least one seminar per week throughout the first two terms, either in the Department of Bioengineering or elsewhere in College.
About the Department
The Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London is leading the bioengineering agenda both nationally and internationally, advancing the frontiers of our knowledge in the discipline’s three main areas: — Biomedical Engineering: Developing devices, techniques and interventions for human health. — Biological Engineering: Solving problems related to the life sciences and their applications for health. — Biomimetics: Using the structures and functions of living organisms as models for the design and engineering of materials and machines.
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2014), 95% of the Department’s returned research was judged either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, confirming our position as the leading Department in the UK. We’re committed to building on this success, expanding both our basic and applied bioengineering research, and providing excellent training through our popular undergraduate, Masters and PhD programmes.
As befits a new and growing discipline, the Department’s staff come from diverse academic disciplines including all main branches of engineering, physical sciences, life sciences and medicine, creating a rich collaborative environment. The interaction of our staff, along with colleagues across the institution, ensures our research benefits from both engineering rigour and clinical relevance.
We focus on six core themes: — Biomechanics and Mechanobiology — Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering — Detection, Devices and Design — Implants and Regenerative Medicine — Human and Biological Robotics — Neural Engineering. These areas are connected and fluid, with staff and students working across more than one area, and often at the interfaces.
The European Masters in Computer Vision and Robotics (VIBOT) is a collaboration between the three leading European institutions, the Universitat de Girona (Spain), the Université de Bourgogne (France) and Heriot-Watt University (Scotland). It aims to meet the needs of industry for quality control and automation of industrial processes, and those in the field of health with the increasing importance of medical imagery in all its forms.
In recent years, the amount of digital information to be stored, processed and distributed has grown dramatically. The generalisation of the use of digital images, in video surveillance, biomedical and e-health systems, and remote sensing, create new, pressing challenges, and automated management tools are key to enable the organisation, mining and processing of these important knowledge resources.
The key subject areas are computer vision and robotics. Research in these areas are dynamic and relevant to a wide range of sectors, such as the car industry, the agro-alimentary field or the domain of health, with the active development of e-Health solutions. The course is over two years, students spend the first semester in France, the second in Spain and the third in Scotland. The fourth semester is reserved for Masters thesis.
Biofluid mechanics applies engineering, mathematical and physical principles of fluids to solve complex and multifaceted problems primarily in biology and medicine, but also in aerospace and robotics.
Our new MRes course covers a wide range of multidisciplinary training on the kinematics and dynamics of fluids related to biological systems, medical science, cardiovascular devices, numerical modelling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), focusing on research. The MRes differs from an MSc in that you'll have the opportunity to perform multidisciplinary research for a longer time, preparing you for a research career and equipping you with world-class research knowledge.
The course is taught by the Department of Biomedical Engineering, with input from other departments across the faculty and the University.
During the course, you'll be supported by a strong team of academics with worldwide connections and you'll be offered a unique training and innovative teaching and learning environment.
This one-year programme consists of compulsory and optional classes in the first two semesters. Each class has timetabled contact hours, delivered mainly in lectures, laboratories and tutorials. The MRes research project will be chosen and started in semester one with guidance from a supervisor. Throughout the year you'll be working on your project.
Compulsory classes
Elective classes
The new MRes course aims to train students in the Biofluid Mechanics field, targeting primarily the academic research market, but also the Medical Devices and Simulation/Analysis software industries and other related and new emerging markets.
Our postgraduates will benefit from acquiring world-class training and competitive skills in both biomedical and fluid dynamics disciplines that will make them highly employable at the following markets and related sectors/companies:
We've identified the current key vendors in each of the above markets and aim to create links with the relevant industry and monitor the changing market and employability trends, in order to adjust teaching modules and approaches and to enhance employability of our graduates.
We've already established strong partnerships with industrial companies that have offered their support, eg through the provision of software licenses, teaching material and/or collaborative research projects, including:
Biofluid Mechanics applies engineering, mathematical and physical principles of fluids to solve complex and multifaceted problems, primarily in biology and medicine, but also in aerospace and robotics.
This newly-launched MSc course is the first one-year taught course dedicated to Biofluid Mechanics. It covers a wide range of multidisciplinary training on the kinematics and dynamics of fluids related to biological systems, medical science, cardiovascular devices, numerical modelling and computational fluid dynamics.
The one-year full-time programme offers you a unique opportunity to lead the next generation of highly-skilled postgraduates that will form a new model worldwide for academia – with world-class research knowledge, industry – with highly-competitive skills in both biomedical engineering and fluid dynamics, and for society – with better training to work with clinicians.
The course is taught by the Department of Biomedical Engineering, with input from other departments across the Faculty of Engineering and the wider University. You'll be supported throughout the course by a strong team of academics with global connections. You'll benefit from a unique training and an innovative teaching and learning environment.
In Semesters 1 and 2, you'll take compulsory classes and a choice of optional classes. The remaining months are dedicated to project work, submitted as dissertation (Diploma students) or as a research thesis (MSc students).
Compulsory Classes
Optional Classes
The project provides MSc students with the opportunity to experience the challenges and rewards of independent study in a topic of their own choice; the project may involve an extended literature review, experimental and/or computational work.
The dissertation is likely to take the form of an extended literature review. Your project work will have been supported by a compulsory research methods module and specialist knowledge classes throughout the year designed to assist with technical aspects of methodology and analysis.
Classes are organised in lectures, laboratory demonstrations, practical exercises and hands-on experience with industrial software on real biofluid mechanics problems. In addition to the classes, you'll benefit from invited academic and industrial speakers, departmental seminars and knowledge exchange events.
Assessment methods include exams, coursework and the research project/thesis.
Graduates will be highly employable in the following markets and related sectors/companies, among others:
Key providers have been identified in each of the above markets. Creating links with the relevant industry and monitoring the market and employability trends will enable us to tailor the course content appropriately, and to enhance graduates’ employability.
We've already established strong partnerships with industrial companies that have offered their support, eg through the provision of software licenses, teaching material and/or collaborative research projects, including:
This specialist option of the MSc Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering has been developed to deliver qualified engineers to the highest standard into the emerging field of digital signal and image processing who are capable of contributing significantly to this increased demand for both real-time and off-line systems operating over a range of mobile, embedded and workstation platforms.
Developed for students interested in software development within the wide spectrum of industries in which digital signal processing and/or digital image processing plays a significant role. Suitable for candidates from a broad range of engineering backgrounds, including aeronautical, automotive, mechanical and electrical engineering in addition to the more traditional computational sciences background, who wish to both develop and complement their existing skill-set in this new area. Part-time students have a flexible commencement date.
This option of the MSc in Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering aims to develop your skill-base for the rapidly expanding engineering IT industry sector, not only in the UK but all over the world. Graduates in this option have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of careers embracing telecommunications, the automotive industry, medical imaging, software houses and industrial research where demand for skills is high.
This course additionally forms part of the ESTIA (Ecole Supérieure des Technologies Industrielles Avancées) Cranfield MSc programme which gives ESTIA students the opportunity to study this degree based either at Cranfield University or ESTIA in Bidart, South-West France.
Cranfield University is very well located for visiting part-time students from all over the world, and offers a range of library and support facilities to support your studies. This enables students from all over the world to complete this qualification whilst balancing work/life commitments.
The course is directed by an industrial advisory panel who meet twice a year to ensure that it provides the right mix of hands-on skills and up-to-date knowledge suitable for the wide variety of applications that this field addresses.
A number of members also attend the annual student thesis presentations which take place at the end of July. This provides a good opportunity for students to meet key employers.
The course consists of 12 core modules, including a group design project, plus an individual research project.
The course is delivered via a combination of structured lectures, tutorial sessions and computer based workshops. Mathematical and computational methods form the basis of the specialist modules, covering the theory and application of DSIP algorithms for the analysis, interpretation and processing of data in diverse fields such as computer vision, robotics, vibro-acoustic condition monitoring, medical diagnosis, remote sensing and data visualisation. This set of specialist modules are designed to provide students with the programming techniques necessary to develop, maintain and use core DSIP solution software over a wide range of industrial settings.
Group project
The group project which takes place in the spring is designed to provide you with invaluable experience of delivering a project within an industry structured team. The project allows you to develop a range of skills including learning how to establish team member roles and responsibilities, project management, delivering technical presentations and gaining experience of working in teams that include members with a variety of expertise and often with members who are based remotely.
Part-time students are encouraged to participate in a group project as it provides a wealth of learning opportunities. However, an option of an individual dissertation is available if agreed with the Course Director.
Recent Group Projects include:
Individual project
The individual research project allows you to delve deeper into an area of specific interest. It is very common for industrial partners to put forward real world problems or areas of development as potential research project topics. In general you will begin to consider the research project after completing 3-4 modules - it then runs concurrently with the rest of your work.
For part-time students it is common that their research thesis is undertaken in collaboration with their place of work.
Recent Individual Research Projects include:
Assessment
Taught modules 45%, Group project 5%, Individual research project 50%
The MSc in Computer and Machine Vision attracts enquiries from companies all over the world who wish to recruit high quality graduates. There is considerable demand for students with expertise in engineering software development and for those who have strong technical programming skills in industry standard languages and tools. Graduates of this course will be in demand by commercial engineering software developers, automotive, telecommunications, medical and other industries and research organisations, and have been particularly successful in finding long-term employment.
Some students may go onto degrees, on the basis of their MSc research project. Thesis topics are most often supplied by individual companies on in-company problems with a view to employment after graduation - an approach that is being actively encouraged by a growing number of industries.
A selection of companies that have recruited our graduates include:
We are pleased to deliver an innovative Level 7 Masters, MCh in Surgery with four individual awards in the specialist surgical pathways of:
-Orthopaedics and Regenerative Medicine
-Otorhinolaryngology
-Urology
-Ophthalmology
The specialist surgical field of orthopaedics has been central in the use of regenerative medicine. The focus in modern orthopaedics is changing as research exposes ever greater knowledge widening the spectrum of therapeutic options encompassing reconstruction, regeneration and substitution (Kim, S-J. and Shetty, A.A., 2011; Shetty, A.A. and Kim, S-J., 2013; Kim, J-M., Hans, J.R. and Shetty, A.A., 2014).
Research methods, studies in regenerative medicine and other emerging technologies feature poorly in the standard curriculum of the orthopaedic trainee. This limits the quality of research output, reduces the potential for innovation and slows the rates of adoption of transformative treatments for patients, while leaving the surgeon unable to critically evaluate new treatments.
This programme targets this deficiency with a strong emphasis on research methodology and critical analysis that is based on a platform formed of in-depth scientific knowledge and proven by translation into clinical practice.
Otorhinolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat surgery – ENT) is a diverse surgical specialty that involves the management of both children and adults. In contrast to other surgical specialties the management of a significant number of conditions requires a non-surgical approach. An understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of pathology is essential. This surgical specialty is rapidly evolving. Significant progress has been made through regenerative medicine and technology, some locally through mobile platforms.
Entry into Otorhinolaryngology is competitive. This is often despite the fact that whilst at University many medical students may have had little, if any, formal training in ENT. Some junior trainees entering the specialty have had limited exposure which may affect their decision making.
The MCh in Surgery (Otorhinolaryngology) course aims to prepare a trainee to meet the challenges of the current and future challenges in Otorhinolaryngology. It provides an evidence based approach for the management of patients, and provides a foundation for those who will eventually undertake formal exit examinations in this specialty.
Urology is a surgical specialty dealing with the problems associated with the urinary tract and it deals with cancer, non-cancer, functional problems and diseases (Khan, F., Mahmalji, W., Sriprasad, S. and Madaan, S., 2013). In urology many problems can be managed with medications (for example treating erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms have become largely by pharmaceutical agents) and this underpins the importance of understanding the basic science and molecular biology as applied to the specialty.
This surgical field is constantly evolving with technology being the main driver. Improvements have been made through lasers, optics, gadgets and robotics (Jeong, Kumar and Menon, 2016). Regenerative medicine is fast evolving in urology. The architectural simplicity of hollow structures (such as bladder) and tubes (such as the ureters and urethra) make them particularly amenable.
Despite the fact that many medical students may not have had a urology placement during their training (Derbyshire and Flynn, 2011) the specialty is very much sought after. Getting into urological training is very competitive. Doctors typically undertake research, obtain higher degrees and publish papers in peer-reviewed journals in order to advance their surgical training. A MCh in Surgery (Urology) will therefore be significantly valuable to you for not only your professional knowledge and skills but also to help you reach your goals of becoming a Consultant.
The MCh in Surgery (Urology) will prepare you to meet the challenges of current and future urologic medicine and surgery. All this provides a platform for further advancement of your scientific knowledge, innovative and forward thinking, career progression and camaraderie with fellow students.
Ophthalmology is a surgical specialty dealing with disorders of the eye and visual pathways. Although the treatment of eye conditions involves a range of therapeutic options, including medicine, laser and surgery, the surgical field in particular is constantly evolving with technology being the main driver. Improvements are being made through lasers, optics, and minimally invasive surgical procedures with enhanced outcomes for patients.
There is very little ophthalmology teaching in modern medical school curricula. However, the speciality is highly sought after with intense competition for a limited number of training positions. Therefore, doctors typically undertake research, obtain higher degrees and publish papers in peer-reviewed journals in order to advance their surgical training and improve their chances of achieving a training number. A MCh in Surgery (Ophthalmology) will provide you with a solid foundation and valuable qualification to enhance selection onto a career pathway in this highly competitive field, culminating in a Consultant appointment. The MCh in Surgery (Ophthalmology) will prepare you as a trainee surgeon to meet the challenges of current and future ophthalmology. Specifically, you will be taught to critically analyse and evaluate data through learning research methodology. You will then learn to apply this to clinical practice and to evaluate the different treatment options and new technologies with respect to patient benefit and outcomes. There will be the opportunity of studying a range of conditions and treatments in depth. All this provides a platform for further advancement of your scientific knowledge, innovative and forward thinking. A unique aspect of the MCh programme is the teaching of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine is fast evolving in ophthalmology, and this programme will help you to appreciate this area of medicine as applied to eye conditions. This is especially so in retinal conditions, optic neuropathies and glaucoma. The knowledge gained is critical not just for the local students from the United Kingdom but to any trainee from anywhere in the world.
The theme of regenerative medicine will run through each of the specialist pathway modules with its application, research and emerging technologies being critically explored. Although a key component and theme through this programme will be regenerative medicine, a further theme that will run through each of the modules is the teaching of practical surgical skills in each of the pathways and modules through simulation
