Mechatronic Engineering with Industrial Studies and Foundation Year
Mechatronic engineering is the discipline that integrates mechanical engineering, electronics, control systems, and computer science to design intelligent machines and automated systems. It is the foundation of robotics, smart manufacturing, autonomous vehicles, and a growing range of intelligent devices that sense, process information, and act in the physical world. The demand for engineers with this cross-disciplinary capability has grown substantially as the boundaries between mechanical and electronic systems have dissolved, and as almost every industry has come to depend on some form of intelligent automation.
At the University of Southampton, this six-year, full-time integrated master's programme includes a foundation year at the outset, providing a structured and supported entry point for students who need to build their scientific and mathematical preparation before progressing to the main degree. The foundation year is followed by four years of integrated master's study, and the programme also includes management and legal training, equipping you to operate effectively in the professional and commercial contexts in which engineering decisions are made. You will study the full breadth of mechatronic engineering, developing the ability to design, analyse, and integrate complex systems that bring together mechanical, electronic, and computational elements.
The typical entry tariff is 168 UCAS points.
Graduates of mechatronic engineering programmes work across a wide range of advanced engineering sectors, including robotics, flexible manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, medical devices, consumer electronics, defence, and the energy sector. Roles include systems engineer, control engineer, automation engineer, robotics engineer, and design engineer. The integrated master's award is particularly competitive for roles requiring advanced engineering competence, and many graduates pursue chartered engineer status through professional bodies.
Postgraduate research in robotics, control systems, or advanced manufacturing is also an option.