Why study Mechatronics and Autonomous Systems at Liverpool John Moores University?
- Interdisciplinary course fusing mechanical, electronic and control engineering
- Well-equipped electronics and computing laboratories
- State-of-the-art software and excellent technical support
- To be accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
- Options for sandwich with year-long industrial placement or study abroad
About your course
Mechatronic and autonomous systems build and run the world we live in. From the robots that built your car to fast food restaurant interactive kiosks, intelligent machines are the future. The MEng(Hons) in Mechatronics and Autonomous Systems will make sure you take an important part in that future.
This programme has been developed to answer a need in industry for engineers with the fusion of electronic and mechanical skills required to develop modern automation systems. LJMU has built a good relationship with North West engineering companies and their feedback has been a big factor in the development of this programme. We live in an information age and our graduates leave equipped with the software and hardware skills required to succeed in the exciting times ahead.
Research undertaken by the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering is based within the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Research Centre. The Centre has two key research groups the Microelectronics Research Group and the Electric Machines and Drives Research Group. These two research groups have expertise within the following key research areas:
- New materials and devices for future microelectronic industry
- New characterisation techniques for VLSI devices
- Development of advanced techniques for variables-speed electric drives
- Qualification, modelling and aging prediction
- Development of novel control techniques for power electronic converters
- Modelling, simulation and experimental characterisation of power electronic converters and variable speed drives
Research staff are encouraged to make use of their expertise during undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
Other study options:
Professional accreditation/links
All of the department's present MEng and BEng programmes are accredited by the IET, fulfilling (MEng) or partly fulfilling (BEng) the academic requirements of Chartered Engineer status.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- Library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to programme-appropriate software
- Library and student IT support
- Free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
Employability
Where will my MEng in Mechatronics and Autonomous systems take me?
Quite literally anywhere in the world. All of industry now uses industrial automation systems, whether the company is involved in manufacturing or process control. Modern automobile production would be impossible without the robots, CNC machines and automated test equipment that make sure the sub-assemblies the human workers bolt together, fit properly and work as intended.
Robotics and autonomous systems are a red-hot topic now, with the move toward self-driving automobiles, which will almost certainly be upon us in the next few years. This will be the biggest change in transport since the invention of the "horseless carriage".
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.
A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.
Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
News and views
Browse through the latest stories and updates from the University and beyond
What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules may also be included to provide you with an element of choice within the programme. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Level 4
Core modules
Engineering Mathematics 1a
10 credits
Engineering Mathematics 1b
10 credits
Applied Mechanics 1
20 credits
Software Development for Embedded Systems
20 credits
Engineering Circuit Analysis
20 credits
Analogue Electronics
20 credits
Professional Practice and the Environment
20 credits
Level 5
Core modules
Applied Mechanics 2
20 credits
Mechatronics 2
20 credits
Linear Electronics Design and the Environment
10 credits
Instrumentation and Control Engineering
20 credits
Professional Practice Integrative Project
20 credits
Local Communications Systems and Applications
20 credits
Advanced Mathematics
10 credits
Optional modules
Sandwich Year - Electrical and Electronic Engineering
120 credits
The aim is to provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study as well as the attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment. This extended placement forms a key part of a sandwich degree. All placements need to be assessed and approved prior to commencement in line with the LJMU Placement Learning Code of Practice. The Code of Practice requires students to conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner during the placement - failure to do so may lead to the placement being terminated prematurely. Placements are normally for one calendar year on a full-time basis. Split placements of a shorter duration may be permissible. There is an expectation that a minimum of 1200 hours will be spent in the workplace.
Study Year Abroad - Electrical and Electronic Engineering
120 credits
The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the student's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the Faculty Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.
Level 6
Core modules
Dynamics and Control
10 credits
Automation and IoT
20 credits
Process Control and Applications
20 credits
Autonomous Systems and Machine Learning
20 credits
Mechatronics Engineering Project
40 credits
Engineering Management
10 credits
Level 7
Core modules
Professional Practice
20 credits
Control Engineering
20 credits
Digital Control
10 credits
Group Design Project
30 credits
Optional modules
Modelling and Control of Electric Machines and Drives
20 credits
Artificial Intelligence
20 credits
Embedded Systems
20 credits
Teaching and work-related learning
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We have three modern electronics laboratories containing sixty-five workstations equipped with state of the art equipment, including computers with industry standard software such as Proteus, Matlab and LabVIEW. The department has two computer suites of its own, one is a sixty-seater with air conditioning, as well as access to further large computer suites in other parts of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology. Specialist facilities include a Mechatronics lab equipped with Festo automation rigs and Siemens PLCs, an Electrical Machines lab and TV and audio recording studios.
Work-related Learning
The Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering has a very high success rate in terms of its graduates finding employment within their chosen field of study. Employers recognise that, because of the department's strong focus on practical work, our graduates are able to make a useful contribution within a very short time-frame.
Support and guidance
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
The Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering is an enterprising community of 300 students and 30 staff who are dedicated to the study of electronics and electrical engineering. The department is situated in the City Campus at Byrom Street, a short walk from the city centre shops, amenities and transport links.
Assessment
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
Assessment is usually via a combination of exams and coursework, and sometimes by a portfolio of work, depending on the subject. A final year project gives you the chance to work independently and contributes considerably to your final mark. Your tutors will give prompt and constructive feedback via Canvas (our virtual learning environment), face-to-face or in writing. This will help you to identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work
Even service industries are now using automated systems. Fast food restaurants use automatic serving kiosks, not only to save on wages, but because they have found to their surprise that customers actually like them! Machines allow the customer to be in control and choose whatever weird meal combination they want.
Recent LJMU engineering graduates are now working at Sellafield, Jaguar Landrover, Aston Martin and IBM
Facilities
What you can expect from your School
This programme is delivered in the Byrom Street complex of LJMUs City Campus. Here you'll find high quality lecture theatres, meeting and seminar rooms plus social spaces and a large café. The Avril Robarts Library is just minutes away on Tithebarn Street.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Minimum points required from qualifications:
Qualification requirements
A levels
Applicants should have or expect to obtain a total of 128 UCAS points. At A2-level, applicants should expect to obtain at least two awards and gain at least 80 points from A Level Mathematics and one of the following (Physics, Chemistry, Computing, Further Maths, Electronics or Engineering)
BTECs
Applicants should have or expect to obtain a BTEC National Diploma with an overall grade of MMM in a subject (including optional units relevant to the intended degree) such as Engineering, ICT Systems Support or Laboratory and Industrial Science. Alternatively, applicants may achieve an overall grade of MMP supplemented with relevant qualifications to achieve a total of 128 UCAS points. The BTEC National Diploma should include a merit in the further mathematics unit or be supplemented with appropriate Free-Standing Mathematics Qualifications. BTEC National Certificate Applicants should have or expect to obtain a BTEC National Certificate with an overall grade of DD in a subject (including optional units relevant to the intended degree) such as Engineering, ICT Systems Support or Laboratory and Industrial Science. Alternatively, applicants may achieve an overall grade of MM supplemented with relevant qualifications to achieve a total of 128 UCAS points. The BTEC National Certificate should include a merit in a further mathematics unit or be supplemented with appropriate Free-Standing Mathematics Qualifications. BTEC National Award Applicants should have or expect to obtain a grade M in a BTEC National Award in a subject relevant to the intended degree, such as Engineering, ICT Systems Support or Applied Physics, including a Merit in a mathematics unit or relevant Free-Standing Mathematics Qualifications, together with other relevant qualifications to obtain a total of 128 UCAS points
Alternative qualifications considered
Applicants should have five GCSE (or equivalent) passes of at least grade C, or grade 4, including Mathematics and English (or IELTS 6.0). We welcome applications from highly motivated mature students with relevant experience but without the necessary formal qualifications. All applications will be considered on an individual basis. A level average of at least 50% is required for students to transfer from Bachelor’s Degree with Honours to Integrated Master’s.
International requirements
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Other international requirements
Other Applicants offering other awards (e.g. Welsh Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, pre-2002 BTEC National Certificate/Diploma, Advanced Extension Awards, pre-curriculum 2000 A-levels etc.) or combinations of unit awards may also be accepted.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.