Robots and artificial intelligence have become indispensable in our daily lives. People from all walks of life use these technologies to finish tasks easier, faster, and safer. Whether you’re just making coffee or building cars, a well-designed robot can now help you do it more effectively. However, the world needs more. Robotics professionals are in very high demand today because of this.
Working in robotics involves designing, constructing, and operating robots. It also involves fine-tuning existing robots to ensure they deliver their purpose flawlessly. Pursuing a degree in robotics will help you develop digital & numerical literacy, problem-solving skills, and technical skills – all of which are needed to work in the diverse and fast-paced robot industry.
The best universities should offer good academic instruction, and practical training, and pay meticulous attention to students’ work. Studying Robotics can be very costly, so make sure you put in some time when shortlisting the schools you want to attend. Here are some of the best robotics schools in Europe.
Is a Career in Robotics worth it?
A career in robotics is worth all the time and effort you would put into it. Jobs in the field of robotics pay well, and you can pursue it whether you are intrigued by hardware and maintenance or software and coding. The median salary of a software engineer is $120,730, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and those within the field of robotics can make significantly more. So if you are considering a career in robotics, you are making the right choice, one that can open up many exciting opportunities for you in the future. You can check out our Computer Science Courses if you are a software enthusiast, but if you want to explore other areas within the field of robotics, then browse through all our available courses on our Open Courses Page.
Best Robotics Schools in Europe
1. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland is more popularly known by its local name, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL). It is considered to be among Europe’s best robotics schools. Since its foundation in 1853, the school has had a strong focus on science and is intent on training students to become leaders in engineering, architecture, and scientific innovation.
EPFL does not offer any Bachelor’s degrees in Robotics, but students are urged to take up Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Microengineering. These can provide foundational knowledge and skills that can help land jobs in robotics.
For postgraduates, EPFL offers a 2-year MSc in Robotics. It has a curriculum designed to provide education on intelligent robots, electromechanical systems, and advanced artificial intelligence. Pursuing this degree involves attending hours of lectures, completing an 8-week internship, and completing a Master’s Thesis.
2. University of Hertfordshire
Operating on three campuses, the University of Hertfordshire is the largest engineering school in the UK. It was first founded in 1952 and has grown to become the training ground for 30,000 students who want a career in technology.
UH, a leading robotics school, offers BEng in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. The curriculum aims to provide complete instruction and practical education from initial hardware design to implementing AI software. Between Year 2 and Year 3, students may opt to pursue study abroad options or work placement.
For postgraduates, UH offers MEng in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. Compared to a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s students focus more on developing technical skills that are valuable for employers. The curriculum features practical project-based modules that increase in difficulty as you advance. Study abroad options and work placement is not required, but are available for those who want to broaden their education.
3. University of Hull
The University of Hull (UH) in the UK is home to the most advanced robotics and engineering facilities in Europe. One of the most renowned facilities at UH is the Hull Immersive Visualization Environment (HIVE), which provides advanced visualization and computer graphics technology. The HIVE is useful during the designing stage of a robot. Students also have access to the school’s dedicated robotics lab, where they can use 3D printers, laser cutters, and laser scanners to create models and prototypes.
A 3-year BSc in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence is available at UH. The curriculum aims to provide a solid foundation in computer science, Python programming, and engineering.
For postgraduates of this top robotics school in Europe, a year-long MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science is available and welcomes all students interested in the field, even those with no engineering and computer science background. Aside from courses that teach you how to program systems, pursuing this degree involves a deeper exploration of AI and its impact on society. A dissertation project will be required towards the end of the study duration.
4. Technical University of Munich
Another one of the best robotics schools in Europe is the Technical University of Munich (TUM), a public technical university that specializes in engineering, medicine, and other applied sciences. It has four campuses spread across Germany and one campus in Singapore. The faculty at TUM takes pride in developing cutting-edge curricula based on research and has seen multiple graduates become Nobel Laureates and Leibniz Prize winners.
While TUM does not offer any Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, it does offer a 2-year MSc in Robotics, Cognition, and Intelligence. Students explore science and engineering deeper to develop complex technical systems. A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics is required for those who wish to enroll. Classes are taught in German and English.
5. KTH Royal Institute of Technology
The KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden is also among the best robotics schools in Europe. It was founded in 1827 and boasts 175 years of teaching engineers who have made significant contributions to the modernization of the world.
There are no Bachelor’s degrees in Robotics at KTH, but students are encouraged to enroll in BSc in Information & Communication Technology. This will help you acquire the necessary skills for a robotics career and Master’s level studies.
A 2-year MSc in Systems, Control, and Robotics is available for postgraduates. Students must take mandatory courses that explore scientific methodology and its application in developing robotic systems. By Year 2, students may specialize in Robotics & Autonomous Systems or Decision & Control Systems. The first option deals with autonomous systems like those found in drones and autonomous vehicles, while the second option deals with artificial intelligence and machine learning components.
6. Jacobs University
Established in 1999, Jacobs University (JU) is a private university with a global perspective. Its campus is in Germany, but it uses English as the language for teaching and operations. Because of this, JU attracts students from more than 110 countries.
JU offers a 3-year BSc in Robotics & Intelligent Systems. The curriculum aims to develop a student’s knowledge in engineering methods and technologies through a combination of lectures and laboratory experience. To reinforce the hands-on experience, students are required to complete a 2-month internship between Year 2 and Year 3.
The school does not offer any Master’s degrees in Robotics. However, qualified students are welcome to pursue a Doctorate. In the field of Robotics, JU conducts research that focuses on Autonomous Systems. Students work to discover better designs for robots used in planetary exploration, logistics, safety & rescue missions, and other marine research.
7. Kaunas University of Technology
The Kaunas University of Technology, more popularly called Kauno Technologijos Universitetas (KTU), is one of the first schools in Lithuania to offer education in technology and engineering. Today, it has established valuable industry links and conducted numerous research to keep its curriculum up-to-date.
KTU offers a 4-year BEng in Intelligent Robotics Systems. Its curriculum aims to educate students on the development, design, and installation of service robots in residential and industrial settings. Classes are conducted in Lithuanian and English. A professional internship is required in the last semester.
Students have access to a state-of-the-art laboratory equipped with cutting-edge facilities from KTU’s business partners, including Festo, Schneider Electric, Siemens, ABB, and more. This laboratory is the best in the Baltics and is continually updated.
8. ETH Zurich
Ranked 8th best university in the world according to the recent QS rankings, ETH Zurich has distinguished itself as a top university for robotics in Europe. Founded in 1855, ETH Zurich has become the best university in Switzerland, focusing on science, technology, and engineering.
ETH Zurich offers an English-taught two-year MSc in Robotics to prospective postgraduate students. Students will study topics like Robot Design, Optimization and Control, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Systems Engineering. At the end of the program, students will be able to develop intelligent products and systems to solve various global issues.
9. École centrale de Nantes
École Centrale de Nantes or Centrale Nantes is an engineering school located in the heart of Nantes. Since its inception in 1919, it has focused solely on engineering, especially at the postgraduate level. The school excels in control and robotics and aims to create versatile engineers.
Centrale Nantes offers an English-taught two-year master’s program in Advanced Robotics. In the first year, students will take general courses to ensure they are familiar with the essentials of control and robotics. The second year involves taking specific courses in advanced robotics.
In addition, students taking the course in their first year will have the opportunity to apply for a joint master’s program. If their application goes through, they can spend their second year at the University of Genoa or Warsaw University of Technology.
10. Newcastle University
Ranked 122nd according to the QS rankings, Newcastle University is a prestigious university with a strong school of computing and engineering. It has numerous specialist facilities for practical sessions, including a computing lab and a power electronics and machines lab.
Newcastle University offers an interdisciplinary one-year taught master’s program in Automation and Control. Students with a relevant bachelor’s degree in science or engineering will be able to participate in this program. They will gain knowledge and practical skills in industrial automation, including industrial robotics and distributed control systems.
11. University of Oslo
The University of Oslo (UiO) is among the best universities in Europe and is one of the top five universities in Scandinavia. With a focus on research since its founding in 1811, the university has produced numerous Nobel laureates. It is the first university in Norway to create a department of informatics to harness the power of digital technology.
UiO is reputed as one of Europe’s top schools for robotics. While UiO does not offer a bachelor’s degree in this field, it does offer a master’s in Robotics and Intelligent Systems. Students studying this course will learn how to make robotic systems more intelligent and adaptable using machine learning and programming. The program lasts for two years and is English-taught.
12. Delft University of Technology
Delft University of Technology, known as TU Delft, is the largest Dutch public technical university. Regarded as one of the best engineering schools in the world, TU Delft has distinguished itself in robotics. Since its founding in 1842, it has been responsible for researching and developing innovative technologies for the Netherlands and the global community.
TU Delft does not offer any bachelor’s degree in robotics. Students who desire to learn robotics at the undergraduate level should apply for a relevant engineering major and offer robotics as a minor.
However, they offer a master’s in robotics for students with a relevant engineering or science degree. The program takes up to two years and will equip students with the requisite skills to develop innovative and intelligent systems to meet modern challenges.
13. Warsaw University of Technology
The Warsaw University of Technology (WUT) is the largest technical university in Poland, with over 35,000 students. Established in 1826 to cater to military and mining technology, it has grown into an institution capable of training students in a variety of technical fields.
WUT excels in automation and robotics and so offers a two-year program in Robotics for prospective postgraduate students. The course modules not only teach students how to program and operate robot systems. Students will also acquire the research skills to solve complex problems relating to design and control. Graduates of this program have the option of advancing to the Ph.D. level.
14. Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) is the premier technical university in Denmark and one of Europe’s leading engineering schools. It employs over 2,000 academic staff for its 11,000 students, ensuring a high standard of education.
DTU offers a two-year M.Sc. in Autonomous Systems, which tackles topics relevant to automation, including robotics. Graduates of this program can find a career in the production and service industry as a systems engineer, AI developer, or production manager. Students can also combine work with studies by extending the program duration to four years. This program is renowned for its excellent quality, helping DTU cement its reputation as one of the best European schools for robotics.
15. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Founded in 1971, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) is the largest engineering university in Catalonia. With a strong focus on globalization, the university accepts numerous international postgraduate students yearly.
UPC is paving the way in robotics and offers a two-year master’s program in Automatic Control and Robotics. The program aims to provide a multidisciplinary approach to robotics, combining electronics and mechanical engineering with artificial intelligence. Students offering the course will have to complete a thesis, attend classes and undergo training in an industrial environment
16. Aalto University
Established in 2010 as a merger of three major Finnish universities, Aalto University is a leading public university in Finland. To foster innovation, the university adopts a multidisciplinary approach to most areas of study. It is also one of the leading robotics schools in Finland, with facilities like the Micronova and the IC Lab.
Aalto University offers robotics as a major at the master’s level. To access the robotics major, students need to enroll for a master’s in Automation and Electrical Engineering. Apart from robotics, there are two other majors students can choose from after applying. The other two majors are Electrical Power Engineering and Digital Systems Engineering. In addition, the program contains some practical projects to help prepare students for the complex problems they may face in the industry.
17. Politecnico di Milano
Politecnico di Milano is the largest and the best technical university in Italy. It is home to AIRLab, a prominent research group in Italy dedicated to research on artificial intelligence and robotics. Students who apply for a postgraduate course in Automation and Control Engineering will get the opportunity to be a part of the research group. As one of the best institutions for robotics in Europe, the university is equipped with top-notch facilities.
Students interested in automation and control engineering can apply for either an MSc or a Ph.D. During the program, students will learn subjects like computer-aided manufacturing, data analysis, and automation. Students will also have to complete a thesis and attend frequent practice sessions.
We hope that you found this article on the best robotics schools in Europe informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
