Master's Degree Programme in Information and Communication Technology: Robotics and Autonomous Systems

General Requirement

You are an eligible applicant for Master’s-level studies if

• you have a nationally recognized first cycle degree – normally a Bachelor’s degree – from an accredited institution of higher education,
• your degree corresponds to at least 180 ECTS (European credits) or three years of full-time study,
• your degree is in a relevant field for the Master’s degree programme that you’re applying to. Please check the section on track-specific admission requirements for detailed degree requirements.

Language Requirements

Applicants must have excellent English language skills and a certificate that proves those skills. You can indicate your language skills by taking one of the internationally recognized English language tests. 

Applicants must reach the minimum required test results to be eligible for the University of Turku. No exceptions will be made. Read more about the language requirements here.

Before you start preparing your application, always read the full admission requirements on the application portal Studyinfo.fi

The applicant’s previous degree based on which s/he is seeking admission to the Master’s Degree Programme in Information and Communication Technology must be in a relevant field of study. Relevant fields of previous studies for the Robotics and Autonomous Systems specialisation track are:

• Robotics Engineering
• Computer Science
• Computer Engineering
• Information Technology
• Mechatronics
• Other relevant fields of study where sufficient knowledge of embedded systems and programming is achieved.

You may not apply to more than one specialization track within the same Master’s Degree Programme at the University of Turku. Therefore, you should carefully consider the suitability of your educational background for the applied track.

The decision of admission will be based on

• the relevance of the applicant’s awarded degree(s)
• the amount, relevance, and grades of the courses in the degree(s)
• the language test result (see Language requirements)
• the motivation letter (see full entry requirements for the obligatory motivation letter template)
• Curriculum Vitae including details on your academic and professional career
• possible relevant work experience
• possible interview

The academic evaluation is made only for complete applications received during the application period. Any preliminary assessment of suitability or chances for admission will not be given.

A. Advanced-level studies in the specialisation track 40 ECTS
B. Thematic module or minor subject 20-25 ECTS
C. Other studies 15-20 ECTS
D. Studies supporting Master’s thesis 10 ECTS
E. Master of Science in Technology Thesis 30 ECTS
 

See the curriculum. 

The University of Turku fosters students' professional growth and global perspective by promoting internships and student exchanges. Every degree student can take advantage of these opportunities – all internships come with a guaranteed subsidy, and every exchange programme includes a grant.

Does this page answer your questions about the programme's content and academic matters? If not, contact infoscitech@utu.fi.

After completing the Robotics and Autonomous Systems specialisation track, you will be able to: 

• Apply models of robot motion to planning and control problems in mobile robotics and manipulation. 
• Implement and evaluate methods for robot localisation and mapping using sensor data. 
• Solve kinematic problems and develop motion and control solutions for robot manipulators. 
• Implement and evaluate learning-based methods for robotic tasks. 
• Compare robotic methods through experiments using appropriate simulations, datasets or physical platforms. 
• Communicate technical choices and experimental results in project reports and presentations. 

The studies combine mathematical reasoning with programming exercises and project work. This gives you practice in connecting an algorithm’s assumptions with its behaviour in an experiment.

In your master’s thesis, you investigate a problem in robotics or autonomous systems using scientific literature and appropriate research methods. You define the problem, develop or analyse a solution, evaluate the results and present your conclusions in a written thesis. The work develops your ability to carry out an independent technical investigation and assess the strengths and limitations of your approach. 

Possible topics include robot localisation and mapping, motion planning and control for mobile robots or robot arms, and learning-based methods for robotic perception or behaviour. The topic and methods are agreed with your supervisor; these examples illustrate the field rather than guarantee available projects.

The track develops skills in implementing, integrating and evaluating methods for robotic and autonomous systems. Graduates can apply these skills in engineering and research tasks involving robot software, perception, localisation, planning, control and learning. Your elective studies, projects and thesis help shape your individual expertise. 

The employment percentage of those holding an M.Sc.(Tech.) degree is high in Finland. Depending on your study choices and experience, possible roles include: 

• Robotics Software Engineer 
• Autonomous Systems Engineer 
• Robotics Perception or Localisation Engineer 
• Robotics Control Engineer 
• Robotics Research and Development Engineer 
• Additional career directions, such as Embedded Systems, depend on complementary studies, projects and experience. 

Master's Degree (Technology) provides eligibility for scientific postgraduate degree studies. Postgraduate degrees are doctoral and licentiate degrees. Degrees can be completed within the University of Turku Graduate School.