
MSc in Mechatronics and Automation | Specialisations in Maritime Systems or Robotics and Intelligent Systems
Alesund, Norway
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
28 Feb 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
NOK 271,100 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Deadline for EU/EEA/Swiss students
** The tuition fee is only for non-EU/EEA students
Introduction
Would you like to explore the most recent advancements in engineering and technology while constructing your own automated intelligent machine in the laboratory?
Dive into the world of intelligent machines
Explore the boundaries of technological innovation and sustainability with a Master's in Mechatronics and Automation. Here, you get to work on real-world challenges and build your own mechatronic systems in our laboratories. These are often fully functional scale models of large cyber-physical systems, of which you will also develop a digital twin.
This hands-on master's program offers you a unique opportunity to collaborate with the industry to develop mechatronic systems.
On Master in Mechatronics and Automation, you will have courses covering topics such as mechatronics, robotics, artificial intelligence, product design, industry 4.0, systems engineering, and digital twins.
You can choose between the following specializations:
- Robotics and Intelligent Systems (RIS)
- Marine Systems (MS)
Mechatronics and automation in practice
Throughout the master's program, you get to work on real-world challenges and build your own mechatronic systems in the laboratories. These are often fully functional scale models of large cyber-physical systems, for which you will also develop a digital twin.
Such a setup, with both a digital twin and a scale model, is referred to as a digital triplet. This provides you with an excellent opportunity to gain experience with 'hardware-in-the-loop' in addition to simulation using a digital twin.
Why Ålesund?
NTNU in Ålesund is located between fjord, mountain, and ocean. Here you get the perfect combination of city life and outdoor life. The region has fantastic nature and close access to everything from strolls in the open coastal landscape, surfing on waves in the open sea, to climbing on spectacular mountain peaks in the majestic Sunnmøre Alps. Summer is like winter, the nature experiences are for everyone all year round.
Ålesund is a beautiful port with several islands that stretch out into the ocean. Located North in the western fjord landscape surrounded by the majestic Sunnmøre Alps, and the famous UNESCO World Heritage Geirangerfjord within short range.
You can choose between 2 specializations :
Robotics and Intelligent Systems (RIS) or Marine Systems (MS)
Ideal Students
The study programme has two study directions with separate admissions:
- Robotics & Intelligent Systems (RIS)
- Maritime Systems (MS)
Recommended background - Robotics & Intelligent Systems (RIS)
For the RIS study direction, it is highly recommended that you have completed an undergraduate engineering programme in automation, cybernetics, mechatronics, robotics, or similar. Engineering students in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or automotive engineering, and other similar programmes also have a suitable background, provided they have experience from courses that involve advanced programming (e.g., C++) and control systems engineering.
Other students must be prepared to put in an extra effort to compensate for lack of competence in these areas.
Recommended background - Maritime Systems (MS)
For the MS study direction, the recommended background is less strict. In addition to the study programmes listed above for the RIS study direction, students from mechanical engineering, renewable energy, ship design, and most other engineering disciplines have a suitable background but it is recommended to have some competence in electrical or mechanical engineering, preferably both.
As for the RIS study directions, students must be prepared to put in an extra effort to compensate for lack of competence in these areas.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Stipends and Loans for Master´s Degree Students
NTNU does generally not offer any stipends/scholarships or loans. However, we recommend that you investigate if there are any funding opportunities yourself. Below are some stipends, loans, and scholarships from third parties that are applicable to certain students at NTNU.
- Erasmus Mundus: scholarships for EU students
- Anglo-Norse Society: £2,500 is awarded each year to the best qualified British citizen receiving admission to a master´s degree at NTNU. You do not need to apply.
- EU loans: Some EU countries offer their citizens favorable loans to help them finance a master's degree in an Erasmus+ Programme country
- NORPART MA Scholarships: NTNU offers five scholarships to students from Ethiopia who will pursue an MPhil in childhood studies in the academic year 2023/2024 (Note: Changes to this scholarship scheme may arise if the motion to introduce tuition fees in Norway passes)
- GSEP - Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership: Scholarship for outstanding master 's-level students from developing countries in fields related to sustainable energy development.
Financial support for Non-EU applicants
At NTNU in Ålesund, we are committed to supporting international talent.
To ease the financial burden we offer paid student assistant job where you can secure up to 240 hours of paid work per year.
This means earning up to 45,000 NOK annually while gaining valuable professional experience.
We only guarantee a limited number of assistant jobs, and will hire based on an application process.
Apply now and invest in an opportunity that enriches your education and supports your success!
Curriculum
This master's degree program extends over two academic years (4 semesters) and constitutes a course load of 120 ECTS credits. It is possible to take one semester abroad during your studies.
For an overview of the courses please see the study plan below.
- First and second semester consists of two courses common to the study programme, and two courses unique for the study direction (specialization).
- In the third semester you specialize further through a programme course, a complementary course, and a specialization project.
- In the fourth and final semester you complete your master thesis.
You can choose between the following specializations:
- Robotics and Intelligent Systems (RIS)
- Marine Systems (MS)
Program structure specialization Robotics and Intelligent Systems
1st semester
- Fundamentals of Automation and Mechatronics Engineering 7.5 credits
- Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing 7.5 credits
- Cybernetics and Robotics 7.5 credits
- Robotics and Intelligent Systems with project - Part I 7.5 credits
2nd semester
- Experts in Teamwork 7.5 credits
- Digital Twins for Predictive Maintenance 7.5 credits
- Intelligent Machines 7.5 credits
- Robotics and Intelligent Systems with Project - Part II 7.5 credits
3rd semester
- Mechatronics and Systems Integration 7.5 credits
- Elective complementary course 7.5 credits
- Industrial Project 15 credits
4th semester
- Master Thesis in Automation and Mechatronics 30 credits
Program structure specialization Marine Systems
1st semester
- Fundamentals of Automation and Mechatronics Engineering 7.5 credits
- Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing 7.5 credits
- Modelling and Simulation of Marine Systems 7.5 credits
- Fundamentals of Systems Engineering 7.5 credits
2nd semester
- Experts in Teamwork 7.5 credits
- Digital Twins for Predictive Maintenance 7.5 credits
- Applied AI and Control 7.5 credits
- Computer Aided Engineering 7.5 credits
3rd semester
- Mechatronics and Systems Integration 7.5 credits
- Elective complementary course 7.5 credits
- Marine Systems Engineering Project 15 credits
4th semester
- Master Thesis in Maritime Systems 30 credits
Rankings
NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology is the largest university in Norway and is also the main institution for education and research in engineering and technology.
For more information and a listing of various global rankings, please see Wikipedia, which shows that NTNU is listed among the top 100-350 universities in the world in 2023 and 2024, and first in the world ranking of universities with the biggest corporate links in 2017.
Program Outcome
In Master in Mechatronics and Automation, you will get knowledge and tools to develop sustainable mechatronic systems in a team.
You will learn about the design, integration, and analysis of automated mechatronic systems capable of communication and interaction (cyber-physical systems). You will also learn about artificial intelligence and engage in simulations using digital twins, which are essential for developing and validating complex designs.
You can choose one of the following specializations:
- Robotics and Intelligent Systems
- Marine Systems
The master's program is closely connected to companies and real-world challenges within the industrial and maritime sectors.
You will learn to design, implement, and apply automated mechatronic systems, for example:
- Industrial and collaborative robots
- Solutions for automated and digitized production
- Maritime mechatronic systems for autonomous ships
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
With a Master's Degree in Mechatronics and Automation, you get a broad engineering competence with a specialization in mechatronics and automation.
This competence is in high demand in technology companies across Norway. For example, this expertise can be applied in the ongoing digital transformation within the maritime sector or in the manufacturing industry, where automated production solutions and 'smart products' are crucial to ensure the competitiveness of Norwegian companies.
Facilities
Program Leaders
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
Teaching and learning activities
The study programme is centred around contextual student-active learning activities. Some examples may include:
- Lectures with an emphasis on interaction and discussion
- Tutorials and demonstrations
- Written assignments
- Practical laboratory work with supervision
- Flipped classroom methodology
- Projects
- Presentations
- Dialog-based bidirectional feedback between teachers and students
- Facilitated guided self-study
- Practical industry work at a company
Digital tools are used to a large extent, e.g., for modelling, simulation, visualisation, design, implementation, collaboration, documentation, etc.
Learning activities and teaching methods in each course are facilitated and adapted to the digital society of today, where teachers carefully balance digital activities for asynchronous consumption (self-study), live presentation, and online interactivity as needed. However, it must be emphasised that the study programme to a large extent requires students to be physically present on campus to achieve the intended learning outcomes.
Most of the classes are one the same floor in the engineering lab building, to enable blended learning activities, allowing for switching quickly from a teacher-oriented learning activity (e.g., a lecture), to a student-oriented learning activity (e.g., a lab exercise) in a single class. A dedicated lab room is dedicated solely for students of the master students and serve the role as an identity area.
Workload
The expected average student workload for the study program is 41 hours/week, corresponding to 1700 hours for a study year.
Excursions
Smaller voluntary excursions free of charge may be arranged by the study programme.
Practice studies & work experience
The study programme does not include practice studies in the formal sense, cf. studietilsynsforskriften.
However, students will be exposed to much industrial practical learning activities on campus, and the master thesis is typically completed in collaboration with at company or other external actors. Moreover, both study directions may involve shorter periods of activities off campus at a company, and in the study direction Robotics and Intelligent Systems, students will generally complete a specialisation project as an industrial project with a set number of days off campus at a company.
All students must have completed a minimum of 6 weeks of work experience, which must be approved by the Faculty, before they can start their master's thesis.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.