Automation and Control

MSc Full-time

Course Overview

UCAS code:
Duration: Three trimesters (1 year or 1 year and three months, depending on the intake trimester).
Study type: Full-Time
Napier code: 52754MM

Automation and control are important aspects of modern manufacturing and utility supply. Many manufacturing assembly lines and processes utilise programmable control systems, e.g. robotic systems. As a result, it is essential to equip the prospective engineer in this field with the appropriate skills. This course will extend your skills into several essential areas in the field of automation and control.

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Think of any modern manufacturing or utility supply process, and you're seeing automated assembly lines, robotic systems and programmable controls. This post graduate qualification gives you the advanced knowledge you need to create these systems and devise innovative solutions in the broad field of automation and control.

Taking your existing knowledge of engineering theory and practice, the course focuses on the essential areas of this specialist field, such as embedded systems, control system design. Using specialist equipment in our dedicated laboratories, you'll learn to use Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, the industry standard for the development of effective control systems.

So that you'll be prepared for the extra demands of a senior or management role, you'll also develop project management skills and research techniques. You'll graduate with a skill set that has the potential to take you to the top of your profession.

When recruiting for senior roles, employers expect a correspondingly high level of specialist technical and organisational skills. This course equips you with those abilities: on graduation, you can expect to be able to analyse particular industrial applications and evaluate possible solutions in terms of automated (dedicated/flexible) or mixed manual/automated systems, design and develop embedded systems to meet predetermined specifications, and design and implement a distributed control system utilising PLCs and SCADA technology.

You'll also be able to design a product or process using a Mechatronic design methodology, critically evaluate a given research project and deliver the project proposal involving literature review, analyse management problems and synthesise solutions.

  • Automotive industries
  • Automation and control industries
  • Renewable energy industries
  • Engineering research
  • Engineering design and development
  • Engineering management
  • Engineering consultancy

What's it like?

With automation becoming increasingly important, you'll find a wealth of career opportunities.

Career prospects

We are one of the top universities in Scotland for graduate employability, with over 93% of our graduates in jobs or further study six months after graduating.

With automation becoming increasingly important in a wide range of industries, you'll find a wealth of career opportunities. As an MSc Automation and Control graduate, you can expect to move into a challenging and rewarding role.

 Ongoing study to gain Chartered status with the various professional institutions can open doors to even higher level positions. You may also choose to take on advanced study and research, perhaps culminating in a Doctoral research degree.

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What's involved

Modular learning

Our courses are structured by modules which gives our students a flexible learning programme. Modules covered by this course:

On offer

Campus life

World class facilities


Why I chose Napier

Requirements at a glance

Entry to the course

International students

Full-time study (per year)

The fees listed are stated per annum.

Part-time study (per year)

The fees listed are stated per annum.

Part-time study

The number of modules studied is dependent on the exit that you wish to achieve, for example:

  • A Grad Cert is 60 Credits (3 modules)
  • A Cert HE/Grad Dip/ HND is 120 credits (6 modules)
  • A Dip HE credit is 240 credits (12 modules)
  • A Degree is 360 credits (18 modules)
  • An Honours Degree is 480 credits

Please note that some part-time courses give modular exemptions for previous study and vocational experience. Advice is available during application.

Fees Table

Fees displayed are correct at the time of publication but the University Court reserves the right to make changes in fees at any time, and without notice, before or after the student's admission to the University.

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and will rise each year during your programme of study, at least in line with inflation.

Funding your study

We have a selection of funding opportunities available such as the UK postgraduate tuition fee loan (Scottish & EU) and specific scholarships aimed at student from India and across Africa. Visit our funding pages to find out what you could be eligible for.

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