Why choose the School of Computing, Engineering and Creative Industries
In the NSS 2025, our automotive, AI and robotics engineering courses tied 9th in their subject field for organisation and management; they are in the top 15 for teaching, learning opportunities, and assessment and feedback.
100% of students were satisfied with how well the course developed knowledge and skills for the future (NSS, 2025).
Gain practical experience with Luton AI, an organisation linked to the University that is driving innovation and creating high-skilled jobs in AI across many sectors.
About the course
The idea that we can combine robotic systems with artificial intelligence to produce a new generation of machinery is no longer the stuff of science fiction – it’s science reality. This cutting-edge course puts you at the heart of one of today’s most innovative fields, with a focus on developing your hands-on skills right from the start. Through understanding of theory, a practice-based approach and real-life work projects, you gain a solid conceptual grounding, to-the-minute specialist knowledge and advanced technical skills.
Course accreditation
This course is fully accredited by the British Computer Society (BSC), the Chartered Institute for IT, meaning you qualify for chartered IT professional status once you graduate.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Dedicated computing labs and group study hubs in our modern, purpose-built STEM building
- Cloud robotics and connected AI research laboratory with specialist equipment, including an industry-standard robot arm and mobile robots, programmable drones, integrated oscilloscope, and powerful AI computer
- Cutting-edge technology such as Auto-CAD, MATLAB and ROS software, alongside a 3D printer and well-stocked hardware supply for robot construction
- Access to Multisim, LabView and VMware Workstation
Your student experience
Our unique blend of theoretical and hands-on work keeps you up to date with state-of-the-art technologies and prepares you for an exciting future.
Our cutting-edge, industry-standard facilities and equipment mean you can take an active role in all parts of robot creation, from design to assembly.
Take on work-based projects in close collaboration with companies and organisations such as Luton AI, HAL Robotics and TWI.
With Luton AI, benefit from working with local businesses to help them integrate AI into their operations.
Showcase your work to invited industry professionals and get involved in up-to-the-minute research projects.
Learn from the expertise of our highly qualified academic team, many of whom are leading researchers and active consultants in areas such as enhanced robot technology and nanorobotics in cancer cell exploration.
Our academics organised the CROP workshop on the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), one of the two top-tier conferences in robotics, keeping this course up to date with the latest advancements in the field.
Be guided by our dedicated academic success tutors, there to support you through your studies.
with Professional Practice Year
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
with Foundation Year
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Course Leader - Professor Dayou Li
Professor Dayou Li is a professor of Robotics and the Director of the Institute for Research in Applicable Computing at the University of Bedfordshire.
He obtained a BEng and MSc from the Northern Jiaotong University (China) and received his PhD at Cardiff University.
Professor Li has wide research and development experience in robotic systems, AI and nanotechnology.
He has led and participated in a number of EU-funded research projects under FP7 and H2020.
Course Leader - Professor Dayou Li
Professor Dayou Li is a professor of Robotics and the Director of the Institute for Research in Applicable Computing at the University of Bedfordshire.
He obtained a BEng and MSc from the Northern Jiaotong University (China) and received his PhD at Cardiff University.
Professor Li has wide research and development experience in robotic systems, AI and nanotechnology.
He has led and participated in a number of EU-funded research projects under FP7 and H2020.
Course Leader - Professor Dayou Li
Professor Dayou Li is a professor of Robotics and the Director of the Institute for Research in Applicable Computing at the University of Bedfordshire.
He obtained a BEng and MSc from the Northern Jiaotong University (China) and received his PhD at Cardiff University.
Professor Li has wide research and development experience in robotic systems, AI and nanotechnology.
He has led and participated in a number of EU-funded research projects under FP7 and H2020.
Course Leader - Professor Dayou Li
Professor Dayou Li is a professor of Robotics and the Director of the Institute for Research in Applicable Computing at the University of Bedfordshire.
He obtained a BEng and MSc from the Northern Jiaotong University (China) and received his PhD at Cardiff University.
Professor Li has wide research and development experience in robotic systems, AI and nanotechnology.
He has led and participated in a number of EU-funded research projects under FP7 and H2020.
Year 1
Engineering mathematics – Solve real-world engineering problems using different mathematical approaches. Mathematics and concepts for computational thinking - Apply maths-based coding skills to build software applications using programming languages like Python. Robot principles and design – Learn how a robot works as a mechanical device and create your own robot using 3D printing. Principles of programming and data structures - Develop your skills in using a high-level programming language and apply those skills to real-world problems.
Year 2
Concepts and technologies of artificial intelligence – Explore the main AI concepts and technologies typically used to solve real-world problems. Information security - Gain advanced knowledge of tools and techniques for cyber defence, threat intelligence and information governance. Desktop applications development and software engineering – Acquire strong programming skills for desktop applications, solving industry-relevant problems. Robot intelligent control - Design and implement intelligent control for robotic systems, including sensors, actuators and automatic control.
Year 3
Advanced robotics – Build your technical knowledge and hands-on experience in areas of robotics technology such as human-robot interaction and object/intention recognition. Agile project management – Gain valuable project-management skills for your graduate career. Research methodologies and emerging technologies – Plan your Honours project around current or emerging technologies, using research to back up your proposal. Undergraduate project – Work independently to develop and complete a major project on a topic of your choice, solving a complex problem.
This course emphasises the application of AI technologies and methodologies to modern robots that require a certain level of intelligence and the abilities to adapt themselves to environments. It is designed to develop your academic and vocational skills to pursue academic and professional careers in industry and in academia.
Completing graduates are expected to be able to:
- Be creative and judgmental
- Acquire knowledge and understanding of Robots and AI
- Apply such knowledge to analyse problems encountered and to develop and to evaluate possible robotic solutions
- Formulate correct procedure of problem solving Communicate findings to peers.
The journey of developing such abilities complies with a self-reflective professional development procedure starting from identifying career goal and the gap between the goal and the current levels of knowledge skills and capabilities for the students. Course units are designed to gradually fill in the gap from fundamental computational concepts and skills in Year One specialist concepts technologies and methodologies in AI and robotics in Year Two to more independent and creative skills of analysis modelling and solution synthesis and evaluation in Year Three.
Careers
Career opportunities for graduates of this course exist in software and hardware industries research and development; industrial production; computing; electronics and academia.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
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