Master’s in Soft Robotics Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in soft robotics engineering. 12 modules covering soft robotics principles, materials, pneumatic and other actuators, fabrication, mechanical modelling, soft sensors, control, soft grippers, locomotion and medical applications under ISO 10993-1:2018, Regulation (EU) 2017/745 and ISO 37:2017, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Soft Robotics Engineering — studying from the United Kingdom
Robotics and automation are growing across the United Kingdom, from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and research. Universities including Bristol, Oxford, Imperial College London and Edinburgh host robotics research, while the Robotics and Autonomous Systems hub and the Advanced Robotics Hub support collaboration with industry. Manufacturers, logistics operators and automation integrators employ engineers in control systems, sensing, programming and systems integration. Safety standards for collaborative robots shape deployment across industries.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £7,440 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies recognise robotics and control engineering, and how does SEIUM's training fit?
The Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers are the main UK professional bodies for control and automation engineers. Chartered status is awarded through the Engineering Council via accredited routes. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by any national body, so any recognition by these institutions is their own decision.
Will UK robotics and automation employers value a private online qualification?
UK robotics and automation employers usually weigh practical projects, programming skills and relevant experience heavily. A private qualification can support your CV where it reflects applied control or robotics work, particularly a strong final project. Employers decide how much value to attach to it, so tailor your application to their stated requirements.
Can I balance this with a UK job, and is there support in English?
Yes. The programmes are 100% online, taught in English, and you are assigned a technical tutor for support. Study ranges from 300 to 1,900 hours, so plan your schedule accordingly. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. No student visa is required because you study from within the UK.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the principles of soft robotics and its bioinspiration.
Select and characterise hyperelastic materials.
Design soft pneumatic and electrical actuators.
Fabricate soft prototypes through moulding and 3D printing.
Model soft robots with finite elements and Cosserat theory.
Implement sensing and control in soft robots.
Evaluate soft applications in manipulation and medicine.
Who it's for
- Soft robotics engineers.
- Materials researchers working in robotics.
- Adaptive gripper designers.
- Medical device engineers.
- Prototype fabrication specialists.
- Mechanical simulation engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the food industry.
What you'll work with
- ISO 10993-1:2018 (biological evaluation of medical devices)
- Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (EU Medical Device Regulation)
- ISO 37:2017 (tensile properties of rubber)
- ISO 7619-1:2010 (rubber hardness – durometer method)
- ISO 13482:2014 (safety of personal care robots)
- ISO/TS 15066:2016 (collaborative robot safety)
- ISO 14971:2019 (risk management for medical devices)
- SOFA Framework
- Abaqus
- COMSOL Multiphysics
- Fusion 360
- Elastica
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Bioinspiration from octopuses, trunks and worms1.2Differences from conventional rigid robotics1.3Infinite degrees of freedom and underactuation1.4Morphological intelligence and physical computation1.5Advantages for safe interaction with people1.6Classification of soft actuators1.7Scales: from microrobotics to large manipulators1.8Open challenges in control and fabrication1.9Research community and open platforms1.10Case study: analysis of a bioinspired robot
2.1Silicone and polyurethane elastomers2.2Hyperelasticity: Neo-Hookean and Mooney-Rivlin models2.3Ogden model for large deformations2.4Hydrogels and responsive materials2.5Shape memory polymers2.6Dielectric elastomers and liquid crystals2.7Stretchable conductive materials2.8Fatigue and degradation of elastomers2.9Uniaxial tensile characterisation2.10Lab: tensile test of silicone
3.1Multi-chamber PneuNet actuators3.2McKibben artificial muscles3.3Fibre-reinforced actuators3.4Vacuum and origami actuators3.5Soft hydraulic actuation3.6Valves and portable pressure sources3.7Modelling curvature versus pressure3.8Hysteresis and dynamic response3.9Variable-stiffness actuators by jamming3.10Practical: PneuNet actuator design
4.1Dielectric elastomer actuators4.2HASEL electrohydraulic actuators4.3Shape memory alloys4.4Tendon and cable actuation4.5Magnetic actuation of microrobots4.6Liquid crystal thermal actuators4.7Chemical and combustion actuation4.8Energy density comparison4.9Selection by application4.10Case study: comparison of actuators for a gripper
5.1Multi-step cast moulding5.23D-printed moulds5.3Direct 3D printing of elastomers5.4Layer-by-layer fabrication and lamination5.5Lost-wax moulding5.6Integration of fibres and reinforcements5.7Encapsulation of sensors and electronics5.8Quality control and degassing5.9Rapid prototyping and repeatability5.10Workshop: moulding a soft finger
6.1Piecewise constant curvature model6.2Cosserat rod theory6.3Hyperelastic finite element models6.4Model order reduction6.5Modelling with SOFA Framework6.6Simulation with Abaqus and COMSOL6.7Data-driven models6.8Uncertainty in soft materials6.9Experimental model validation6.10Practical: actuator simulation in SOFA
7.1Stretchable resistive sensors7.2Soft capacitive sensors7.3Eutectic liquid metal strain gauges7.4Optical fibres and soft waveguides7.5Internal pressure sensing7.6Model-based shape proprioception7.7Tactile electronic skins7.8Fusion of multiple soft sensors7.9Calibration and drift7.10Lab: capacitive curvature sensor
8.1Open-loop pressure control8.2Model-based kinematic control8.3Dynamic control with reduced Cosserat models8.4Machine learning-based control8.5Neural networks for inverse models8.6Stiffness and shape control8.7Control with visual feedback8.8Embedded control on microcontrollers8.9Evaluating accuracy and repeatability8.10Practical: closed-loop curvature control
9.1Pneumatic finger grippers9.2Granular jamming grippers9.3Soft electroadhesive grippers9.4Adaptive soft suction cups9.5Gripping food and fragile objects9.6Handling irregular shapes9.7Commercial soft grippers9.8Gripping force tests9.9Hygiene and cleaning in food applications9.10Case study: gripper for handling fruit
10.1Undulatory and peristaltic locomotion10.2Soft climbing robots10.3Swimming and underwater robots10.4Growing robots by eversion10.5Untethered soft robots10.6On-board energy sources10.7Exploration in confined spaces10.8Pipe inspection10.9Bioinspired amphibious robots10.10Practical: peristaltic robot prototype
11.1Soft rehabilitation gloves11.2Soft assistive exosuits11.3Robotic endoscopes and catheters11.4Minimally invasive surgery with continuum robots11.5Biocompatibility to ISO 1099311.6Medical devices and Regulation (EU) 2017/74511.7Safety in contact with patients11.8User trials and ethics11.9Technology transfer to market11.10Case study: design of a rehabilitation glove
12.1Definition of the soft application12.2Selection of materials and actuation12.3CAD and mould design12.4Modelling and simulation of the prototype12.5Fabrication and sensor integration12.6Control and experimental testing12.7Performance and durability analysis12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits alongside your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SOFA Framework, Abaqus, COMSOL Multiphysics, Fusion 360 and Elastica, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: fabricating and testing soft actuators, hyperelastic simulation of prototypes, and characterising grippers for fragile objects. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 10993-1:2018, Regulation (EU) 2017/745, ISO 37:2017, ISO 7619-1:2010, ISO 13482:2014, ISO/TS 15066:2016, ISO 14971:2019.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent proven professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with SOFA Framework, Abaqus, COMSOL Multiphysics, Fusion 360 and Elastica, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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