Most people associate the word ‘robotics’ with science fiction films like Transformers and The Terminator. However, robots are far more common than you might think. From automatic vacuum cleaners to delivery drones to your smartphone, the field of robotics has worked its way into every aspect of life.
If a career in this area interests you, the first step is to get a degree. Each of these seven universities will equip you with the technical ability and theoretical knowledge to be a robotics expert. Let’s take a look at these best schools for robotics in the world!
Top Robotics Schools in the World
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, is the perfect way to start a list of any science and technology subject, and robotics is no different. If you want to be taught the minds behind a plethora of fascinating inventions, MIT is for you as it is an excellent robotics school across the globe.
While robotics is an incredibly wide field, the most relevant programs at MIT are those in mechanical engineering. These are offered at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels and allow you to take courses specifically about robotics. A degree in computer science and engineering would also be extremely relevant.
Whether you want to create a safer society by improving the perceptive capability of self-driving cars or building machines that help scientists explore the Arctic, studying at MIT is an experience like no other.
2. Stanford University
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Stanford University and Silicon Valley are incredibly reliant on each other. If it’s your dream to work at or even start your own company in the world’s premier tech hub, Stanford is the place to go.
What sets Stanford apart is its plethora of labs where students can design, create and test their latest inventions. As a student, you’ll have access to the Product Realization Lab, the Assistive Robotics and Manipulation Lab, the SHAPE lab, and many more.
Studying at Stanford ensures that, more than just having plenty of robotics knowledge when you graduate, you’ll also have a body of work that you can be proud of.
Learn About: Stanford University Admission Process and Tips
3. University of Cambridge
In contrast to MIT and Stanford, Cambridge University does not offer a degree specifically in mechanical engineering. Rather, students interested in robotics enroll in a general engineering program, then choose to specialize in mechanical engineering or another related subject. The University of Cambridge is a leading robotics school in the world that also has a computer science program.
By studying engineering more generally before deciding on a specialization, students receive a holistic education that allows them to explore different areas. Given that there is plenty of overlap in engineering (e.g., skills you learn in an information systems class are relevant in a mechanical engineering job, and vice versa), this is a tremendous asset.
Students interested in artificial intelligence, medical imaging, and robotic speech can take advantage of Cambridge’s Machine Intelligence Laboratory.
4. ETH Zurich
Located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, ETH Zurich has widely considered the best university for robotics across the globe and in continental Europe for science and technology. While the university offers both mechanical engineering and computer science, what sets it apart is its Master of Science in Robotics, Systems, and Control, which is one of the few degree programs in the world that focuses solely on robotics. This program falls under ETH Zurich’s engineering sciences department.
ETH Zurich’s engineering programs are all offered in English, which is great news for those outside the German-speaking world. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to study robotics at a world-class institution while exploring Switzerland’s famous lakes and mountains.
Check Also: The Best Robotics Schools in Europe
5. Nanyang Technological University
From an Asian perspective on robotics, Nanyang Technological University is about as good as it gets. Nanyang, along with the National University of Singapore, is one of the two best schools in Singapore and a top robotics school in the world that has gained its reputation largely due to its excellent science and technology courses.
Nanyang has an entire department called the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering dedicated to the subject. Over the years, it has formed strong partnerships within the industry, giving students a link to the working world right from the get-go.
The Master of Science in Smart Manufacturing is unique to Nanyang. This graduate program teaches students how to design smarter machines that created the goods we use on a day-to-day basis. More than just learning about how to make the robots themselves, graduates also have a deeper understanding of the operational systems behind the manufacturing industry.
6. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford and Cambridge share a rivalry that is as old as time itself. When it comes to robotics, it’s no surprise to find these two British heavyweights near the top of the list. Founded in 1096, Oxford has had a long and fascinating history and remains among the world’s best institutions of higher learning.
If you would like a career in robotics, the pathway for you at the University of Oxford involves studying for a general engineering degree, then choosing information engineering as a specialization. This is true at the undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. levels.
The Oxford Robotics Institute is a top robotics school across the globe that allows students to be inspired by like-minded peers and gives them the inspiration and space to pursue their ambitions.
See Also: The Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the World
7. University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley is one of the premier publicly funded universities in the United States and a leading institution for robotics in the world. Its world-class Department of Mechanical Engineering provides degree opportunities at all levels of higher education. This department has a strong robotics focus.
Berkeley gives its students access to several robotics labs. From the Berkeley Wireless Research Center to the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society to the Center for Scalable and Integrated Nanomanufacturing, you can be sure to find one that suits your interests, no matter how specific.
Berkeley is also widely known as one of the most forward-thinking universities in the world, so if you’re looking for a safe space where your ideas can blossom, this is the university for you.
We hope that this article on Best Robotics Schools in the World was helpful. If you are interested in learning more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
