Master in Mechatronics and Automation

This is a two-year full-time master's programme at NTNU in Ålesund, taught in English and worth 120 ECTS. It blends mechanics, electronics and programming, and the page describes the goal plainly: you learn to design, build and program intelligent machines for real applications.

What you study

The programme covers the design of automated mechatronic systems that can work together, which the page calls intelligent cyber-physical systems. Artificial intelligence is part of the teaching, and you can test designs virtually using digital twins. In the laboratories you build mechatronic systems from concept to a working model.

You choose one of two study tracks:

• Robotics and Intelligent Systems focuses on practical use of automation and artificial intelligence in cyber-physical systems, with a lot of time in labs and participation in industry projects.
• Marine Autonomous Systems deals with man-made systems and constructions that operate in the sea, above and below the surface. Students on this track become part of Plan Sea, which works with industry partners on technology for cleaning up plastic waste along the seabed.

Teaching is closely linked to business. You work on real cases in industry, the health sector and the maritime industry. Examples named on the page include software, simulation of surgical operations, and underwater drones for monitoring gas pipelines and fish farms.

How the programme is organised

The degree runs over four semesters and 120 ECTS. It is full-time, but the page says individual study plans can be adapted to your work situation. There is also the option to take one semester abroad.

Much of the learning happens in advanced laboratories, where you develop and build systems. The programme is tied to companies through industry projects, and the two tracks give it a clear direction from early on.

Who it suits

It suits someone who likes working across mechanical design, electronics and code, and who wants to build things rather than only study them. The page stresses lab work and industry cases, so an interest in practical projects helps. If the sea is your thing, Marine Autonomous Systems puts you into Plan Sea and underwater work. If you lean towards software and AI in cyber-physical systems, Robotics and Intelligent Systems is the track for that.

Student life in Ålesund includes the student organisations Archimedes and Syntax, which run social and professional activities through the year. The town sits in a region known for high mountains and blue fjords.

Admission, language and next steps

You need a bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent, with 25 ECTS credits in mathematics, 5 ECTS credits in statistics, and 7,5 ECTS credits in physics. Your grade point average must be at least C in the bachelor's degree. The programme is open to both international and Norwegian students, and the teaching language is English.

The application portal opens 1 November. The page does not give a closing date, so check the programme page for the deadline and the application system. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland pay no tuition fee. Other international students pay a fee set by NTNU, shown on the university's tuition fee page. For questions about the programme, the page lists student Grigorios as a contact for a chat.

Master’s applications go straight to Norwegian University of Science and Technology, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme. Deadlines are set by each institution for each programme, so confirm yours. Entry requirements and language tests are also set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, study permits and housing.