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Master’s degree · Underwater robotics

Master's in Underwater Robotics (ROVs and AUVs)

This master's programme gives you command of the design, operation and maintenance of unmanned underwater vehicles. You will work on propulsion, power supply, underwater navigation and payloads, finishing with mission planning and data analysis.

100% online1,600 hours8 modulesTaught in EnglishEnrol any time

What is this programme?

This master's degree trains you to lead the next generation of ocean exploration. It covers the design, operation and maintenance of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), which are key tools in scientific research, the offshore industry and the inspection of submerged infrastructure.

It is an intensive programme with a solid grounding in engineering, robotics and oceanography, with practice on advanced simulators and real equipment. You will learn to program, navigate and solve problems in complex underwater environments, with the aim of driving innovation in a growing sector.

What sets this master's degree apart: real projects, designing, building and operating ROVs and AUVs in simulated and real missions; current software and hardware, with training in the tools and technologies in use on the market today; and professional contacts within the underwater robotics sector.

Programme highlights

  • Design and operation: master the construction, piloting and maintenance of ROVs and AUVs, the basic tools of underwater exploration.
  • Advanced technologies: go in depth into autonomous navigation, underwater image processing and artificial intelligence applied to marine robotics.
  • Practical applications: the use of underwater robotics in infrastructure inspection, scientific research, maritime rescue and the offshore industry.
  • Simulations and practical work: take part in realistic simulations and field exercises that prepare you for real challenges.
  • Professional network: learn alongside professionals with industry and research experience and build your network in the sector.
  • Advance your career at the forefront of underwater technology.

Study plan

01Fundamentals of Naval Engineering and Applied Hydrodynamics200 h
Introduction to marine robotics: evolution, classification and applications of ROVs and AUVs. Naval statics: buoyancy, centre of gravity and centre of buoyancy. Underwater stability: metacentre, righting moment and distribution of weights on board. Fluid dynamics: resistance, skin friction and drag forces. Hydrodynamic design: frames and geometries for underwater vehicles. Marine propulsion: propeller types, cavitation and thrust vector configurations. Environmental effects: ocean currents, density gradients and pressure profiles. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) applied to submersible bodies.
02Mechanical Design, Watertight Integrity and Pressure Systems200 h
Marine materials: titanium, anodised aluminium, acrylics and carbon fibre. High-pressure mechanics: housings and instrumentation for great depths. Sealing techniques: O-rings, dynamic seals and cable glands. Pressure compensation: oil-filled systems and flexible membranes. Subsea penetrators and connectors: wet-mate versus dry-mate connections. Fatigue and galvanic corrosion: prevention with sacrificial anodes. Payload integration: mounting points, modular buoyancy and sensor bays. Pressure testing in hyperbaric chambers: certification and safety protocols.
03Electrical Systems, Electronics and Power Distribution200 h
Onboard electrical architecture: DC and AC circuits. Energy storage: lithium-polymer and lithium-iron batteries for AUVs. Power transmission through tethers in ROVs. Power electronics: variable frequency drives and brushless motor controllers. Electrical safety: line insulation monitors (LIM), fuses and fast-acting breakers. Printed circuit board (PCB) design for confined spaces and thermal constraints. Mitigation of electromagnetic interference (EMI) in analogue sensor signals. Battery management systems (BMS) and real-time consumption monitoring.
04Underwater Sensors, Instrumentation and Vision Systems200 h
Environmental sensors: CTD probes (conductivity, temperature and depth) and altimeters. Acoustic positioning: USBL (ultra-short baseline) and LBL (long baseline). Velocity-based navigation: Doppler velocity logs (DVL) and their integration. Inertial navigation (INS) and fibre-optic gyroscopes (FOG). Underwater acoustics: side-scan, multibeam and imaging sonar. Underwater optics and vision: LED lighting and low-light cameras. Image processing in high-turbidity water and colour correction. Sensor fusion with Kalman filters for state estimation.
05Control, Connectivity and Tether Systems200 h
Mathematical modelling of underwater vehicles in six degrees of freedom (6 DOF). Classical controllers (PID) and robust control for station keeping. Fibre-optic and twisted-pair communications in tether cables. Subsea industrial protocols: Ethernet, RS-485, CAN bus and Modbus. Surface control stations: human-machine interfaces (HMI) and telemetry. Winches and tether management systems (TMS) for heavy ROVs. Wireless acoustic communication for AUVs: modems and bandwidth limitations. Latency and signal loss: automatic fail-safe return algorithms.
06Autonomous Navigation and Artificial Intelligence for AUVs200 h
Software architectures: advanced integration with ROS2. Guidance, navigation and control (GNC) algorithms. Optimal path planning for grid mapping and search missions. Real-time obstacle avoidance using forward-looking sonar data. Underwater SLAM: simultaneous localisation and mapping based on acoustics and vision. Deep learning for automatic target recognition (ATR). Autonomous decision-making in the face of unexpected environmental changes. Virtual simulation of underwater environments to validate artificial intelligence algorithms.
07Manipulation Systems, Tooling and Intervention200 h
Kinematics and dynamics of five- to seven-function manipulator arms. Onboard hydraulic systems: pumps, proportional valves and marine actuators. Intervention tools: cable cutters, rotary cleaners and samplers. Force control and teleoperation with haptic feedback. Industry-standard interfaces (API/ISO intervention panels). Automation of repetitive manipulation tasks using machine vision. Vehicle stabilisation during high-load contact operations. Design and fabrication of custom 3D-printed tools for specific missions.
08Maritime Operations, Maintenance and Industrial Applications200 h
Campaign logistics: launch and recovery systems (LARS) on deck. Inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) in oil and gas. Renewable energy: inspection of cabling and foundations at offshore wind farms. Underwater archaeology, scientific oceanography and biological sampling in deep water. Risk management and safety offshore, with IMCA guidelines. Preventive maintenance and troubleshooting of mechanical and electrical faults in the field. Planning complex missions with mixed fleets of ROVs and AUVs. Final master's project: conceptual design or simulation of an autonomous underwater inspection campaign.

Duration and format

1,600hours in total
8modules of 200 hours
100%online, at your own pace
Openenrolment all year round

At 10 hours a week you would finish in about 160 weeks; at 20 hours a week, in about 80.

What you will learn

  • Master the operation and maintenance of ROVs and AUVs: carry out inspections, repairs and adjustments to mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and control systems, ensuring operability and safety.
  • Develop robotic solutions for underwater inspection and repair: design modular, adaptable systems with advanced sensors and precise manipulation.
  • Manage underwater robotics projects from start to finish: define scope, budget and schedule, coordinate multidisciplinary teams and manage technical and logistical risks.
  • Interpret data and produce technical reports: use statistical analysis and visualisation tools to detect trends and anomalies, and communicate results to different audiences.
  • Design control and navigation systems: implement robust algorithms and inertial or acoustic navigation with sensor fusion to achieve precision and stability.
  • Adapt underwater robotics to different environments and needs: select suitable ROVs and AUVs and integrate sensors and tools for inspection, repair or mapping.

Career outcomes

  • ROV/AUV operator: inspection, maintenance and repair of infrastructure such as pipelines or offshore wind farms.
  • Maintenance technician: repair, calibration and preventive maintenance of underwater vehicles.
  • Design and development engineer: participation in the design, construction and improvement of vehicles.
  • Scientific researcher: use of ROVs and AUVs in marine exploration and biological, geological and archaeological research.
  • Subsea project manager: planning and coordination of ROV/AUV projects.
  • Technical consultant: advice on the selection and use of these vehicles.
  • Instructor or trainer: training personnel in operation and maintenance.
  • Sales and technical support: marketing and technical customer service.
  • Defence sector: operation and maintenance for surveillance, reconnaissance and countermeasures.
  • Rescue and salvage companies: use in underwater search and rescue.

Entry requirements

  • Academic or professional profile: aimed at students, technicians and professionals interested in the naval, maritime, port and logistics fields. Specific requirements may vary depending on the programme.
  • Language: taught in English; some technical terminology and resources may appear in other languages.
  • Documentation: a valid identity document and complete personal details. Depending on the level, additional academic or professional documentation may be requested.
  • Technical requirements for online study: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser, a PDF reader and basic office software. Some programmes require specific software, as indicated in their description.

How to enrol

Enrol online

Complete your enrolment on this page, or apply through admissions if you prefer to talk to us first.

Receive your access

We send you the details to enter the virtual campus and start the programme.

Study at your pace

Work through the modules when it suits you and complete the programme from anywhere in the world.

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