MSc in Intelligent Automation
Skövde, Sweden
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Jan 2027
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2027
TUITION FEES
SEK 155,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* first installment: SEK 77,500 SEK (around 7000 EUR) | EU/EEA Citizens are not required to pay tuition fees
Key Summary
About: The MSc in Intelligent Automation trains you to design, simulate and validate smart factory systems with virtual engineering tools. You'll study modeling, simulation, optimization, digital twins and industrial automation, plus information technology and system thinking. The program is taught in English in Skövde, Sweden with study periods at partner universities; you can study one or two semesters abroad, including a thesis at an international partner.
Career Outcomes: Graduates work in manufacturing, industry and welfare as Automation Engineer, Production Developer, Automation Manager, in digital engineering, systems integration, process optimization, research. You're prepared for IT research at the University of Skövde.
This program gives you the prerequisites for a leading role in the future smart factory where digitization and virtual tools affect the daily work of both supervisors and operators.
About The Program
In the future smart factory, digitalization will not be limited to mechanical equipment and production systems, but also greatly affect the daily work of both management and operators. The machine and production equipment will be designed, constructed, launched, and run based on models, simulations, and optimizations using artificial intelligence and other advanced computer technologies. High demands on productivity and deliveries are today a matter of course in the modern industry, while business and sustainable development are natural elements in all activities.
The Intelligent Automation Master's Programme provides you with the tools to develop and validate the future manufacturing system using virtual engineering tools. For many years, the use of computerized engineering tools and virtual technologies has increased. There is nothing to suggest that the trend will slow or reduce. On the contrary, the future manufacturing system will be characterized by a higher degree of intelligent technology realized through autonomous, connected, and smart components.
The Focus of Your Studies
The Master's Programme in Intelligent Automation focuses on providing you with the skills required for tomorrow's engineers so that you will be able to address challenges and take advantage of new technological solutions. Through your studies in the Master's Programme, you are expected to acquire a holistic view of the link between production technology, industrial automation, and information technology.
Intelligent Automation is an interdisciplinary field of engineering that focuses on how complex engineering problems and systems should be designed and managed from a lifecycle perspective using virtual engineering tools. The Master's program includes various techniques and tools, such as modelling, simulation, optimization, digital twins, product lifecycle management, and also industrial system philosophy, system thinking and sustainability, and innovation in order to meet the requirements of the future "Smart factory".
Internationalization
This international version of the Master’s Programme in Intelligent Automation is structured so that the students will engage in studies both in Sweden and at partner universities worldwide. As is common with the Master’s level education in Skövde, and to further support the international nature of this program, the courses, laboratories and assignments are all conducted in English. Support to individual students can be conducted in either English or Swedish.
The programme is designed with the possibility of studying 1 or 2 semesters abroad. There are options for studying the third semester abroad to read related courses within the knowledge area and the fourth semester to do the thesis abroad.
The study programme is provided by the University of Skövde and is named Intelligent Automation - Master's Programme (Intelligent Automation - master program). It comprises 120 credits and is a second-cycle programme. The main field of study is Virtual Product Realization.
The programme provides broad and deep knowledge in automation engineering with a focus on the main field of virtual product realization. The programme specifically deals with intelligent autonomous machine systems working in collaboration with human operators. The students gain a deep understanding of industrial systems and also in-depth knowledge about how intelligent automation is developed and implemented in the industry. The programme emphasises the use of automation for improving efficiency and contributing to sustainable development.
The programme starts by introducing the basics of industrial systems and laying the foundation for specialization courses. The specialization courses deal with the theory, development and implementation of intelligent machines working in collaboration with human operators. The programme adopts a holistic view towards industrial automation where the main focus is on modelling and optimization of autonomous systems and intelligent machines. Other focus areas include the use of virtual tools for emulating intelligent machines and understanding industrial ergonomics. The students are also exposed to leadership, decision-making, sustainable development and innovation aspects that arise within the industry. The programme ends with an individual degree project where the students formulate theoretical and practical scenarios within intelligent automation and apply their skills to solve them using a scientific approach.
The following courses are included in the programme
- Alternative Manufacturing Methods A1N, 6 credits
- Computational Intelligence A1N, 6 credits
- Control Theory A1N, 6 credits
- Engineering Optimization: Methods and Applications A1F, 6 credits
- Engineering Project III A1F, 6 credits
- Industrial Systems Philosophy A1N, 6 credits
- Model-Based Manufacturing A1N, 6 credits
- Modelling and Optimization A1F, 6 credits
- Research Methodology and Communication A1F, 6 credits
- Scientific Theory in Industrial Informatics A1N, 6 credits
- Sustainable Development and Innovation A1N, 6 credits
- Systems Thinking A1N, 6 credits
- Virtual Intelligent Machines A1N, 6 credits
- Autonomous Systems A1F, 6 credits
- Master Degree Project in Virtual Product Realization A2E, 30 credits
Objectives for Master’s Degree according to the Higher Education Ordinance
- Knowledge and understanding
- Competence and Skills
- Judgement and Approach
- Local Objectives for the Study Programme according to the University of Skövde
The labour market for engineers is big and growing. With new technology, new methods, and new IT support, companies can further streamline their production and make it more reliable, durable and easier to adapt to product and volume changes. However, it is not only in industry but also in other sectors, such as the welfare sector, which will benefit from the new technologies. Probable occupational roles are Automation Engineer, Production Developer or possibly Automation Manager.
After graduation, you are prepared for research studies in Information Technology at the University of Skövde. The majority of the teachers in the programme conduct research in Virtual Engineering at the University of Skövde, and the education thus links to current research in the field.
When? Where? How?
- Study period: 1 September 2025 - 6 June 2027
- Location: Skövde, Campus
- Pace of study: 100%