Master Programme
Master of Science in Robotics
The Robotics Institute's MS in Robotics (MSR) is a research master's modelled on the first two years of a Ph.D. Students need at least 168 units: at least 84 of coursework (four core courses across sensing and perception, thinking about actions, robot embodiment and environment interaction, plus at least three electives) and at least 84 of supervised research with a Robotics Institute faculty advisor, whom students must find by 31 October of their first semester. The program ends with a master's thesis and a public thesis talk, approved by a committee. A summer internship can count for up to 12 research units. Courses must be passed with a B- or better and a 3.3 GPA is needed to graduate.
University
Carnegie Mellon University
Country
United States
Level
Master
Field
Robotics
Duration
24 months full-time (two academic years, graduating in August of the second summer; at least 168 units)
Language
English
Campus
Pittsburgh
Degree
Master of Science (M.S.) in Robotics
Intake
Fall semester only (no spring or summer admission)
Application Deadline
Fall 2027 entry through the Griffin School of Computer Science graduate application (Robotics Institute MS programs), open 9 September to 9 December 2026 at 3 p.m. EST; the SCS application fee is US$80 per program by 18 November 2026 and US$100 after that. No updates are accepted after the deadline, and decisions are generally released by the end of February
Tuition Information
2026-27: the MS in Robotics charges the School of Computer Science Ph.D. tuition rate, US$52,000 for the academic year (US$26,000 a semester; US$723 per unit). Student Financial Services' 2026-27 graduate budget for the fall and spring semesters adds US$14,752 for housing, US$8,664 for food, US$2,212 for books and supplies, US$3,352 for health insurance, US$4,098 for personal costs, US$1,756 for travel and US$1,040 in required fees (student activities US$248, transportation US$302, technology US$490), a total of US$35,874, so the fall and spring cost of attendance is about US$87,900 (our total of the official figures). MSR students are expected to fund themselves for two years: the Robotics Institute has no scholarships or fellowships for them, and research assistantships from advisors are occasional and never guaranteed
Admission Requirements
- A basic, introductory-course level understanding of calculus, linear algebra, numerical analysis, probability and statistics; programming, data structures and algorithms; and mechanics, dynamics, electricity and magnetism and optics. Any undergraduate major is welcome
- GRE: optional, but reviewed if you include it. The program does not make conditional offers
- Application materials: transcripts from every college attended (unofficial PDFs at the application stage), resume or CV, a one- to two-page statement of purpose and three letters of recommendation, at least two from faculty or recent employers
- English proficiency: if you will study on an F-1 or J-1 visa and English is not your native language, you must submit the TOEFL iBT (preferred), IELTS or Duolingo English Test. The Griffin School of Computer Science gives no waivers, including for earlier study in English or in the US, and does not accept medium-of-instruction letters. It publishes no minimum score; most recently admitted students scored TOEFL iBT 105-114, IELTS 7-8 or Duolingo 130-155. Scores must be no more than two years old (tests before 1 September 2024 are not accepted), unless you hold or are completing a US bachelor's or master's degree, when scores up to five years old can be used