Högskola och universitet hos Högskolan i Skövde, 120 högskolepoäng.
Manufacturing industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the concepts of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. Modern production relies on cyber-physical systems, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud-based architectures and advanced data analytics. This international two-year master’s programme provides the theoretical knowledge and practical engineering skills needed to design, optimise and manage complex, integrated production systems.
The programme has been developed with leading industrial companies, including Volvo Group, Volvo Cars, ABB, SSAB, GKN Aerospace and Boliden, helping ensure that graduates gain competencies sought after nationally and internationally.
Career opportunities
Graduates are prepared for advanced engineering and specialist roles in manufacturing, technology and consultancy worldwide, including:
Industrial AI Specialist
Robotics and Autonomous Systems Engineer
Smart Factory Engineer
Automation Systems Architect
Cyber-Physical Systems Engineer
Research and Development (R&D) Engineer
The focus of your studies
The curriculum focuses on advanced modelling, simulation and data-driven artificial intelligence for smart manufacturing.
Year 1
You build a foundation in advanced engineering methods, scientific principles and data-driven manufacturing, including cyber-physical manufacturing, research methodology, process mining, data collection and artificial intelligence.
What you will study
Courses such as Cyber-Physical Manufacturing, Research Methods in Industrial Informatics, Simulation and Optimization for Decision Support, and Process Mining for Manufacturing Processes teach you to turn operational data into strong decision support and to model, predict and optimise complex production flows at a holistic system level.
How you will learn
Research-connected, problem-based teaching combines optimisation and AI theory with hands-on computer labs using research-grade software. In the second semester, the 15-credit Industry-Embedded Project lets you work on-site with a manufacturing enterprise to solve an authentic, high-level engineering challenge.
What you will gain
You learn to formulate scientific research questions, select analytical methods and manage complex engineering projects, preparing you for Year 2 while building a professional network in industry.
Year 2
You deepen your knowledge of system optimisation, collaborative robotics (cobots) and advanced computer science, culminating in a 30-credit degree project typically carried out with internationally recognised industrial partners or active research groups.
What you will study
Through Generative and Physics-Informed AI, Optimization-Driven Design, and Collaborative Robotics (cobots), you learn how physical hardware, physics-based AI models and human factors combine to create autonomous, resilient, human-centric, resource-efficient and sustainable production systems.
How you will learn
Courses are integrated with the university's Virtual Engineering and Information Technology research environments. Labs at ASSAR Industrial Innovation Arena use industrial robot cells, digital twins and high-performance computing nodes. The final semester is dedicated to your independent 30-credit Master's Thesis with a global industrial enterprise or active research team.
What you will gain
You develop advanced expertise in analysing, designing and improving intelligent manufacturing systems, preparing you for specialist and leadership roles such as Senior Automation Systems Architect, Industrial AI Specialist, Cyber-Physical Systems Engineer or R&D Lead. The degree also provides a strong foundation for doctoral studies (PhD).
Study abroad
The international student cohort and English-language curriculum create a multicultural environment. You may complete your degree project or participate in an exchange semester abroad through the university's international partnerships. Research collaborations with the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), City University of Hong Kong and RWTH Aachen University provide valuable opportunities for international academic engagement.
Further studies
A Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Industrial Informatics provides a foundation for a research career and fulfils the general entry requirements for third-cycle education in many countries.
At the University of Skövde, you will be well qualified to apply for research studies within Information Technology, where the School of Engineering Science and the School of Informatics collaborate on advanced smart manufacturing projects.
Research
The programme is linked to the university's Virtual Engineering and Information Technology research environments. Our teaching staff includes professors and senior researchers in areas such as discrete-event simulation, multi-objective optimisation, collaborative robotics and applied artificial intelligence.
As a master’s student, you have access to high-performance computing infrastructure and research-grade software tools for applying scientific theories to real-world engineering challenges.