Information about studying at the Oxford Robotics Institute
Be at the forefront of robotics and autonomous systems research
Robotics and autonomous systems are developing at an extraordinary pace and are revolutionising every aspect of our lives.
Robotics and autonomous systems are already revolutionising the way we travel, communicate and work, and impacting both the public and private sectors. From manufacturing to finance, these systems are changing how we provide healthcare, explore challenging environments, and how we understand and interact with the world around us. As advances in artificial intelligence, sensing, computation, and engineering continue to come together, robots will become increasingly capable and more present in our everyday lives.
The Oxford Robotics Institute is a world-leading research institution that is developing the concepts, frameworks, and technologies that will facilitate this transformation of our society. By joining us, you will contribute to the scientific discoveries that will define our future.
An immersive research environment
With numerous research groups, the institute brings together researchers working at the forefront of robotics and autonomous systems in a wide spectrum of applications. Our research combines fundamental advances with the development and deployment of robotic systems in demanding real-world environments, supported by strong collaborations across the University and with industry.
The research work of the ORI takes place primarily at the George Building and in our purpose-built lab at the H B Allen Centre. There are numerous seminars and lectures held at the ORI and in the Department of Engineering Science by local and visiting speakers.
The environment will provide you with many opportunities to meet experts in various fields and to present your work at both formal and informal conferences and seminars.
Current studentships and training opportunities
We encourage you to take a look at our research groups to see if any align with your interests and those of your potential supervisor(s). You are welcome to contact the academic staff member directly for information about specific projects or email your enquiry via our contact us page.
Current funded opportunities for graduate study at the ORI can be found via:
For information on other funding opportunities available at Oxford, see the University's Graduate Admissions 'Fees and funding' webpage.
ORI academics also supervise on many of the graduate programmes at Oxford. These include:
DPhil Spotlight - Chenying Liu
Chenying Liu joined the ORI lab in 2019 and has incorporated her fascination with origami as inspiration for her research in 3D printing and soft robotics. Chenying designs and fabricates interesting origami mechanisms and explores their potential to create intelligent and versatile robots.
You can watch Chenying talking about her research in the video below. The full technical paper is: "A 3D-Printable Robotic Gripper Based on Thick Panel Origami"
How to apply
Applications for graduate study with the ORI should be made through the University of Oxford, Engineering Science Graduate Courses. The Department of Engineering Science pages provide further guidance on the application process, fees and funding, courses and EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training.
We regularly publicise studentship opportunities on our LinkedIn and Instagram - please follow us for the latest updates!