Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

What you'll study

The programme combines taught modules, laboratory practice and an individual research or design project. Typical taught subjects cover core mechatronics principles and advanced topics, including:

• Sensors and Actuators – transducers, actuators, signal conditioning and interfacing.
• Control Systems – classical and modern control, state‑space methods and real‑time control implementation.
• Robotics and Autonomous Systems – kinematics, dynamics, motion planning and mobile robotics.
• Embedded Systems and Real‑Time Programming – microcontrollers, RTOS, FPGA basics and hardware/software co‑design.
• Machine Vision and Signal Processing – image acquisition, feature extraction and computer vision algorithms for control.
• Advanced Dynamics and Mechanical Design – modelling, vibration analysis and design for manufacturability.
• Industrial Automation and PLCs – factory automation, communication protocols and industrial network architectures.
• Modelling, Simulation and Optimization – numerical methods, system identification and optimisation techniques.

Students typically choose between a research thesis track and a project/ coursework‑only track. Both tracks emphasise laboratory assignments and an integrative capstone project where students specify, prototype and test a mechatronic system. The programme makes substantial use of the university's engineering and robotics laboratories and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration with computer science and biomedical engineering groups.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics, robotics, computer engineering or a closely related STEM field. Typical requirements include:

• A good undergraduate academic record from a recognised institution; specific minimum GPA requirements are set by the admissions office.
• Transcripts and a curriculum vitae outlining relevant coursework, projects and laboratory experience.
• A personal statement or statement of purpose describing research interests and career goals.
• Letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees are recommended for the research thesis track.
• Proof of English language proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English (accepted tests and required scores are specified by the university).

Relevant professional experience and prior exposure to programming, control theory or circuit design strengthen an application. Some applicants may be asked to attend an interview or provide additional supporting materials such as project reports.

Career prospects

Graduates from the mechatronics master’s programme enter a range of technical and leadership roles across industry and research. Common career paths include:

• Robotics engineer or systems integrator in industrial and service robotics companies.
• Control and automation engineer in advanced manufacturing, process industries and industrial automation vendors.
• Embedded systems developer for consumer electronics, automotive systems and IoT devices.
• R&D engineer in defence, aerospace, medical devices and precision instrumentation sectors.
• Technical project manager, product developer or start‑up founder leveraging multidisciplinary skills.
• Further academic study (PhD) leading to careers in research and higher education.

The programme’s practical focus and links with local industry also support placements, internships and collaborative projects with technology companies and research centres.

Why study at Ben‑Gurion University of the Negev

Ben‑Gurion University of the Negev is a major research university with a strong emphasis on applied engineering and interdisciplinary collaboration. Studying mechatronics at BGU gives you access to modern teaching laboratories, robotics and control facilities and faculty active in applied research topics such as autonomous systems, smart manufacturing and medical robotics.

The university’s location in Beersheba connects students to a growing regional high‑tech ecosystem and industry partners, creating opportunities for internships, collaborative projects and technology transfer. In addition, BGU supports entrepreneurship and translation of research through university incubators and innovation programmes, benefitting students who wish to commercialise prototypes or pursue start‑up ventures.

Overall, the programme is designed to provide both the theoretical background and the hands‑on skills required to design, build and deploy advanced mechatronic systems in industry and research.