Automation & Control

Place of Study: St. Petersburg, Russia
Outcome (diploma or credits): Master of Science in Automation and Control Engineering
Duration: 2 years
Language: English / Russian
Application Deadline: 19 August 2025
Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in control systems, navigation, robotics, electrical engineering, or AI with excellent/good grades; CV & Motivation Letter; upper-intermediate level of English
Tuition Fee: 429,000 rubles per year (2024)

Program description

In today’s fast-paced world of technological change, people might have a hard time finding a steady and rewarding job. The only way to keep up with the changing market and achieve professional and financial success is to become an expert in the field that will remain relevant for decades to come. Digital control systems will certainly continue to play a significant role in the global economy for many years ahead. Digital systems are widely used in home and industrial automation, cars, mechatronics, and robotics, etc. Thanks to the team of the Faculty of Control Systems and Robotics and this program, ITMO has been included in the top 100 of the ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects in Automation and Control for four years in a row.

Program сontent

1st semester 

  • Russian as a Foreign Language

  • Technical Systems Modeling 

  • Actuators Control 

  • Modern Control Theory 

  • Control Systems Programming

Worldview module

  • Creative Technologies (1st or 3rd semester)

    • Introduction to Conceptual Thinking

    • Creative Technologies

  • Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship (1st or 3rd semester)

    • High Tech Business Creation (online or offline)

  • Thinking (1st or 2nd semester)

    • Scientific Reasoning and its Relevance for Society

    • Critical Thinking (advanced)

Soft Skills module

  • Negotiations, Influence and Conflict Management (1st or 3rd semester)

  • Emotional Intelligence (2nd or 4th semester)

  • International Research Management Essentials  (1st or 3rd semester)

  • Life in Science – Guide for Young Researchers (any semester)

Applied Artificial Intelligence (one option from the list)

  • Basic 1

    • Data Preprocessing and Elements of Statistics

    • Introduction to Machine Learning (tools) and AAI Methods

  • Basic 2

    • Data Preprocessing and Statistics with R

    • Introduction to Machine Learning (tools) and AAI Methods

  • Basic 3

    • Data Preprocessing and Big Data: Storage Technologies

    • Statistics with R and Introduction to Machine Learning (tools)

  • Basic 4

    • Data Preprocessing and Big Data: Storage Technologies

    • Elements of Statistics and Introduction to Machine Learning (tools)

  • Advanced 1

    • Big Data: Storage Technologies and Introduction to Machine Learning (Python)

    • Advanced Machine Learning (Python) and Automatic Text Processing

  • Advanced 2

    • Big Data: Storage Technologies and Introduction to Machine Learning (Python

    • Advanced Machine Learning (Python) and Image Processing

  • Advanced 3

    • Introduction to Machine Learning (Python) and Advanced Machine Learning (Python)

    • Automatic Text Processing and Image Processing

2nd semester

  • Russian as a Foreign Language 

  • Digital Control Systems

  • Modern Control Theory

  • Control Systems Programming

  • Optimization Methods and Optimal Control

  • Adaptive and Robust Control

  • Sensorless Control

3rd semester

  • Research Internship

  • Tech Project Internship

4th semester

  • Tech Project Internship

  • Pre-Graduation Internship

  • Master Thesis Defense

Partners

Career prospects

Students of the program are taught to manage fundamental and applied control problems concerning the creation of qualitatively new control algorithms, as well as use these algorithms to create complex control systems. Skilled professionals in digital control systems and digital systems analysis are in high demand on the market. Graduates can work as engineers, developers, and researchers at companies or research centres on digital control systems, unmanned vehicles, robotics, modern digital technologies and manufactures, and so on. Our graduates work at Navis Engineering, StarLine, NIIAS, Diakont, etc.

Student reviews

Want to know more? Read the stories of international students at the Digital Control Systems program to learn more about the major and their experiences:

 

"I chose this Master's degree because nowadays automation and control of digital systems are booming.

If you know how to control everything with computers, as a mechanical and electrical system,

you will have the future in your hands."

 

 

Alexander Ramos​, a student of the Digital Control Systems program

 

 

 

"I chose this field because I believe it has become huge and there are a lot of opportunities.

It allows you to think outside the box and improve your creative thinking:

from assembling to bringing machines to life, the entire process is very interesting."

 

Kharchi Taha Mohamed Samy, a student of the Digital Control Systems program

 

 

 

FAQ

Can I take the entrance exam online?

  • Yes, you can take the exam via Zoom.

How many questions will I have at the entrance exam?

  • Two questions.

Do I need to switch on the camera during the exam?

  • Yes, it's obligatory.

Is it a written or oral exam?

  • You should give written answers for two questions and send it to examinators via Zoom. They will estimate your answers, and ask you some questions in an oral form.

Due to some reasons, I can't attend the entrance exam, may I change the date?

  • Yes, you may. Please, send the request to the program coordinator.

I can't come to Russia before the start of studies. Can I study online?

  • Yes, you can. You should send your request to the Student Serivces Office and the program coordinator.

Contacts

 

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