About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: H19012
- Applications: University
- Level: Postgraduate
- Department: Engineering, Design and Mathematics
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: 12 months
- Delivery: Full-time
- Programme leader: Dr Paul Head
Introduction
Many graduates of engineering disciplines aspire to careers in engineering management. The MSc Engineering Management at UWE aims to provide both Masters-level management education, together with advanced learning in engineering topics with an emphasis on management within these areas. Most general business management programmes, whilst excellent preparation for general management at the highest levels, lack the clear focus on developing managers specifically for engineering organisations and market sectors.
The effectiveness of any engineering organisation depends on technical, human and commercial factors. Throughout this course you will learn how to manage these different factors in order to achieve the organisation's strategic goals. You will develop the skills needed to formulate strategy and convert such strategy into action for both domestic and international markets. Multiple approaches to operations management will also be covered.
Student's view
"UWE provided me with exactly what I was looking for in the MSc Engineering and Technology Management programme!"
Structure
Content
The programme includes modules that provide you with the opportunity to tailor your studies to your interests plus you will complete a dissertation. It has been structured to give you the skills needed to advance in management within engineering organisations. The modules explore issues related to strategic, operational and financial management, including innovation and creativity and sustainability.
Semesters 1 and 2
All students complete:
- Technology Design Project (30 credits)
- Project Management (30 credits)
Students choose from the following options to make up a total of 60 credits:
- Creativity and Innovation (15 credits)
- Operations and Logistics (15 credits)
- Business Planning for Sustainability (15 credits)
- Simulation (15 credits)
- Lean Engineering and Tools for Continuous Improvement (15 credits)
- Machine Vision and Management (15 credits)
- A module from the CPDA programme (15 credits)
Semester 3
Masters dissertation (60 credits)
The dissertation is a significant piece of independent project work or research. It accounts for a third of the overall MSc.
Teaching and learning
The learning methods used, together with the structure of the course, mean that you will be taking an integrated view of an engineering enterprise by placing technology in strategic, financial, human and operational contexts. You will be encouraged to do independent supplementary reading so that you can really consolidate your knowledge and understanding of what is being taught, whilst at the same time broadening your outlooks and understanding of the key concepts.
You will be taught through lecture sessions where the key concepts in each subject will be delivered. These concepts will be reinforced through their application to real life scenarios in tutorial sessions, case studies, classroom discussions, project work, laboratory exercises and visits to or guest lectures from those working in engineering organisations.
You will be required to undertake your own research on particular topics, applying the results of this research in a number of different ways in order to solve a problem. You will learn how to evaluate different options, select the preferred solution and defend your choice, based on the research you have done.
Study time
Students will qualify for the awards MSc on completion of modules, as follows:
- The MSc in Engineering Management requires 180 credits, including 60 credits from the dissertation.
Taught modules are worth 15 credits and may be considered as either core (i.e. a module that must be taken on all pathways), or part of your selected pathway. Typically full-time students can expect 12 hours classroom contact time each week, equating to attendance two days per week.
Special Features
Study facilities
We host our own servers to provide Windows, Linux and Unix based operating systems. There are over 500 available workstations in our teaching laboratories, as well as a large open-access laboratory, providing PC and Unix based machines. We have our own IT Helpdesk available for both students and staff to use. There are also 24 hour computer labs on campus available for student use.
Our dedicated engineering facilities include a flight simulator, subsonic and supersonic wind tunnels, motorsport workshop, specialist laboratories and industry standard simulation suites.
We operate an extensive pastoral care system that includes induction programmes and access to academic staff and student advisers for guidance and support throughout your time here as a student.
Academic writing, communication and English skills (ACES) programme
If you are an international student, our ACES programme offers you a range of support activities in academic writing, communication and English language skills. The programme provides courses and consultations to meet your individual language and communication needs. As a full-fee paying international student you are provided with 100 ACES credits when you begin your course. You can then redeem these against any of the activities offered on the ACES programme. You can find out more information at www.uwe.ac.uk/aces.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much additional time and independent study will this course require?
A 15-credit module typically involves two to three hours per week over a 12 week period in structured activities, although this may vary. You should reckon on devoting approximately a further nine hours per week to each module. This means that a full-time student may need to spend up to 50 hours per week on his/her studies. In practice, of course, students spread this load over the holiday period, and there may be times of particularly intensive activity, when deadlines need to be met.
How much time and effort will I be expected to put into the dissertation?
You should view your dissertation as a part-time activity over the duration of the course. Writing the dissertation is demanding, not so much because of its length, which is about 15,000 words, but because you are expected to identify a research question that is important and interesting to you, and then think analytically and creatively about this question. This will involve extensive, critical reading of relevant literature.
I am in the final year of my undergraduate degree. Why should I do a postgraduate degree and what better career prospects can this give me?
By doing a Master's degree, you would be gaining skills and knowledge valued by employers - making yourself much more attractive to employers and much more likely to be invited to interview. The engineering sector in Europe is very competitive with many highly educated and highly skilled engineers seeking the best jobs. An MSc qualification, particularly one such as this which combines a strong management element with advanced technical knowledge, would certainly improve your career prospects.
Careers/further study
Engineering managers occupy a unique position in their industry - they combine their management expertise with the knowledge and experience of their own engineering discipline. As managers, they can focus on product development, materials management, manufacturing and production, research and development or even new market development. As with all managers, they need to be excellent communicators and negotiators, coupled with the skills needed to get the most out of their staff. Bristol has the highest proportion of highly skilled and qualified workers outside of London. Employment opportunities are excellent, particularly for those with advanced skills who can really demonstrate how they can add value to a potential employer as well as to the region.
Entry
Entry requirements
General requirements
We will require a good first degree in an engineering discipline, including Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or similar. Your first degree subject will correspond with the specialist pathway you will do.
You also need to have a high level of analytical skills, motivation and the ability to learn independently and to communicate well in writing.
Those with significant experience in engineering, but who lack the required undergraduate qualification may also be accepted and will be considered on a case by case basis.
English Language requirements
Please visit our website for information on English language requirements
Education and work experience
Typically, students enter the programme with a degree in a relevant area. More specifically you may:
- Be a UK student with a good honours degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Electrical Engineering or Physics, or an international student with the equivalent qualification;
- Have a lower degree classification, but be able to provide evidence that you are strongly motivated to study engineering and management at a postgraduate level. This evidence might be relevant work experience;
- Be a qualified professional with none of the qualifications stated above. For example, you may have been working in a senior role within an engineering company for five years or more. In this case it is likely that we will invite you for an informal interview.
Fees
Full details of fees for this course can be found on our postgraduate fees pages.
For funding options, please see our funding and scholarships information.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011