Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The overall aim of this programme is to equip students with the knowledge, understanding, key skills and attributes to make a substantial impact in manufacturing enterprises. To achieve this, the course provides the core engineering science background, supported by a broad knowledge of manufacturing processes and technology. This is combined with modules covering the management of manufacturing activities that, all together, allows students to understand, monitor and enhance existing processes, and develop new manufacturing methods. The depth offered by this MEng programme will enable students to progress rapidly both technically and managerially in a range of manufacturing organisations. 

Specific aims are: 

•      A1.   To deliver technical depth in core engineering subjects and specialist applications leading to a broad understanding of engineering knowledge, and a critical awareness of current insights in the fields of manufacturing engineering and manufacturing management. 

•      A2.   To produce high quality MEng graduates with a strong academic background and excellent communication skills able to manage their own learning and solve complex problems individually and in teams. 

•      A3.   To equip manufacturing engineering graduates with a broad appreciation of the essential practical, commercial and social aspects of engineering enabling them to progress rapidly to a position of responsibility, and to become future technical and managerial leaders.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) – ‘Subject Benchmark Statement for Engineering’, (Feb.2015). 
• Engineering Council (UK). ‘UK­SPEC, UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence’, 3rd Edition, Jan.2014. 
• Engineering Council (UK). ‘The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’, 3rd Edition, May 2014. 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• K1.   the underpinning science, mathematics and other disciplines associated with a career in manufacturing engineering;
• K2.   engineering principles and relevant numerical methods and an understanding of the role of information technology in providing support for manufacturing engineers;
• K3.   codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues applicable to a career in manufacturing;
• K4.   the management of manufacturing methods and the wider business background appropriate to the organisation of a manufacturing enterprise;
• K5.   the commercial and economic context, together with the importance of sustainability, legal, ethical and intellectual property issues within the modern industrial world;
• K6.   material properties, manufacturing processes and technologies, their limitations and applicability, with an awareness of new developments in these areas;
• K7.   the design process related to the manufacturing arena.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

The MEng graduate will also be able to use such knowledge and understanding in a creative way and be able to:  

• C1.   define an unfamiliar manufacturing related problem, evaluate its technical and business requirements and generate innovative solutions that consider the system as a whole including constraints such as economics, production capabilities and sustainability;
• C2.   apply appropriate methods (including analytical and computational methods) to model and critically assess such solutions making allowance for uncertainty in the information available;
• C3.   investigate methods to continuously improve manufacturing processes for enhanced quality, sustainability and economics;
• C4.   research data and fundamental knowledge from other disciplines and apply the relevant aspects in the solution of unfamiliar problems;
• C5.   understand the role of other engineering disciplines and their technical and business constraints. 

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• P1.   use appropriate computer software numerical modelling methods and/or computational techniques to solve engineering problems;
• P2.   use laboratory and mechanical workshop equipment competently and safely;
• P3.   research information from a wide range of sources;
• P4.   prepare engineering drawings and other technical data and present it in alternative forms to create good understanding and/or impact;
• P5.   manage the manufacturing related design process taking account of customer constraints such as cost, health and safety and risk.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• T1.   critically evaluate an existing or proposed technology;
• T2.   use a range of computer based systems and adapt them to other applications;
• T3.   communicate effectively through written, graphical, interpersonal and presentation skills;
• T4.   develop, monitor and update a personal programme of work for themselves and/or others, to reflect changing requirements and learn independently;
• T5.   gather information from a range of sources, collate it and present its key findings;
• T6.   undertake different roles within a team that may include leadership. 

4. Programme structure

4.1 Part A - Introductory Modules

4.2    Part B ­ Degree Modules

4.3 Part I - Optional Placement Year

For candidates who are reigstered for the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS), Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) or Diploma in International Studies (DIntS), Part I will be between Parts B and C or Parts C and D and will be in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XI and Regulation XX.

4.4    Part C ­ Degree Modules 

Some modules in Part C and D are paired together. For example, (1a) in part C is paired with (2a) in part D. All students MUST COMPLETE AT LEAST TWO of these specialist module pairs during part C or D.  The second module of a pair (numbered 2) may not be taken without the prerequisite module (numbered 1) but the preliminary modules may be studied independently. 

Students MUST choose 10 credits from Semester One and 10 credits from Semester Two.

 All optional module choice is subject to availability, timetabling, student number restrictions and students having taken appropriate pre-requisite modules.

4.5    Part D ­ Degree Modules 

A number of modules are paired together.  For example, the module marked (1a) in part C is paired with (2a) in part D. All students MUST COMPLETE AT LEAST TWO of these specialist module pairs during part C or D.  The second module of a pair (numbered 2) may not be taken without the prerequisite module (numbered 1) but the preliminary modules may be studied independently. 

Students MUST choose 20 credits from Semester One, with no more than 10 credits from each of the Groups A, B, C or D and 30 credits from Semester Two

When making selections, students must ensure that they choose at least 20 credits of optioanl D level modules.

Students may not select both WSC700 Sports Technology and WSC610 Healthcare Engineering.

Students cannot choose modules already studied in Part C.

All optional module choice is subject to availability, timetabling, student number restrictions and students having taken appropriate pre-requisite modules.

4.6 Studies Overseas

Students may choose to study Semester 1 only, during their Part D at an approved Overseas Higher Education Institution. The mix of subjects of the learning programme must first be approved by the Programmed Director. An acceptable learning programme must include a major group project and studies at an advanced/masters level with modular weight not less than 20.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 Criteria for Progression and Award of Degree 

Progression from Part A to Part B, from Part B to Part C and from Part C to Part D will be subject to the provisions set out in Regulation XX and in addition candidates must accumulate 120 credits and achieve an overall average of 55% in each part. 

To qualify for the Degree of Masters of Engineering, candidates must accumulate 120 credits from Part D, with no module mark below 40%.

 5.2 Criteria for Candidates who do not meet the requirements for Progression or the Award of a Degree 

Any candidate who fails to achieve the criteria for progression from Part A to Part B, Part B to Part C or Part C to Part D shall have the opportunity to repeat module assessments in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XX. Alternatively, the candidate may elect to enter the BEng Honours Degree programme in Manufacturing Engineering, provided that the candidate has satisfied the criteria for progression on the BEng programme at the appropriate point. 

Any candidate who, having successfully completed Part C, is unable to commence or complete Part D or who fails to achieve the criteria necessary for the award of MEng may, at the discretion of the Programme Board, be awarded the degree of BEng in Manufacturing Engineering with a classification corresponding to the candidate’s achievements in the Part B and Part C assessments and determined on the basis of the weightings given for the BEng programme.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates’ final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B, C and D in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX.  The overall average percentage marks for each part will be combined in the ratio (Part B 20: Part C 40: Part D 40) to determine the overall average percentage mark for the Programme (the Programme Mark)