Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• The aim of the programme is to provide a postgraduate programme to give broadening and deepening modules in a field of engineering relevant to and tailored to each student’s working needs.
• Postgraduate students are intended to receive appropriate grounding in relevant engineering skills and their practical assessment according to industrial needs.

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

• UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence; Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer Standard, Engineering Council UK, 2013.
• UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence; The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes, Engineering Council UK, 2013.
• Subject Benchmark Statement: Engineering, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, October 2019.
• Master's degree characteristics, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, September 2015.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

In line with the QAA ‘Subject Benchmark Statement for Engineering (2015)’  the programme learning outcomes listed here are sourced from the Engineering Councils publication ‘The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ 3rd Edition, 2014.

Science and Mathematics (SM)

Engineering is underpinned by science and mathematics, and other associated disciplines, as defined by the relevant professional engineering institution(s). The main science and mathematical abilities will have been developed in an accredited engineering undergraduate programme.  Upon successful completion Masters Graduates will therefore have additionally:

A comprehensive understanding of the relevant scientific principles of the specialisation

A critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights most of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the specialisation

Understanding of concepts relevant to the discipline, some from outside engineering, and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively, including in engineering projects

Engineering Analysis (EA)

Engineering analysis involves the application of engineering concepts and tools to the solution of engineering problems. The main engineering analysis abilities will have been developed in an accredited engineering undergraduate programme. Upon successful completion Masters Graduates will therefore have additionally:

Ability both to apply appropriate engineering analysis methods for solving complex problems in engineering and to assess their limitations

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies

Ability to collect and analyse research data and to use appropriate engineering analysis tools in tackling unfamiliar problems, such as those with uncertain or incomplete data or specifications, by the appropriate innovation, use or adaptation of engineering analytical methods

Design (D)

Design at this level is the creation and development of an economically viable product, process or system to meet a defined need. It involves significant technical and intellectual challenges and can be used to integrate all engineering understanding, knowledge and s kills to the solution of real and complex problems. The main design abilities will have been developed in an accredited engineering undergraduate programme. Upon successful completion Masters Graduates will have additionally:

Knowledge, understanding and skills to work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain, quantify the effect of this on the design and, where appropriate, use theory or experimental research to mitigate deficiencies

Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of design processes and methodologies and the ability to apply and adapt them in unfamiliar situations

Ability to generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs

Economic, legal, social, ethical and environmental context (EL)

Engineering activity can have impacts on the environment, on commerce, on society and on individuals. Successful Graduates therefore have the skills to manage their activities and to be aware of the various legal and ethical constraints under which they are expected to operate, including:

Awareness of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering

Awareness that engineers need to take account of the commercial and social contexts in which they operate

Knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, their limitations, and how these may be applied in the context of the particular specialisation

Awareness that engineering activities should promote sustainable development and ability to apply quantitative techniques where appropriate

Awareness of relevant regulatory requirements governing engineering activities in the context of the particular specialisation

Awareness of and ability to make general evaluations of risk issues in the context of the particular specialisation, including health & safety, environmental and commercial risk

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

Refer to Section 3. above.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

Engineering Practice (P)

The main engineering practice abilities will have been developed in an accredited engineering undergraduate programme. Successful Masters Graduates will have to demonstrate application of these abilities where appropriate and additional engineering skills which can include:

Advanced level knowledge and understanding of a wide range of engineering materials and components

A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations, and some appreciation of likely new developments

Ability to apply engineering techniques, taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints

Understanding of different roles within an engineering team and the ability to exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or leader

c. Key transferable skills:

Additional general skills (G)

 Successful Graduates will have developed transferable skills, additional to those set out in the other learning outcomes that will be of value in a wide range of situations, including the ability to:

 Apply their skills in problem solving, communication, information retrieval, working with others, and the effective use of general IT facilities

 Plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD

 Monitor and adjust a personal programme of work on an on-going basis

 Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or leader

4. Programme structure

4.1 Students are required to select taught modules from the list below. Students are responsible for consulting with the programme administrator to ensure their selected modules do not clash. Modules denoted by * are provided through distance learning. All other modules are taught in one-week blocks.

School  of Mechanical, Electrical & Manufacturing Engineering 

Department of Materials

* denotes module studied through distance learning.

4.2          MSc Project Module

All part-time students take project module WSP504. Project submission should normally be within three years of registration on the project module. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.2 In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

5.2 Candidates who have the right of re-assessment in a module may be offered an opportunity to be re-assessed in the University's special assessment period.

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