This MSc in Systems Engineering (Mechanical) and Engineering Management (Double Award) is an excellent opportunity to consolidate and advance your skills and knowledge in systems engineering with a mechanical engineering emphasis. Graduating from this double award course should increase your employability and enhance your suitability for further research or training options.

Key information

Award:

MSc

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

18 months

Location:

University of Bolton

Start date:

To be confirmed

Course Details

Almost every business or organisation has a system to keep things working efficiently and productively. This system might keep information moving securely and efficiently or ensure product distribution or service availability. A systems engineer is the all-important link between complex programming and technology and its users, customers and stakeholders. So, you’ll need a firm knowledge and understanding of both sides, along with the ability to take a joined-up approach to ensure systems meet a wide range of needs reliably, efficiently, and in a user-friendly fashion.

That might sound like a tall order, but it’s a hugely rewarding career path. This double award master’s degree is an excellent opportunity for you to develop a unique blend of practical engineering and management-orientated learning. Our expert team will support you in building your specialist systems engineering knowledge and skills, focusing on mechanical engineering. Completing this course successfully should make you highly employable in a range of sectors and settings.

The course meets professional institution standards in the UK and Europe and addresses a range of contemporary issues in engineering and engineering management. If you’re looking to take a systems-based approach to engineering management, this course is could be ideal.

PLEASE NOTE: This programme is only open to students currently enrolled on the MSc Systems Engineering and Engineering Management programme offered by South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences (SOEST) in Germany. If you are not currently studying at SOEST, please see the related programmes section of this web page for details of the University of Bolton’s other MSc programmes in this subject area.

Highlights

This programme is a collaboration between the University of Bolton and South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences in Germany. It allows you to spend one of your three semesters of study in the UK and receive two awards, one from each University.
We’ll support you as you develop a systematic knowledge and understanding of how to apply advanced engineering concepts and design methodologies to the design of mechanical equipment.
We’ll encourage you to develop a mastery of digital signal processing in control applications.
You’ll have the chance to explore advanced artificial intelligence techniques used in designing and controlling automated machinery.
We’ll help you develop a detailed understanding of how ‘total quality management’ applies to design, manufacture and project management.
You’ll have the opportunity to learn about the commercial side of project management, including contract negotiation, stakeholder management, quotations, procurement and a range of other financial and legal matters.

Key Features

The course is designed to meet professional institution standards in the UK and Europe.
We’ll encourage you to undertake a work placement and/or an industry-based project.
You can also choose from two alternative pathways: Mechatronics or Electronics Systems Engineering.
You can select common systems modules, whichever pathway you take.
For this three-semester programme, you’ll typically study semester one at South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Soest, Germany and semester two at the University of Bolton, UK. The third semester, which is primarily devoted to project work, is usually undertaken at South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences.
By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.

PLEASE NOTE: This programme is only open to students currently enrolled on the MSc Systems Engineering and Engineering Management programme offered by South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences (SOEST) in Germany. If you are not currently studying at SOEST, please see the related programmes section of this web page for details of the University of Bolton’s other MSc programmes in this subject area.
Normally, you should have at least a lower second class honours degree (2.2) in an engineering-related subject, and appropriate work experience.
We'll be happy to consider your application if you have alternative equivalent qualifications with extensive relevant work experience.
We welcome your application if you hold a degree awarded by an overseas institution. The University will assess the equivalence of your qualifications.
We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
We're more than happy to have an informal chat with you about this course, either over the phone or in person. If you wish to meet in person, please contact the Programme Leader to arrange a mutually convenient time. (While we reserve the right to interview it's not our usual practice for this course.)

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

This double-award master's degree addresses contemporary engineering and engineering management issues. In addition to helping develop your technical knowledge and experience, this postgraduate programme can give you greater confidence in your transferable and personal skills. These can include communication and teamwork, problem-solving, logical thinking and analytical skills, all of which will be invaluable for your career success. Engineers are an integral part of our society and are often sought after for their analytical, computing and managerial abilities.

A special feature of this programme is the collaboration between the University of Bolton and South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences in Germany. We offer you the opportunity to study one of your semesters in the UK and receive two awards, one from each University. This can demonstrate your ability to work internationally, strengthening your employability.

What can I do with this qualification?

Successfully completing this course will help you progress to a management role in an engineering-based organisation. As a graduate of this double-award master's degree, you'll possess an in-depth understanding of systems engineering in mechanical engineering.

You may find career opportunities in project management, engineering design, materials and mechanics, dynamics and control and systems analysis. You'll be able to seek work in a wide variety of organisations and industries, such as engineering consultancies and design practices, oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, food and drink, water and energy, research organisations and academic institutions.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:

Manufacturing
Mining and drilling
Production management
Technical sales
Water engineering
IT
Research and development
Teaching and education
Consultancy
Civil engineering
Supply chain
Building services
Telecommunications
Waste management
Quality management

Course fees

Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £2,640 for the academic year 2023/24.

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £4,516 for the academic year 2023/24.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

Bursaries

Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.

For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:

This programme is only open to applicants from the institutions or organisations that are listed in the entry requirements. Please contact the programme leader for details of the application procedure. You can find their name, email address and phone number in the Programme Contacts section of this page.

We use a blended teaching and learning approach, including case studies, discussions, lectures, tutorials, demonstrations and computer-aided learning sessions. We expect you to be relatively autonomous and self-directed in your studies, but of course, we’ll offer you plenty of encouragement and support along the way. The project aspect of the programme is your chance to integrate and demonstrate the practical and theoretical aspects of the course. The project carries a third of the total marks for this qualification and is assessed jointly by the course supervisor and an external supervisor.

Each module on the programme involves several formal assessments. These contribute to your final grade for the module and your overall master’s qualification. Assessment types are varied but typically include assignments, practical work, projects, oral presentations (including presentations based on your main project) and formal examinations at the end of the programme.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

Intelligent Systems
Business in Engineering
Technical Publications and Presentations
Advanced Control Technology
Project Management
Monitoring of Mechanical Systems
Advanced Production Engineering
Integrated Management Systems
Master’s Project

Assessment methods

Level	Assesment method
Level one	Coursework 68%, Practical exams 19%, Written exams 13%

Learning activities

Level	Learning activity
Level one	Guided independent study 83%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 17%

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.