Engineering Management MSc

About the Course

This programme equips individuals to handle diverse management responsibilities that require knowledge in finance, systems thinking, operations, human resources and the design and management of the supply chain. The course balances academic theory with practical opportunities to demonstrate engineering management capabilities and deliver real solutions through assignments and projects.

See what our students say about this course.

See the course brochure (pdf).

Aims

The programme is aimed at engineering professionals who have become managers or are currently in a senior technical role and are aspiring to a management position as part of their future career in the Manufacturing, Engineering or Technology sector.

The programme is intended to benefit a wide range of participants, in particular:

• Engineering and technology graduates who aspire to management positions.
• Established engineers working in industry and faced with the challenge of new areas of responsibility following promotion to management positions.
• Managers working in engineering organisations who have the technical knowledge and skills but need to broaden their experience and update their expertise.
• Others with engineering, technology or appropriate business backgrounds, working in advisory, consultancy or research roles, who need to familiarise themselves with engineering management principles and practices.
• European and other overseas engineers who wish to broaden their education in the United Kingdom.

The aims of this MSc programme are to enable engineering managers to:

• Widen their knowledge and understanding of a range of current and developing engineering management issues.
• Develop an understanding of management principles and practices and how they are effectively implemented at a senior and strategic level.
• Develop an advanced understanding of the key strategic issues involved in developing and implementing engineering projects and solutions.

Enquiries

Marketing and Recruitment Officer
School of Engineering and Design
Email sed-pg-admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 265814/266633

Course Director: Dr Susan Grant

Related Courses

• Design and Branding Strategy MA
• Advanced Engineering Design MSc

Special Features

This MSc programme is IMechE accredited for the 2007 - 2013 intakes for CEng requirements.

Accreditation

The MSc Engineering Management is accredited by both the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). This will provide a route to Chartered Engineer status in the UK.

Course Content

Modes of Study

1 Year full-time in September The taught element of the course (September to April) includes eight modules; delivery will be by a combination of lectures, tutorials and group/seminar work. A further four months (May to September) is spent undertaking the dissertation.

3-5 Years Distance Learning in September or May The distance learning programme is designed to enable you to conduct most of your studies at home, in your own time and at your own pace. There is no requirement to attend lectures at Brunel University, instead you follow a structured programme of self-study at home or at work.

Students are supplied with a study pack in the form of text books and CD-ROMs which are supported by e-learning web based lecture materials. Students can take between three and five years to complete the course, it is entirely up to you how long you take but usually the minimum is three years, with students taking four modules in the first year, four modules in the second year and the dissertation in the third year. However, depending on your other commitments you can take longer up to a maximum of five years.

Assessment is by a combination of assignments and examinations. Examinations can be taken either at Brunel University or in the country you are resident in. We have an extensive network of organisations (Universities, Colleges and British Council Offices) throughout the world who will provide invigilation services. The cost of invigilation away from Brunel is your responsibility. The exams are held in May and September each year.

Typical Modules

Compulsory modules

• Logistics and Global Supply Chain Management: Main topics of study: logistics and supply chain management – an introduction; managing material flow (the physical distribution and control of goods); the role of information systems (eCommerce) in developing and enhancing supply chain management; supply chain relationships; the customer service dimension; time based competition; the Global Supply chain; managing the supply chain of the future.
  
  
• Manufacturing Systems and Economics: This module looks at advanced aspects of (a) Manufacturing Processes including description, analysis and classification of basic manufacturing processes; process capabilities, recent advances and developments, assembly systems, automation, robotics and CNC machines, CAD/CAM application, (b) Production Operations including Plant layout, Group Technology, Cellular Manufacturing and Flexible Manufacturing Systems. Lean manufacturing techniques, Kaizen, KANBAN, JIT, 5S, seven wastes, Poke Yoke, Value Chain, supply chain management and outsourcing and design reuse. Inventory control and MRP, and quality control. (c) Design for Manufacture and Process selection: including the relationship between design features and process capabilities, manufacturing system selection to produce a given design and (d) Economics for Manufacture: including Inventory Costing, Economic Order Quantities, Costing machine tool selection and cost of production strategy.
  
  
• Reliability Maintenance and Quality Management: This module aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the principles of modern quality assurance which underpin the discipline, and their applications in engineering, manufacturing and enterprises. Topics covered include the history and nature of quality management; views of the gurus and ISO 9000; problem solving tools; Benchmarking; Quality function deployment; Poka Yoke; Statistical process control; Failure modes and effects analysis; Significance testing; Design of experiments and Taguchi methods. The module also aims to provide a professional working knowledge of the reliability engineering techniques that the students can apply to improve the maintenance, the maintainability and the safety of an industrial plant. The module also seeks to explain the purpose of maintenance within an organisation and to review the development of its principles and techniques, thus enabling the students to develop a structured strategy for maintaining complex industrial plant.
  
  
• Managing People and Organisations: Main topics of study: nature of organisations and their development and effectiveness; the role of the engineering manager and the contingency theory of management; the nature and strategic role of human resource management; developments in management theory for business performance management; learning organisations and the role of innovation; managing innovation including organisational culture in a global business environment; motivation and managing high performing teams; managing change and designing organisations that support creativity and innovation.
  
  
• Project Management: This module aims to give you a comprehensive understanding and critical awareness of the latest advanced techniques and strategies for Project Management, including management tools, management and reporting methods and team building. Opportunities are provided to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in these areas. A number of specific areas are covered including contract law and health and safety. The module ends with project auditing to establish performance and project closure.
  
  
• Dissertation: Following the taught part of the programme and reflecting individual interests, the dissertation is an in-depth study of a manufacturing problem or situation, requiring a high standard of investigation and presentation. The analysis of a ‘real’ problem is expected, frequently involving a company or workplace. Close liaison between the University, the student and, where appropriate, the company is essential when selecting a topic which has a suitable academic content and an appropriate scope, relevance and timescale. Some students may wish their dissertations to be considered by the Chartered Engineering Institutions to satisfy requirements for corporate membership. In this case, a further set of criteria will have to be satisfied and you should contact the appropriate institute on the best way to proceed.
  
  
• Systems Modelling and Simulation: Main topics of study: principles of systems engineering; modelling and analysis of discrete systems; material flow systems (assembly lines, transfer lines, serial systems, shop scheduling, flexible manufacturing, group technology, facility layout); machine setup and operation sequence; material handling systems; general modelling approaches (queuing models); process simulation and data analysis, enterprise operations; supply chain and logistics-reverse logistics modelling concepts.

Optional modules (2 modules)

• Advanced Manufacturing Measurement: The module will provide an understanding and critical awareness to designing and controlling modern automated manufacturing systems, and employs a systems approach in doing so. The module provides an exposure to a variety of industrial and factory automation practices, and also an understanding in selecting appropriate automation and control methods for the equipment or process at hand. The students will be able to understand the criticality and importance of automation and robotics in the modern industrial environment, and will also understand the issues and differences in automation practices between discrete and process industries. Students will be able to apply current technical knowledge in, and operating a modern manufacturing system, as well as critically analyse manufacturing systems and specify select suitable approaches for control, and to evaluate and justify an automated system.
  
  
• Sustainable Design and Manufacture: Students will be taught methodologies for assessment sustainability of a product design, and methodologies for assessing the sustainability of manufacturing procedures and operations. The module has a practical orientation, and at the same time offers common analytical tools for assessment to be used in the design and manufacturing environment.
  
  
• Global Manufacturing: Main topics of study: enterprise systems for supporting the product manufacturing, and development and lifecycle; the marketing/services/ supply chains and their interface; e-Manufacturing and operations; digital enterprise technology (DET); virtual organisations and integration; selection and use of DET and eManufacturing tools; global manufacturing implementation issues and methodology; global manufacturing concept, methodology and implementation issues; case studies on global manufacturing operations and best practices.
  
  
• Human factors in Design: In this module the students will (a) develop an understanding of the physical characteristics of humans (b) learn to use the main qualitative and analytical methods of human centred design (c) be led to appreciate the application of human centered design techniques by means of examples chosen from the automotive, electronic and consumer product industries and, (d) acquire skills in multidisciplinary thinking and multidisciplinary design practice.
  
  
• Financial Management: The module content will include the nature and strategic role of Financial Management including sources of finance. The flow of money: cash flow cycle, measures of liquidity, working capital. Financial feasibility: breakeven analysis; contribution; sensitivity analysis. Principal financial statements: key definitions; structure and layouts. Operating performance: relationships between the balance sheet and P&L account; key ratios. Investment appraisal: principles and techniques. Financial analysis: key concepts and ratios. Business Planning based on resource and cost estimation

Recent examples of dissertations by students taking this course include:

• Manufacturing principles in a high mix, low volume environment.
• An analysis of the benefits of eCommerce in SMEs and its role in supply chain management
• Implementing activity-based costing in UK health care.
• A conceptual framework for an interactive supplier social network to support supply relationship management
• Development of a small scale fabrication procedure for microfluidic devices in Brunel University

Upon successful completion of this programme you will have achieved the following learning objectives:

• An appreciation of the management of engineering businesses and an awareness of the external factors affecting them.
• An explanation of how current management theories and practices are relevant to achieving corporate competitive advantage.
• A wider understanding of the structures of engineering organisations and the role, relationships and behaviour of individuals and groups undertaking engineering activities.
• An understanding of the way in which finance and assets are managed within the business.
• An appreciation of the concepts and principles of marketing and customer care.
• A clear appreciation of the impact of quality in engineering organisations.
• The ability to develop a corporate strategy for successfully achieving an engineering driven change by applying current concepts, theories, research and the key issues of engineering management.

Transferable skills

• Problem solving using a variety of techniques.
• Project management tools including network analysis software and Gantt charts.
• Team building and motivation. Research, surveys and analytical skills including strategic and financial analysis.
• Demonstration of improved verbal and written communications.
• Enhancement of relevant IT skills.

In summary the programme is designed to enable engineers to develop the engineering management abilities, skills, and knowledge required in a modern engineering environment.

Typical Dissertations

Recent examples of dissertations by students taking this course include:

• An analysis of the benefits of eCommerce on SMEs and its role in supply chain management
• Implementing activity-based costing in health care industry
• Marketing in the digital age: the adoption of information technology and the internet

Assessment

The course is assess by means of a combination of end of term exams and coursework

Careers

Engineering Management graduates may enter a broad range of careers in the Manufacturing, Service and Government Sectors. Previous graduates are employed in industries ranging from metal cutting to process, working for such companies as Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Atkinson, Ford and Unilever. A number of graduates have also built their own consultancy companies.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £5,800 full-time

International students: £15,000 full-time

Distance learning students (per 15 credit module): £670 Home/EU, £670 Overseas

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students.

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements

A UK first or second class Honours degree or equivalent internationally recognised qualification usually in an engineering or scientific or technological subject. Other qualifications and relevant experience will be assessed on an individual basis.

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.