Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To train passionate and competent manufacturing engineers and technologists on a degree programme that sets a new standard in partnership between higher education and industry.
• To demonstrate, through active learning opportunities, the rewarding career opportunities that exist in manufacturing engineering and the variety that such careers can offer.
• To produce high quality graduates with a strong academic background, combined with excellent communication skills and the ability to progress rapidly to a position of responsibility, and subsequently provide technical and managerial leadership.
• To deliver a broad understanding of engineering knowledge, and a critical awareness of current insights in the fields of manufacturing engineering and manufacturing management.
• To encourage students to manage their own learning and make use of primary source materials.
• To foster an appreciation of the essential practical and commercial aspects of engineering.

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

Periodic Programme Review

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

QAA Benchmark statements for Engineering

Engineering Council-UK, UK SPEC “The Accreditation of Higher Education programmes”

Accreditation Reports

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

The programme is aimed at the most ambitious of students who wish to develop high-flying careers within manufacturing industries and to become the future leaders of industry in companies concerned with Manufacturing Engineering. On completion of the programme, graduates should have acquired technical depth in core engineering subjects and a number of specialist applications and studied sufficient breadth to understand a wide range of technologies and related disciplines. 

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

• the underpinning science, mathematics and other disciplines associated with a career in manufacturing engineering.
• engineering principles and relevant numerical methods and an understanding of the role of information technology in providing support for manufacturing engineers.
• codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues applicable to a career in manufacturing.
• management and business techniques appropriate to manufacturing industry.
• the commercial and economic context and an awareness of the nature of intellectual property issues and of environmental and legal and ethical issues within the modern industrial world.
• manufacturing processes with associated materials selection and health and safety requirements together with a realistic appreciation of  accuracy of production, cost and environmental issues.
• a number of specialist engineering science disciplines in greater depth than is normally associated with a first degree award. 
• the design process and the ability to apply and adapt techniques to unfamiliar situations.

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:  

• define an unfamiliar manufacturing related problem and generate innovative solutions ;
• apply appropriate methods (inc. the use of IT) to model and assess such solutions;
• extract, from given data, that which is pertinent to a problem, and apply it in its solution;
• Show initiative, innovation and intellect to tackle complex and unfamiliar problems, working with technical uncertainty.
• generate an innovative design for manufacturing systems or processes to fulfil new needs

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• use appropriate computer software numerical modelling methods and/or computational techniques to solve engineering problems;
• use laboratory and basic workshop equipment competently and safely;
• research for information;
• apply engineering techniques taking account  of commercial and industrial constraints;
• present data in alternative forms to create good understanding and/or impact;
• manage 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:

• learn new theories, concepts and methods inside and outside the discipline area.
• monitor and adjust a personal programme of work on an on-going basis and learn independently;
• develop, monitor and update a plan for others, to reflect changing requirements;
• undertake most of the technical roles within a team and exercise leadership. 

4. Programme structure

Candidates will normally be expected to complete a four week (minimum) period of industrial experience with a consortium company, if available, or other relevant work experience in lieu, as agreed by the Programme Director, after part A studies and before commencing part B.

There is an alternative route through these regulations: 

(i)           Candidates will complete a 10 week (minimum) period of industrial experience with a consortium company, or with any other relevant (partner) company approved by the Programme Director, after Part B studies and before starting Part C.  This leads to the Innovative Manufacturing Engineering (IME) MEng degree upon successful graduation.

(ii)           The alternative route is for candidates who cannot find an industrial placement (for the industrial project and professional development modules) to continue their studies at University with the agreement of the Programme Director.  This pathway leads to the Innovative Manufacturing Technology MEng degree upon successful graduation.  

Any candidate unable to meet the above requirements will be eligible to transfer to B.Eng Manufacturing Engineering at the appropriate programme part. 

4.1    Part A - Introductory Modules

4.1.1   Semester 1

                   COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)

 4.1.2     Semester 2

                    COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)

4.2    Part B - Degree Modules

4.2.1     Semester 1

                      COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)

4.2.2     Semester 2

                     COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)

4.3    Part C - Degree Modules

Modules in group B of Semester 2 are paired together and add depth to the programme. For example, (1a) in part C is paired with (2a) in part D. Similarly (1d) in part D is paired with (2d) also 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.

4.3.1     Semester 1 

  Students can only follow the alternative route with the agreement of the Programme Director by reason of unexpected external industrial or economic factors that prevent a placement being possible.

                  COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)

  Students will be based at their sponsor company – Modules are by distance Learning

  Alternative route leading to IMT MEng:

                  COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)

4.3.2     Semester 2

 Students will be required to consult with their sponsoring company over the choice of optional modules

                   (i)   COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 30)

                  (ii)  OPTIONAL MODULES (one module from Group A and TWO modules from Group B, total modular weight 30)

 Group A                 

  Group B

Where a student does not opt to study a European Language, any alternative 10 credit module may be selected from the University’s module catalogue in semester 2.  Any such selection will be subject to the prior approval of the programme director and the company sponsor.  The student is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of any such selection can be incorporated into their individual timetable.

 4.4    Part D - Degree Modules           

A number of modules are paired together and add depth to the programme.  For example, the module marked (1a) in part C is paired with (2a) in part D. Similarly (1d) in part D is paired with (2d) also 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.

A total weight of 50 credits must be chosen from the optional modules across both semesters.  Normally this would be 30 credits from Semester 1 and 20 credits from Semester 2, however in exceptional circumstances and with agreement from the programme director, you can opt for 20 credits in semester 1 and 30 credits in semester 2.

4.4.1    Semester 1

             (i)COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 35)

             (ii)    OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 30 with no more than 10 credits from Groups A and B, and no more than 20 credits from Group C).                             

                    Group A

            Group B

              Group C

4.4.2     Semester 2

                     (i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 35)

                    (ii)  OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 20 with no more than 10 credits from any one group)

 Group A

Group B

Group C

In exceptional circumstances, a student may substitute another degree level module (weight 10) from the University’s catalogue for one of the optional modules listed, subject to the prior approval of the programme director.  The student is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of any such selection can be incorporated into their individual timetable.

4.5 Availability of optional Language Modules in parts C and D

Language modules are graded 1-6.  Level 1 is appropriate for those students who have not studied the language to GCSE level. Level 3 is appropriate for those students who have obtained a minimum of grade C at GCSE or who have gained credit at level 2 in the chosen language. Level 5 requires a GCE ‘A’ level of at least grade D or credit at level 4.  Students in part D may elect to take ONE or TWO modules.

 4.5.1 Semester 1

4.5.2 Semester 2

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 Criteria for Progression and Award of Degree

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to Part C, and from Part C to Part D and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also: 

5.1.1 In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to Part C, from Part C to Part D candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also obtain at least 120 credits from the Part and a minimum overall average of 55% for the Part.

5.1.2 In order to progress into Part B candidates must complete a four week (minimum) period of industrial experience with a partner or consortium company after Part A studies and before starting Part B.

5.1.3 In order to progress into Part C, candidates must complete a ten week (minimum) period of industrial experience with a partner or consortium company after Part B studies and before starting Part C.

5.1.4 In order to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also obtain a mark of 55% in Project Engineering Module MMD503 in Part D.

5.1.5 For candidates who commenced study on the programme before September 2014 who fail to satisfy the progression requirements stated in paragraphs 5.1.1 – 5.1.4 above, the requirements are:

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to Part C, and from Part C to Part D and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in regulations XX but also:

i.  In order to proceed from Part A to Part B, from Part B to Part C, and from Part C to Part D, candidates must obtain at least 50% in modules with a minimum weight of 100 credits in each programme part and gain credit (40%) in all other modules.

ii. In order to progress into Part B candidates must complete a four week (minimum) period of industrial experience with a partner or consortium company after Part A studies and before starting Part B.

iii. In order to progress into Part C, candidates must complete a ten week (minimum) period of industrial experience with a partner or consortium company after Part B studies and before starting Part C.

iv. In order to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must obtain a mark of 50% in project Engineering Module MMD503 in Part D.

5.2 Criteria for Candidates who do not receive Permission to Progress or gain 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. 

A candidate who has failed to progress from Part A to Part B or Part B to Part C may elect to enter the BEng Honours Degree programme in Manufacturing Engineering, provided that the candidate has achieved the criteria for progression on the BEng programme at the appropriate point.

A candidate who does not secure sponsorship by a partner or consortium company before the commencement of Part C will also be allowed to transfer to Part C of an alternative degree programme in the School subject to the approval of the programme Director.

Bursary payments can only be received once for Part A and Part B of the degree programme.  If any part of the degree programme is undertaken for a second time, for whatever reason, a bursary payment will not be provided for that particular period.

Candidates who do not progress from Part B cannot take up the industrial placement period with the partner or consortium company. 

5.3 Re-assessments in the Special Assessment Period

Re-assessment requirements are in accordance with Regulation XX. Where a candidate has achieved fewer than 60 credits in a part of the programme, reassessment in the relevant part is not available to that candidate in the Special Assessment Period.

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).