Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The MEng in Systems Engineering aims to 

• Produce high quality graduates to shape the future of Systems Engineering by becoming leaders in industry or engaging in world leading academic research.
• Provide a high-quality learning experience across a complete range of core subjects in order to give students the skills to investigate new and emerging systems engineering problems
• Develop engineers capable of designing innovative systems and managing the development process in order to deliver solutions that meet the requirements of customers
• Produce engineers with extensive knowledge and understanding of engineering management and business practices and of relevant ethical, business, sustainability and legal constraints
• Develop graduates capable of integrating their knowledge of mathematics, science and the broader engineering context to solve complex problems.
• Promote innovation in engineering by applying appropriate knowledge, skills, tools and techniques in delivering successful solutions to both familiar and unfamiliar technical problems
• Support personal and professional development, including, problem solving, leadership, team work and both oral and written presentation skills, as well as the ability to take the initiative in improving personal performance

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, 3rd edition, 2013.
• UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence: The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes, Engineering Council UK, 3rd edition, 2014.
• Guidance Note on Academic Accreditation, Engineering Council UK, July 2014.
• The UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, April 2012.
• Subject Benchmark Statement: Engineering, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, November 2010.
• Master's Degree Characteristics, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, March 2010.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of scientific, mathematical and engineering principles appropriate to systems engineering
• Demonstrate an understanding of general engineering and broader principles relevant to engineering
• Understand the commercial, economic and sustainable aspects in the application of engineering processes
• Demonstrate awareness of the relevant codes of practice and regulatory frameworks and the operational practices for safe operation of engineering processes
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of the application of management and business practices appropriate to engineering industries, including their limitations
• Recognise the professional and ethical responsibilities of engineers
• Develop awareness of developing technologies in systems engineering
• Draw on a deep understanding of systems to form original solutions to engineering problems, some of which may have incomplete specifications

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

• Apply engineering principles to the analysis of systems engineering problems;
• Apply mathematical and computer-based methods for modelling and analysing a range of practical and hypothetical engineering processes, components and products;
• Generate innovative designs for engineering problems within the framework of economic, social, ethical and environmental issues;
• Evaluate and respond to customer needs, including fitness for purpose and cost;
• Follow essential design principles appropriate to relevant components, equipment and associated software.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of design, modelling, simulation and analytical methods and tools appropriate to systems engineering
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of current practice in defining and solving practical engineering problems, including its limitations and likely future direction
• Demonstrate an ability to manage the design process
• Use conventional laboratory equipment and relevant test and measurement equipment in an appropriate and safe manner
• Apply engineering techniques taking into account relevant codes of practice, commercial constraints and industry standards
• Demonstrate awareness of contractual issues and intellectual property rights
• Work with technical uncertainty
• Use appropriate management tools for project work.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• Search and retrieve information, ideas and data from a variety of sources
• Select and analyse appropriate evidence and data to solve problems;
• Apply skills in problem solving, communication, team working and in the use of general software tools;
• Develop a personal work plan and take responsibility for its execution, independently, as team member or as a team leader;
• Produce appropriate technical reports, papers, diagrams and drawings;
• Plan self-learning and be able to take the initiative in improving personal performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning

4. Programme structure

These Programme Specifications apply to the conduct of the programme in the 2018-­19 session and should not be construed as being relevant to any other session.  These Programme Specifications may be subject to change from time to time. Notice of change will be given by the School responsible for the programme. 

In the following tables, ‘c’ indicates a compulsory module and ‘o’ indicates an optional module. 

Modules which are indicated as being taught in both Semester 1 and Semester 2 have elements of assessment in each semester however examinations for these modules normally occur during the Semester 2 examination period. Modules indicated as being taught in a single semester are assessed entirely within that semester. 

4.1 Part A 

4.2 Part B 

Candidates must choose one option ‘o’ from semester 1 

4.3 Part C 

Candidates must choose one option ‘o’ from each semester 

4.4 Part D 

Candidates must choose exactly 45 credits of option modules, a minimum of 15 credits of which must be from those labelled OA. The remaining credit can be from options labelled oA, oB or oC. 

The optional modules listed oA and oB are block taught in one week or two week long blocks.

The option oC allows a free choice of modules worth 30 credits from the University Catalogue. This choice should be restricted to modules from Part C or D level, subject to the overall requirement for the Part that at least 90 credits should be from Part D level or above. The total of 120 credits should be arranged as near to 60 credits per semester as possible.

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

4.5 Part I 

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

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 Criteria for programme progression 

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. 

At the end of Parts A, B, or C candidates not meeting the progression requirements for the MEng after reassessment, or at the option of the candidate, may transfer to the BEng degree programme providing they meet the minimum requirements set out in Regulation XX. 

In the event of a candidate transferring onto the BEng programme following assessment (or reassessment) at the end of Part C the degree mark will be calculated by combining average marks in the ratio Part B:40 and Part C:60.  The degree award in this case will be governed by the provisions set out in Regulation XX. 

5.2 Degree Award 

To qualify for the award of the degree of Master of Engineering, candidates must accumulate 100 credits from Part D, with no module marks less than 30%, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XX.  

In addition, candidates must achieve a minimum mark of 50% in all modules with the prefix WSD5xx in order to accumulate credit. 

Should a candidate fail to qualify for the MEng award at the end of part D following reassessment (or at the option of the candidate) the BEng degree will be awarded on the basis of performance at Parts B and C. The degree mark will be calculated by combining average marks in the ratio Part B:40 and Part C:60

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

A candidate's final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments at Parts B, C and D in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX. The average percentage marks for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 20: Part C 40: Part D 40 to determine the final Programme Mark.