BEng (Hons) Advanced Manufacturing

Program Overview

This BEng (Hons) Advanced Manufacturing degree, designed in collaboration with BAE Systems, equips students with the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in manufacturing. Through practical experience and industry links, students gain a deep understanding of technical engineering and its application in the real world. The program emphasizes employability skills, including project management, problem-solving, and communication, preparing graduates for a wide range of roles in the advanced manufacturing industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This BEng (Hons) Advanced Manufacturing degree was designed in collaboration with BAE Systems to embed all the employability skills and commercial awareness you will need to launch a successful career. With links to the advanced manufacturing cluster of engineering industries located around Barrow-in-Furness, you will gain practical experience of manufacturing engineering whilst learning how technical engineering is applied in the real world from day one. Manufacturing is a fast-paced and constantly developing global industry. To ensure that your degree is future-proof, we have developed the course to meet the Engineering Council’s most recent ‘Accreditation of Higher Education’ standard (AHEP4). In between years two and three of this degree, you will have the option of taking a year in industry. This is a year-long period of paid work experience that does not count towards your final degree classification. If chosen, this is an excellent opportunity to apply your learning to the world of work, gain industrial training and develop connections within the industry.

Outline:

Year one

• Engineering Design: This module will explore the tools and techniques of engineering design.
You will be introduced to visual communication, the principles of metrology, and be trained in the safe use of a manufacturing workshop. You will put your new skills to use in the design, manufacture, and testing of an engineering artefact.
• Integrated Engineering: This module will give you practical experience of delivering engineering design projects via problem-based learning, and will support your transition to university life and studies.
You'll be introduced to the broader context of engineering, including the social, ethical and environmental aspects.
• Mathematics and Computing: As an engineer, you will describe real-world systems using mathematics and analyse problems using computer simulation and modelling.
In this module, you will begin your exploration of these subjects to understand how and why mathematics is essential in manufacturing engineering.
• Principles of Materials and Manufacturing: This module will introduce the fundamental properties of engineering materials, how they are manufactured, and how both aspects affect each other.
In learning about these issues, you will gain confidence in making and justifying an engineering decision when no single correct answer exists.
• Mechatronic Principles – Electrical: You will develop your knowledge and understanding of electrical principles and analyse signals, circuits and simple devices using various techniques.
• Mechatronic Principles – Mechanical: This module will introduce you to mechanical concepts which deal with machine construction, design, and use.
You will develop a fundamental understanding of aspects of mechanical engineering in statics, kinematics, dynamics, and mechanics of materials.

Year two

• Applied Materials and Manufacturing: This module builds upon your knowledge of materials properties and demonstrates how materials selection influences the design and manufacturing process.
You will learn about the planning of standard manufacturing processes, which includes the use of computer-controlled machines.
• Applied Mechatronics – Electrical: You will broaden your knowledge of electrical power supply and the electrical machines that are relevant to manufacturing environments.
You will also be introduced to the principles of classic and industrial control.
• Applied Mechatronics – Mechanical: You will build upon your previous learning in statics, mechanics and dynamics and apply this knowledge to the automated machines used in advanced manufacturing environments.
You will also learn about industrial control. This will enable you to study more advanced real-world systems in year three.
• Digital Manufacture: This module explores current and future practices in manufacturing engineering organisations.
You will be introduced to the organisation of engineering business, the core technologies of digital manufacturing and potential future trends, as well as add to your knowledge of formal project management.
• Integrated Engineering 2: This module allows you to integrate your learning from across level 5 in a simulated professional environment.
You will engage in two substantial projects as part of a team to solve real-world manufacturing engineering problems where no single solution exists.
• Mathematics and Modelling: You will develop your ability to apply more advanced mathematical techniques in a range of realistic engineering problems.
You will also develop an understanding of numerical techniques and use them in modelling and simulation real-world problems.
• Year in Industry (Optional): This module relates to one of the most exciting parts of your degree, your sandwich year work placement.
This is a year-long, optional period of paid industrial training which gives you the opportunity to apply all the knowledge you have developed during your studies and discover the working world.

Year three

• Advanced Manufacturing Systems: You will expand your knowledge of contemporary manufacturing technology, which includes state-of-the-art computing.
You will develop the analytical ability and technical skills to integrate manufacturing software, hardware, and controls into modern manufacturing systems.
• Advanced Materials and Manufacturing: You will explore leading-edge technologies involved in manufacturing processes, including contemporary issues in manufacturing engineering research.
This includes advanced topics in metrology, additive layer manufacturing, and applications of artificial intelligence in manufacturing processes.
• Advanced Instrumentation and Control: You will gain in-depth knowledge of the requirements and challenges of integration of automated systems, and how to control their operations within the manufacturing environment.
This will include mathematical modelling to represent electro-mechanical systems within the overall manufacturing system.
• Integrated Engineering Project: You will undertake a substantial and independent piece of research into a topic of your choice.
This project will enable you to integrate the knowledge you have gained throughout your degree in a creative way to solve a real engineering problem, and enhance your employability skills.
• Operations Management: You will build upon your previous learning in Digital Manufacturing by exploring the theoretical, methodological, and practical approaches to managing manufacturing operations.
In addition, you will learn how to apply your knowledge towards improving and transforming business operations.

Assessment:

The majority of the assessment is via coursework which includes project work, reports, computer tests and presentations. Some exams are also used. If you opt to take the year in industry in between years two and three, you will pass or fail this year in industry based on completing 1,200 hours of paid employment, receiving a positive report from your sponsoring company, and completing a portfolio comprising a poster presentation and written report.

Teaching:

You will study in a new, purpose built 22,500 square feet building in the Barrow Learning Quarter Campus, just next-door to BAE’s laboratories and test facilities where the Institute conducts research and student projects.

Other:

This program aims to develop your subject knowledge alongside your academic and personal development. You will be an active participant in your own learning, and your tutors will mentor and support you in applying your new skills in problem- and project-based modules. The new concepts and methods you will learn at each level of study will be linked by ‘design’, which is the creative application of technical subjects to solve a constrained problem.

Tuition Fees 2024 - 2025 £9,250 - UK The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs. Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.