Viewing course details for 2024 year of entry

Code: 011H731
Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
Start: September 2024
Fees: £11,000 (UK) £17,300 (INT)
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Course Leader: Mehmet Karamanoglu
Study mode: On campus
Location: Hendon campus
Placement year: No
School / Department: Faculty of Science and Technology

Currently Reading: Course Overview

The global manufacturing sector is going through an important phase of digitalisation, driven by the changes brought by the 4th Industrial Revolution. This is impacting on how many manufacturing organisations organise their businesses and the technologies that drive it.

This has led to the need to develop new type of engineers for working in these new areas where significant advances in automation and digital manufacturing are taking place.

Many organisations are using automation to drive up productivity and implementing digital technologies in their operations. By combining the two, we are seeing very different approaches to how manufacturing organisations run their factories and businesses and also benefiting from better planning and decision-making using technologies such as Digital Twins.

The MSc Automation and Digital Manufacturing is designed to provide these new approaches which are highly sought after by organisations on a global scale. To ensure the course content remains current, the programme has been designed to benefit from strong industry partnerships with companies such as Siemens and Festo. The course also benefits directly from this relationship by being a founding member of the Connected Curriculum project devised by these two organisations, bringing industry practices to academic courses.

Why study MSc Automation and Digital Manufacturing at 港彩全年历史图库?

The main focus of the MSc Automation and Digital Manufacturing is developing competent and highly sought after engineers with broad academic knowledge and high level of practical skills in automation systems coupled with relevant digital technologies in high-tech manufacturing industries.

The course will suit graduates who aspire to work as automation and digital manufacturing engineers in high-tech organisations operating in sectors such as automotive, food and beverage production, advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation, nanotechnology, systems integration, aerospace, bio-engineering and healthcare, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy.

The course is directly supported by companies such Siemens, Festo, Omron, ABB, National Instruments, Altium and WorldSkills UK.

The course also benefits from the department being a member of:

Connected Curriculum Board managed by Siemens and Festo bringing industry practices and technologies to academic programmes
GAMBICA – a trade organisation representing approx. 300 companies in Instrumentation, Automation, Control and Laboratory technology sectors in the UK
Women’s Engineering Society
SEFI – European Society for Engineering Education
EPC – Engineering Professors Council

What does our degree do?

Graduates joining the programme will gain high level practical skills and knowledge in:

Automation systems including robotics, PLCs and their application in a range of sectors
Designing Digital Twins and how to use these to make business decision
Systems Engineering approach to solving problems
Latest thinking in Industry 4.0 technologies and holistic approach to Product Lifecyle Management
Modelling automation systems using digital technologies and their behaviour
New manufacturing technologies such as additive manufacturing, AR/VR technologies and their application

Course highlights

Graduates from the programme are highly sought after due to their high-level advanced knowledge and skills
Very close links with industry, adopting latest industry practices
Exceptionally well equipped labs including a dedicated Smart Automation Laboratory featuring a range of Cyber Physical systems
Opportunity to work on research projects managed by the prestigious London Digital Twin Research Centre at Middlesex
All assessment is done through practical work and projects, mimicking industry practices

Course content

What will you study on the MSc Automation and Digital Manufacturing degree?

The programme is formed of three academic terms, each of 12 weeks of duration. Term 1 will be devoted to drives, sensors and controllers including PLCs, robotic applications and their programming techniques, software modelling of automation systems and additive manufacturing technologies along with AR and VR applications.

Term 2 will feature a group project where the knowledge and skills developed in term 1 will be applied to a digital enterprise. There will also be further input into PLM solutions and process simulation and analytics and how organisations could use these to manage their products and services, as well as technologies in Industry 4.0 such as Digital Twin and their applications.

Term 3 will be an individual project that can be proposed by the student or selected from a choice of projects offered by our research centres or industry partners.

What will you gain?

A successful graduate will leave with highly sought after practical skills and advance knowledge in working with automation systems involving the state of the art technological solutions, ability to devise and work with Digital Twins, be able to carry out process optimisation and analytics using discrete event modelling and ability to implement digitalisation in manufacturing organisations.

About your course

Here is a brief overview of what you will study each year

This module will cover latest techniques in digital product modelling applied to manufacturing systems. The module also will also cover modelling of components, assemblies and systems including their physical behaviour in virtual space. There will also be visualisation techniques (VR, AR etc.) of such systems as well as design strategies for digital manufacture, including additive manufacturing.

This module equips students with knowledge of fundamental concepts of robot manipulators, such as coordinate systems, transformations, kinematics, motion planning. Students will put the knowledge of these principles into practice by modelling, simulating, programming, and operating robot arms. They will gain experience of specialised software frameworks for robotic manipulation.

This is a hands-on module, giving the student the opportunity to experience the cutting-edge technologies found in factory automation and digitalisation. The module will visit fundamentals such as drives and control techniques, industrial controllers, sensor networks, communication protocols and swiftly move onto integrated systems to deliver total automation solution using Industry 4.0 technologies and digital manufacturing found in Smart Factory and Cyber-Physical systems.

This module will enable the student to understand the scientific methods underlying the modelling of real systems. Following on from the modules taught in preceding term, the module will further expand their understanding of a range of sophisticated simulation techniques and simulation methods using the examples facilitated by manufacturing systems. Case studies will be used to illustrate how models can be validated against real measurements. The module will also explore data analysis and decision making following experimentation using what-if scenarios and continuous data monitoring using cloud-based tools and techniques (Industrial IoT).

This module will consider organisations as an enterprise and how this could benefit from digitalisation, and the steps involved in achieving this. Case study examples will be used to explore these. Module will also cover analysing such organisations, particularly SMEs, and explore routes to digitalisation for maximum benefit while considering issues such as cost, timescales and readiness for digital transformation and implementation, particularly for Industry 4.0.

This module aims to introduce the students to the concept and fundamentals of Digital Twin, the key functionalities they provide in the context of automation and manufacturing. Several examples and case studies will be used to highlight the opportunities and challenges of implementing digital twins across various industries. The module will also provide a general understanding of the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and its purposes. Students will have the opportunity to discover the specific functionality and operation of MES for the Festo Cyber-Physical (CP) Factory through a practice-based approach.

The module will introduce Product Lifecyle Management and how this can be implemented in a product-based organisation to add value to the business. The module will also cover Industry 4.0 technologies and how these relate to an organisation’s PLM environment.

This module consolidates the knowledge and advanced skills gained in the preceding part of the programme and provides students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate mastery in undertaking projects on their own. Students will be required to use a systematic, effective, and efficient research and development processes employing formal project management techniques in executing a practical project to prepare them for their future employment. The module aims to develop advanced skills and practical experience in research methods, project planning, problem solving, written and oral communication on projects within the scope of the programme.

For more information, please download the Automation and Digital Manufacturing MSc course specification (PDF)

Register your interest

Teaching

How is the degree taught?

The programme is designed to be taught using practice-led teaching and learning approaches and is intended to replicate the current practice in industry. The sessions are delivered in labs and workshops supplemented by guest lectures with speakers from industry on a weekly basis. The labs and workshops are in blocks of 3-hour sessions, providing ample opportunity to gain practical skills in the subject’s natural environment.

Assessment

As the programme pedagogy is based on practice-led approaches, this then follows an appropriate assessment strategy based on project work, demonstrations, and presentations. Some CW elements will include technical report writing as well as multimedia content such as blogs and video recordings. Developing a repository of online content will be highly encouraged as this will also help with employment opportunities. The programme does not contain any traditional written examinations.

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Entry requirements

Qualifications

We normally require a second class honours degree 2:2 or above in engineering, other numerate subjects or a related area. We also encourage applications from experienced engineers or graduates from wider engineering disciplines. Candidates with other degrees are welcome to apply provided they can demonstrate appropriate levels of relevant experience.

Candidates without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.

If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your 港彩全年历史图库 programme of study.

Qualifications

Candidates with other degrees are welcome to apply provided they can demonstrate appropriate levels of relevant experience.

Candidates without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.

We accept the equivalent of the above qualifications from a recognised overseas qualification. To find out more, visit your country support page.

If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.

Visas

You will not need a visa to study in the UK if you are a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. If you are a national of any other country you may need a visa to study in the UK.

Part-time study

International applicants can apply for a Student Route (formerly tier 4) visa for part-time postgraduate study (courses leading to a qualification at RQF level 7 or SCQF level 11 and above).

Student Route visa students studying part-time are subject to certain restrictions:

no work (paid or unpaid)
no work placements as part of the programme
no dependants
no extending under Student route visa in the UK. This includes Student route visa applications to work as a Students' Union Sabbatical Officer or for the Foundation Programme for postgraduate doctors and dentists
not eligible for the Student route visa Doctorate Extension Scheme

*Please note that, if the course of your choice involves work experience, unpaid work, placements or internships, we will be unable to sponsor you to study a part- time course under the Student route (formerly tier 4) visa.

English language

You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all components). We also normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification.

If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university.

Please visit our postgraduate application page for further information and to apply.

Interviews

You won't be required to interview for this course.

Careers

Graduates from the programme will be expected to enter into employment that require high level skills in automation systems incorporating digital technologies with highly specialised practical skills in automated production solutions that are much sought after worldwide. The programme content will be enriched by keeping industrial partners’ engagement active and offering sponsored projects. This will also help to support the students regarding current opportunities and future trends in their relevant employment sectors.

Typical sectors for employment:

Automotive
Food and beverage production
Advanced manufacturing
Robotics and automation
Nano technology
Systems integration
Aerospace
Bio-engineering and healthcare
Pharmaceuticals
Renewable energy

Fees and funding

The fees below refer to the 2024/25 academic year.

UK students¹

Full-time students: £11,000
Part-time students: £73 per credit
Part-time students: £37 per dissertation

International students²

Full-time students: £17,300
Part-time students: £117 per credit
Part-time students: £59 per dissertation credit

Additional costs

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

All printing and copying required for your study
Self-service laptops available for loan for a maximum of 24 hours
Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders.

Financial support

We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.

Postgraduate scholarships

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.

Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.

Help from your employer

Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.

Work while you study

If you are not currently working, we can help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors

We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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