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Engineering Control Systems and Instrumentation MSc

This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.
This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.

Overview

Grow your confidence as an engineering manufacturing professional with an MSc at The University of Huddersfield. Our Engineering Control Systems and Instrumentation programme enables you to acquire the key skills to operate effectively in a modern engineering manufacturing environment.

This advanced course is ideal for you if your study or research interests include:

  • The manufacture or use of machine tools and automated equipment for the production of precision engineering components
  • Process control systems and measurement instrumentation
  • Manufacturing control, measurement control and computer aided engineering applications.

You can look forward to honing your development and project management skills so you can step into roles in technical design, controls systems and instrumentation and more.

Why study Engineering Control Systems and Instrumentation at Huddersfield?

Our Engineering Control Systems and Instrumentation MSc enables you to learn and grow as an engineering professional, developing your technical and management skills for future work in the area of engineering manufacturing.

The University is nestled within the heart of Huddersfield, a warm and welcoming town, known for its friendly atmosphere and diverse community. When you’re not studying, you can enjoy an array of exciting activities and experiences. From cultural events and charming cafes to stunning scenery and fantastic transport links, there’s plenty to do in and around the town centre.

Key Information

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

  • An Honours degree (2:2 or above) in Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or similar, or in a closely related science subject area such as physics or mathematics or an equivalent professional qualification.

You are also encouraged to apply if you have other qualifications and/or experience and can demonstrate that you are equipped with knowledge and skills equivalent to Honours degree level.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Start dates

22 September 2025

12 January 2026

Duration

1 year full-time

Course Detail

Core modules

Process Measurement and Control

You will be studying the principal types of process plant and associated control equipment used in the process industries. Models of process plant systems are developed for optimising control system performance. You will get familiarised with the principal types of computer control systems, including PLCs, Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems, SCADA systems and Distributed Control (DCS) systems. Further on, you will get experience of working with instrumentation systems for the measurement of such as, temperature, pressure, level and flow. You will get familiarised with the real-time imaging systems for monitoring multiphase flows in pipes (e.g. oil-water or solids-water flows).

Manufacturing Systems Automation

This module will provide you with an understanding of the hardware and computer control systems used in modern manufacturing. You will consider how to define appropriate sensors and instruments to be able to automate a process safely and how to break an automation challenge into logical steps. This will develop your ability to automate any such processes through design and programming of PLC control systems. The workshop sessions will give you practical understanding of control systems used in machine tools, industrial robots, automated part handling, and inspection.

Signal Analysis and Processing

This module is concerned with the main fundamental frequency and time-frequency transforms, which form the basis of modern signal processing. In this module you will gain an understanding of the classical, advanced and novel signal processing techniques for characterising and processing digital signals and learn how these techniques can be used in various industrial signal processing applications; fundamental concepts, related to digital signals; the Fourier transform and the power spectral density; the advanced time-frequency transforms: the short-time Fourier transform, the short time chirp Fourier transform and the wavelet transform; classical and advanced digital filters; and the advanced and novel higher order spectra. This module is applicable to a wide range of industrial sectors: aerospace, oil and gas, transport, power generation, construction industry, communication, including cell phone industry, food industry, healthcare and many others.

Project and Finance Management

This module aims to develop your understanding of the strategic aspects of programme and project management and its role in adding competitive advantage to an organisation. The module enables you to gain a firm grounding in the principles, processes, tools and techniques that underpin programme and project management. It also aids you to develop a systematic understanding of the purposes and uses of financial information, together with the ability to use quantitative skills to improve performance management and decision making within an organisation. Emphasis is placed upon the need for competence in project planning and control. Team-working, communication and risk management skills are developed by means of group activity. Extensive use is made of project management and simulation software.

Advanced Technical Project

The project provides the opportunity required within an MSc to undertake and manage a major programme of advanced independent work. The aim of this module is to give you the ability to apply your knowledge and skills to conceive and deliver a creative solution to a technical challenge at the forefront of your discipline. Where possible the project is carried out in collaboration with an industrial company and takes place at the company. Your academic supervisor will be based within one of the research centres or institutes within the Department of Engineering and Technology. The project is the opportunity for you to show your ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively and to show originality in tackling and solving problems. You will be allocated a project supervisor(s) who will help guide you through this process. The project will allow you to display the qualities needed for employment in circumstances requiring sound judgement, personal responsibility and initiative in complex and unpredictable professional environments.

Professional Development and Research Methods

This module will develop your professional skills such as team working, organisation and leadership. You will also get the opportunity to explore a range of research methods and understand how they can be used in your own area of interest. There will be the opportunity to learn about professional registration in Engineering and how you can begin on that journey. You will learn through self directed study of online material supported by interactive seminars and workshops, this will give you ownership of your own learning and help you develop skills for life long learning and continued professional development. The assessment for this module will enable you to put these skills into practice in coursework which challenges your professional development and research skills whilst focussing on broadening your understanding of contemporary challenges in the sector.

Optional modules

Choose one from a list which may include:

Virtual Instrumentation

This module will provide you with knowledge of hardware and software aspects of virtual instrumentation (VI). You will acquire skills in modelling, designing, processing and simulating a range of analogue and digital systems. The practical elements of this module will equip you with an ability to implement a virtual instrument on a PC using graphical programming. You will deploy industry standard LabVIEW software tools in designing and simulating real systems.

Computers in Control

This module provides a critical review of the hardware and software aspects of microcontroller interfacing. You will develop an understanding of embedded systems concepts through the use of various peripherals. You will explore various aspects of microcontroller based systems such as support programs, design environment, memory utilization, compilation, and modularization. This module will extend your design skills in both software and hardware in implementing microcontrollers in embedded systems.

Optional modules

Choose two from a list which may include:

Parallel Computer Architectures Cluster and Cloud Computing

Many existing and future computer-based applications impose exceptional demands on performance that traditional computer systems cannot offer. Hence, there is a need for High-Performance Computing, Cluster and Cloud Computing which are driving scientific, technological and social innovation. In this module you will gain in-depth knowledge of Cluster and Cloud Computing technologies. The practical exercises will give you experience of building a computer cluster using laboratory hardware or in a cloud; parallel programming and applications.

Modelling of Electromechanical Systems

The module equips you with the qualities and transferable skills necessary to design, model and simulate electromechanical systems, for example, servo motion control applications in machine tools, robotics and automated production equipment, "more" electric actuation in transportation and industry. You will explore the linkage of sub-components into a complete system and the interaction of sub-components under steady and dynamic operation.

Wireless Communications for LANs, PANs and the IoT

The module is concerned with the principles of modern communication systems and their application in wireless communication networks, in particular the Internet of Things. You will begin with a basic overview of communications techniques as used in wireless applications. Then you will review existing wireless sensor, and related, technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, NB-IoT and LoRaWAN comparing their performance metrics and application areas. The role of wireless communication technologies in the Internet of Things and similar application areas will be discussed.

This course is taught via lectures, tutorials and laboratory practical sessions and demonstrations. Computational, practical and tutorial work is carried out in one of the School’s well-equipped laboratories. Project work is frequently carried out using the same equipment and test rigs that are used for advanced research at the University. You may have the opportunity to carry out your major project under the supervision of researchers who are nationally or internationally recognised in their field.

Modules are taught over a twelve week period and assessment takes place during, or at the end of, that period. Assessment is via assignment only or a combination of examination and assignment.

Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course. Assessment will include coursework and peer review and reflect the emphasis of the course on the ability to apply knowledge and skills.

Feedback (either written and/or verbal) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

An average 18%* (325 hours) of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online) in lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals and workshops. The remainder of the time will be spent on independent study.​

*based on the course structure for 2025 entry as at December 2023.

Further information

The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

  1. Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

  2. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

  3. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

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Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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