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Engineering Control Systems and Instrumentation MSc

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Start Dates

21 September 2026

Duration

1 year full-time


Recent Awards For Excellence

Engineering - Electrical & Electronic - QS 2025
Find out more about these awards
About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • A long-established course with strong industry links
  • Tailor your learning with optional technical modules to suit your career goals.
  • Hands-on, applied learning to help you understand control problems and how to resolve them

Accreditation and Professional Links

Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate. Read More

Prepare yourself for a successful career as an engineering professional with an MSc at the University of Huddersfield. Our Engineering Control Systems and Instrumentation course will equip you with the essential skills needed to excel in a modern engineering manufacturing environment, ensuring that you are ready to thrive in the world of work.

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

  • 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 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.

Career opportunities after the course *

Control Systems Engineer

Electrical Design Engineer

Maintenance Engineer

Controls Engineer

Electrical Engineer

*Lightcast

Who can apply?

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.

What will you learn?

Course Details

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You will also choose one optional module in this year. The current optional modules are:

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.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

You will also choose two optional module in this year. The current optional modules are:

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.

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.

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.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

Teaching and Assessment

Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

The top five job titles advertised in the UK for graduate roles associated with Engineering Control Systems and Instrumentation MSc courses are: Control Systems Engineer; Electrical Design Engineer; Maintenance Engineer; Controls Engineer; and Electrical Engineer.

Source: LightcastTM data - job postings from December 2023 to December 2024 showing jobs advertised associated with a selection of relevant graduate roles.

98%
Percentage of the University's postgraduate students go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating.

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23, UK domiciled.

£38.5k
The average salary of our postgraduates fifteen months after graduating.

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23, mean salary, UK domiciled, full-time UK employment as main activity.

I am currently employed as a Graduate Instrument Engineer at Perenco Oil and Gas Onshore/Offshore, where I provide operational support. The courses I took at Huddersfield provided me with important knowledge and practical skills in my field, which prepared me well for real-world challenges.

- Rao Muhammad Baqar
Engineering Control Systems and Instrumentation MSc Graduate

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

£10,305 per year

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/

£18,700 per year

This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/

Optional short field trips eg. one day, are sometimes also arranged. Previous field trips have included Advanced Engineering Exhibition and Silverstone Museum. The costs of these field trips are heavily subsidised by the school but can sometimes incur a nominal cost and/or deposit of between £5 and £40 depending on the trip.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Discover what additional help you may be eligible for to support your University studies.

Tuition Fee Loans

Find out more about tuition fee loans available to eligible postgraduate students.

What’s included in your fee?

We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.

If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.

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Why Hud

Explore the unique opportunities and resources that make our institution a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and future-focused education.

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Careers support

We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

Find out more about careers support

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you’ll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you’ll soon discover that you’re never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.

See our support services

Teaching Excellence

Great teaching is engaging and inspiring — it helps you reach your full potential and prepares you for the future. We don’t just teach well — we excel — and we have the awards and recognition to prove it.

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Inspiring Academics

Our researchers carry out world-leading work that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Staff within the Department of Engineering may teach you on this course.

Find out more about our staff

Research Excellence

You’ll be taught by staff who want to support your learning and share the latest knowledge and research.

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Accommodation

Looking for student accommodation? Huddersfield has you covered. HudLets has a variety of accommodation types to choose from, no matter what your preference. HudLets is the University’s approved accommodation service, run by Huddersfield Students’ Union.

Take a look at your options

Further Study

Many of our graduates stay at Huddersfield to complete postgraduate research degrees at Masters or PhD level.

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