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Engineering Management MSc (Distance Learning)

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

This course is designed to prepare you for a future leadership role in the engineering sector in just 24 months. You’ll develop skills and expertise in strategic engineering management, alongside technical aspects of engineering.

Designed to meet the industry demand for management-focused engineers, this course aims to help you develop the confidence and competencies to excel in a management position, without the need for previous management experience.

Why study Engineering Management MSc (Distance Learning) at Huddersfield?

On our Engineering Management MSc (Distance Learning) you’ll study essential topics which cover the principal areas in the field of management such as project and finance management, new product development and quality systems and measurement. You can also tailor your learning to your career goals by selecting technical optional modules that align with your interests. With real industry case studies integrated into the curriculum, you'll gain practical insights, plus the opportunity to make a real impact on current global challenges in engineering.

You’ll learn from our team of expert engineers with excellent industry links, who are active in world-class research in diverse areas such as precision engineering, intelligent interfaces, systems engineering and diagnostics. This course provides many competences required by the Engineering Council for those who wish to become both Engineering Managers and Chartered Engineers.

Why choose Distance Learning at Huddersfield?

This course is delivered 100% online, so you can study from anywhere, at any time. Distance learning allows you to learn at your own pace and balance the demands of a busy career with part-time study.

As a distance learning student, you’ll be taught by the same academic team who teach on-campus. None of our teaching is outsourced to third parties, ensuring you receive the same standards of teaching excellence that Huddersfield is known for.

Discover more about Distance Learning.

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 and the minimum requirement for Duolingo English Test is a score of 105 or above. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Start dates

8 September 2025

19 January 2026

11 May 2026

Duration

2 years part-time

Course Detail

Project and Finance Management

In this module you will develop understanding of the strategic aspects of programme and project management and its role in adding competitive advantage to an organisation. You will 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.

Quality Systems and Measurement

In this module you will build upon your previously acquired understanding of Operations Management, Quality Assurance and Control, together with the statistical techniques employed in probability theory. During the course of this module, you will develop further expertise necessary to implement and operate Quality Systems, Maintenance Regimes and Reliability Trials and support New Product Introductions. You will explore the role of Quality Systems in the introduction of New Products. You will also learn about the importance of ensuring that products are problem-free in their early life to become established on the market.

New Product Development

In this module you will strengthen the essential skills needed to implement and manage the New Product Development (NPD) process within an industrial organisation. The focus will be on driving improvements in key performance areas such as quality, speed, and cost-efficiency with further expertise in the strategic exploitation of NPD initiatives. This will include an exploration of innovation and creativity principles to enhance your understanding of management policies, models, organizational culture, and creative practices. The module will involve a group-based approach, incorporating a variety of industrial case studies that demonstrate the application of NPD tools and techniques. You will be equipped to manage and lead successful product development initiatives that meet the evolving needs of the market and drive business growth.

Fundamentals of Management

This module focuses on the fundamentals of why organisations exist and what organisations and managers ‘do.’ You will learn core aspects of management including strategic decision making, marketing, accounting and finance, and operations. Developing a high-level overview of the organisational landscape, you’ll build the skills required for modern management.

Individual Project

In this module you will undertake an independent project that will equip you with the skills to research and lead an advanced independent work. The aim of this module is to give you the skills, experience, and introduce you to the processes that would typically take place in a professional environment. The project work will extend your knowledge and capabilities in the specific field associated with the project topic and allow you to demonstrate your self-learning, initiative, commitment, and capability to a professional standard.

You will choose one option module from:

Manufacturing Systems Automation

In this module you will gain an understanding of the technical, commercial and management aspects of a modern automated manufacturing process. This will give you an understanding of control systems used in machine tools, industrial robots, automated part handling, and inspection. Specific issues of the transition from labour-intensive to automated manufacturing will be addressed. You will learn about the hardware and computer control systems used in modern manufacturing. You will consider how to define appropriate feedback requirement, and the sensors and instruments suitable to automate a process safely. You will gain an understanding of human-machine interactions and how these should be managed. Finally, you will learn how to break an automation challenge into manageable, logical steps. This will develop your ability to automate any such processes through design and programming of Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) control systems.

Process Measurement and Control

In this module, you'll learn about the main types of process plants and the control systems used in the industry and explore how numerical models can optimize control system performance. The module covers key computer control systems, such as Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID), Direct Digital Control (DDC), and Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and the use of both analog and digital instruments. You'll also study instrumentation systems for measuring variables like temperature, pressure, level, and flow, as well as techniques for monitoring multiphase flows (e.g., oil-water or solids-water flows).

and one option module from:

Advanced CAD

In this module you will be provided with an in-depth introduction to the principles and applications of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) within the industrial context. You will explore the use of advanced 3D design software, enabling the execution of both mechanical and visual design processes. You will also learn to examine contemporary methodologies such as design process automation and topology optimization for components manufactured using additive technologies. Through hands-on engagement, you will gain experience with a sophisticated 3D CAD system, encompassing part design, assembly, technical drawings, and design automation. Additionally, you will get a comprehensive understanding of the role, fundamental concepts, and industrial applications of 3D CAD systems.

Modelling of Electromechanical Systems

In this module you will be equipped 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.

You will engage in both individual and collaborative learning through our Virtual Learning Environment, Brightspace, plus tutor-led discussion boards. Weekly quizzes and assignments will help to focus your guided learning, culminating in online live sessions for questions and group discussions.

A variety of assessments will be used, varying by module, including reports on analysing pre-recorded lab experiments and individual/group projects. All assignments will be submitted and marked through Brightspace to ensure timely feedback.

  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).

Discover more about the course

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Student Support

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Further Study

Learn about pursuing a Master’s or PhD at Huddersfield.

Research Excellence

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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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