Media release Date A NEW BREED OF DEGREE FOR A NEW BREED OF ENGINEER First 20 places announced on the new Sensing and Imaging Systems Master of Science CENSIS, the Scottish Innovation Centre for Sensor and Imaging Systems, is offering an initial tranche of 20 fee-­‐free places on a new joint Glasgow and Edinburgh University Master of Science (MSc) qualification. The places have been funded by the Scottish Funding Council, with CENSIS ensuring industrial relevance through an ongoing consultation process which will shape the key programme themes. The joint degree in Sensor and Imaging Systems will be awarded by both Russell Group institutions. Postgraduate students will study technologies that are essential for advances in research across the fields of physics, engineering and chemistry, and geared towards addressing end applications in key UK industries. Places on similar MSc programmes at Russell Group universities would normally incur tuition fees of anywhere between £5,350 and £9,000 per year. In addition to the funding, open to Scottish and EU students, CENSIS will offer the best qualified applicants a bursary of £2,400. Ian Reid, chief executive of CENSIS, said the course would open up great opportunities for students in a variety of professional fields and start to make a very real contribution to addressing projected skills shortages in the sector. Ian Reid said: “This course will see postgraduate students study technology that is integral to future advances in academic research and its application in industry. The MSc in Sensor and Imaging Systems will equip them with the skills required to secure a successful career in a field that has the potential to make big changes to the way we live. “Sensor imaging systems are ubiquitous across industry, and in Scotland we have a particularly high density of businesses using the technology in different areas. These range from defence and aerospace, to the oil & gas and aquaculture sectors. “Scotland has real potential to lead the way in sensor and imaging systems, and we hope these tuition-­‐free places encourage more people to consider it as a career option.” The course, designed to combine academic excellence with industrial application, will include business modules such as entrepreneurship, as well as research-­‐focussed sections on electronic systems design and chemical biology. Students will also have the opportunity to take up placements with companies associated with CENSIS during the programme. Andy Harvey, Professor of Optics at the University of Glasgow, said the inclusion of business components in the course was crucial in encouraging students to understand how the technology can be put into practice in the commercial world. Professor Harvey said: “This is an industry-­‐focused programme, designed for people looking to develop skills that will open up opportunities in a variety of industries, many of which have a strong presence in Scotland. The course has been specifically designed to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application. “By providing these fee-­‐free places we hope to make it as easy as possible for students of all backgrounds to join the course and help cement Scotland’s growing reputation as a leader in sensor and imaging systems.” UK and EU applications for the course close on August 29 2014. ENDS// Issued on behalf of CENSIS by The BIG Partnership. For more information please contact Peter McFarlane or Candy Watermeyer on 0141 333 9585 / firstname.lastname@bigpartnership.co.uk 1. About CENSIS CENSIS is the Scottish Centre for Sensors and Imaging Systems, which aims to bring together commercial innovation and academic research, to drive economic activity in Scotland. Established in April 2013 with an initial £10 million funding, it expects to deliver 150 collaborative R&D projects and assist Scotland’s 140 companies in the industry which, between them, contribute £2.5 billion to the economy. It is funded by the Scottish Funding Council, with additional support from the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise. 2. About Innovation Centres The Innovation Centres, which were launched in 2014 and in the latter part of 2013, sit within the construction industry, oil and gas, stratified medicine, digital health, industrial bio-­‐tech, and sensors and imaging. Each Centre aims to establish bonds between Scotland’s universities and their respective industry sectors, translating the knowledge and expertise into commercially viable products and companies to benefit the country’s economy. 3. About sensor and imaging systems Sensors and imaging systems enable the monitoring of a broad range of data from diverse applications, spanning advanced industrial systems to everyday life – e.g. air quality, patient health or traffic flow – and interpreting that information to manage and improve given outcomes.