University of Bradford
School of Engineering, Design and Technology
Awarding and teaching institution:
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University of Bradford
MSc/PgDip [National Qualifications Framework level M]
MSc in Manufacturing Management
Not applicable
1 year full time
Not applicable
Engineering
10th March 2008; Update 8th June 2009
The effective management of manufacturing operations and technology is fundamental to the
economic and social prosperity of the global economy. Manufacturing is a creative activity whose
outputs fulfil the material needs of humankind by bring into existence the artefacts and systems
that characterise modern society. This is achieved through an integrated understanding of
modern production technologies and contemporary management principles, combined with an
appreciation of the entire product life cycle, from concept to customer, through to
decommissioning and disposal.
Your studies at Bradford should be viewed as a preparation for life aimed at acquiring an in-depth
understanding of advanced technical principles, analytical tools, and competence in their
application, together with a wide range of management, personal and professional skills. The
postgraduate MSc programme in Manufacturing Management seeks to produce graduates who
have the skills and knowledge needed to progress rapidly to professional positions of
responsibility in manufacturing related enterprises with a minimum of additional training.
Leadership in manufacturing increasingly requires the ability to synthesise knowledge from across
subject boundaries to produce innovative solutions to challenging real-world problems, and the
course is designed to provide such a multi-disciplinary perspective.
The School places emphasis on both teaching and research, believing them to be complementary
in nature, enhancing both the student experience, and ensuring the academic currency of the
programme. We have particular research strengths in automotive engineering (especially
component design and manufacturing quality); materials engineering (including the creation of
complex components from powders, composites, and polymers); computer modelling and design
(creation, virtual testing, and rapid prototyping). We conduct this research jointly with many
companies including Ford, Jaguar, Metaldyne, Netlon, Cummings, Sulzer and Honda. Outside
guest speakers from leading manufacturing companies have also featured in our courses,
including Boeing and Airbus. Such on going industrial contact ensures the relevance of our MSc
provision.
With reference to learning and teaching, the School aims to prepare postgraduates for challenging
careers in industry, commerce and the public sector, or to create new enterprises, through their
own personal initiative and ambition.
The School seeks to achieve this by:

Delivering a range of focussed programmes of study with a balance of subject content
appropriate to the targeted learning outcomes.

Providing a supportive, structured environment in which students are encouraged to develop
independent learning skills.
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
Developing subject knowledge and understanding of relevant academic disciplines supported
by enhanced personal transferable skills,

Promoting educational opportunities for ethnic minority, mature and alternatively qualified
students, as well as for traditionally qualified students.
The aim of the MSc in Manufacturing Management is to educate graduates to be able to:
 Apply advanced theoretical knowledge, concepts and skills to the design and management
of manufacturing systems.
 Adopt a multi-disciplinary perspective and integrate knowledge from difference disciplines
to resolve complex management and technological challenges associated with
manufacturing.
 Undertake research associated with manufacturing, and to carry out independently, a
research project.
Learning outcomes indicate what a graduate should know and understand, and be able to do on
successful completion of one of the programmes. The management of manufacturing is an
interactive process usually involving data collection, planning, analysis, design, economic
evaluation, construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning with a view to
minimising environmental impact. As such, you will develop the following:
Knowledge and Understanding

Advanced concepts, principles and theories relevant to the context of the management of
manufacturing in modern industrial society.

Methods and ideas associated with advanced manufacturing technology and materials
processing.

Application of techniques in risk management, engineering and quality management,
including; six sigma, manufacturing planning & control, knowledge management, and
modelling and simulation.

The concepts and issues associated with managing the operations and supply chain of
complex production systems.

Appreciation of the approaches to resolving multi-disciplinary problems.
Intellectual Skills

Apply technological and management principles and inter-personal skills to the critical
analysis of multi-disciplinary problems in order to create innovative solutions to non-routine
problems.

Identify an area for further detailed investigation, design and experimental programme,
apply research skills to critically evaluate and interpret newly developed data

Integrate technological and management principles to understand and apply insight to the
solution of real problems.

Plan, conduct and report a programme of original research.

Integrate and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
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
Take holistic approach in solving problems and designing systems, applying professional
judgements to balance risks, cost, benefits, safety, reliability and environmental impact.
Practical Skills

Use numerical methods and software for analysing problems.

Selection and application of principles and data collection & manipulation methods to
support problem solving.

Plan, undertake and report an investigation.

Apply standard laboratory methods to obtain accurate data.

An ability to balance sometimes conflicting, ambiguous and/or incomplete aspects
encountered in creative problem solving and design.

Specify, plan, undertake and report an investigation and associated methodologies via
exposure to research activities.
General Transferable Skills

Work in groups in order to meet shared objectives.

Use problem solving strategies to develop, monitor and update a plan for the solution of
both technical and personnel contributions to meeting organisational need.

Use problem-solving strategies to develop innovative solutions.

Learn independently in familiar and unfamiliar situations with open mindedness and in the
spirit of critical enquiry.

Learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development and in a wider
context throughout their career.
The curriculum
The course structure is shown in the table at the end of this document. The curriculum has two
principal strands via which the learning outcomes are delivered:
Manufacturing: Provides a detailed understanding of key technologies, materials and techniques
employed in modern manufacturing and production systems.
Management: Develops a comprehensive appreciation of management and business methods
relevant to a contemporary manufacturing business environment.
The course has two stages: the taught course stage (which takes up most of the first two
semesters) and the project/dissertation stage. Some of the modules in the second semester will
be direct preparation for the research project/dissertation you will undertake over the summer, and
which will form the basis of your Master's dissertation. Courses are organised on a modular basis.
Modules are usually examined or assessed at the end of the semester in which they are taught.
The research project/dissertation is usually between 10,000 and 15,000 words and is written on a
topic agreed in advance with your Supervisor. It is normally submitted by mid-September, a year
after starting the course. Progress to the dissertation stage is dependent upon your performance
in the semester 1 and 2 module assessments and examinations. Students who successfully
complete their semester 1 and 2 studies will be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma.
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Assessment regulations: a summary - the text of the progression regulations is maintained on
the Web at http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_Hbk/Postgrad_Taught_Regs.html
To be eligible for a Masters Degree, you must achieve at least 40% in 160 credits and 35% in the
other 20 credits. If you attain an overall weighted average of at least 60.0% at the initial attempt,
including at least 60.0% at the initial attempt in your dissertation, you will be eligible for the award
of the Degree of Master with Merit.
If you attain an overall weighted average of at least 70.0% at the initial attempt, including at least
70.0% at the initial attempt in your dissertation, you will be eligible for the award of the Degree of
Master with Distinction.
To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma, you must achieve at least 40.0% in 100
Credits and at least 35.0% in the other 20 Credits.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
You will experience a wide range of teaching and learning environments. Concepts, principles
and theories are explored in formal lectures, practised in associated seminars. Cognitive and
personal skills are developed in more open-ended problem solving and design projects, often
tackled by working in small groups supported by members of academic staff. Project work is used
to bring various aspects of your course together so that you may develop an holistic appreciation
of the subject. Methods of Assessment are similarly varied and your progress will be evaluated
using a mix of formal examinations, various technical reports, essays, oral presentations and the
dissertation or project report.
Admission requirements
Applicants are expected to hold a minimum of a lower second-class honours degree. The course
is designed for graduates from a wide range of backgrounds seeking a future career in
manufacturing management. Personal motivation and the commitment to succeed are key
attributes in the admissions process and the School treats each application on an individual basis.
Mature applicants with educational qualifications other than an Honours degree are encouraged
and considered on an individual basis.
English Language Requirements
All students must satisfy the English language requirements of the University for admission, see
http://www.brad.ac.uk/international/english-prepare.php. If your first language is not English, you
will have to pass a test in English approved by the University before you can be admitted. The
following qualifications are acceptable as satisfying this requirement. Both are available
internationally.

The International English Language Testing Service Test (IELTS) administered by the British
Council is the test which is preferred by the University. You will need to achieve an Overall
Band of at least 6, with at least 5 in each of the four sub-tests. Testing facilities are available
at most British Council overseas offices. When you take your test, you should ask for a copy
of your Test Report Form to be sent to the University.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing
Service, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, USA. You will need to score at least 550 (220 on the
computer-based test). If you take this test, you should enter the University’s code 0828, on
your answer sheet.
Should you not be able to offer these grades then you should contact the Admissions Tutor for
further advice.
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Student support and guidance
This is provided via the personal tutoring system with the School, and the student support services
of the University. The MSc course leader is available for consultation on any issues of academic
or personal concern. However, all members of academic staff seek to be equally approachable so
you will always be able to find sympathetic support if you face difficulties. The School has a
system of handbooks, subject tutors and formal staff-student liaison committees so that issues are
rapidly dealt with.
The University provides important facilities such as extended access to Library and Computing
services, counselling and welfare services, careers advice and disability office. The latter routinely
arranges dyslexia assessments and appropriate additional time allocation for sitting examinations.
The School has an Engineering Society named FAIRER (Females Actively Involved in Rewarding
Engineering Roles). This provides a social network support to students in Engineering, Design
and Technology, from Foundation Year to Postgraduate.
Whilst this forms part of our
commitment to increasing the number of females in Engineering, Design and Technology roles,
male students are also encouraged to participate and contribute.
Further Information
If you would like more information about the University of Bradford, please check the
undergraduate and postgraduate prospectus.
More details about the School of Engineering, Design and Technology and its courses can be
obtained from:
The Postgraduate Admissions Officer:
Mr John Purvis
The Postgraduate Office,
School of Engineering, Design & Technology
University of Bradford,
Bradford
BD7 1DP,
ENGLAND
Tel +44 (0)1274 234543,
Email: J.Purvis@Bradford.ac.uk
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Course structure
ENG4090M
ENG4089M
ENG3013M
ENG4082M
ENG3048M
ENG4072M
ENG4086M
ENG4065M
ENG4064M
ENG4088M
ENG4098B
M
M
3
M
3
M
M
M
M
M
M
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
Core / Option
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
80
Semester
Level
Unit code
Credits
MSc Manufacturing Management
Unit title
Manufacturing and Materials Processing
Supply Chain Management
Manufacturing Planning and Control
Manufacturing Systems Simulation
Six Sigma for Business Excellence
Risk Management
Advanced Manufacturing Technology
Knowledge Management & Business Intelligence
Sustainable Energy
Aerospace Manufacture and Management
MSc Project
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Notes to the Curricula
In the event that a student has already undertaken one of the core modules listed above as part of a University of
Bradford Undergraduate course, in consultation with the Director of Study, an alternative module(s) will be
selected from the module catalogue of the School of Engineering, Design and Technology.
The contents of this Programme Specification may change, subject to the University's course and regulatory
approval, monitoring and review procedures.
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