PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MSc in Engineering with Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MSc /PG Diploma
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
N/A
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From 2012 onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Faculty of Engineering Sciences
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/mecheng
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a
UK university in engineering, physics or mathematics, or an
overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. All
candidates must satisfy UCL's English language requirements.
Industrial experience will be considered.
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
12 months fulltime for MSc
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Masters Level (Level 7)
(see Guidance notes)
UK SPEC Engineering Council (UK)
QAA Benchmark statements for Engineering (2010)
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Docume
nts/Engineering10.pdf
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
6 taught modules at 15 credits each, plus a Group Design project and
an Individual project at 30 and 60 credits respectively. 5 modules are
compulsory whereas the 6th module can be selected from a list of
three optional modules. Two of the compulsory modules are
delivered by the Department of Management Science and Innovation
(MSI). In order to widen the range of courses on offer the optional
modules comprise two engineering courses and a course offered by
MSI.
Taught modules comprise lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory
classes and are assessed on the basis of unseen written
examinations and submitted coursework. For the Innovation and
Group Design Project, students form into small groups and work on
the various stages of a new product development including
conception, design for manufacture and the formulation of a business
plan. Students are given supplementary lectures on innovation and
commercialization usually by UCL Advances. The Group Design
Project is assessed via a progress report and presentations; it
finishes in May with a presentation to a panel and the submission of a
written report. The individual project comprises a large part of the
programme (running form Easter to September); it is carried out
under the supervision of a member of staff and is assessed on the
basis of a written report and a project presentation. Progress is
monitored via progress reports. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/mecheng/ourcourses/postgraduate/engineering-with-innovation-andentrepreneurship.
The structure is similar for the PG Diploma but no individual project is
undertaken, i.e. 120 credits are required for the diploma award.
Board of Examiners:
…
Name of Board of Examiners:
Engineering with Innovation and Entrepreneurship Examiner’s Board
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Accreditation by IMechE has been
granted for the first year of the
programme 2013/14-an extension to 5
years will be pursued upon submission of
sample work
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit: Academic
year 2016-17
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
This degree programme is designed to give graduates with a first degree in a relevant numerate subject the
knowledge and skills to work in the field of the innovation of engineering products. The core engineering content
concentrates on three areas that are particularly suitable for new products, namely advanced materials, new and
renewable energy and biomedical engineering. The degree includes teaching in project management and
entrepreneurship to give students the relevant background information to think entrepreneurially and manage the
development of new products. Students undertake two projects; in the first they work in small groups to follow the
design of a novel product from conception to a stage at which it can be manufactured and launched to market. For
the second project, students work individually on aspects of a novel product or idea.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Knowledge and understanding of:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
 the
underpinning mathematics and
engineering science associated with a
career in mechanical engineering.
 engineering principles, quantitative
methods, mathematical and computer
modelling to enable them to exercise
their engineering disciplines
effectively.
 specific subject areas and associated
research directed towards advanced and
emerging technologies in materials,
biomedical engineering and energy
systems as well as developing an
understanding of concepts from a range
of areas peripheral to mechanical
engineering.
 design as applied to conceptual and
system engineering problems plus
innovative design as applied to new
engineering/ technology products and
systems.
 codes of practice, standards and quality
issues as applicable to a career as a
professional engineer, with an
awareness of innovation, intellectual
property and commercialization issues
and of environmental ethical issues
within the modern industrial world.
 project management skills appropriate
for a career in engineering and an
understanding of the application of
these skills in a commercial and/or
research environment.
 entrepreneurial skills appropriate for
commercialization of novel engineering
products
Taught engineering modules combining lectures
tutorials, seminars and laboratory work as well as
project work.
Subject specific modules offered as part of the
degree.
Group Design project supplemented by seminars on
Innovation.
Seminars and project work.
Formal classes on Project Management and
Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Finance case
studies, business plan exercises and related project
work.
Assessment:
Through unseen written examinations and
coursework and for project work through dissertation.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:




the skill to identify and define a
mechanical engineering problem
that may be unfamiliar and
generate practical as well as
innovative solutions.
the ability to take the above further
by identifying unmet needs and
opportunities and come up with
solutions that have
commercialization potential.
the ability to apply appropriate
methods to model such solutions
and assess the limitations of the
method.
the ability to evaluate design
solutions in terms of novelty and
market potential.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Modules and project work
Assessment:
Exams, coursework, lab reports, presentations and
dissertations.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):






Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
skills associated with rational and
objective decision making arising
from conducting a substantial
engineering based research project.
the ability to successfully undertake
a design or research project, taking
account of constraints such as time,
cost, health and safety as well as
environmental issues.
the ability to make general
evaluations of commercial risk.
the ability to identify and implement
appropriate information and
communication technology
solutions.
The ability to manage projects
The ability to develop business plans
and pitch commercialization ideas.
Project work
Courses and Project work
Courses on Project Management and
Entrepreneurship and Project work
Assessment:
Exams, coursework, case studies, lab reports, project
reports and presentations.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
The programmes is designed so that
students are encouraged to:




to communicate effectively both
orally and in writing in preparation for
a professional engineering career.
to manage their time effectively
to think creatively and communicate
their ideas to others
to work as members of a team

to make effective use of information
technology and computer resources

to listen and contribute to class
discussions
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Report writing and oral/poster presentations
Project work and coursework submission
Group design project
Group Design Project
Use of web, data base and online library catalogues
for literature surveys, use of programming/modelling
and submission of word processed work
Classes, tutorials and seminars
Assessment:
Coursework and project work
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 UK Engineering Council UK-SPEC: http://www.engc.org.uk/ecukdocuments/internet/document%20library/UKSPEC.pdf
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Dr Stavroula Balabani
Name(s):
Date of Production:
23 May 2011
Date of Review:
13th October 2014
Date approved by Head of
Department:
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
13th October 2014
13th October 2014
24 November 2014