Studying a Master's in Engineering
Kazi Hoque talks about why he came to Lancaster to study a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Projects play a key role in many organisations. This programme will enable you to use project management tools and techniques, engage stakeholders and obtain systemic insights into projects. You will have opportunity to see and analyse the project management and organisational techniques used by real engineering companies and will be able to apply and develop the skills learned in real engineering projects, working with industrial collaborators.
The course is the result of a collaboration between Lancaster University Management School and the School of Engineering. It is suitable for all types of engineer or other students with a technical background interested in project management in an engineering context.
We offer four core modules teaching project management theory, one of which is project based. These lay the foundations of techniques and skills necessary to plan, manage and close an engineering project, to evaluate and apply change in an organisation and to apply team leadership. The modules also show how projects and project management relate to broader business and strategic situations, and the advantages and disadvantages of different organisational structures.
We also offer a module based on real companies and speakers from industry sharing details of their team, organisational, project and management structures to illustrate how the theories and techniques are applied in real engineering situations. There is then a short (3-week) industry-linked group project. This is usually a problem-solving or design type problem that the company has proposed. Teams are formed from all Engineering MSc programmes so include different types of engineers. It is an opportunity for some of the project management skills to be developed and tested in practice.
As part of the course you will also select and complete a large dissertation project as part of a small team. The projects are proposed by industrial/commercial collaborators so you will be working on a real project with a real ‘client’. The project gives the opportunity to apply the project management skills together with combined technical skills from the group to close the project, which is an invaluable experience to demonstrate to an employer.
2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in an engineering or technical subject.
We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
Relevant further learning and experience is desirable but not essential.
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.
If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.
Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
The module provides you with an understanding of the relationship between projects and the business. It offers insight into the strategic, business, commercial and financial issues within projects and their relationship to project and organisational performance. You will gain an understanding of how projects are used to underpin and support the organisation and enable the achievement of its mission and strategy. After completing this module you will be able to:
Students will complete a technical project as part of a small team. This module focuses on the technical contribution made by a team member and how they managed their work within the context of the larger project. The project is usually industry or company linked and provides the opportunity to develop the time management, project control, teamworking and other skills learnt during the programme.
Students will complete a technical project as part of a small team. This module focuses on effective operation of the team to realise the project's objectives. The project is usually industry or company linked and provides the opportunity to develop the project planning, teamworking, leadership and other skills learnt during the programme.
This module is based on a series of industrial lectures to give first-hand insight into different aspects of company practice. In this way it bridges the gap between project management theory and its implementation in engineering organisations. The strengths and weaknesses of different approaches are analysed and critically assessed against textbook approaches in a series of seminars and tutorials.
Projects are obtained from local companies who have a genuine engineering problem, design or development requirement. The three-week project commences with a team and project assignment and briefing lecture. Each team then meets their company and is assigned an industrial contact and academic supervisor for the project. Communication with the company and academic supervisor for most of the project is at the discretion of the team. The modules ends with a presentation session to which the company and all academic project supervisors are invited.
This module gives the opportunity to apply the technical, problem analysis and project management skills learned in earlier modules to a real industrial environment.
Gaining professional experience solving problems in the industry can greatly increase the employability of postgraduates. Students can also forge useful connections within the industry during their communication with the company.
During the project, students will learn how to structure a technical problem; assess the technologies required to meet the requirements using available literature and resources; work creatively to develop possible solutions; and apply multidisciplinary scientific and engineering skills to assess the technical validity of those solutions.
This module is only available to full time MSc students.
This module provides you with a theoretical and practical understanding of relevant concepts relating to organisational behaviour and leadership in the contexts of projects, supply chains and (temporary multi) organisations. This incorporates an understanding of self-awareness, teams within and between organisations, leader- and followership, as well as the leadership of change. After completing this module you will be able to:
This module presents the tools and techniques needed to effectively initiate, plan and manage a project through to successful completion. The approach is primarily practical and pragmatic, providing an integrated planning process that supports the production of a holistic and robust project plan. Examples from a broad range of industries are introduced throughout the module. After completing this module you will be able to:
This module provides you with the opportunity to obtain practical experience of project management practices and to understand the interrelationships between decisions, teams and objectives through a simulated project. The practical experience will be supported by in-depth investigation of relevant tools, techniques and theories. After completing this module you will be able to:
Location | Full Time (per year) | Part Time (per year) |
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Home | £13,600 | n/a |
International | £29,150 | n/a |
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2023 and 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, the tuition fees for subsequent years of your programme are likely to increase each year. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.
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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.
Join our on-campus open day this February to talk to students and lecturers and find out how and when to apply.
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