Program Overview

Metrology for Industry Foundation Degree

Course Overview

Getting it wrong can prove costly, as bad data can be disruptive to decision making and improvement planning. However, getting it right helps to manage risk and support quality management, continuous improvement and waste reduction activities that enhance productivity.

Developed in consultation with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Rolls-Royce Plc, Jaguar Land Rover, Airbus and other employers and stakeholders.

Based around, but not exclusively on, the field of industrial dimensional metrology, this course aims to develop understanding of different measurement systems and metrology tools and techniques across manufacturing engineering, with its many supporting metrology service organisations.

The course is a part-time, work-based Industrial Metrology degree designed by industry, for industry.

Part-time block delivery is designed to link to work-based activity.

You must already be in a role that has access to measurement processes/planning or services.

Why You Should Study This Course

Metrology is the science of measurement. Industrial metrology is the application of metrology within manufacturing and its supporting services. It is a keystone of manufacturing trade and productivity. No trade can take place without some form of measurement validation to say that the component part or batch of parts conform to design intent and specification.

Sustainable trade comes from supplying quality parts on time and for a competitive cost, therefore effective measurement is a key function in gaining confidence in data and driving productivity.

This course aims to help you:

• work towards becoming an industrial metrologist that offers a lead to organisations in relation to measurement issues and metrology planning
• gain a deep understanding of industrial metrology planning and evaluation tools
• understand the importance of metrology in driving productivity

What You'll Study

Year One

• Study Skills - 20 credits
• Introduction to Metrology - 20 credits
• Mathematics for Metrology - 20 credits
• Engineering Science for Metrology - 20 credits
• Standards and Traceability - 20 credits
• Coordinate Metrology Practices - 20 credits

Year Two

• Business Management Awareness - 20 Credits
• Measurement Systems Analysis - 20 credits
• Smart Manufacturing Metrology - 20 Credits
• Measurement Uncertainty - 20 Credits
• Work-based Project - 40 Credits

How You'll Learn

Developed in consultation with industry and stakeholders, this part-time vocational entry course is a focused industrial metrology course. The teaching aim is to develop and expand the knowledge of industrial engineers and measurement specialists to optimise metrology within their company.

Lectures are 14 hours per 20 credit module, taught in two-day blocks for the six modules per year, for two years. A lecture launches each module, followed by a period of work-based application back in your company. At the end of that module learning period, you are assessed. The employer-driven intent of this course is to improve and deepen knowledge, develop work-based application skills and provide benefit to your company as you learn.

Assessment

Each 20 credit module may be assessed by phase test and coursework against the modules learning outcomes. Assessment will utilise a variety of methods, including written reports, case studies, tests and individual and group presentations. The final module is a work-based project where you, where applicable, can resolve a work-based measurement issue.

Entry Requirements

• At least 40 points on the national tariff in one subject at GCE or VCE A-level (or a VCE double award) or equivalent;
• At least 60 points on the national tariff in at least one subject at GCE or VCE Advanced Supplementary (‘AS’) level where the student has attempted and has been fully assessed in, but failed to achieve, an A-level;
• Those without formal qualifications, but with significant relevant work experience and in appropriate employment.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

Fees and Funding

• UK: Not available
• Part-time: 2026/27 fees TBC, 2025/26 fees: £7085 per year
• International: Not available
• Part-time: 2026/27 fees TBC, 2025/26 fees: £10,600 per year

Careers and Opportunities

In today’s fast-moving and competitive world of business, we believe that developing good metrology practice has never been more important for securing better data, decision making and managing risk.

We believe that metrology plays a vital role in modern life with specialist skills increasingly relied upon in energy, environment, life sciences, automotive, aerospace, defence, government, manufacturing and commerce.

Upon successful completion, you will have knowledge of:

• the foundations of metrology (maths, science and standards)
• the well-established principles in metrology and the way in which these principles have developed
• the main methods of enquiry in metrology and the ability to evaluate the appropriateness of different equipment and approaches to solving problems
• the limits of your knowledge and the resources available to enable further personal development
• Industry 4.0 and its potential impact on metrology
• business tools in relation to benefit vs cost and broader tools that integrate to metrology.

You will be able to:

• understand the importance of measurement within manufacturing
• access, analyse and use information from a variety of sources to solve measurement problems
• evaluate different approaches to the solution of measurement problems within their organisation
• analyse measurement capability within their organisation and make recommendations for improvement
• locate relevant information (standards, processes and procedures) to enable informed decision making
• use scientific methodologies within your field
• act independently to analyse, plan and implement changes based on verifiable evidence
• develop the vocational skills valued by their employers.

Where Our Graduates Work

Previous graduates of the course have included inspectors, quality engineers, quality managers, manufacturing or production engineers, laboratory and measurement technicians and metrologists.