Program Overview

Smart Manufacturing Systems Applied Research - MSc

Overview

The MSc in Smart Manufacturing Systems Applied Research is a postgraduate course that provides professionals with expert, multi-discipline knowledge in the principles and application of Smart Manufacturing. The course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to develop innovative products and manufacturing processes, allowing existing companies to increase productivity and establish new businesses by remaining competitive through the use of emerging digital and smart manufacturing technologies.

Award

Master of Science

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

School

School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems

Campus

Derry~Londonderry campus

Start date

September 2025

About this course

The MSc in Smart Manufacturing Systems is a collaboration between the School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, and the Department of Global Business and Enterprise in the Ulster Business School. The overall aim of the course is to provide postgraduate education and training in the concepts and methods within the area of manufacturing and mechanical engineering with the application of industrial robotics, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning to meet the needs of manufacturing in Industry 4.0.

Modules

• BUS700 - The Global Business in Context
• COM737 - Machine Learning and Data Modelling
• COM738 - Data Science Foundations
• MEC702 - Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Robotics
• MEC703 - Smart Factories
• MEC704 - Computer Aided Engineering and Manufacturing
• COM865 - Masters Project (Research)

Attendance

The degree will normally be completed in three semesters across a single academic year. Each lecture will be hosted at the Magee campus. The project is completed in the third semester.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The aims and learning outcomes of the programme are achieved through the application of a variety of teaching and learning methods across the modules. The modules allow a varied and interesting mix of methods to be used to enhance knowledge and understanding as well as allowing students to practise and develop their professional skills.

• Lectures: Lectures are considered an effective way of engaging students and communicating knowledge coherently to groups and are therefore used extensively for the presentation of material.
• Practical Work: Practical, laboratory-based work is a central activity in all modules, and the School has a number of state-of-the-art laboratories designed for this purpose including mechanical, electronic, and computing-based.
• Tutorials: Many modules use tutorial work to further advance study and practical skills.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment strategies are closely related to the aims and learning outcomes of individual modules, but similar types of strategies are assessed and given feedback by standard methods to promote consistency across modules. Central to any assessment strategy is the need to assess whether learning outcomes have been met by candidates in relation to not only the course aims and objectives but also as a form of feedback to students in terms of their learning progression.

Standard entry conditions

Applicants must:

• have gained a second-class honours degree or better in the subject area of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline, from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
• an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification and the qualification must be in the subject area of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline

and

• provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).

English Language Requirements

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Careers & opportunities

Smart Manufacturing is a rapidly developing field of study within both academia and industry. The MSc Smart Manufacturing Systems aims to prepare students for a successful career as a modern manufacturing engineer where Industry 4.0 machine-to-machine (M2M) communication (products talk to machines) is producing large amounts of collected data, where analytics now plays a key role in understanding and modelling process improvements, alongside competitive demands within a global business context.

Fees and funding

• Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees: £7,240.00
• International Fees: £24,079.20

Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.