Additive Manufacturing MSc

Program Overview

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Additive Manufacturing

MSc

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time

Campus

• Preston Campus

Start

• September 2025
• January 2026

Duration

• 1 year

Delivery

• In-person

Placement option

Additive Manufacturing, or 3D printing, is an exciting new field using diverse technologies for equally diverse applications. It’s now possible to print everything from aerospace parts to biological tissue and even houses.

Our MSc in Additive Manufacturing gives you the skills to use these new technologies to their full potential. This is an advanced course with an emphasis on the design, analysis and implementation of Additive Manufacturing (AM) projects.

The course is suitable for engineers who have recently graduated as well as those with experience. It’s an opportunity to extend your knowledge in Additive Manufacturing or update your qualifications with a view to promotion or a specialist role.

It will equip you with the engineering knowledge and practical skills necessary to develop AM strategies for real-world problems. We will use modern scanning equipment and mesh editing software to reverse engineer parts, and we’ll use modern CAD tools including topological optimisation to design parts for AM.

Why study with us

• Located within one of the most intense engineering and manufacturing areas in the UK, our £35m Engineering Innovation Centre provides an integrated space for teaching, research and work on live, real-world projects with commercial partners.
• Access world-class facilities in additive manufacturing, materials testing, tribology and computer-aided engineering, including the University’s Additive Manufacturing and Materials Testing labs, engineering and CNC workshops, a metals and 3D workshop, and a rapid prototyping suite.
• Learning will be largely project-based, with hands-on use of equipment and software. The course will include relevant industry visits, guest speakers and industry-related projects.

What you'll do

• You will get the chance to build your own 3D printer, allowing you to learn through experimentation, and to develop new or enhanced Additive Manufacturing technologies.
• Enhance your work experience through a 12 month professional placement that’s built into your MSc. Alternatively, choose a shorter industry-based work experience project.
• You may have the chance to travel internationally to participate in conferences and to publish in research publications.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Research Methods
• MSc Project (Engineering)
• Additive Manufacturing Technologies
• Build your own 3D printer
• Product Innovation
• Reverse Engineering
• Advanced Materials and Materials Selection

Optional modules

• Professional Placement (Engineering)
• Work Placement (Engineering)
• Student Initiated Module

Entry requirements

• Entry can be made to the course through holding at least a lower second class award of BEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Product Design, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Motorsports Engineering, Energy Engineering, Maintenance Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or Product Innovation
• Applications from individuals with non-standard qualifications or relevant work / life experience who can demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from Master-level studies are welcome
• Access qualifications should normally be in a Mechanical Engineering subject or a related area
• Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate competence in the language. The normal minimum standard required is IELTS 6.0 with no component score lower than 5.5 or equivalent.

Fees and funding

• UK: £9,450 per year (full-time), £2,625 for the placement year, £1,050 per 20 credits (part-time)
• International: £17,900 per year (full-time)

Additional costs

• As part of your course there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

• We offer many scholarships, bursaries and funds to support you during your studies. Select your country or region to see if you are eligible and how to apply.

Learning and assessment

• The course team holds a range of expertise from manufacturing and materials science to product development and computer-aided design and simulation.
• Curriculum delivery is via case studies, lectures, practical sessions, tutor-guided independent learning and tutorial sessions.
• Assessment is via a range of methods including tutorial questions, examination, use of online assessment via Blackboard questions, extended assignments, presentations, poster defence and written reports.

Industry links

• The University is located within one of the most intense engineering and manufacturing areas in the UK. The advanced manufacturing sector in Lancashire employs around 73,300 people, accounting for 12% of total employment.
• Our School has links with major employers in aerospace, automotive and civil engineering including BAE Systems and JLR, as well as with sector support and supply chain organisations such as the NW Aerospace Alliance and the Northern Automotive Alliance.