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Course Summary

The MSc in Engineering Management aims to enhance knowledge and skills in project and supply chain management including broader business management aspects. 

Our MSc is designed to reflect the expectation that candidates joining the award will have some suitable technical education, knowledge and/or expertise. The MSc is also designed to have a strategic viewpoint, and so a market-facing perspective is embedded across the modules delivered. 

Project and people management, innovation, supply chain management and finance are the key knowledge aspects of this degree and address broadly the requirements of the benchmarks in these key areas. 

Our learning, teaching and assessment use extensively case-based approaches, which consider the strategic and operational aspects of the operations of business within the international context. 

During the course, stakeholder perspectives are considered extensively, and the realisation of strategies incorporates many aspects of key functional and operational concerns for businesses.

There is an option to choose a Project/Placement year for this course, at an additional cost.

Switch combined course content

Optional 2-year master's to suit your needs

Choosing a Professional Placement MSc is a win-win for your career, giving you the chance to get real experience, apply your cutting-edge skills in the workplace and stand out to future employers.

In the first year you will have help from the University to find a placement, whilst developing your expertise. You will then spend your second year out in industry on placement, getting the chance to work with industry professionals and grow your network of industry contacts. Bringing the latest business school insights to industry, you will get to make a difference to the workplace and make lasting links with your employer.

Students need to find and secure their own placement, supported by the University. A preparation module will also help you to get ready for your placement.


What you'llStudy

If you choose a placement or project year, the Research Dissertation module will be replaced by a placement or project module.

Module content:

A programme of individual study and research project in accordance with established research principles involving the completion of the following elements:

Management Research Project

 

 


Module aims:

To provide the opportunity to apply management knowledge, skills and research techniques developed during the programme to the identified area of management interest.

To develop students’ intellectual ability in terms of problem solving, critical analysis and conceptual thinking.

To provide students with the opportunity, and the enabling mechanisms to support their development towards independent learning.

Module content:

The nature, extent and purposes of management research

Management research paradigms

Research strategies

Research designs, methods and approaches

Research quality standards: establishing validity, reliability and generalisability

Sampling and Research instrument design

Research ethics

Research Data Management: collection, organisation and analysis

Managing a dissertation research project


Module aims:

The aim of this module is to enable learners to:

Understand and critically evaluate the findings of management research

Design and implement a management research project using methodologies and methods appropriate to research questions and objectives

Analyse and report management research findings meeting academic and practitioner needs

Module content:

Strategic financial accounting:

  • Understanding the format of financial reports and financial accounts.
  • Analysis of financial reporting.

Strategic management accounting:

  • Identify and assess the impact of current developments in management accounting and performance management on measuring, evaluating and improving organisational performance.
  • Apply appropriate strategic performance measurement techniques in evaluating and improving organisational performance.

Module aims:

  1. To enable students to explore and develop an understanding of the theoretical techniques, concepts and methods    employed in strategic financial management.
  2. To develop the ability to apply the theoretical to the practical, through the analysis of data and application of relevant techniques in the context of varied situations.
  3. To evaluate and develop a critical and reflective awareness of the importance of the application of relevant, available techniques to the enhancement of strategic financial decision making and business performance.

Module content:

The delivery of the content will take into account contemporary developments in private, public and not-for-profit sectors and so will be adjusted to reflect these as they arise. However, there is material that may be considered indicative of the core of the content. This includes:

  • Innovation as a strategic imperative;
  • The organisational culture of innovation;
  • Idea generation and refinement techniques;
  • Creativity, Innovation, Diffusion and Portfolio Management; 
  • Process analysis and development techniques;
  • The innovative team; 
  • Managing innovation knowledge;
  • Managing Change for Innovation;
  • Managing Innovation Projects.

Module aims:

The aims of this module is to help students critically analyse, evaluate and apply concepts and practices of innovation and to be able to develop ideas and plans that are viable in an organisational setting

To achieve this students will critically analyse the notion of innovation, and the different stages of the iterative innovation process as applied to the development of ideas for application within and by existing organisations. 

Module content:

  • Organisational behaviour/culture, structure and design;

  • The role of the manager, leadership theories, styles and approaches;

  • Groups and teams in the organisation – group formation, team working;

  • Individual personality, communication and motivation;

  • The role of Human Resource Management in the workplace;

  • Strategies for high performance working (HPW);

  • Employee relations and employment dynamics;

  • Performance Management and managing poor performance;

  • Learning and development methodologies; 

  • Theories and application of reflective practice.

 


Module aims:

This aims of this module are;

  1. For students to draw upon key concepts of leading and managing people and examine how these apply to the current and future world of work;
  2. For students to explore and develop an understanding of key theories and concepts in the field of people management and development;
  3. For students to be able to synthesise knowledge of people management, together with gaining awareness of wider contextual issues in order to address organisational challenges.

 

Module content:

This module introduces students to strategic issues in supply chain management for organisations operating nationally and internationally. The module considers the challenges which characterise and influence a range of sectors and examines strategic responses to these within private, public and not-for-profit industries.  The module explores how supply chains and wider supply networks are designed, managed and controlled and develops an understanding of the theory, tools and techniques of supply chain, procurement and wider operations management.  The module cover theoretical and strategic concerns on the development of supply management concepts: their origins, relationship and application for the effective design and management of supply networks.

The nature of supply management and supply chain issues have come to the fore in recent years and, rather than being seen as an 'operational' issue', are now considered of strategic and national importance.  So the subject area for this module is evolving and subject to adjustment to reflect contemporary practices.  However, there is a core of key concepts and contemporary topics which will be covered in this module.  The indicative content covered are:

  • What is supply chain management
  • International supply chain strategies
  • The evolution of supply networks around the world
  • Sustainable and ethical supply: the triple bottom line
  • Lean, agile and resilient supply
  • Quality and kaizen management
  • Make-buy decisions, outsourcing and offshoring
  • Buyer-supplier relations, power issues and negotiation
  • Supplier selection and development

Module aims:

The purpose of this module is to develop participants' knowledge and awareness of supply chain management practices from a strategic and critical perspective.  The aims are:

  1. To provide a strategic insight to the management and operations of supply chains and wider supply networks.
  2. To introduce the main principles and practices of strategic procurement management.
  3. To identify and critically examine the sustainability of supply networks, including an exploration of the inherent cultural, ethical and environmental issues.
  4. To reflect on contemporary topics of strategic supply chain management including sustainability and the triple bottom line; supply chain risk and resilience; outsourcing, offshoring, nearshoring and reshoring;  supplier relationship management; power relations in supply networks; and best practices in procurement management.

Module content:

This module explores the key features of effective project management from a strategic perspective and develops an understanding of the theory, tools and techniques of project management.  It enables students to grasp the practical issues when working as a project manager or as a member of a project team.  The module is suitable both for students new to the field of project management, but also provides for self-development of more experienced project managers by way of personal reflection.

The learning involves mini-lectures, interactive group exercises, written and video-based case study analyses, critical analysis of practices, and personal reflection via interaction in class with module tutors.  The emphasis is on increasing students' awareness, competencies and skills when initiating, planning, organising, controlling and evaluating projects.  The following list provides indicative topic content for the module:

  • The project management profession
  • Project organisation and leadership
  • Project objectives, definition and design
  • Milestone planning and critical path analysis
  • Resources management and project control
  • Partnering and contracting relationships
  • Managing international and development projects
  • Managing project risk
  • Project management bodies of knowledge and methodologies
  • Project evaluation and appraisal
    • plus Strategic project management module review and reflection 

Module aims:

The purpose of this module is to develop participants' knowledge and awareness of project management practices from a strategic and critical perspective.  The aims are:

  1. To introduce the principles and practice of project management.
  2. To identify and critically examine the cultural, leadership and teamwork issues when managing projects.
  3. To explore and analyse contemporary topics of strategic project management including risk, partnerships and subcontracting, managing complex international projects, project technologies and methodologies.

How you'll Learn

Learning and teaching includes lectures, seminars, discussions, presentations, tutorials, analysis of live case studies, and use of video. Learning opportunities such as these should enable you to apply elements of your academic learning to a real-life context. 

For each 20-credit module, you will undertake two pieces of assessment. The Management Research Project will be in the region of 12,000-14,000 words. We use a diverse diet of assessment, including presentation, exams, essays, reports and portfolios, throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

2:2 honours degree

The normal entry requirement for students is the possession of a 2:2 honours degree in any discipline, or equivalent, as a minimum. 

Applicants with non-standard qualifications will be considered for entry onto the course. Each application will be considered on its own merit. 

2:2 honours degree

The normal entry requirement for students is the possession of a 2:2 honours degree in any discipline, or equivalent, as a minimum. 

Applicants with non-standard qualifications will be considered for entry onto the course. Each application will be considered on its own merit. 

See below for your country specific requirements. Please note, some programmes have special entry requirements and if applicable, these are listed below. 

English Language Requirements

For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements. 

Where you'll Study Queen’s Park, Chester

Fees and Funding

£8,505 for the full course (2024/25)

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses in the academic year 2024/25 are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.

The professional placement/project year will cost an additional £2,650, due at the start of the second year of the course.

£14,750 for the full course (2024/25)

The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £14,750.

The professional placement/project year will cost an additional £2,650 (due at the start of the second year of the course), totaling £17,400 for the full course fee 2024/25.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees & Finance section of our website.

Please visit our Postgraduate Finance pages for information regarding Postgraduate Loans.

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

The course is aimed at those who are looking to pursue a career in management in the engineering sector – i.e. those with a more technical background seeking management posts or for project managers who would benefit from a broader range of skills. 

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.