Mode of Study
Full-time, Part-timeDuration
1 year full-time (September start), 16 months full-time (January start), 3 years part-time (September start)Start date
January 2024, September 2024, January 2025Accredited
Yes
Overview
Enhance your manufacturing knowledge and skills with this accredited Advanced Manufacturing Master's. You'll develop your understanding of the systems and hardware used in manufacturing, and polish the managerial skills you need to lead teams in the industry.
You'll study the advanced tools used in design and manufacturing processes, the ever-widening range of materials available, and the systems used in business to apply your operational skills efficiently and effectively. You'll take on an advanced project that can solve a technical problem in your field of interest, or answer questions that apply directly to your current or future workplace.
When you graduate from this MSc Advanced Manufacturing, you'll be able to bring demonstrable skills and knowledge to a sector of industry that prizes your expertise. You'll have worked on business case studies, and you'll have built professional networks with your peers and your lecturers' industrial connections, making you ready to meet the needs of a manufacturing career.
You can start this in September (full time or part time) or January (full time only).
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Course highlights
- Use industry-standard simulation and modelling applications for advanced manufacturing, such as Creo Parametric, MATLAB and Enterprise Dynamics
- Enhance your understanding by investigating real industrial problems, using our strong links with companies
- Fuse the topic of your individual project with one of our research groups, such as the Advanced Polymers and Composites Research Group, and benefit from the expertise of our academics
- Study for a Master's that follows the current needs of the industry, guided by advice from the external businesses and organisations that make up our Industrial Advisory Board
Accredited by
This course is awarded the EUR-ACE (European Accredited Engineer) label and is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
What you'll study on this MSc Advanced Manufacturing degree course
Full-time
All modules on this MSc Advanced Manufacturing are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Interpret, describe and distinguish modern manufacturing technologies and latest developments in advanced manufacturing methods.
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the importance of modern materials in advanced manufacturing processes in order to select the techniques used in the processing of modern materials.
- Apply prior knowledge to investigate and critically evaluate the constraints in process and material selection.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate high performance materials such as advanced alloys and polymers, ceramics and composites for mechanical engineering applications.
- Apply fundamental principles of engineering materials and the current analytical/numerical methodologies to critically evaluate the strength of materials and select advanced material for design purpose.
- Demonstrate understanding in depth the ranges of properties and processing characteristics exhibited by the above materials, including the variations within a single family and the differences between families of materials.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate current CAD/CAM/CAE technologies and their application to enhance engineering design and manufacture.
- Apply and critically evaluate the modern CAD techniques, practices and limitations of 3D solid modelling for efficient engineering design.
- Apply numerical analysis and simulation tools within a CAD system, in order to predict product behaviour and optimise performance, and critically evaluate their limitations.
- Employ and critically evaluate a range of CAM approaches and CNC simulations in order to plan manufacturing processes, optimise manufacturing time/ cost, and produce NC data for efficient production.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically appraise a systematic approach with lean thinking and apply it into analysis, planning, design and performance evaluation of a complex production system.
- Examine modelling techniques and mathematical approaches for capturing the deterministic and stochastic behaviours of manufacturing and prototyping systems.
- Identify and critically assess key bottlenecks in an existing manufacturing system providing alternative solutions for system improvement , including flexibility, reconfigurability and responsiveness with innovative features to create efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly systems, based on numerical analysis and results.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop a strategic approach to operations and quality management.
- Critically analyse data sets in order to estimate the production quality
- Analyse given situations in order to plan, evaluate and continuously improve a Quality Management system.
- Apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically analyse and systematically discuss key concepts and principles of supply chain organisation.
- Assess critical components of supply chains, including, pricing policy, logistics, outsourcing, supplier-customer relationships, and associated risks.
- Select and apply appropriate tools and techniques to plan, control and manage the supply chain to achieve overall efficiency and effectiveness.
- Apply a range of advanced and specialised models to improve supply chain performance: fully integrated chains, lean and agile chains, closed-loop and green supply chain.
- Create novel supply chain strategies for dealing with emerging technologies and their implications on business models, society and environmental aspects in a rapidly evolving global market.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Plan and manage a substantive individual project activity with the breadth, scope and discrimination appropriate to a Master of Science award with time, technical and resource constraints.
- Investigate new and emerging technologies by research and experiments and appraise current practice limitations and new developments.
- Apply mathematical or technical skills for identifying problems, designing, implementing, testing and critically evaluating solutions in engineering.
- Evaluate and reflect on the scientific, commercial or industrial context of the project) and reflect on the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering.
- Professionally use technical literature and other information sources and formally report the progress and results of the project, orally and in writing.
Part-time
All modules on this MSc Advanced Manufacturing are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Interpret, describe and distinguish modern manufacturing technologies and latest developments in advanced manufacturing methods.
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the importance of modern materials in advanced manufacturing processes in order to select the techniques used in the processing of modern materials.
- Apply prior knowledge to investigate and critically evaluate the constraints in process and material selection.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate high performance materials such as advanced alloys and polymers, ceramics and composites for mechanical engineering applications.
- Apply fundamental principles of engineering materials and the current analytical/numerical methodologies to critically evaluate the strength of materials and select advanced material for design purpose.
- Demonstrate understanding in depth the ranges of properties and processing characteristics exhibited by the above materials, including the variations within a single family and the differences between families of materials.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically appraise a systematic approach with lean thinking and apply it into analysis, planning, design and performance evaluation of a complex production system.
- Examine modelling techniques and mathematical approaches for capturing the deterministic and stochastic behaviours of manufacturing and prototyping systems.
- Identify and critically assess key bottlenecks in an existing manufacturing system providing alternative solutions for system improvement , including flexibility, reconfigurability and responsiveness with innovative features to create efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly systems, based on numerical analysis and results.
All modules on this MSc Advanced Manufacturing are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate current CAD/CAM/CAE technologies and their application to enhance engineering design and manufacture.
- Apply and critically evaluate the modern CAD techniques, practices and limitations of 3D solid modelling for efficient engineering design.
- Apply numerical analysis and simulation tools within a CAD system, in order to predict product behaviour and optimise performance, and critically evaluate their limitations.
- Employ and critically evaluate a range of CAM approaches and CNC simulations in order to plan manufacturing processes, optimise manufacturing time/ cost, and produce NC data for efficient production.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop a strategic approach to operations and quality management.
- Critically analyse data sets in order to estimate the production quality
- Analyse given situations in order to plan, evaluate and continuously improve a Quality Management system.
- Apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically analyse and systematically discuss key concepts and principles of supply chain organisation.
- Assess critical components of supply chains, including, pricing policy, logistics, outsourcing, supplier-customer relationships, and associated risks.
- Select and apply appropriate tools and techniques to plan, control and manage the supply chain to achieve overall efficiency and effectiveness.
- Apply a range of advanced and specialised models to improve supply chain performance: fully integrated chains, lean and agile chains, closed-loop and green supply chain.
- Create novel supply chain strategies for dealing with emerging technologies and their implications on business models, society and environmental aspects in a rapidly evolving global market.
All modules on this MSc Advanced Manufacturing are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Plan and manage a substantive individual project activity with the breadth, scope and discrimination appropriate to a Master of Science award with time, technical and resource constraints.
- Investigate new and emerging technologies by research and experiments and appraise current practice limitations and new developments.
- Apply mathematical or technical skills for identifying problems, designing, implementing, testing and critically evaluating solutions in engineering.
- Evaluate and reflect on the scientific, commercial or industrial context of the project) and reflect on the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering.
- Professionally use technical literature and other information sources and formally report the progress and results of the project, orally and in writing.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Careers and opportunities
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
Manufacturing, and engineering in general, is experiencing a skills shortage, with the Institution of Engineering and Technology calling for businesses to address future problems by ensuring they have highly skilled workers in its December 2021 survey. When you graduate from this Master's in Advanced Manufacturing, you'll have demonstrable skills in understanding the issues and using the tools of the industry, ready to take on a role that helps the sector face its upcoming challenges.
Graduates of this course have gone onto areas such as:
- design
- research and development
- product manufacture
- project management
Graduates of this course have gone onto roles such as:
- Design Engineer
- Internal Sales Engineer
- Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate
- Planning Engineer
- Systems and Application Engineer
Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation.
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert careers advice from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Student Placements and Employability Centre. You can access support from our Careers and Employability Centre for up to 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 12 months (full-time study, September start)
- 16 months (full time study, January start)
- 3 years (part-time study)
In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your research project.
Full-time study
You can expect:
- 10 hours of teaching time every week, made up of lectures and tutorials .
- 20–30 hours of independent study each week, depending on the modules being studied.
We do our best to keep all full-time teaching within 3 days, leaving you the rest of the week for work experience or self-guided study.
Part-time study
You can expect:
- 3–4 hours of teaching time every week, made up of lectures and tutorials.
- 6–12 hours of independent study each week, depending on the modules being studied.
We do our best to keep all part-time teaching within 2 days, leaving you the rest of the week for work experience or self-guided study.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- laboratory sessions
- project work
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- written examinations
- coursework
- laboratory-based project work
- a major individual project or dissertation
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Soran Birosca
I'm Professor of Advanced Manufacturing at Portsmouth, and leader of the Materials Design & Characterisation (MD&C) Research Group within the School of Mechanical and Design Engineering.
My research portfolio over recent years has included work on advanced manufacturing, materials characterisation and physical metallurgy. Currently I focus on understanding and predicting microstructure and texture evolution during material processing, deformation and heat treatment as a foundation of materials property optimisation, designing new alloys as well as the development of the processing and joining techniques.
Ivan Popov
I'm a Principal Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth, with research interests in engineering design, reverse engineering, engineering metrology, quality control, CACAM, and advanced manufacturing processes. My background is in mechanical and manufacturing engineering, with experience of both university teaching and commercial projects.
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Facilities
Manufacturing equipment
Use our computer aided design (CAD) and rapid prototyping suite, including various 3D printing systems for the creation of models for aesthetic, ergonomic and functional testing, including the assembly and integration of working prototypes.
Energy Systems Laboratory
Our energy systems lab includes heat pumps, two wind tunnels, solar thermal collector and several engines, student project test rigs and our Formula Student design and development area.
Stress Analysis Laboratory
An area to learn about the mechanical behaviour of materials, including the ability to perform tensile and impact tests, measure hardness and use microscopes.
Metrology Laboratory
Put the science of measurement into practice with manual metrology equipment and a suite of Mitutoyo measuring machines including coordinate measuring machines, a contour and surface roughness measuring machine and 3D laser scanners.
Future Technology Centre
Room to model and build prototypes using additive manufacturing machines, and test them out in our advanced testing and imaging facility. Equipment includes a laser sintering machine, 3D printers, 3D scanning microscopy and a Micro CT scanner.
Take a tour of our engineering labs
Take a virtual 360 tour around our engineering facilities below.
We are aware that this H5P component is not fully accessible. If you would like a copy of this item, please email websupport@port.ac.uk. Please also refer to our Accessibility Statement
Supporting your learning
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man students
- Full time: £9,900
- Part time: £3,300 per year
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £9,900
- Part-time: £3,300 per year
International students
- Full time: £19,200
- Part time: £6,400 per year
UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man students
- Full time: £10,400
- Part time: £3,470 per year
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time: £10,400
- Part time: £3,470 per year
International students
- Full time: £20,200
- Part time: £6,730 per year
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
If you're a UK student who achieved a first in your undergraduate degree you may be eligible for a £3,000 University of Portsmouth scholarship.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Discover how you can fund your Master's study at Portsmouth – including loans, scholarships and bursaries – and read our guidance on topics like how to budget, and how to get support if you're disabled or have dependents.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
January 2024 start
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a related subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 (or equivalent) with no component score below 5.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
September 2024 / January 2025 start
- A second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 (or equivalent) with no component score below 5.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
When you're ready to begin your application, choose your start date.
Start this course in September 2024
Apply now (Full-time) – 1 year Apply now (Part-time) – 3 years
Start this course in January 2025
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2023, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.