Production Engineering and Operations Management MSc
Study level: Postgraduate
If you would like to pursue a managerial role in factory operations, this MSc in Production Engineering and Operations Management could help you take that next step up.
Year of entry
2023-24
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years sandwich
Course code
EECT055
Start date
September 2023
January 2024
Course overview
The overall aim of the course is to advance your abilities within the area of production engineering and operations management so you can assist manufacturing companies to meet these demands head-on – achieving competitive advantage and making an impact on profits and sustainability.
- We will encourage you to evaluate engineering design and process choices around materials, production technologies and production processes. You will then have the opportunity to design solutions to complex production engineering and operations management problems using 3D computer solid modelling and the latest industry-standard software, interfacing with current leading production machines.
- You will be required to study many of the more popular approaches being used to improve manufacturing processes with a view to making companies more productive and cost-efficient, namely lean and agile manufacturing.
- We also aim to cover some of the latest industry trends around automation techniques, including various robot types, robot programming, programmable logic controllers, sensors, vision systems, motion control, safety systems, and design for manufacture. You will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in online and offline robot programming.
- You will have the option to apply for a ‘professional work placement’ opportunity2, designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. See modules for more information.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
- A distinct advantage of our course is its vocational nature. We use real-life case studies and examples from local and regional industries, including automotive, aerospace, mechanical and engineering services and their supply chain.
- You may have opportunities to access the facilities of the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME), which can enable you to put your learning into practice, working on actual problems in collaboration with Unipart to find solutions to current and emerging industrial challenges4.
- Teaching is informed by our strong portfolio of industrial research. Many of our academics come from an industrial background and are research active, engaged either in their own individual research area or as part of one of the University’s research institutes (Please note staff may be subject to change).
- Our industry connections may enable us to deliver a programme of exciting guest speakers, which in the past have included speakers from the BSI (British Standards Institution), Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls Royce and others from within the UK supply chain (guest speakers are subject to availability).
- Your studies will be split between our £50m Engineering and Computing Building and the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME), based at Unipart’s Coventry site. You can experience the latest technology on the manufacturing front line, which includes £3m of robotic automation, forming, joining, analysis and simulation, metrology and product verification technology4.
- You will have the chance to learn to identify opportunities for the application of new materials and processes and evaluate appropriate production control systems. At the same time, you can develop the skills to assess manufacturing issues with regard to strategic and financial implications, as well as work effectively in a team environment.
Accreditation and professional recognition
This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
This course is currently accredited for the 2023/24 intakes by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer CEng). Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute for the 2023-24 intake. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost. Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules and is regularly reviewed and monitored by the CMI through its quality systems.
What you'll study
With work placement pathway
The ‘With work placement’ opportunity2 enables you to apply in semester 1 for an optional work placement of up to 12 months, extending the duration of your master’s to 24 months. The placement provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability upon graduation. The work placement would take place in semesters 3, 4 and 5.
Please note that the optional placement modules will incur an additional tuition fee of £4,000. Placement opportunities may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Work placements are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of the Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the work placement option.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
Teaching methods include:
- Lectures
- Case studies
- Simulations
- Tutorials
- Individual and group exercises and projects
Teaching contact hours
The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the taught semesters. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study approximately 30 - 35 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.
Your project-based semester will be supervisor supported, self-directed study in the region of 38 hours per week as well as supervisor meetings around 1 hour per week and where appropriate workshops supporting your project which can add up to 10 additional hours across your project semester.
The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on-campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include coursework assignments, which could involve design, analysis and experimentation, or computer simulation. Assessment methods may also include written assessments, presentations, posters, tests, exams, oral examinations and formal reports.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK | £11,200 | £4,000 (Work placement option additional fee) | Not available |
International | £20,050 | £4,000 (Work placement option additional fee) | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
-
How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities4.

Faculty on the factory floor
AME brings together academia, industry, and research and development in a ‘live’ manufacturing environment. Our collaboration with Unipart gives you the opportunity to work with some of the most talented engineering professionals in the UK.

High Performance Engineering Centre (HPEC)
Situated on the ground floor of our Engineering and Computing Building, the centre houses flight and driving simulators, a chassis design assembly and test facility, wind tunnels and a fleet of CNC manufacturing machines.

The Library
The Lanchester Library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops.
Careers and opportunities
Upon successful completion, you will have knowledge of:
- The evaluation of current and emerging materials and their associated manufacturing processes and technologies.
- The optimisation of production engineering and production operations management using appropriate mathematical, statistical and simulation methods, recognising the limitations of these methods.
- The critical appreciation of the engineering and management challenges in global production operations including the ethical, legal, social, environmental and economic constraints.
- The systematic understanding of digital manufacturing technologies and approaches and the impact that digital artefacts and digital data has on the competitiveness of manufacturing environments.
You will be able to:
- Formulate innovative solutions to real-world problems and challenges with incomplete data through an ability to synthesise current and leading-edge knowledge.
- Evaluate the limitations of current and emerging products and technologies against both technical as well as commercial constraints.
- Design creative solutions to current and emergent problems by taking a holistic technical and non-technical perspective, including commercial and sustainability concepts.
- Apply appropriate engineering analysis methods for solving complex problems within production operations management, recognising any limitations and commercial and industrial constraints.
- Critically appraise how new knowledge is generated within production engineering and production operations management.
On successful completion of this course, you should have developed as a manufacturing engineer and increased your knowledge of the application of technology and developed your business and management skills. You could go on to pursue a successful career in manufacturing industry in roles, which typically include manufacturing engineering, process planning, production planning, quality, systems improvement, projects and operations management.
Where our graduates work
Graduates on similar courses have gone on to secure roles in production engineering and manufacturing management.
How to apply
-
UK students
To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
-
International students
Full-time international students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
-
Disclaimers
Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
You may also like
