Foundation Degree (Engineering) Metrology for Industry
Course Code
EECU059
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Part-time
Duration
2 years part-time
Start date
September 2022
Course overview
Study level: Undergraduate
Foundation Degree
In today's globally competitive marketplace, we believe that metrology plays a crucial part in the manufacturing process to ensure quality and efficiency. Getting it wrong can prove costly, as bad data can be disruptive to decision making and improvement planning. However, getting it right helps to manage risk and support quality management, continuous improvement and waste reduction activities that enhance productivity.
- Developed in consultation with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Rolls-Royce Plc, Jaguar Land Rover, Airbus and other employers and stakeholders, this vocational entry course represents the world’s first foundation degree in metrology - the science of measurement.
- Based around, but not exclusively on, the field of industrial dimensional metrology, this course aims to develop understanding of different measurement systems and metrology tools and techniques across manufacturing engineering, with its many supporting metrology service organisations.
- The course is a part-time, work-based Industrial Metrology degree designed by industry, for industry.
- Part-time block delivery is designed to link to work-based activity.
- You must already be in a role that has access to measurement processes/planning or services.

Global Ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
Metrology is the science of measurement. Industrial metrology is the application of metrology within manufacturing and its supporting services. It is a keystone of manufacturing trade and productivity. No trade can take place without some form of measurement validation to say that the component part or batch of parts conform to design intent and specification.
Sustainable trade comes from supplying quality parts on time and for a competitive cost, therefore effective measurement is a key function in gaining confidence in data, driving productivity and so a pillar in supporting that business objective.
The aim of this unique course is to produce industrial metrologists that offer a lead to their organisations in relation to measurement issues and metrology planning. Gaining a deep understanding of industrial metrology planning and evaluation tools as well as the importance of metrology in driving productivity.
What you'll study
We aim to provide you with a solid foundation in the relevant underpinning theories and application of metrology within an industrial context including these core areas of industrial metrology:
- Exploring knowledge around the maths, engineering science, standards and calibration.
- Exploring skills and knowledge related to traditional and emerging measurement tools and techniques, including a variety of coordinate measuring systems and the technologies involved in modern measuring system sensors.
- Utilisation of Metrology tools which could help to gain confidence in the data that any measurement collects. Tools such as Measuring System Analysis (includes Gauge Repeatability and Reproducibility) and Uncertainty analysis.
Drawing heavily on real-life experience, best practice examples and practical demonstrations, you should learn how to identify areas for improvement within your organisation and select the most appropriate measurement methods. For example, selection of equipment, strategies for measurement and managing risk.
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
Developed in consultation with Industry and stakeholders, this part-time vocational entry course is a uniquely focused industrial metrology course. The teaching aim is to develop and expand the knowledge of industrial engineers and measurement specialists to optimise metrology within their company.
Lectures are 15 hours per 20 credit module, taught in two day blocks for the six modules per year, for two years. A lecture launches each module, followed by a period of work-based application back in your company. At the end of that module learning period, you are assessed. The employer driven intent of this course is to improve and deepen knowledge, develop work-based application skills and provide benefit to your company as you learn.
The typical lecture is designed for campus attendance with online tools utilised for remote support. The total contact hours are however a combination of face-to-face teaching and online classes/sessions.
In Year One, you will be required on campus for approximately 14 days over the 6 modules. In Year Two, you will be required on campus for approximately 11 days over the 5 modules.
Assessment
Each 20 credit module will be assessed by coursework against the modules learning outcomes, assessment will utilise a variety of methods, including written reports, case studies, tests and individual and group presentations. The final module is a work-based project where you where applicable can resolve a work-based measurement issue.
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.
Job ready
Upon successful completion, you will have knowledge of:
- The foundations of metrology (maths, science and standards)
- The well-established principles in metrology and the way in which these principles have developed.
- The main methods of enquiry in metrology and the ability to evaluate the appropriateness of different equipment and approaches to solving problems.
- Understanding the limits of your knowledge and the resources available to enable further personal development.
- Industry 4 and its potential impact on metrology.
- Business tools in relation to Benefit vs Cost and broader tools that integrate to Metrology.
Upon successful completion, you will be able to:
- Understand the importance of measurement within manufacturing.
- Access, analyse and use information from a variety of sources to solve measurement problems.
- Evaluate different approaches to the solution of measurement problems within their organisation.
- Analyse measurement capability within their organisation and make recommendations for improvement.
- Locate relevant information (standards, processes and procedures) to enable informed decision making.
- Use scientific methodologies within your field.
- Act independently to analyse, plan and implement changes based on verifiable evidence.
- Develop the vocational skills valued by their employers.
Entry requirements
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
For more information, please visit our Finance pages.
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | Not available | £6,450 |
Facilities

Faculty on the factory floor
AME brings together academia, industry, and research and development in a ‘live’ manufacturing environment. Our partnership 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.

Metals Workshop
Participate in technical work in a hands-on way. The workshop includes lathes, milling machines, fabrication equipment for sheet metal work, CNC machines, work benches, welding lines and a fitting assembly area.
Careers and opportunities
In today’s fast-moving and competitive world of business, we believe that developing good metrology practice has never been more important for securing better data, decision making and managing risk.
We believe that metrology plays a vital role in modern life with specialist skills increasingly relied upon in energy, environment, life sciences, automotive, aerospace, defence, government, manufacturing and commerce. Employees working in measurement and calibration across the UK we consider to be responsible for applications including monitoring pollutants in the air, calibrating radiotherapy equipment or ensuring vehicle safety.
We have tried to shape this course in line with the manufacturing engineering industry with the aim of providing students with the skills and expertise needed in this field, and to help attempt to add substantial value to any current or future employer.
Where our graduates work
Previous graduates of the course have included inspectors, quality engineers, quality managers, manufacturing or production engineers, laboratory and measurement technicians and metrologists.
How to apply
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UK Students
Part-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through our application portal.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
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Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2021/22 Contract can be found here. 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.
The university will charge the tuition fees that are stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study. The university will review tuition fees each year. For UK and EU 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. Following the UK’s planned exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit from the European Union, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. Coventry University will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance at that time. For international students, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.