Metrology for Industry Foundation Degree

Study level: Undergraduate
Foundation degree
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In today's globally competitive marketplace, we believe that metrology plays a crucial part in the manufacturing process to ensure quality and efficiency.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Part-time

Duration

2 years part-time

Course code

EECU059

Start date

September 2025


Course overview

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.
  • 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.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why 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 and driving productivity.

This course aims to help you:

  • work towards becoming an industrial metrologist that offers a lead to organisations in relation to measurement issues and metrology planning
  • gain a deep understanding of industrial metrology planning and evaluation tools
  • understand the importance of metrology in driving productivity.

What you'll study

In the first year, you will develop an understanding and appreciation of the causes of measurement variation and their mitigation, measurement good practice and strategy. The role of calibration and traceability and their place in international trade and measurement practices.

An understanding of the equipment types, strategies and idiosyncrasies within coordinate metrology equipment. Underpinned by an understanding of the science and mathematics behind key equipment technologies. These build a foundation of core skills and knowledge required in year 2.

Modules

The second year looks at core metrology tools and how metrology can impact a business. You will learn how metrology planning and assessment can drive continuous improvement and cost efficiency. An awareness is taught of metrology’s place in the wider business drive for productivity. You will comprehensively cover Measurement Systems Analysis (including GR&R studies), and Measurement Uncertainty. With an eye on the future, Smart Metrology and Industry 4.0 is covered. The second year culminates and closes the course with a work-based project.

Modules

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 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 14 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.


Assessment

Each 20 credit module may be assessed by phase test and 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.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

  • At least 40 points on the national tariff in one subject at GCE or VCE A-level (or a VCE double award) or equivalent;

  • At least 60 points on the national tariff in at least one subject at GCE or VCE Advanced Supplementary (‘AS’) level where the student has attempted and has been fully assessed in, but failed to achieve, an A-level; or

  • Those without formal qualifications, but with significant relevant work experience and in appropriate employment. Please contact the university for further information.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Tuition Fees

For more information, please visit our Finance pages.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK Not available 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£6,800
International Not available 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£10,600

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


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 undertake tasks, 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.

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
  • the limits of your knowledge and the resources available to enable further personal development
  • Industry 4.0 and its potential impact on metrology
  • business tools in relation to benefit vs cost and broader tools that integrate to metrology.

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.

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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