
MSc Professional Engineering
The MSc Professional Engineering, which meets the academic requirements of CEng status, is available to those currently in employment and is ideal if you are seeking to further progress and develop within the engineering profession.
The innovative and flexible part-time engineering qualification allows you to gain a Masters degree and progress towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status through activities undertaken in the workplace.
With a strong emphasis on work-based learning, it integrates supervised work based learning and professional development. The content is directly relevant to you and your employer.
The length of time it takes to complete the MSc Professional Engineering will vary depending on each student’s experience on entry.
At the beginning of the MSc Professional Engineering, you will be assigned a mentor who will guide you through each module using work-related projects. A professional development review is undertaken to determine which professional competencies you have evidenced through previous projects, and which still need to be addressed.
Once these outstanding competencies have been identified, a learning contract is developed and agreed by you, your employer and the University. This contract is submitted to the relevant professional body for approval. Following approval, you will take a series of modules that address the professional competencies you wish to achieve. On completion of this taught element, you will also complete a dissertation.
Modules include:
Professional Development Audit
Reflect upon and critically analyse aspects of your work based related learning in the context of addressing the UK- Standard Engineering Competence (UK-Spec) for a Chartered Engineer.
Learning Contract
Identify gaps in academic and professional knowledge and develop a detailed learning contact to identify learning objectives and devise a programme of work related study to meet the requirements of the programme and the UK-Spec
Existing and Emerging Technologies
Evaluate and critically assess existing and emerging technology and/or techniques in seeking an optimal solution.
Engineering Design
Create and develop an economically viable product, process or system to meet a defined need. Design development in areas where research information is limited or incomplete.
Engineering Analysis
Demonstrate the use of appropriate methods in the analysis of engineering problems and to critically evaluate the outcomes.
Project Management for Engineers
Critical awareness of management issues in the delivery of engineering projects, to develop leadership skills in the planning and implementation of projects.
Technical Communication Skills
Critically reflect upon effective interpersonal skills, communication in the work place and the communication of technical material to non-technical audiences.
Professional Engineering Responsibilities
Understand and critically assess the wider implications of the engineering process. Review and reflect upon the wider social implications of the engineering profession
Dissertation
Using appropriate resources, undertake a major piece of investigative research which develops and demonstrates the ability to gather, analyse, and report the products of the research in a logical and professional manner
Teaching
This flexible engineering masters gives working professionals who cannot commit to full-time study the opportunity to gain a professional qualification from home/the workplace.
The length of time it takes to complete the MSc Professional Engineering will vary depending on each student’s experience on entry. However, the average time taken is about three years.
Student support
You will also have access to all the facilities and services available at the University.
Students have access to the programme leader, award leaders and module tutors via 'open door' policy in person, on the telephone or via e-mail and Blackboard.
Pastoral care is provided by the Faculty Advice shop and the University student support services which includes Special Needs co-ordinators.
Academic support in mathematics, English and essay writing is available from the Study Skills Team.
Students will be allocated an industrial mentor in the workplace and also an academic mentor at the University.
Assessment
This is 100% coursework. You will be required to produce reports on the projects you have undertaken in the workplace, deliver a presentation, or participate in oral examinations.
You may find you are already meeting the academic requirements as part of your job and your studies simply provide you with further focus and additional benefits.
Accreditations
The MSc Professional Engineering is part of the Engineering Council’s Engineering Gateways initiative.
Lecturers
Matthew Jones, Senior Lecturer
We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
Applicants should have an accredited BEng Honours degree and be in relevant employment.
Suitable applicants will then be invited for interview. Applicants who are IEng accredited or have completed an academic review by a professional body may also be considered.
The course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent.
Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.
August 2023 - July 2024 Fees
Part-time UK: £1055 per 20 credits
August 2024 - July 2025 Fees
Part-time UK: TBC
Student Perks
At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.
Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.
Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.
Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
Funding
Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs
Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.
USW Postgraduate 20% Alumni Discount 2023/24
The University of South Wales is offering a 20% reduction in tuition fees for all University of South Wales* graduates starting a taught/online*** MA,MSc, LLM,MBA or DBA course from September 2023 (this includes students starting a course in January/February 2024). T's and Cs apply. Click here for more details and eligibility criteria: USW Postgraduate Alumni Discount 2023/24
Apply directly to us for this course.
The engineering gateways framework provides flexible work-based learning ‘escalator’ that allows progression to professional registration without the need to leave work, minimising the level of debt incurred and at the same time maximising employment and earnings prospects.
On graduating from this masters engineering course you will be prepared for Professional Review for Chartered Status, and be well placed to progress in your chosen engineering career. You could also progress to an engineering PhD or research degree. Find out about engineering research at USW.