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Overview
Guide businesses effectively through the rapid changes in engineering technology, scientific development and management practice. On this MSc Engineering Management, you'll strengthen your skills and expertise so you can respond effectively to innovation across the engineering sector.
You'll study management and engineering, focusing on the ways the disciplines can relate to each other, and learn to bridge the communication gap between engineers and managers. On the managerial side, you'll look at themes like supply chains and strategic management, and combine this with engineering topics including renewable energy use and system ability.
By combining both aspects, you'll make yourself appealing to a broader range of senior roles in engineering and beyond. You'll work alongside expert lecturers and a truly international group of fellow students as you learn, drawing on live engineering sector issues from case studies and collaborating organisations, and can further specialise through a final project exploring an engineering challenge that matters to you. You'll graduate with the demonstrable ability to take your next step in a career in design, product systems or other engineering roles.
You can start this course in September (full time or part time) or January (full time only).
Number 2 in the UK for student satisfaction
We're ranked second in the UK for student satisfaction in production and manufacturing engineering in the 2024 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES)
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
Course highlights
- Develop an understanding of engineering management techniques, giving you the capability to take on technical and managerial roles within an environment of continual change
- Use our multi-platform suites of industry-standard software and hardware, and develop your skills in tools such as Advanced Excel Modelling and Microsoft Project
- Apply your expertise to real problems through partnerships with local and global organisations, and focus your Master's project on a current engineering management issue that matters to you
- Attend guest lectures from managers in engineering companies, with past speakers from organisations including IBM and an international bioplastics firm
- Study material resource use and recovery, learn how to minimise waste in manufacturing, and grasp the way management skills can support engineering goals
- Graduate with an accredited degree that demonstrates your readiness for senior engineering roles
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) for meeting the further learning requirement for Chartered Engineer registration.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
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 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
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 2025 / January 2026 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 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
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.
Costs and funding
Tuition fees
January 2025 start
- Full time: £10,400
- Part time: £3,470 per year
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time: £10,400
- Part time: £3,470 per year
- Full time: £19,200
- Part time: £6,400 per year
September 2025 / January 2026 start
- Full time: £10,900 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part time: £3,630 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time: £10,900 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part time: £3,630 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full time: £19,200 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part time: £6,400 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
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.
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
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
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.
Modules
Full-time
On this course, you'll choose between an individual project or a research portfolio as your final piece of work. All other modules are core.
Core
With a solid introduction to the principles of organisational structures, project management and change management, you'll critically analyse the requirements for information in an engineering system and learn to apply information and communication technologies.
In this module, you'll assess and optimise complex manufacturing systems, using mathematical modelling techniques and lean management thinking. Through case studies, presentations and group discussions, you'll look at bottlenecks and Industry 4.0 solutions - then learn to reconfigure a production process with efficient, cost-effective and sustainable systems.
You'll examine energy potential and the limitations of wind, solar, tidal, wave, hydro and geothermal energy solutions, aw well as exploring energy efficiency, sustainability, and the environmental and economic aspects of energy.
In this module, you'll study strategic approaches to operations and quality management, using statistics and commercial analysis techniques to improve systems. You'll grasp commercial constraints and learn to contribute effectively to the planning, optimisation and control of manufacturing engineering environments.
In this module, you'll evaluate global environmental and social issues, and explore ways in which material selection, customer expectations and manufacturing styles can reduce ecological impact. You'll prepare to drive positive change by studying sustainable strategies for quality, efficiency and responsible practice.
You'll analyse supply chains for efficiency, resilience and responsiveness in this module, then create and optimise model supply chains using modern tools and techniques. You'll explore emerging technology, ethics and environmental concerns, and specialised supply chain methodologies from agile to fully-integrated.
Optional
You'll apply your technical skills to identify problems and create engineering solutions, and be assessed orally and in writing.
You'll complete a series of tasks which mirror the process of working on a final project, and receive detailed feedback for each stage. You'll write a research proposal, summarise a research paper, critically review literature, write a new theory development, and perform quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
Part-time
On this course, you'll choose between an individual project or a research portfolio as your final piece of work. All other modules are core.
Core
With a solid introduction to the principles of organisational structures, project management and change management, you'll critically analyse the requirements for information in an engineering system and learn to apply information and communication technologies.
In this module, you'll assess and optimise complex manufacturing systems, using mathematical modelling techniques and lean management thinking. Through case studies, presentations and group discussions, you'll look at bottlenecks and Industry 4.0 solutions - then learn to reconfigure a production process with efficient, cost-effective and sustainable systems.
In this module, you'll evaluate global environmental and social issues, and explore ways in which material selection, customer expectations and manufacturing styles can reduce ecological impact. You'll prepare to drive positive change by studying sustainable strategies for quality, efficiency and responsible practice.
On this course, you'll choose between an individual project or a research portfolio as your final piece of work. All other modules are core.
Core
You'll examine energy potential and the limitations of wind, solar, tidal, wave, hydro and geothermal energy solutions, aw well as exploring energy efficiency, sustainability, and the environmental and economic aspects of energy.
In this module, you'll study strategic approaches to operations and quality management, using statistics and commercial analysis techniques to improve systems. You'll grasp commercial constraints and learn to contribute effectively to the planning, optimisation and control of manufacturing engineering environments.
You'll analyse supply chains for efficiency, resilience and responsiveness in this module, then create and optimise model supply chains using modern tools and techniques. You'll explore emerging technology, ethics and environmental concerns, and specialised supply chain methodologies from agile to fully-integrated.
On this course, you'll choose between an individual project or a research portfolio as your final piece of work. All other modules are core.
Optional
You'll apply your technical skills to identify problems and create engineering solutions, and be assessed orally and in writing.
You'll complete a series of tasks which mirror the process of working on a final project, and receive detailed feedback for each stage. You'll write a research proposal, summarise a research paper, critically review literature, write a new theory development, and perform quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
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.
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.
It is our expectation that all international students will join us here on campus in Portsmouth.
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, September start)
Full-time study
You can expect:
- 9 hours of teaching time every week. You'll receive your timetable near the start of teaching.
- 30 hours of independent study each week.
In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your research project.
Part-time study
You can expect:
- 3 hours of teaching time every week. You'll receive your timetable near the start of teaching.
- 10 hours of independent study each week.
In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your research project.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching methods on this course include:
- seminars
- tutorials
- lecture
- laboratory sessions
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- project work
- written coursework
- exams
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Michel Leseure
I'm a lecturer at Portsmouth with research interests in the evolution of technical systems. I am also interested in engineering economy, real options, and scenario analyis.
Hom Dhakal
I'm a professor in composite materials at Portsmouth, and a visiting associate professor at the University of Borås in Sweden. My research focuses on the development, characterisation and testing of mechanical, thermal and environmental properties of sustainable, lightweight composites, biocomposites and nanocomposites. I'm currently teaching topics including materials and manufacturing, advanced materials for product realisation, sustainable development and environmental management, and strategies for resource conservation and recovery.
Jovana Radulovic
I'm head of the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, and my research interests include wetting and evaporative behaviour of complex fluids, hydrophobic emulsions, and hybrid thermodynamic cycles and renewable energy.
Ivan Popov
I'm a Principal Lecturer at Portsmouth, with research interests in engineering design, reverse engineering, engineering metrology, quality control, CACAM, and advanced manufacturing processes.
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.
Career development
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
You'll finish this course with an accredited degree, and complementary skills in engineering and management that show you're ready to respond to change in the rapidly-developing engineering sector. This means you'll be equipped for roles in engineering – or beyond – involving project management, quality assurance or production.
You'll have a network of professionals drawn from your fellow students, lecturers, and their industrial contacts. You'll also have explored a professional aspect of engineering management in your project; previous examples of project topics include cost projections of going independent of the national grid with renewable power, and a cost/benefit analysis of setting up solar farms in Nigeria.
Graduates of this course can go onto roles such as:
- business operations specialist
- project manager
- production engineer
- creative director
- quality assurance engineer
- production engineer
Graduates from similar courses have also set up successful businesses with help and support from the University.
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
Supporting you
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 course.
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.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
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.
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?
Start this course in January 2025
Start this course in September 2025
Apply now (Full-time) – 1 year
Apply now (Part-time) – 3 years
Start this course in January 2026
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 2024, 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.