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Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (MSc) (2023 Entry)

Explore our Intelligent Manufacturing Systems taught Master's degree

Factories around the world are becoming increasingly smart, exploiting the growth in cyber-physical technologies such as Industry 4.0 and IoT.

As an active global player in cyber-manufacturing research, WMG's pioneering MSc in Intelligent Manufacturing Systems is designed for engineers who will play an effective role in developing and managing these future manufacturing systems.


Course overview

This course is now now closed for 2023 entry

As products become increasingly complex, so do the manufacturing systems required to produce them. This course is about designing and managing the most efficient means of production, in order to make the best products. Designed for engineering graduates interested in digital manufacturing systems and operations management, IMS is suitable for engineers already working in industry who want to develop their expertise in cyber-physical technologies and make the transition to engineering manager. It is also ideal for recent graduates looking to fast-track their career in order to take a leading role within the manufacturing sector.

This course combines value creation with strategic development in a manufacturing environment, providing you with the latest manufacturing techniques and processes. We work at the forefront of emerging technologies, and through collaborative Research and Development with industry partners, we drive the transfer of knowledge into new areas. As a student of Intelligent Manufacturing Systems, you will benefit from much of the dynamic research carried out in the areas of digital manufacturing, digital lifecycle, and automation systems and robotics.

You will gain a thorough understanding of the ways in which product and demand characteristics influence manufacturing systems design and operation, and will learn a range of relevant scientific methods to diagnose problems in the design, implementation and operation of manufacturing systems.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Engineering.

Candidates with a UK 2:ii (or equivalent) may be accepted upon demonstration of relevant professional experience.


English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

  • Band A
  • IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.


Additional requirements

Candidates with professional experience should include their CV with their application.

Core modules

  • Manufacturing Systems and Process Selection
  • Management of Global Manufacturing Operations
  • Smart Networked Manufacturing
  • Manufacturing Planning and Control for Cyber-Operations
  • System Reliability and Diagnosis
  • Cyber-Manufacturing Design Project
  • Study, Professional and Analytical Skills

Optional modules

In addition to your core modules, you will have the opportunity to work with some of WMG’s Research Groups on an R&D module. You will be presented with the available options when you start your studies – those currently available are:

  • Research and Development in Automation Systems
  • Research and Development in Digital Lifecycle

Learn more about this course and read the module descriptions on WMG’s website

Teaching

This course has two components – your modules, as described above, account for two-thirds of your time and effort. Alongside these you will work on a major project, accounting for one-third of your overall grade.

Each module on IMS will be delivered over a 3-week duration, designed to follow the pedagogical model of 'engagement, immersion and consolidation'.*

Week 1 will blend asynchronous online study with formal lectures to provide the necessary background knowledge and define the focus of the module.

Week 2 will continue and expand on this with hands-on software labs, simulations, and syndicate exercises to immerse you in the concepts and practices of the domain.

Week 3 will focus on consolidating the knowledge gained through synthesis and problem-solving. This will be through a mix of individual and team-based tasks, simulations, and mini-projects and will provide you with the opportunity to reflect and discuss in face-to-face seminars and collaborative online forum activities.

All our module leaders are experts in their fields and are supported by external speakers working in organisations at the forefront of their fields.

In addition to your taught modules, you will undertake a major project as part of your Masters’ degree, which will develop your research and analytical skills and enable you to specialise. This is nominally 600 hours (60 CATS points) of learning, mainly taking place during the Spring and Summer terms. You will be expected to engage regularly with your Project Supervisor or Coach and to provide progress updates and drafts of your work to an agreed schedule.


Class sizes

Overall this course can accommodate up to 30 students.


Typical contact hours

This course is modular in structure.

Module delivery patterns vary, but most will be delivered in a short learning block of up to 4 weeks, allowing your focus to be on one module at a time. Each module nominally accounts for 150 hours, which includes scheduled classroom time and online sessions as well as your independent study and assessments.

The Study, Professional and Analytical Skills (SPA) Module also consists of 150 hours of learning and is purposefully designed to meet the complex learning and professional needs of postgraduate students. The module is taught across the year, and is composed of three interlinked yet distinctive learning strands: Study Skills, Professional Skills, and Analytical Skills. SPA is a blended module, which runs asynchronously and synchronously with the student learning journey, providing a programme of carefully designed learning activities, materials, and resources.


Assessment

Assessment is primarily through individual written Post Module Assignments (PMAs). Some modules also have assessed individual and/or group in-module exercises including worksheet exercises, model-building tasks, presentations and computer-based tests.

Your project submission is likely to include both a written and a presentation element, and accounts for 33% of your overall academic grade.


Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web pageLink opens in a new window.


Your timetable

Core modules will be allocated to students at the end of the first week of term - you will then be able to view your individual module schedule for the rest of the year via the WMG module selection system.

Elective modules will be bookable through the same system later in the term.

Modules will include scheduled classroom time and online sessions as well as your independent study and assessments, and will usually be delivered within a 4 week timeframe. Occasional classes and study skills sessions may be held at weekends or in the evenings.

As a Masters student, you are expected to manage your own time appropriately. On average, you are expected to commit 38-40 hours of study each week, in order to successfully achieve your Master’s degree.

This is a full-time postgraduate course - undergraduate term dates do not apply. Whilst there are no holidays as such, there will be no teaching scheduled when the University is officially closed, during the two weeks over Christmas and New Year.

Your career

Graduates from WMG have gone on to work for a variety of employers including:

  • Airbus
  • British Nuclear Group
  • EY
  • Caterpillar
  • TVS Motor Company
  • Jaguar Land Rover
  • Siemens

They have pursued roles such as: project engineers; design and development engineers; manufacturing managers, production planners, materials supply chain managers, and advisers and management consultants.


Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

  • Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
  • WMG Future Fest
  • Options in Engineering and Manufacturing sector event
  • Careers for experienced hires
  • Careers in Cyber Security
  • Careers in project management

WMG at Warwick

Having forged strong links with global companies through 42 years of collaborative research and development, we really understand the global market you’ll be operating in, and have designed our programmes to match.

Find out more about us on our websiteLink opens in a new window


Our courses

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Visiting WMG

There are a number of different ways to visit the University of Warwick throughout the year. We host bespoke PG visits, where you can talk directly with your chosen department and explore our campus through a personalised tour. WMG also organises events for prospective students including a weekly Live Chat so you can connect directly with the department to speak with staff and students from WMG. For more about university wide open days and tours, visit our Postgraduate Visits page.

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

WMG Excellence Scholarships

WMG funding opportunities

WMG will be awarding over £1million in scholarships and bursaries to students commencing study on our full-time MSc programmes

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Additional funding information

We have a number of research projects available which are fully or partially funded. The majority of these are for UK/EU applicants, though occasionally we advertise positions that are also open to overseas applicants. Please refer to specific project descriptions for details. See our Research Degree opportunities here.

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