Frequently Asked Questions
Overview
- Programme options and eligibility
- Practicalities
- Preparing for studies
- Modules
- Teaching, learning, and assessments
- Applications
- Fees and payments
- Other questions
Programme options and eligibility
We currently offer two part-time postgraduate programmes:
- Engineering Business Leadership: We welcome individual applications for this programme.
- Supply Chain Leadership: This programme is designed for partner companies to sponsor their employees to join the programme.
Our Engineering Business Leadership course is designed for individuals working in an engineering or technology-based organisation – from first line managers to middle and senior managers. It is particularly suited to those with a technical or engineering background or who have relevant work experience, and who are looking to progress their careers in a leadership role. It is also suitable for people who have been in their role for some time and want formal recognition for the skills and knowledge they have. Participants to the predecessor course came from a wide variety of industries and roles, including but not limited to: Manufacturing and Design Engineers, Team Leaders in Operational Roles, Operations Manager, Production Leader, Project Manager, Procurement Officer, Plant Manager, Technology Manager, Manufacturing Service Engineers, Quality Assurance Managers, and Managing Director.
Our Supply Chain Leadership course is designed for partner companies to sponsor their employees to join the programme. Employees may be working in the supply chain function of an organisation – from first line managers to middle and senior managers. It is particularly suited to those with a technical or engineering background or who have relevant work experience in the supply chain function of an organisation, and who are looking to progress their careers in a leadership role in a supply chain environment.
To join one of our part-time postgraduate programmes, you should possess the equivalent of a UK second-class honours degree from an approved university, preferably in a technology-related subject. You will also need at least three years industry experience.
Our part-time postgraduate programmes are also open to talented individuals without a first degree, who have relevant work-experience, have taken a less-traditional route in their career and who will have shown great potential in the business. In this case, we will offer you the opportunity to initially register for our Postgraduate Diploma for the registration period of one year. If you successfully complete and pass the Postgraduate Diploma, we will transfer the credits gained from this onto the Master’s degree.
A Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) is an intermediary qualification equal to 120 credits of modules. Your credits can then be transferred towards a full Master’s degree registration within five years of you attending the module. The tuition fees paid towards the PgDip will be deducted from the total Master’s degree fees (pro rata).
Yes, our courses are open to both Home and Overseas students. Please note, you need to be in employment with appropriate professional experience and have the ability to travel to the University of Warwick’s campus for face-to-face teaching.
Yes, as long as you have enough professional experience to relate your learning to your recent contracts/clients.
No, we do not hold interviews for our part-time postgraduate programmes. An application link will be emailed to you once your suitability to join the programme has been confirmed.
Although we do not hold interviews, we strongly encourage a one-to-one consultation to discuss your options and confirm your eligibility. Please contact us to arrange a one-to-one consultation:
Yes, each module offered is also available on a standalone basis to help towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD). You do not have to complete a Post Module Assignment (PMA). Please note, if you choose not to complete a PMA, you will not be able to carry over the credits attached to this module.
No, we do not currently offer a full-time version of our part-time programmes. If you are interested in full-time study, you may wish to take a look at the following WMG programmes:
Practicalities
The Master’s takes three years to complete and the Postgraduate Diploma takes two years to complete.
For the MSc in Engineering Business Leadership:
- The application deadline for September 2024 entry is Friday 30 August 2024; and
- The application deadline for September 2025 entry is Friday 29 August 2025.
We do not charge an application fee for our part-time postgraduate programmes.
Our part-time programmes are not currently accredited by a professional engineering institution. If you wish to seek professional registration after the course, you may need to demonstrate the required knowledge and understanding in different ways, such as through any formal, informal, and work-based learning. Please contact a relevant professional engineering institution licensed by the Engineering Council for further information on professional registration.
Preparing for studies
Our Induction and Study Skills introduces you to WMG, the way we deliver the programmes, and the way you will be expected to write and submit your Post Module Assignments (PMAs). During the Induction, you will also meet some of your fellow cohort and will have the opportunity to network. Our aim is to give you an introduction to what studying at WMG will be like, and to introduce you to our team.
Research Methodologies is a two-day workshop which provides you with practical guidance on how to conduct an academically-sound MSc project. The workshop provides guidance on the key elements of good academic practice and a practical understanding of the major elements required of your Company Based Project. You normally attend the Research Methodologies workshop around 18 months after the start of your MSc.
Modules
You will need to study:
- Eight modules to achieve the MSc in Engineering Business Leadership, plus two supporting events.
- Seven modules to achieve the MSc in Supply Chain Leadership, plus two supporting events.
- Eight modules to achieve the PGDip in Engineering Business Leadership, plus one supporting event.
- Seven modules to achieve the PGDip in Supply Chain Leadership.
- One module for a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certificate.
Please visit our part-time course pages to find the list of all compulsory modules for each programme.
Module availability and staffing may change year on year depending on availability and other operational factors. We make no guarantee that any modules will be offered in a particular year, or that they will necessarily be taught by the staff listed on the module pages.
Once you have submitted your application form, our Programme Administrator will send you a draft module schedule. This will help you to plan your time out of the office.
You can book onto a module up to 12 months in advance. Six weeks before the start of the module, you will receive joining instructions. At this point, you will have to confirm your attendance.
You must contact our Programme Coordinator to cancel your attendance for a module. If you cancel within six weeks of the start of the module, you may be charged up to 10%. If you cancel within two weeks of the start of the module, you will be charged 50% of the fees for that module. If you cancel on the day or simply do not show up, you will be charged 100%.
An MSc is equal to 180 credits and requires the successful completion of eight modules and the Company Based Project. Find out more about credits at the University of Warwick.
Teaching, learning, and assessments
Our part-time postgraduate programmes are delivered in the UK. We take a blended approach to teaching and learning, combining face-to-face and online delivery. Our approach helps to ensure we offer flexibility and networking opportunities for work-based learners.
Face-to-face modules are usually delivered in a week-long block format, typically 9 am - 6 pm Monday – Thursday, and 9 am – 12:30 pm on Friday. We will send you the schedule in advance so you can plan your time out of the office. The timetable for blended or online modules will vary.
Grades are awarded for modules and the Company Based Project/Dissertation. Each module is assessed by a Post Module Assignment (PMA) of approximately 4,000-5,000 words. A PMA is usually composed of two questions relating to the learning gained during the module.
Depending on the module, it will take approximately 80 hours to prepare your PMA. This includes your time spent writing, as well as researching and networking within your organisation to find out the information needed for a successful PMA.
Each PMA needs to arrive at WMG within six weeks of the end of each module. The module tutor will give you a deadline date at the end of each module.
You will submit your PMA online using your login details. In the event of a website problem, you can email your PMA to the Programme Coordinator. It is not possible to send PMAs by post.
A PMA should total approximately 4,000-5,000 words.
Examples of generic PMA questions include:
- Describe and then critically assess how your company designs, develops and produces a new product or service. Suggest practical ways in which current methods could be improved and explain the likely benefits to be gained from the application of your suggestions.
- Explain the advantages and disadvantages of working in groups in organisations. Give examples from your experience.
- Critically evaluate the objectives of an operations facility within your company. How well do these align with the strategy and performance measures in use?
Your Company Based Project/Dissertation should total approximately 20,000 words.
Applications
Please contact our team by email at wmgptmasters@warwick.ac.uk to discuss the options available and confirm your eligibility. An application link will then be emailed to you once your suitability to join the programme has been confirmed.
Fees and payments
Please visit the course pages for information on tuition costs:
There is no difference in fees for Home or International students. A yearly increment is to be expected and will be according to inflation.
Companies or individuals can be invoiced annually or quarterly, and if you are self-funding you will need to pay the annual fee in advance.
Your first invoice should be around the date of your induction. You will be invoiced the sum equal to the annual/quarterly figure according to the methods you have chosen on your application form.
There are no scholarships available for WMG’s part-time programmes.
Other questions
Each module is followed by a Post Module Assignment (PMA). These assignments enable participants to apply directly what they have learnt on the module into their working environment.
At the end of an MSc, the sponsoring company benefits from eight ‘mini case studies’ as well as a larger Company Based Project/Dissertation.
The knowledge and skills employees gain through our programmes can boost efficiency, increase capability and expand productivity, whilst facilitating staff recruitment and improving staff retention. This adds real business value and rapid ROI.
Please contact us if you have any further questions on the business value of our part-time postgraduate programmes.
Along with a Study Skills event delivered at the start of the course and a Research Methodologies workshop in preparation for your Company Based Project/Dissertation, you will have the support of our expert teaching staff who will help you apply your learning directly back to your company. We also have a dedicated administrative team who will be available to help support you with any queries you might have relating to your course.
If you are awarded a Master’s degree, there is usually a summer or a winter graduation ceremony at the University for when you have completed your course.