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Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (MSc) (2024 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

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

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Engineering.

Candidates with a UK 2:2 (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 select one elective option, working 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 Master's 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

This course can accommodate around 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.


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.

Your elective module 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 Master's 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
  • Business and financial project management professionals
  • Design and development engineers
  • Technical product managers
  • Investment and business analysts
  • 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

As one of the largest departments at Warwick, WMG (originally Warwick Manufacturing Group), is a multidisciplinary department delivering a unique combination of world-class education with real business and industry application.

Our industry relevant management and technical education, and highly impactful applied research, have positioned WMG as a leading international role model for successful partnership between academia and industry. Having forged strong links with local, national, and global companies through 45 years of collaborative research and development, we really understand the global market you’ll be operating in and have designed our programmes to match.

Our expansive expertise includes artificial intelligence, automation systems, cyber security, data science, engineering management, design, supply chains, healthcare systems, sustainability, energy applications, materials, manufacturing, and visualisation to name but a few.

Find out more about our full-time Master's coursesLink opens in a new window, find out more about our part-time programmesLink opens in a new window, and learn more about the WMG department.Link opens in a new window


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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 and information sessions for prospective students including 1-1 bookable appointments, departmental open days, and independent visits so you can connect directly with the departmentLink opens in a new window and speak with staff and students from WMG. For more about university wide open days and tours, visit our Postgraduate Visits page.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your course fees  


Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status


Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits *
  • Dissertation binding *
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

* - Dissertations and Assignments are only submitted digitally. However students may wish to print and bind their dissertation for their own purposes. Students on some courses will have a final poster presentation as part of their project and the printing of posters will be at the students’ expense.

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.

Living costs

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


Department specific funding and support

WMG MSc Funding Opportunities

WMG award over £1.5million in scholarships and bursaries each year to students commencing study across our portfolio of full-time MSc programmes. More information about our MSc Scholarships.

WMG Research Degree Opportunities

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

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2025 will open on 2 October 2024.

Applications will close on 2 August 2025 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a full-time postgraduate taught course in WMG  

Please note, places are often limited, so we recommend that you submit your application as early as possible. Please check our department webpages for more specific information.

After you’ve applied

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Applicant Portal

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Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

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Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

  • Warwick hosted events
  • Postgraduate Fairs
  • Live chats
  • Talk and Tours
  • Department events